Wósdéé Podcast

Reposted from soundcloud but only a few people heard it. This episode is from last year where a bunch of friends of mine come together to tell scary stories. Thanks to those who joined us.

In this episode, I talk to Brian Young about his new book, 'Healer of the Water Monster'. I've known Brian since our time at Diné Policy Institute. His new book was released in May of 2021. We talk about the story, themes, and his experience pitching the book to publishers. I highly recommend it.

In this episode I talk to Rodney Barker, the author of the Broken Circle. His book details the events during the summer of 1974 in Farmington, NM. In 1974, three Navajo men, Herman Dodge Benally, John Earl Harvey, and David Ignacio were murdered by white teens. From April to June, Navajo organizers strategized and implemented actions to oppose the racism in Farmington. In this episode we cover the events from Barker’s perspective and the information he gained from his interviews. Thank you to Rodney Barker for his time. Thank you for listening.

In this episode, I interview Tré Orona about his new album, Dead Renaissance, which is releasing May 7th, 2021. We discuss the inspirations, Marxism, books, common sense/hegemony, and political conditions that provided the groundwork for the album.

I would like to thank Tré for joining me on the podcast. 

I remember calling folks with a phone card with a limited amount of minutes but if I waited until 9pm I would have access to unlimited minutes. I'm feeling nostalgic for that so I dedicated a podcast episode to calling my friends asking about their stories based on various topics.

In this episode, I asked artist friends of mine about their funniest or worst live shows. The Navajo Nation music landscape is diverse from House music to crust punk so there are a lot of stories out there.

These are some of their stories. I have listed their music in the bio. Check them out and support them. Thanks to all of them for indulging my ideas and helping them come to life.

On February 1975, a group of 20 Indigenous activists from the American Indian Movement and the Coalition for Navajo liberation took over the Fairchild Semiconductor plant in Shiprock, Navajo Nation.

As Dr. Lisa Nakamura describes, Fairchild chose to insource from the Navajo Nation due to cheap labor, tax benefits, and Federal monies. After eight days and failed negotiations, Fairchild announced it would close and leave the Navajo Nation. This had a lasting impact in the Navajo community.

In this episode I talk a long term Shiprock community member. He was a band member of XIT. His name is “Chili” Yazzie

Chili Yazzie discusses the events leading up to the takeover, why it occurred, and the impacts of takeover from the perspective of a community member. The incident provides insight into how Navajo workers played a role in the digital industry as chip manufacturers, as well as activists confronted exploitation, and how the community reacted to the incident.

Chili Yazzie details the sentiment of Navajo community and provides some lessons to consider when organizing in Indigenous communities.

The opening song is titled “Reservation of Education” and the closing song is titled "At Peace". Both songs are by the band XIT.. I will also include a link to Dr. Lisa Nakamura’s article about the racialization of the Navajo women who worked at the factory. I suggest checking it out.

Thank you to Chili Yazzie, thank you for listening.

This is the Wósdéé podcast.

In this episode, I speak to Corey Ashley(Diné) and Jacob Stepetin (Unangax) from Merciless Indian Savages. Joseph (Hopi and Akimel O'oodham) was unable to join. We discuss their formation, inspirations, purpose of Merciless Indian Savages. Thank you to Jacob and Corey for talking to me.

In this episode I talk to Zoe Toledo. Zoe is a Master's student studying Architecture at Harvard University. I found her article, "Experiments in Navajo “Modernity”: Demonstration Stations and Regional Development in the 1930s", while conducting research on the Navajo livestock reduction. We talk about the use of the modernity narrative, development, and the Navajo Nation in the 1930s.

We saw some capitalist propaganda floating in social media made by Navajo conservatives. So we decided to make fun of the propaganda. We look at Turning Point's high production, low education quality, video on the Navajo people and socialism.

In the spirit of Vine Deloria Jr., we get sarcastic and critical of colonial ideologies. We cuss and contextualize the arguments made which amount to "BIG GOVERNMENT, BAD" or "BIG GOVERNMENT, SOCIALISM". lol, you get the idea.

Karen Bedonie's argument proves the failures of capitalism and colonialism and barely touches upon Navajo history and socialism. We watched seven minutes of it and quit because there was not a lot of substance.

In this episode I talk to Kyle and Breanna about Dineh Benally’s hemp production in Shiprock, Navajo Nation. Breanna is a graduate student in Public Health, a farmer, and community advocator. Kyle is a community organizer where he is currently working on reintroducing healthy foods. He has been on the podcast before. Both are community members of Shiprock who have been watching and organizing against the hemp production in their community.

Hemp was introduced in their agricultural community three years ago by Dineh benally. We look at how he used the local farm board as well as his use of economic development and sustainability arguments to initiate the production. We discuss the tensions that have materialized because of its production. The two make it clear that they are not against the plant itself but they practice they deem as unethical for its labor issues, land/water use, and the lack of accountability on Dineh Benally’s part. Finally, we discuss what sustainable futures they hold for their community of Shiprock.

