NextGen Native
We hear from some of the brightest in Indian Country about their success. They share it with you, to inspire you, encourage you and make their success real and relatable. The Next Generation is now.
Thu, August 17, 2017
Chris James on Business Trends in Indian Country
Chris James is the President & CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED). He returned to the show where we discussed current trends in business, leadership development in Indian Country, and the upcoming Northwest Enterprise Development Conference. The event will take place in September 5-7 2017 at the Tulalip Casino. The NCAIED will also celebrate its 2017 class of the 40 Under 40 in Indian Country. We talked several trends in business, living away from home, taking on new challenges, disconnecting from technology and identifying the priorities in work and personal lives. A great conversation with one of Indian Country’s leaders in business!
Thu, June 29, 2017
Lance Morgan and the Decline of Federal Indian Law
Lance Morgan on the decline of federal Indian law: “What we’re not teaching in law school is the other half of the system, where tribes are aggressively using their newly educated lawyers, their economic power, and their desire to do good to really change the equation.” “Once you make the mental leap that the entire system is ridiculous...you don’t ever go back.” Lance Morgan ( Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska) is President & CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc . He is also the managing partner of the law firm Frederick Peebles and Morgan. And if you know Lance, or have read his previous work, you know that he is always good for a big idea, or an idea that pushes boundaries, in Indian Country. Lance returned to the show to discuss one of those ideas: the Rise of Tribal Law and the Decline of Federal Indian Law and he recently published an article by the same name in the Arizona State University Law Journal. Many NextGen Natives are practicers of, or generally interested in, federal Indian law. Lance’s article is great because it forces readers to ask themselves the question how can tribal law be on the rise and federal Indian law be on the decline? The basic point is that tribal law is an exercise of tribal sovereignty whereas federal Indian law is the enforcement of restrictions imposed upon tribes over the last few centuries. And the decline of federal Indian law may not be a bad thing necessarily, if tribes exercise and use tribal law. You should go read it (after you listen to our discussion, of course). The article is great for a few reasons. First, it forces us to re-think the way we approach law and policy in our communities. Even people who are thinking about how to proactively make a difference often use federal Indian law as an anchoring point. And it’s a losing one for us. Lance captured it succinctly when he wrote “We need to stop playing their game because we cannot win it. If we have any hope of progress, we need to play a new game.” Second, although it is published in a law journal, it is deliberately written so that non-lawyers (such as myself) can read and understand it. People should share this with tribal council members, business people, and community members to think about what Lance is suggesting and how to approach it. We could have focused the entire conversation on the article, but that would not have been nearly as much fun. And I think the conversation about the other topics packs as much, if not more, food-for-thought for listeners. Here’s the tip of the iceberg of a few of the topics we discussed: How Lance approaches his work as CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc. <li style=
Wed, June 21, 2017
Joe Sarcinella on Fatherhood, Minimalism and Intentional Living
When Joe Sarcinella and I spoke, he was days away from becoming a father. As of publishing this episode, he is now a proud father (congrats!!). As a recent parent, I thought it would be fun to have Joe on NextGen Native to get the perspective of a recent first-time parent and a to-be parent. For those that aren’t parents, or have kids out of the house, this episode is also for you. Although we talk about being parents, the conversation occurred in the same context that our conversations did below. That is, the topic of parenting is centered within living life with intentionality, in control. How does one intentionally raise their child? How does one intentionally plan the rest of their life? One example: how do you raise a child in a 500 square foot apartment? We also discussed Joe’s latest diet (previously vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, paleo), and his latest approach to physical fitness (weight lifting, to ultra marathons, to weight lifting, back to ultra marathons), and minimalism . It’s a fun episode, and I hope that you benefit from it as much as I’ve had. Personally, I’m trying to apply more minimalism into my life, or at least rethinking it, thanks to Joe. http://nextgennative.com/joe-sarcinella-the-100k-runner/ http://nextgennative.com/joe-sarcinella-100-miles-awesome/
