Tohono O'odham Young Voices

This episode features Lourdes Escalante, Executive Director of Alianza Indigena Sin Fronteras (Indigenous Alliance Without Borders), who is heavily involved in the Tucson community and is a member of the Yoeme (Pascua Yaqui) tribe. The episode starts off with a content warning to address the discussions that include accounts of domestic violence and death which could be traumatic and potentially triggering to some listeners. This thoughtful in-depth conversation addresses the culture of silence, lateral violence, femicide/feminicidio, toxic masculinity, and other factors that contribute to Missing and Murdered Indigneous Relations. Lourdes also gave an overview of the data and statistics from the Arizona Statewide Study in Partnership with HB2570 Legislative Study Committee. The conversation leads into spreading awareness about MMIR and best practices to begin to heal as a community, while supporting those directly impacted who have lost a loved one. 

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking etc. please see the helpful links below. 

Helpful resources:
Emerge Center Against Domestic Violence
Missing and Murdered Indigenous People
Tohono O'odham Nation Komckud Ki: Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Program
Voices Unheard
Southwest Indigenous Women's Coalition
Stalking

Related stories:
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Cases That Deserve More Attention 
Feminicidio Close to Home: Remembering Dr. Raquel Padilla Ramos

*Content warning the following contains discussions surrounding experiences with border patrol and graphic descriptions of violence, and even death, that may be triggering, or traumatizing to some audiences. Please take care while listening*

On May 18, 2023, Raymond Mattia Sr. (baht) a respected member of the Tohono O’odham community, was tragically shot and killed by Border Patrol agents. This incident, highlights the frequent and invasive interactions between Border Patrol and the Tohono O’odham people with the use of excessive force. 

This episode highlights the family and community members that have organized peaceful protests, and are pursuing legal action, emphasizing the need for greater oversight of Border Patrol operations. 


Raymond's death has brought attention to issues of accountability and transparency within the Border Patrol, his family has been vocal about the excessive force used and the lack of accountability, calling for immediate reforms to prevent future tragedies within the community. 

There is a growing call for solidarity and support from other communities to raise awareness and catalyze societal change.This incident underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive review of Border Patrol practices, the family's advocacy for justice highlights the ongoing struggles of militarization across the Tohono O'odham Nation, may we continue to stand in solidarity with the family in their efforts. 

*for NON O'odham listeners. (BAHT) is a O'odham phrase meaning to respect those who have passed and keep them at peace. 

In this season finale of Tohono O’odham Young Voices, we thank the listeners for your support, as we also reflect on season eight's accomplishments, and preview season nine's focus on uplifting Indigenous stories. 
This episode highlights personal updates from us, including Tina's work with community radio, Napoleon's new teaching role at San Carlos Apache College, and Bree's dual degree pursuit.  We also discuss Community projects, including a permanent exhibit at the Mexican American Heritage Center and Museum, an NEH-funded sound-based project, and the San Xavier Allottees Association's podcast initiative.
Next, we reflect on community events and conferences, underscoring their role in promoting engagement and cultural preservation. Key episode discussions from season eight are revisited including one with Kiana Pete and season nine's focus on topics like Indigenous rights and missing and murdered Indigenous women is previewed, kicking off with an episode about Raymond Mattia Sr. (baht).
We want to thank all the listeners who came to support us and gave us words of encouragement as we dive into deeper topics in our communities around justice and awareness that could be challenging for some listeners.

Follow and check out some of the amazing Indigenous communities doing similar work to us and support! 

Here are helpful links to learn more about the topics we discussed in our conversation:
https://www.tribalselfgov.org/about/

https://usindigenousdatanetwork.org/us-indigenous-data-sovereignty-governance-summit/

https://www.nativeamericacalling.com/friday-april-19-2024-remembering-the-1974-navajo-border-town-murders/

https://grbc.tv/

https://www.pursuitfilms.com/blog/the-girl-scout-murders

Music By- Famous Ones "Love You To The Moon & Back (Interlude)" Chica De Mis Suenos

Epidemic Sound - Jobii, LM. Styles "Kerfuffle" Midnight Haze

This conversation is Hosted by Tina, Co-hosted with Napolean, featuring guest Kianna Pete (Dine). Kianna is a scholar, advocate, freelance writer, and Indigenous education & policy researcher from New Mexico. Working with tribes of the southwest, environmental justice organizers, and legal scholars, she promotes Indigenous self-determination and equitable education. Kianna also provides free educational resources on social media about Indigenous organizing around issues of climate change and tribal rights.

