Tongue Unbroken

We are joined by Éedaa Heather Burge and Shodzi'dzo:wa:’ Damian Webster to talk about their language journey and current work, and also about systemic changes they hope to see in the near future. They also shared their thoughts on how to balance teaching the complexities of Indigenous languages while also being true to the spirit of the language and its ancestors, and then on how to be the medicine in times of difficulty and sorrow. Following a wonderful time with our guests, X̱ʼunei wraps up season 2 with messages for listeners and those working in Indigenous languages, and also hopes for future seasons of the show. Gunalchéesh, háwʼaa, quayana, mahalo for listening and spending time with us! Letʼs keep on going! Stoodis!

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We are joined by Dr. Keiki Kawaiʻaeʻa, Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and former director of Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. She shares her language journey, and then we talk about the elements that may have made the Hawaiian language movement successful. We also talk about strategies and trying to determine when you decolonize existing systems and when you create your own pathways within those systems, and how to move from teaching about, to teaching of, to teaching through Indigenous languages. Dr. Keiki also shares her views on how to create and maintain safe environments for language learning and to not give up when things are difficult. Learn more about Hawaiian language programs at www.olelo.hawaii.edu, www.ahapunanaleo.org, and www.nawahi.org.

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We are joined by multimedia artist Yéil Ya-Tseen Nicholas Galnin, who is from Sheetkʼá (Sitka, Alaska) and performs music as Ya Tseen. He is a 2024 Guggenheim Fellow, can be found on Sub-Pop Records, and has work featured around the world that is in sculpture, jewelry, video, and installation. His works speak to sovereignty, racial, social, and environmental justice, and for Landback initiatives. We talk about his path to becoming a multimedia artist while remaining rooted in Lingít identity, on demystifying the “complexities” of colonization when it comes to returning land, language, and objects to Indigenous peoples, and also his signing to Sub-Pop. He also shares advice for aspiring artists, and then zoomed off to catch a flight. See his work by following https://www.instagram.com/nicholasgalanin/?hl=en, and also read more about his musical releases at https://www.subpop.com/artists/ya_tseen.

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We are joined by Ḵasheechtlaa Louise Brady to talk about the path that led to sobriety and work with protecting the invaluable and threatened herring run to Southeast Alaska. Yaaw (herring) produce a vital food source to the Lingít peoples, and are an indicator species for ecosystem balance within the interconnected worlds of living things in the ocean. Ḵasheechtlaa tells a story about reconnecting to the self and to her Indigenous culture, and how the healing from those reconnections are carried out in her advocacy and stewardship as part of Native Movement (www.nativemovement.org) and the Herring Protectors (www.herringprotectors.org). She also guides us through a conversation on gender balance and equity within Indigenous cultures, and how a rematriation movement can result in increased care for the clan houses of the Lingít and increased ability to protect our lands for the benefit of future generations.

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We are joined by writer T’set kwei Vera Starbard and musician Shaaḵindustóow Ed Littlefield to discuss their path to becoming an Emmy-nominated writer, playwright, editor, professional percussionist, educator, and composer. They also talk about their experiences as the librettist, translator, and composer of an upcoming Lingít opera about Sheetkʼá (Sitka) and battles for land rights and safety that took place in the early 1800s. This episode includes short clips of the opera, which will premiere on stages within the next couple of years. They also discuss their daily creative lives and advice for aspiring Creative Natives. Check out Vera Starbard at https://verastarbard.com and Ed Littlefield at https://edlittlefield.com Songs from the upcoming opera courtesy of Sealaska Heritage Institute.

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Dr. Iene Vini Olsen-Reeder joins us for a conversation about Individual language journeys and social reclamation movements with the intention of bringing our languages home by being excellent multilinguals. Iene is a co-host of the upcoming podcast  2 Couple to Kōrero, which will talk about bringing languages home from the perspective of a couple committed to language use as individuals and as a family. Some people might think that thousands of miles of ocean separate peoples, but in reality, the ocean connects us, and so do our journeys of recovering from violent and racist colonial practices and behaviors.

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We are joined by Denaʼina scholar and language teacher Łiq'a yes Joel Isaak to talk about language journeys, the ways that being a visual artist can help create visual representations of grammar, Tribal school and programs, and staying strong and focused through dramatic changes. Isaak is an artist and installs large level artwork, and also works in education, which are two traits that combine to create braided perspectives on understanding and teaching Indigenous languages and also Indigenizing education. The journey of the language warrior involves facing the colonial war on Indigenous languages, which requires ceremony and self-care in order to stay focused and positive in your language reclamation work.

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We are joined by Yawdunéi Arias Hoyle, who performs as Air Jazz, to talk about his work as a Hip Hop artist that uses Lingít Yoo X̱ʼatángi (the Lingít language) in his work. We are honored to feature three of his songs: S’áxt’, Nakaaní/Shaax’wsaani, and Ch’áak Waak (ft. Radiophonic), and talk about learning and using Lingít, taking the language into new realms, and maintaining a loving and supportive environment for future generations of Indigenous creators and thinkers. 

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We are joined by Rochelle Adams, Language Access Director for the Alaska Public Interest Research Group and Gwichʼin language speaker, learner, and teacher, for a discussion on language journeys, making Indigenous voices count, and brilliant Indigenous futures. Indigenous languages connect with each other across vast time and space to make lasting impacts and connections, and part of our daily work involves making sure our voices are heard in public forms as language reclamation movements continue to gain momentum. Also, Indigenous voices are appearing more in media, and we can gain strength from the increased presence of those voices.

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Dr. Walkie Charles is a Yupʼik language professor and the Director of the Alaska Native Language Center. He joins us to talk about his approach to language teaching, surviving and overcoming horrendous boarding school experiences, and brushing off the terrible parts of life in order to be yourself in language reclamation movements. The Boarding School Era, known as the Residential School Era in Canada, is a horrible and inhumane part of the histories of the United States and Canada. Dr. Charles is a survivor of that era, and has emerged as one of the most powerful voices in Indigenous Language reclamation efforts in Alaska.

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