Fri, June 16, 2017
Heath Clayton on Hacking Growth, Mentors, and Success Through Naivete
“People like genuine people. People like people who are authentic, people lke people who show up with their true identity. And being Chickasaw is part of who I am.”-Heath Clayton One of the areas in which I love to dabble is what I call “life system hacking.” The basic idea is finding ways to create a life, circumvent expectations or bypass the norms of which we all are led to believe cannot be bypassed or circumvented. There are a lot of people who write about the subject online, and it can get a bit of a reputation as self-help like content. But I continue to expose myself to it because I think there are gems that can be found, if you know what you are looking for. I was excited to interview someone I think hacked the system quite successfully. That person is Heath Clayton (Chicksaw). Heath earned a Bachelor’s degree for about $3,000 without stepping foot onto a university campus. After “college” he worked in the White House at age 21. Not after 21 years of working in politics. At 21 years old. After home school and then earning a bachelor’s degree without going to college, he earned a Master’s from Carnegie Mellon University Heinz School of Public Policy . Oh, he also achieved a goal of visiting 100 countries by the time he turned 30. Now he is working to give back to other young Native people with the goal of showing them that much more is possible than they may realize. He’s mentored 40-50 people by his estimate. It’s a story that you need to hear. It’s a good reminder that there are amazing resources out there to utilize, and there are amazing people that will help you along the way. Have a listen. -- Heath's bio When he is not busy working in corporate philanthropy for a consulting firm, Heath Clayton is usually visiting a new country to feed his insatiable curiosity of the world. He spent the last few years working towards a goal of visiting 100 countries before his 30th birthday, a goal he achieved in January 2017. Heath is Chickasaw Indian and attended Carnegie Mellon University for graduate school on a tribal affairs fellowship. Heath previously worked in The White House under the George W. Bush Administration and on Capitol Hill before beginning his consulting career. Mentoring native youth on potential careers in corporate America or public policy excites him, and he is always looking for ways to stay in engaged with his tribe and Indian country. -- Some random links mentioned in this episode: <li s
Thu, June 08, 2017
Ryan Red Corn on Building and Creating Things
“There is a trap [in decolonization] that hinders a lot of potential growth. And that is centered in how we think about things. If you are only trained [to deconstruct] then you are stuck in a gear of deconstruction, which is important and useful. But if the goal is to increase capacity in Indian Country, then you are asking for builders, not destroyers, and that is a completely different type of thinking.” Ryan Red Corn (Osage) created the design firm Buffalo Nickel Creative and is also a member of the 1491s . He joined NextGen Native for a wide-ranging conversation. Although we touched on comedy and had some light hearted moments, our conversation covered much more beyond comedy. We talked about the role his work and the work of others in graphic design and branding can play a role in Indian Country telling its stories better. We discussed how being creative and artistic is closely related to being an entrepreneur. We talked about the media he uses to tell stories and how each is suited to have a certain impact. I dug into Ryan’s intentionality and how he uses it to manage his time and drive his art. One of the many things I enjoy about NextGen Native is diving into ideas and issues that take a deeper look into issues and events in Indian Country and my conversation with Ryan was very much in this vein. For example, Ryan discussed the impact and power of branding touched on using graphic design and branding in efforts to address the use of mascots. Or how when we engage in efforts to make change, we shouldn’t focus on telling “our story” but on “a story” that will resonate not only with those trying to tell it, but those who are listening. Or how our traditional economies were just that, economies. And how that history informs the work people do today. I hope this conversation sparks additional conversation on social media, at home, and in tribal council meetings. Let me know what you think or add to the conversation on social media!