Kianna's project title: The Formation of Tribal Reservation Border Towns: Navigating Dine Identity in “Injun-Killing” Spaces. Examination of Tribal Reservation Bordertowns - relatively new concept to Indigenous studies that responds to the ensuing violence against Native Americans. 

Helpful links:
Book - Red Nation Rising - https://www.google.com/books/edition/...
The Everyday Violence of Indian Country's "bordertowns" - https://www.hcn.org/issues/53-6/ideas...
The Amerian Indian Movement: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMjHxththQA&t=0sA Broken Circle" NHD Documentary
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kianna_pete...
Tohono O'odham Young Voices: https://www.toyoungvoices.com/

DeShawn Davis is a young environmentalist exploring traditional O’odham Jewedga (O’odham lands) in Southern Arizona. He currently works as a Next Generation Ranger at Saguaro National Park and is also an involved participant in the Eco Truths for Indigenous Youth. His passion for science-based programs and work experiences have provided him with the knowledge and the tools to excel in the STEM world. He also embraces his deep cultural connections and access to ancestral lands. The critical role we have as Native/Indigenous people to protect sacred sights, nature, animals, etc. is important especially when working in the National Park Service; to educate and share historical facts, and cultural perspectives, and update the narrative that local tribes are more than just a chapter in history books, but that we are still here evolving and thriving while still holding on to our cultural inheritance.

Recorded: January 2024

Background music by: Guustavv “Barranca” and Bomull “älv”

For more information about Deshawn's involvement, check out these articles and interviews!
Next-generation ranger camp
https://www.nps.gov/sagu/getinvolved/next-generation-ranger-corps.htm

Eco Truths for Indigenous Youth
https://ironwoodtreeexperience.org/community/projects/ecotruths-for-indigenous-youth-2/

In this thought-provoking episode, join us as we dive deep into the intersecting worlds of Indigenous issues and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Tina Andrew, Executive Producer, and co-host Napoleon Marrietta lead a dynamic discussion, bringing together a diverse panel of experts. Dr. Christopher Wise, a seasoned professor with a wealth of experience in Africa and the Middle East, adds academic depth to our conversation. Another special guest Amy Juan, drawing from her firsthand experiences in Palestine-Israel, offers a unique perspective that uncovers striking parallels between the O'odham and Palestinian lifestyles and experiences living within' a militarized environment.
Throughout the episode, our conversation centers on key themes such as colonization, land rights, and cultural preservation, spotlighting the universal nature of these struggles. The parallels between the experiences of Indigenous people and Palestinians serve as a lens to examine complex global issues. We emphasize the importance of understanding historical and cultural contexts as we explore the intricate web of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This dialogue challenges listeners to think critically about these issues beyond mainstream narratives, inviting them to explore deeper dimensions of historical, political, and social significance. Ultimately, this episode offers a multifaceted exploration of global conflicts, Indigenous issues, and the profound impact of personal narratives on our collective understanding of complex social and political dynamics.
Tune in for an enlightening and engaging conversation that aims to broaden your perspective on these pressing global issues.

