Tongue Unbroken

We are joined by Yaayuk Bernadette Alvanna-Stimpfle, a high fluency first language speaker of Iñupaq, the director of the Kawerak, Inc. Heritage Program, and a doctoral candidate at Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. She shares her wisdom as an Indigenous language teacher, developer of teacher preparation methodologies, and as a member of the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council. Her methodologies focus on safe learning environments and incorporating Indigenous language child rearing methods and love into language learning and use environments.

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The Northwest Coast is well known for totem poles, bentwood boxes, Chilkat blankets, wall screens, and many more items that are significant cultural property of Indigenous peoples of the area. We are joined by master Lingít artist Yéil Yádi Nathan Jackson, who has been a practicing artist for over six decades and whose works have been installed worldwide. He shares his journey of becoming an artist, how we witnessed the artwork returning to production and advises future generations of carvers.

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We are joined by the talented and wonderful Princess Daazhraii Johnson, who is an actor, producer, writer, and concerned citizen of the universe. She is the former Creative Producer and still is a writer for the Emmy-nominated PBS series Molly of Denali, which features a Native American female as the lead character. She shares about her journey in becoming a content creator, current projects and motivations, and what it takes to move from dreaming about film and television to become a contributor on large level projects. The future of Indigenous content creation is bright and shiny, and we are thankful to all who have helped Native American voices break into the mainstream of film and television.

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In this episode we visit with Dr. Náakw Latseení Tina Woods, Senior Director of Community & Behavioral Services at Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. Dr. Tina shares her perspective on Indigenous healing centers, living in wellness, and dealing with historical and personal traumas while on a lifelong language journey. This episode contains sensitive material that may trigger traumatic responses within folks, so while healing is needed for decolonization and language reclamation movements, listeners are encouraged to take care of themselves and reach out for help when needed.

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In episode 2, we are joined by Shodzi'dzo:wa:’ Damian Webster and Montgomery Hill who do amazing work in the Seneca and Tuscarora languages. We talk about their languages, communities, and work, and then give perspectives on what it takes to create speakers, and then talk about what it takes to keep going and not quit while doing this type of work. Keep on going, keep on believing, keep being the dream of your ancestors.

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In the first episode of season two, we are joined by Dr Kauanoe Kamana and Dr William “Pila” Wilson, who were both instrumental to the Hawaiian Language Reclamation movement. They collaborated with a courageous and amazing group of changemakers to create the ‘Aha Pūnana Leo (language nest) and Ke Kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu (language medium school). They talk about what helped them create change and what it take to keep a language movement going. Thanks for joining us for season two!

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Season 2 of the Tongue Unbroken is coming out on January 16th. Please join us for conversations on language revitalization and decolonization in North America. We will be covering a wide range of topics this season that are relevant to everyone in North America, because if you live in North America, you live in Native America. Indigenous lands, Indigenous peoples, Indigenous stories, Indigenous thoughts, Indigenous perspectives. This season will look at concepts that are artistic, creative, healthy, theoretical, practical, and that help all of us to be transformational in our work and our day to day lives. No matter who you are and what you are doing, you can contribute to the health of Native American languages and help ensure that colonial nations are something other than killing machines. Join us on January 16 on the iHeart Media Network, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. 

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La quen náay Liz Medicine Crow and Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins join X̱ʼunei to look back on the spring of 2014 when they worked together with each other and others to pass a law that made Alaska Native Languages the co-official languages of Alaska. They talk about the process and how to create change through political methods, including how to defeat those with racist ideologies.

Follow Tongue unbroken on social media at https://twitter.com/tongueunbroken, https://www.facebook.com/tongueunbroken, and http://tongueunbroken.com/

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Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with the brilliant and powerful Saankaláxtʻ Ernestine Hayes. Listen to her lecture titled, “An Alaska Native Memoir: Our Lives are Stories Telling Themselves” which was recorded by the Sealaska Heritage Institute during their fall lecture series. During her talk, she addresses the many harmful tactics of colonialism and ponders what Native America would be like now if colonialism had not happened. Here’s to wonderful Indigneous futures!

Follow Tongue unbroken on social media at https://twitter.com/tongueunbroken, https://www.facebook.com/tongueunbroken, and http://tongueunbroken.com/

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Executive Director Stephanie Witkowski and Board Chair Dr. Bill Rivers from 7000 Languages join X̱ʼunei to talk about technology and language learning, and how a commitment to bringing technology to language learning communities can help language movements. They talk about the history of the organization, current projects, the benefits and limitations of technology in language learning, and how to protect data sovereignty. Check out 7000.org to learn more, to get help, or to help out!

Follow Tongue unbroken on social media at https://twitter.com/tongueunbroken, https://www.facebook.com/tongueunbroken, and http://tongueunbroken.com/

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