Wed, May 17, 2017
Geoff Roth | Serving as Many as Possible
I felt this need to take my skillset and apply it as broadly as I could as long as I could still feel like I was affecting the community.” Geoff Roth is a descendent of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. He recently completed an appointment as the Senior Advisor to the Director of the Indian Health Service under Dr. Yvette Roubideaux. Geoff’s story is great for people that are looking to grow their career rapidly. It is also a great story for those that are looking to find balance in their lives. It may not seem intuitive that both those lessons could be learned from the same person, but that’s what makes Geoff’s story unique. He’s a good friend and I am excited to share his story. Before Geoff served as senior political appointee, he served in several high-level positions including the Executive Director at the National Council on Urban Indian Health and at the Native American Youth and Family Center . He also spent time at the Department of Education working in Indian Education. Geoff assumed the role of Executive Director at the Native American Youth and Family Center at 23 years old. Geoff shared on the podcast how he got that job, and we discussed how it set him up for future opportunities. Geoff shared that in order to stand out when applying for jobs, you need to really do your research. You need to distinguish yourself between the other candidates. Geoff said he spends a lot of time researching organizations when he is considering a job, and it sets him apart. You can do that be demonstrating your knowledge of an organization, its needs and how you can contribute to its goals. That first major job prepared Geoff to continue making significant growth throughout his career. In particular, he talked about how it gave him confidence to pursue big opportunities, even when when it is a stretch for him. This is only part of our conversation, but I thought it important to point out these two items specifically. I think it is natural for us to doubt ourselves and our capabilities. But Geoff’s story shows that you can find confidence, even create it. His story also shows what you can achieve when you combine hard work and preparation. Those two items, combined with that confidence, can create amazing results. Geoff is currently using his talents in his personal life. After many years of continually growing his professional
Fri, May 12, 2017
Jared Yazzie | Just Create Something
"What's stopping you from making something?" Jared Yazzie is the founder of OXDX Clothing Company . He joined NextGen Native once again to catch up on his recent projects. Jared's clothing has been a hot commodity for a few years, but recently his business is taking some major strides. He recently won a scholarship to join an incubator , participated in an event at the Smithsonian, and won a contest held by Louie Gong's Eighth Generation . Jared's story is one of those "overnight success" stories you hear about. One that pops up after working hard, learning, growing and sacrificing. It was fun to hear Jared talk about where his business is headed, and how he occasionally still cannot believe when he finds himself in the company of other high-performing people. One of my favorite takeaways from Jared was his commitment to never stop learning. In whatever you do, I think that mindset is so important. Once you close your mind off from learning, you stop growing professionally, and personally. Jared is never going to stop growing. It will be fun to see where OXDX, and Jared, is the next time we connect on NextGen Native.
Sat, April 22, 2017
Raina Thiele
Raina Thiele, Athabascan and Yup'ik, is President of Thiele Strategies. Before starting her own firm, Raina worked for President Obama in the White House Office of intergovernmental Affairs. Raina joined the show to share her story that led her from Alaska to the White House and now to her current work. Raina's story is a great example of how hard work, willingness to take on new challenges, and timing can come together to present amazing opportunities. Raina certainly capitalized on her experience to advance the profile of indian Country. After attending Yale for her undergraduate degree, and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government for her Master's Degree, Raina worked for the Office of Management and Budget at the White House. In that role, she gained experience in the inner workings of various programs funded by the government. Eventually, Raina had the chance to work more directly with President Obama through the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. It was that move that placed Raina front-and-center on President Obama's work on issues in indian Country. In her role, Raina worked on several high-profile initiatives. She helped plan the now infamous trip the President and First Lady took to Standing Rock. There, they met with young people that moved the first couple profoundly. Upon returning to DC, the President directed his staff to work on issues impacting Native youth. It was then that Generation indigenous was created. That trip alone would be a career highlight for many. Raina was able to double up when she helped arrange a trip to Alaska for the President. Most domestic trips last just a few hours, but the President stayed in Alaska for several days where he saw the impact of climate change and met with Alaska Natives during his trip.Travel and meet-and-greets are part of life for a President. Much of it is probably routine and many of the details probably fade from memory. Both trips appeared to inform the president through the remainder of his presidency. Raina shared details of these trips, her college experience, and more on this episode. Have a listen!
Sun, April 16, 2017
John Pepion on Open Minds and Never Ending Grind
The first time John Isaiah Pepion (Piikani) appeared on NextGen Native, I titled the accompanying blog post “ Up and Coming Ledger Artist .” About 1.5 years later John returned to catch up, and from our conversation, the title was accurate! John’s on the move, and if you're not familiar with his work, you should check it out. We discussed how he has grown as an artist and businessperson recently. He mentioned he started growing even more when he opened himself up to learn and take feedback from others. This mindset can be applied to any job or activity. It can be hard to open yourself up to feedback, but it empowers you in a way that few other things can. As John opened himself up to feedback, he started engaging more and more with communities. His Instagram page shows tons of photos with him at schools. He also mentioned he spends time with elder groups. And through this service, he gains new insight and perspective on his art that he can use to grow, even while giving back to others. Besides John’s amazing art, his grind is really what is paying off for him. He travels everywhere, he’s been taking on cultural learnings at home, learning how to make his business more sustainable. And he still finds time everyday to draw. When you see someone growing their influence, and quality of their work, there’s probably a healthy dose of hard work that you don’t see, but it’s there. John’s trajectory looks awesome, his hardwork is paying off. He’s done collaborations with other amazing artists, etc. in Indian Country. It’s fun to see NextGen Natives grow. It’s fun to meet new people or connect with friends and colleagues and watch them transform, grow, overcome challenges and ultimately achieve success, with myself as a fortunate observer to their journey.