Background music: Dusty Decks "Top Glare", Ahmad Kaabour "Ounadikom", Hannes "Summer 3000"

Recorded: November 22, 2023

Episode 39 was co-hosted by Bre, Tina, and Mia with special guest Mato Wayuhi. Mato is Oglala Lakota from the Pine Ridge rez in South Dakota. He is mostly known as a multidisciplinary artist who composes his own music, raps, and is brining his own unique sound to mainstream media. His recent work is infamously heard throughout the Reservation Dogs series seasons one through three which he composed as well as acted as Young Bucky in season three, which is sadly the final season of the show. The impacts he's making and the roads he's paving for younger generations to follow or not follow, are at least recieving recognition from all walks of life. Bringing that indigenous sound for the universe to hear, staying true to his own individualism as an artist, while intigrating his Oglala Lakota roots, his talent does not disappoint! The interview Mato, shares his music journey that eventually led him to also compse music for Disney Launchpad titled "The Roof." We hope you enjoy the conversation!

Background music by: Mato Wayuhi "Rez Dogs Theme" "Switch Lanes" "Sour Sofkee"

Recorded: October 30, 2023

This episode is co-hosted by Tina and Napolean with guest Dr. Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan (Tohono O'odham). Tune in as we take a deep dive into Dr. J’s dissertation research and background in journalism. She is from Wa:k Ceksan (San Xavier District) of the Tohono O’odham Nation just South of Tucson, Arizona. Tina has known Dr. J and has over the years followed her work in the community, both as a student and as a professional. The journey in journalism for Jacelle started at a young age as a bear essential news reporter up until her college years where she fulfilled her dream to be a journalist for Indian Country Today. As she transitioned into the doctoral program at the University of Arizona, Jacelle began to focus more on her community of Wa:k (where the water rises) also known as San Xavier and its history of land and water. Growing up she often heard stories of the jewed (land) and the impacts that have affected it til this day. It wasn’t until she began her own research that she unearthed community and surrounding local stories that helped her piece together what all those impacts were for Wa:k O’odham. Sapo!

With permission from Dr. J, if you would like a copy of her dissertation please feel to email us at [email protected] to receive a pdf copy.

Background music by: baegel “Training Montage” and Dusty Decks “Top Glare”

Recorded: October 2023

In this episode host Tina Andrew is joined by two strong, educated, indigenous women who both work in the field of archaeology. Dr. Paulette Steeves (Cree-Métis) is a renowned indigenous archaeologist who's work is groundbreaking for all indigenous/native communities. In her research, Steeves argues that, "Indigenous peoples were present in the Western Hemisphere as early as 100,000 years ago, and possibly much earlier. She has created a database of hundreds of archaeology sites in both North and South America that date from 250,000 to 12,000 years before present, which challenges the Clovis First dogma of a post 12,000 year before present initial migrations to the Americas." Her book, "The Indigenous Paleolithic of the Western Hemisphere," focuses on reclaiming the history of the deep past of Indigenous people in North and South America during the Paleolithic.Our second guest is a former team member of the podcast, Genesis, a Yoeme anthropologist, Entrepreneur, and Land Defender, works as a field archaeologist in Arizona. She shares her experiences and the challenges she's faced with in academia, and field work.

Backgroung music by: Ambre Jaune "Chant for Quisqueyat" and Matt Large "Llevame Lejos de Aqui"

Recorded: October 2023

In this episode we went live with waila/Tejano musician Stevie Ray Vavages. Tune in as Stevie goes in depth about his upcoming and his musical journey that is rooted in the Tohono O’odham social music called Waila. The word waila is derived from the Spanish word Baila, which means “to dance.” Growing up Stevie was surrounding by music and inspired by family who played in a waila band called Thee Express. He was taught the guitar at a young age and has sense then stayed committed to his dream of playing along side musicians he used to practice and study in his beginning years as a musician. Today, he is living in Texas, playing with the infamous Jaime DeAnda, original frontman of Jaime y Los Chamacos! He has also shared the stage with and/or recorded with popular musicians such as Albert Zamora, Max Baca, Flaco Jimenez, and even cellist Yo-Yo Ma. In this interview Stevie not only talks about his musical journey but shares his more personal everyday life experiences as well.

Youtube live with Stevie Ray Vavages
Music by: Thee Express "Arabian Cumbia" "Greasewood chote", Stevie Ray Vavages "Express Chote" and American Indians "Cry Babe (waila)"
Recorded: September 2023