Thank you for listening, this is the Wosdee podcast.

In this episode, I talk to Carl Slater who is a Navajo Nation council delegate. We start our discussion looking at sovereignty and what it means to him. We imagine a form of sovereignty that is embedded in Navajo values and philosophy. We explore ideas of sovereignty based on his experience as a Navajo delegate. From there we discuss discourses online that read like colonial tropes of Indigenous peoples such as ‘Indigenous people can’t govern themselves’ and what that means for the political reality for Indigenous peoples and their self-determination. We discuss the relationship between the Navajo government and mutual aid organizations to understand how discourses are produced during the pandemic.

Our conversation moves towards looking at the root historical cause of health disparities in the Navajo Nation, colonialism. Carl speaks to the limitations of the relationship with the Federal government. We end our discussion looking at how the CARES act could be used as a strong expression of sovereignty.

Despite the colonial history, tribal sovereignty is an expression of Indigenous agency that should be not be downplayed. All in all, tribal sovereignty and indigenous self-determination are messy and necessary. No one said that decolonization was going to be easy or straightforward. Thank you for listening this is the Wósdéé podcast.

In this episode I speak with Dr. Ryan Emanuel. He is a Lumbee associate professor at North Carolina state in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources. In this episode we discuss the Atlantic Pipeline and the recent decision to cancel its construction on July 7th, 2020. The pipeline began in 2013 under the Obama administration. It was projected to be 600 miles crossing from Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. The Atlantic pipeline was described as an energy provider and job creator, for the region. Those opposed to the pipeline say its presence would have disrupted the water and eco-system while being a threat to poor, rural, Black and Indigenous communities in the states. The cancellation comes as a big win for the networks who organized against it. Included in this network are Indigenous peoples from the surrounding nations. Dr. Emanuel and I discuss the pipeline’s history, Indigenous people’s resistance, and what the win means for Indigenous people in the region.

In this episode, I talk to Bert Benally. His work on art education reflects Navajo philosophy that challenges western approaches to art. He offers experiences and principles that guide his work and methods. He argues that accountability and respect for Navajo rules are important when creating art. He does not dismiss all of western approaches to art but recognizes that they also useful for others to learn. We end our discussion talking about academic imperialism, its role in erasing or dismissing of Indigenous thought.

Another reminder for listeners to be a good relative and do everything you can to limit the spread of the coronavirus, covid-19. This includes your limiting travel, avoiding large groups of people, washing hands and not touching your face, and to disinfect commonly used items. As another Dine said, it is part of ké to do what you can to limit the spread of the coronavirus especially for our elders and those who are vulnerable.

In this episode I talk to Ana Rameriaz. She is a second year Phd student in Anthropology. She identifies as Maya Akateca. We talk about her experience in graduate school particularly in a anthropology. We unpack the experience of being in a white discipline. She discusses her introduction to anthropology, critiques of the discipline, and the importance of silence and community while in graduate school.

In this dispatch episode, I edit a recording from the "Invisible No More Event" at University of North Carolina. The panel is all mayan discussion Mayan migration. The participants are Gio’ B’atz’ (K’iche’ Maya)Floridalma Boj Lopez (K’iche’ Maya)Juanita Cabrera Lopez (Maya Mam),Geronimo Ramirez (Ixil Maya), and Mercedes Say (K’iche’ Maya).

The themes of this talk revolve around Mayan migration, Indigenous solidarity, extractivism, language, and erasure. It is not by coincidence that US imperialism is mentioned but not fully explored. This is important because when conversations about migration are discussed solely in terms of imperialism it decenters Indigenous peoples, imo continues the erasure of indigenous people.

Indigenous people have migrated long before the existence of colonial states and borders. Indigenous people will continue to migrate.

In episode 7, we talked about the issues that Borders causes for Indigenous peoples whose land is divided by borders and now we hear how borders have affected migrations of Indigenous borders. Thank you to Emil for letting me record this event. This is the wosdee podcast.

In episode 20, I speak to Fredy Grefa, a PhD candidate at the Geography Department of UNC, about the demonstrations in Ecuador. He talks about the Indigenous resistance, leadership, and strategies in the context of the current protests. He speaks to how the Indigenous people organized themselves to lead the people through social movements and alliance building.

Link below is for donations which will go to CONAIE via Fredy.

In episode 19, I speak to Frankie Bauer, a citizen of the Choctaw nation of Oklahoma. He is a Ph.D student at University of North Carolina. We discuss the term period of 1817-1824 where Cherokee and Osage nations created inter-tribal treaties with the U.S. mediating. The inter-tribal treaties did not hold up but provide an analysis of the role of US mediation as a mechanism of settler-colonialism as well as the potential for inter-tribal solidarity in the future.

In episode 18, I talk to Cody Fetty about Indigenous feminism. Cody explains their experience as an educator for Black Mesa Water Coalition and how the discussion of Indigenous Feminism plays out. We look at the idea of matriarchy and what it means for feminism to be inclusive.

From the discussion, the importance of responsibility and accountability became more transparent.