Fri, April 14, 2017
Heather Whitemanrunshim |
“Focus on being proactive and use the future as the guidance point when you [encounter] challenges. What you work for is bigger than us [individually].” Heather Whitemanrunshim is Apsalooke ( Crow Nation ). She is an attorney for the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) where she works primarily on issues pertaining to water law. Our wide-ranging conversation touched on two issues that I am still thinking about several days later. First, we discussed the need to be vulnerable to learn language and/or culture. I think it is a common experience that people our age grew up afraid to admit we didn’t know as much language as others, or we were worried about making mistakes. The alternative is to avoid it and avoid that experience. We need to foster environments that encourage learning and make it easier to be uncomfortable and make mistakes. As a new parent, I am thinking about how to teach my child about who we are, and that requires me learning even more along the way, too. She also shared the idea that we almost only focus on the concept of time immemorial with respect to the past. But she challenged us to apply the concept to the future. We will always be here into the future. I think that is just as important as thinking about the past. It helps contextualize the highs and lows of individual moments, because in the arc of one’s life, let alone many generations, those moments are small. Digging deeper into those two points alone are worth listening, and she covered so much more! We covered a wide range of other topics in our conversation including: Not being afraid to be vulnerable when learning languages, and fostering an environment where it is encouraged to learn, not where people are discouraged because they don’t know. How to work through difficult situations by providing multiple choices or consequences. For example, Heather was lonely when she left for boarding school, but when she thought about moving back home, she realized it wasn’t the right choice for her. Thinking about moving home provided the contrasting option she needed to push through to achieve her goal. Being open to opportunities. Heather attended the Institute for American Indian Arts <span style= "font-weight: 4
Thu, March 30, 2017
Disruption in Indian Country-Mark Trahant on Emerging Forces in Our Communities
Mark Trahant joined NextGen Native to discuss a wide-range of issues. When we spoke, the Congress was in the midst of considering the recent healthcare bill. Mark delved into health care policy and in particular Indian health care policy several years ago, and it is now an ongoing part of his journalism. It’s remained relevant for several years. We also discussed his emerging interests, including elections, and the era of disruption in Indian Country. He discussed how he likes to focus on the countless stories that are not the headline grabbers, but are important and impactful. Mark is somewhat a technophile, and we discussed the rise of social media for events like Standing Rock to organize Indian Country. Official Bio Mark Trahant is an independent journalist and a faculty member at the University of North Dakota as the Charles R. Johnson Endowed Professor of Journalism . Trahant reports and comments on events and trends on his blog at TrahantReports.Com and on Facebook, Twitter (@TrahantReports) and other social media. He does a weekly audio commentary for Native Voice One. And, every day for nearly a decade, Trahant has written a 140-character rhyme based on a daily news story (@newsrimes4lines). He’s been a reporter for PBS’ Frontline series . The Frontline piece, “The Silence,” was about sexual abuse by priests in a Alaska native village. He also has been editor-in-residence at the University of Idaho in the spring of 2011 and again in 2012. He taught courses on social media, the American West and editorial writing. In 2009 and 2010 Trahant was a Kaiser Media Fellow writing about health care reform focused on programs the government already operates, such as the Indian Health Service. He was recently the Atwood Chair of Journalism at the University of Alaska Anchorage . <span style= "font-weight: 400
Thu, March 16, 2017
Warren Montoya | Building Rezilience
“Because of that one choice, so many other possibilities came up. They were already there…” Warren Montoya of Rezonate Art and Rezilience on finding new perspectives. Warren Montoya is the founder of Rezonate Art. He appeared previously on NextGen Native to discuss the company’s beginnings and goals. He returned to discuss what he’s been up to recently. Warren pivoted his work with Rezonate after realizing he wanted to change the way his business worked. He described in this conversation (and our previous conversation) that part of his goal with the company was to build a sustainable business that could eventually support other artists. Warren realized that he could change his business model so that he did the support and education directly, rather than use his profits through selling merchandise. The pivot required skills that we all should develop. This includes the ability to be honest with yourself and mindful of your emotions, ambitions, challenges, strengths and weaknesses. Out of this reflection, Warren and a group of others created Rezilience , a day long event focused on contemporary Native art in different forms. In the second year, Warren and the team is building Rezilience to be a platform for other artists and organizations. I think the idea is great, and I am excited to see how the event continues to grow over the years. This year Rezilience occurs April 30 in Albuquerque, the same weekend as Gathering of Nations . If you are heading to ABQ for GON, make sure you take time to check out Rezilience.
