In Episode 5, co-host Dr. Lyla June Johnston (Diné/Tsétsêhéstâhese) speaks with Dr. Nelly Masayi (Luhya), an Indigenous academic from western Kenya, about the role of Indigenous knowledge in protecting biodiversity, addressing climate change, and sustaining communities. Together, they explore the impacts of colonization on Indigenous cultures, land ownership, food systems, and women’s roles.

Don't miss this conversation! Listen to “Indigenous Kenya: The Power of Luhya Knowledge to Protect Biodiversity with Dr. Nelly Masayi.”

In Episode 4, co-host Lyla June Johnston (Diné/Tsétsêhéstâhese) speaks with Tanaya Winder (Shoshone, Ute, Diné, and Paiute), an accomplished author, singer-songwriter, poet, and motivational speaker, about burn out and working from our heart’s purpose. Tanaya combines storytelling, singing, and poetry to delve into themes of healing, love, and discovering one's purpose—what she calls "heartwork," as a form of medicine and encourages individuals to harness their voices as a source of power.  

Don't miss this conversation! Listen to “Caring for Self, Caring for Community: Lessons in Leadership with Tanaya Winder.”  To learn more about her work, visit: www.tanayawinder.com

In Episode 3, co-host Aimee Roberson (Chahta/Chikashsha) speaks with Alicia Moncada (Wayuu) and Avexnim Cojtí (Maya K'iche') about what it means to be Indigenous, how all of humanity has Indigenous roots, and the fierce love needed to care for and ensure the continuance of our cultures, communities, and connections to Mother Earth.

Don't miss this conversation! Listen to “Fierce Love: Balancing Nurture and Defense of Our Communities.”

In Episode 2, one of our hosts, Dr. Lyla June Johnston (Diné/Tsétsêhéstâhese), speaks with Burhan Sönmez about the revitalization of the Kurdish language. 

Listen to “Healing Our Future: Mother Earth Medicine with Lyla June and Aimee Roberson”. 

In Episode 1, our hosts, Dr. Lyla June Johnston (Diné/Tsétsêhéstâhese), Cultural Survival Board Member, and Aimee Roberson (Chahta/Chikashsha), Cultural Survival Executive Director, discuss their inspiration for this new podcast rooted in the wisdom of their ancestors.

Aimee and Lyla honor Indigenous cultures and values and invite listeners to collectively dream and co-create a future of mutual flourishing rooted in Ancestral Intelligence.

Listen to “Healing Our Future: Mother Earth Medicine with Lyla June and Aimee Roberson”. 

In this Episode, Dr. Lyla June Johnston speaks with Aimee Roberson, Executive Director of Cultural Survival, to announce an exciting new transition! Lyla June and Nihizhi Podcast are joining forces with Cultural Survival to launch a brand new podcast called "Mother Earth Medicine"! Aimee and Lyla will now co-host the new show, combining their extensive networks with Indigenous communities to better help us interview, highlight, and platform amazing grassroots Indigenous leaders, thinkers and practitioners from around the world! For all those who have known and loved Nihizhi Podcast, please know that this is only a continuation of our power with a larger media team and the beautiful presence of Aimee Roberson.

Stay tuned!

In this episode, we speak with Tela Troge, a Shinnecock Nation matriarch, lawyer, and kelp farmer, Indigenous to what is now known as Long Island, NY. She shows us how ushering life back into the Shinnecock Bay is not as hard as it seems. By fighting against the billionaire class that tried to take up the land of the area, and pushing against patriarchy that tried to limit women's leadership, she and her sisters are planting sugar kelp in the Shinnecock Bay with extraordinary results. Her message inspires hope that, even in the most troubled waters, we can take action to reverse environmental damage and heal the land. If Tela can do it, we can all do it! She shows the light of how to walk down this path of regeneration and restoration.

Karelle Hall and Courtney Streett share their experience in the colonial state of Delaware as Nanticoke Tribal Members to bring back their ancient seeds, carry on the ways of their ancestors, and thrive in the face of ongoing colonization. 

They also speak with host Lyla June (www.lylajune.com) on the topic of Afro-Indigeneity and their collective work to abolish blood quantum and celebrate pluralistic identities and intra-diversity. 

Follow their work at: https://www.nativerootsde.org/

Karelle Hall: https://anthro.rutgers.edu/academics/graduate/graduate-students/cultural-anthropology/1035-karelle-hall

Courtney Streett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-streett-a671a631

In this episode, host Lyla June interviews Justin Adams, co-founder of Ostara and chair of Embercombe. The episode discussion revolves around reconnecting with the earth through the lens of European indigenous roots. Unlike the traditional focus on Turtle Island's Indigenous peoples, this episode explores pathways for individuals of European descent to reclaim ancestral relationships with the land. Justin shares insights on addressing the colonial legacy of European ancestors, grappling with historical shame, and acknowledging privilege as part of a broader effort to heal and restore harmony with the earth.

To learn more about Ostara, visit https://www.ostaracollective.org/
To learn more about Embercombe, visit https://embercombe.org/who-we-are/

This episode, host Lyla June is in conversation with Theresa "Bear" Fox, a song carrier and knowledge bearer of the Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk Nation) from Akwesasne Territory in northeastern Turtle Island. Together, they explore her journey as a community member, her deep connection to her culture, and how she came to carry the songs and stories of her people. This heartfelt exchange offers insight into the preservation of traditions and the power of music and storytelling.

Learn more about Theresa "Bear" Fox on her official website.
Stream her music on Spotify, Apple Music or Amazon Music.
Doante or learn more about the Akwesasne Freedom School on their website.