To support Cody you can find their jewelry collection available for purchase at:

Welcome to season 2!

In episode 17, I speak to Tia Folgheraiter a student at Dartmouth. She speaks about the racist mural at the university and the effect it had on the college community, both native and non-native. She briefly goes over the organizing that occurred to get it removed.

As a coincidence, we were near University of North Carolina where space is being contested by white supremacists and anti-racist community members. During our visit we had an encounter the demonstrated the continued struggle for space and symbolism. Dr. Andrew Curley, a previous visitor, provides a brief overview of it.

Tia talks about her school and what she hopes to occur with the removal of the mural. We go into a discussion about visual sovereignty.

We recap what I have learned during the first season of the podcast. Tatiana Benally interviews me about my thoughts and goals.

In Episode 15, I talk to Michael Parrish about Title 26, Local Governance Act. We discuss the political legislation and its potential and limitations. Michael has been studying the Navajo Local Governance for three years. We have worked together for just as long.

In this episode, I talk to people at the Diné Introspective First Inaugural Full Circle Conference in Shiprock, Navajo Nation. I speak to both members of Diné Introspective and participants about the conference and the reasons behind the event. The conference began on October 4, 2018 and ended on October 7, 2018.

Diné Introspective members organize, educate, motivate, empower, to sustain a healthy community by embracing culture and resilience. They promote mental, physical, spiritual wellbeing, and environmental issues surrounding our local communities to increase intellectual health awareness between self-reliance and living a healthy lifestyle (Yá'átéehgo jiiná).

In this episode, I talk to Jen Byers, a journalist and now Assistant Producer at AJ+ news media, about the Big Media, Grassroots Media, and Politics. The media is pertinent to politics and we work our way through the discussion with the ways they connect in mind. We also discuss the role of journalists and some advice she has for people who want to go into journalism.

Media is described as the means of mass communication and Trump has worked to discredit a lot of it and this has serious consequence on how Politics are played out, how narratives are perceived, and who control the means of media.

In Episode 9, I talk to Eugénie Clément Picos about food movements, food sovereignty, and how it has played out on the Navajo Nation. Eugénie is a Ph.d student from Spain and she has chosen the Navajo Nation for her place of study.

We discuss the corporations, power dynamics, her personal background that lead her to study food movements, and her experience on the Navajo Nation.

Half through the interview we ended up walking through downtown Flagstaff, a Navajo border town.

In Episode 11, I sit and talk to Cody Artis about our passion, philosophy. We start with phenomenology, existentialism, and marxism. Cody has been forging knives and we look at work through different philosophical lenses.

We look at how work is gendered and how capitalism alienates the producers. Work has changed for Navajo people since colonialism and we do our best to investigate it and understand the changes.

In the spirit of phenomenology, we incorporate our own experiences (subjectivity) to understand the larger objective world. nayeeeee

In this episode, Dr. Andrew Curley talks to Alastair Bitsóí about their experience covering the Bears Ears movement. They open up the discussion with "public lands" status and how the concept relates to the larger movement. They discuss the land status of Bears Ears. Bitsóí also speaks to the beginning of the movement with the different tribes that fought to protect the sacred sites and how tribes had a role in the designation. They discuss how the experience changed Bitsóí.

In Episode 7, I talk to Napoleon Marrietta about struggles within his and other communities surrounding Phoenix, Arizona. We discuss Loop 202, South Mountain Freeway, and its development on Oodham land. In this discussion, the topic of tribal consultation and colonial courts surfaces.

We discuss the border on indigenous lands, Tohono Oo'dham land, and how it has affect the community. Colonial borders are always detrimental to indigenous communities.

Throughout the discussion, solidarity amongst indigenous people is brought up. Phoenix is one of the largest border towns and it hosts many different tribal members.

Episode 6 I talk to Damon and Tatum. We discuss comic books, identity, inspirations, and other topics. Both are Diné comic book artists who reside in Phoenix. They participate in the comic book locale.

Episode 5: I speak to Rylin Becenti about art, her experience as an artist, influences, politics, and art school. We discuss her views on art and how art can be powerful based on the artist, how it interacts with space, and how it interacts the audience.

We also look at the way capitalism commodifies Indigenous art, artists, and creates problems for future artists.

Episode 4, I speak to Vicki Kee, a grazing committee member for 12 years, about the horses, grazing, and land management on the Navajo Nation. We begin our discussion looking at the recent deaths of horses in Gray Mountain and make our way into the larger topics.

Episode 3: I spoke to Rebecca Jones about reproductive justice, intersectionality, solidarity, and music. We discuss the reproductive justice and what it means for indigenous people and how intersectionality provides a critical lens for the world. We also discuss how reproductive justice has influenced her world view, actions, and music.

In episode 2, I speak to Dr. Andrew Curley about neoliberalism, the Navajo Nation, and socialism. He provides insight into neoliberalism and how it manifests in the Navajo Nation. He also speaks to his views on socialism and what he imagines for indigenous people.

We also have special guest appearance from George Bush and Bernie Sanders.