Thu, March 09, 2017
Keith Harper |Go Do It
“If you want to do great things, then you should concentrate not on what you want to be but on what you want to do . You don’t have to be anything specific thing to impact issues you care about…[assess] those things you want to impact, and then go do it.” Keith Harper (Cherokee) is a partner at the law firm Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton. In January 2017 Keith completed his appointment as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Council . Harper also served as one of the lead attorneys in the Cobell class action lawsuit. He appeared previously on NextGen Native to discuss his work, and he returned to share some conversation now that his post as Ambassador concluded. Like every episode, my goal is to celebrate the success of those on the show, and make their success relatable to others. With Keith, my goal remained the same but I really wanted to ask him questions about how he thinks about career development, growth and more from the perspective of someone that already achieved significant accomplishments in his career. I think we are used to hearing these conversations amongst peers, but I am curious about how people that already achieved great results think about growth and their career progression. i I asked what he learned about himself during his tenure, and what lessons he believes tribes (and anyone, frankly) can take away from his experience on an international stage. His insight is clear, concise, and actionable. Keith’s career already includes several significant achievements that few others have in Indian Country, let alone the legal profession generally. We are fortunate that Keith is willing to share his time on the show, because I think his insight is valuable to anyone that wants to grow and develop, or wonders how they can make a difference.
Tue, February 21, 2017
Gabe Galanda | Turning the Tide Against Disenrollment
“Look for those opportunities that may not be obvious to you.” Gabe Galanda is a member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes. Galanda is also a partner at the law firm Galanda Broadman. He joined NextGen Native previously to share his personal journey. If you haven’t heard his story, I recommend listening to his personal journey. It’s a perfect example of how one can overcome challenges to succeed in your own personal way, at a high level. His personal journey is prologue to his work for clients facing disenrollment. Through his law practice, Galanda emerged as one of the most vocal critics of disenrollment. For several years, he has represented clients fighting disenrollment. During that time he experienced many trying moments and challenges in his fight for his clients. At the time, not many people in Indian Country were openly discussing disenrollment, let alone fighting against the movement. But the tide may be turning. We spoke not too long after a #stopdisenrollment day of action and also following the decision by the tribal council for the Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians to re-enroll members that were previously disenrolled. Now, you’re seeing people speaking out against disenrollment, and taking action against it, in larger numbers. Much of that can be attributed to the work of Galanda and others who took on the fight several years ago. We discussed the fight against disenrollment, how Gabe managed the challenging battles on a personal and professional front, and what’s next in the fight. This includes an upcoming symposium called “Who Belongs” at the University of Arizona Rogers College of Law. The event includes a list of heavy hitters that will attend including tribal leaders and leading legal minds. This is a huge topic of the moment for Indian Country, and it’s one of the most heavy and intense topics, too. But this podcast creates space to discuss these issues in an in-depth, nuanced fashion, even if the fire still burns hot. This is one of those conversations, and I hope it sparks more across Indian Country.
Fri, February 17, 2017
Jaclyn Roessel | Taking the Next Big Step
“If I am going to bet on anybody, I’m going to bet on myself.”-Jaclyn Roessel Jaclyn Roessel returned to the show to discuss some big changes in her life. For the last decade or so, Jaclyn did amazing things at the Heard Museum , which she described as her dream job. So I was amazed to see a headline that she was leaving the museum. It was time to grow up, or rather time to Grownup Navajo . Jaclyn Roessel shared with me (and You!) how she arrived at the decision to leave her dream job, and what she plans to do with Grownup Navajo. Her transition isn’t just about leaving her work to pursue her own projects, she also moved from Phoenix to New Mexico. Most people would be slow to make one of those decisions, the fact that Jessica dove into both changes at once is a bold step. It also shows that it is possible.If you feel like you are on the verge of doing something different, take a listen and draw upon the inspiration that Jaclyn shares throughout the episode! Jaclyn Roessel shares a bit about what we can expect from Grownup Navajo in the coming year. She spoke about the various collaborations she has planned, and some broad strokes about other projects she plans to undertake. We discussed a variety of topics, including how “esperar” in Spanish means both “hope” and “to wait” and what that means for taking action. If you’ve listened to previous episodes featuring Jaclyn, you’ll know that she is about ACTION. We also discussed FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and what that means in Indian Country, being on “the front lines,” refilling your metaphorical cup, and how each person can play a role no matter where they are in their life. This is just the tip of the iceberg of our conversation. And that’s why I always enjoy these conversations with Jaclyn. She brings a perspective, energy and commitment to Indian Country that is refreshing. It’s also a rare combination, in my opinion. Have a listen, and be inspired.
Tue, February 07, 2017
Jessica Begay | Building Emotional Intelligence
“I’m eternally hopeful. Seeing [bad] things around me made me think that things can be better and should be better.” I speak with people across Indian Country that share their stories and do amazing, interesting things on a daily basis. Their energy is fiery, resistant, forward thinking or any combination of those emotions. Jessica Begay (Navajo), has an awesome story. But her energy was different from some of the other people I speak to, but it’s end goal is the same. And it is refreshing. And we need more of it in Indian Country. Jessica is a social worker at a tribal pre-school in Phoenix. During college, she realized that her interest and energy aligned with that of social workers. Her hopeful energy is not bound in the usual “we will endure” message, which is needed and powerful. It is based upon the knowledge that we can make our communities a better place. And from Jessica’s work, it is done through creating healthier social environments. Our conversation included a discussion of Brene Brown (start with her TED Talk ), social and emotional development, and quizzes to test one’s emotional intelligence . The bigger idea than just sharing these ideas generally is about how we can spread these ideas throughout Indian Country. For whatever reasons we may not be well developed to express, understand and be comfortable with emotions, I think it is something we need to reclaim. It seems to be an under-explored part of our work in Indian Country, at least in a way that is positive and healthy. We discussed a variety of other issues, too (parenthood, running, discipline, Patagonia and bucket lists, and more) that made for a fun and well rounded conversation. It energized me in a way that I have not been energized in a while. And it’s exactly why I do the podcast.
Thu, February 02, 2017
Chelsea Wilson | Mentors, Growth, and Pushy Friends
“We have to show up and we have to apply for things outside [Indian Country]. There is no one better than us to than to represent at the national level.” Chelsea Wilson (Cherokee Nation) works at All Native Group , a division of Ho-Chunk Inc . She is active in the DC chapter of the New Leaders Council a member of the executive committee and is a previous fellow with the organization. If a full-time job and a one organization was not enough, Chelsea Wilson also chairs the Frontrunners Committee of the organization She Should Run. Chelsea Wilson describes herself as a giver, and if you cannot tell, she puts that into practice through the work she does personally and professionally. That character trait pays dividends back to Chelsea through the mentorships she’s developed over the years. And each mentorship helped Chelsea develop and find new ways to give back. It’s a classic story about how hard work, mentorship, and networks come together to provide opportunities to grow personally and professionally. Chelsea worked for the Cherokee Nation where her boss mentored her and gave her projects to stretch her development. Eventually that led her to DC. I knew Chelsea’s boss at Cherokee Nation and she mentioned to me Chelsea’s interest in moving to DC. When I ran into her at a reception, that a “pushy friend” forced her to attend, I mentioned that I was looking to hire someone for my team. After living in DC, Chelsea found her path through NLC and She Should Run. It’s refreshing to have someone that can articulate that their interest to serve in public office comes from a genuine place of giving. Many people say it, and for many people it’s true. But with Chelsea, you can feel her desire to serve. In this conversation we discuss finding finding mentors the right way, growing professionally, and being willing to fail by trying. Chelsea Wilson combined each of these into her current work and others are starting to take notice.
Thu, January 26, 2017
Jim Gray | The Next Generation is Today
Jim Gray is the former Principal Chief of the Osage Nation. Jim returned to NextGen Native for a conversation that I wanted to have since the day I started the podcast. Jim inspired the conversation with a “simple” Facebook post. When I read the post, I knew we had to connect again to dive into it. So what was the post? It was only 25 words. “ I think it's time we recognize there's a change in our world and we need to make room for new voices in the great debate.” When I read that, Jim took me back to why I started the podcast initially: how do young people grow into leaders, gain experience, and share that experience. It’s not a simple question, and I struggled with ways to discuss it without sounding like a Young Turk. Jim provided some background with what inspired him, and we spent an hour talking about this single issue, more or less. Within that conversation, however, we swing from the very abstract to the very specific. We discuss how it applies to water protectors at Standing Rock, how experienced leaders find a new way to lead and follow, and how to translate events that coalesce people into lasting action. Jim’s the perfect person to discuss this issue. He’s a former tribal leader and national leader. He works as a tribal administrator. And he watches as his daughter emerges into her own leader participating in events like those at Standing Rock. I think this is just the beginning of this conversation. When I first conceived this idea, I knew there were young people with energy and ambition and a commitment their communities. Many of them are emerging into new roles, or growing within their roles today. It’s a never ending transition, but I agree with Jim that we are in a moment of larger change. Where it leads us I am not sure. But I am excited.
Fri, January 20, 2017
Chris James | Reservation Economic Summit
Chris James is the President & CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED), a role he recently stepped into. He grew up in Cherokee, North Carolina in the heartland of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Chris is busy preparing for the National Reservation Economic Summit (RES) that is quickly approaching in March. But he carved out time to share stopped by to share his story with NextGen Native. Chris’ story is one that rings familiar to me. It’s not only because our professional paths are similar, or that we’ve known each other personally and professionally. It rings familiar because it’s a story of personal and professional growth, that is based in a service to community. It’s the story of many NextGen Natives. We each face the challenge of how do we serve our community, even when that means moving away from home, growing and evolving into new roles, or finding new ways to live that purpose. Listening to Chris’ story, I reminded myself that much of the growth we experience comes in two ways. First, we often discount our own experience. When Chris worked for his tribe at the Sequoyah Fund , someone shared a job opportunity with him for a position in DC. He thought he’d never get the chance to actually work in DC. But he got the job and found himself adjusting to life in a new city. He doubted himself even when others encouraged him to take a chance. So often others see the potential in ourselves that we cannot see. Second, if you look at Chris’ story, eight years ago he worked for his tribe, and now leads a national tribal organization. In between he worked for the Department of Treasury and the Small Business Administration in senior positions. It may seem a steep trajectory, and one that cannot be duplicated. But if you dig into what Chris shares, you learn that each step along the way was simply one step beyond his previous experience. Each step leveraged his career to the point it is today, but nothing was a huge risk for him, it was a logical step. After thinking about our conversation, I wondered how many people in Indian Country are standing at a similar leverage point. By taking one step, then another, then another, where will each of
Thu, January 12, 2017
Jackson Brossy | On the Shoulders of Others
Jackson Brossy is the Executive Director of the Navajo Nation Washington Office . He appeared on the show previously and returned for another conversation. Since this was the first episode I recorded in 2017, I asked Jackson about whether he makes any resolutions. He doesn’t, but he did share one of his goals for the year. Through his work, he wants to acquire property to open an embassy for the Navajo Nation in Washington, DC. We talked about where the idea came from, building upon others’ ideas, and finding projects that are both big picture and the next step in a process. The conversation made me think about work done in Indian Country generally. I think much of what we do as young professionals focuses on building upon the work of those that came before us. It isn’t different, or better, or “new” necessarily, but we may be able to take on projects and initiatives now because of the work that others did before us. Conversely, people that are bringing new ideas, or trying to take on a goal that’s failed before doesn’t mean they think they are better than those that came before them, it’s simply that their experience is different, the resources available may different, or any variety of reasons. We also talk about what we’ve been reading recently. For Jackson, it’s A ndrew Carnegie’s autobiography , for me I highlighted an article about palliative care and how it’s making me think not about the end of life, but about living life to the fullest. I had fun catching up with a friend I’ve known for 10 years now. We discussed a bit about moving through different stages in life. The last 18 months I’ve had a lot of new things in my life, all good, too! But it’s definitely made me think about where I am currently, and it’s hard to imagine knowing people that I met after college for a decade already. Anyway, these are the kind of conversations Jackson and I have when we get together, hopefully you enjoy it! Also, hit us up if you have good fiction for us to read...
Thu, January 05, 2017
Lacey Horn on Managing Almost $700 Million
“We are in a period of radical change...step into your role, do what you do best and raise the profile of tribes in a positive light.” Lacey Horn is a citizen of and treasurer for the Cherokee Nation. Principal Chief Bill John Baker appointed Lacey to this position In this role, Lacey is responsible for a budget that totals almost $700 million dollars for the Nation. Lacey grew up in Vian, Oklahoma. I admire her story because it’s one that combines a steadfast comfort and certainty in her life goals, combined with seizing opportunities. Lacey worked hard to achieve her goals and these opportunities overlapped with her hard work. From an early age she knew she planned to attend Southern Methodist University. After college, she went to work for KPMG, one of the “big 4” accounting firms. She moved to Chicago to experience something different. But she did so knowing that she planned to return home at some point. Lacey’s story reminded me of a previous idea I shared about w alking your own path . It’s not always easy, but your life will be so much more rich because of it. After the financial collapse in 2008, Lacey decided to move home. It was part of her plan, but she moved at a time when people at home told her not to, because the economy was so bad. She did anyway, and built an accounting business in Oklahoma. It was then that she was called by Chief Baker to serve. In her role as treasurer, she’s built relationships at the Nation, has been recognized and appointed to leadership positions with organizations in Indian Country, and built bridges into other venues representing tribes in new arenas. I really enjoyed this conversation for several reasons. Lacey is grounded but driven, committed and inquisitive. Her work in tribal finance is a personal interest for me, and is an area I think is ripe for growth over the next several years. Lacey and I dive into several deep issues, and she shares some great practical advice to tackle these issues.
Sun, December 18, 2016
Ashley Tuomi | Unexpected Path to Growth
Ashley Tuomi on growth: "Take any opportunity to increase our knowledge." Ashley Tuomi (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde) is the Executive Director of the American Indian Health and Family Services. Currently, she is the President of the National Council of Urban Indian Health. Ashley's career did not end up where she imagined, but she is right where she is supposed to be. Ashley's father served in the military, her family moved constantly for the first several years of her life. As a child she thought her career path led to plastic surgery. Ashley did not have dreams of working for actors in Hollywood, but rather she saw the real impact of plastic surgery on people who needed it such as kids with cleft palates. Everyone knew her goal, powwow emcees introduced her as the future doctor. The Curved Path That experience shifted in college. Her plans shifted after a difficult class. Ashley felt devastated. Everyone knew her goal, and she shifted course. She learned a valuable lesson: things are not usually as bad as people think they are in the moment. Her career transition did not veer away entirely from college. She enrolled in a Master’s program in Health Administration, thinking rather than serving as a plastic surgeon, her goal evolved to run a practice. But her Master’s program nudged her to Indian health after she received a scholarship from the Indian Health Service. The scholarship required her to work in the Indian health system for two years. Ashley turned her studies almost exclusively to learning about IHS.After graduate school she found herself in Los Angeles at an urban Indian health clinic. That position led to opportunities to run clinics, which led her to Detroit. Her leadership at the American Indian Health and Family Services led to her work at the national level. A colleague urged her to get involved in NCUIH and her colleagues elected her as the organization's president. Ashley discusses how she grew into these leadership roles as a young leader and overcame questions about her age. As a young leader, Ashley Tuomi is likely bound for a long career as a leader in Indian health and in Indian Country generally.
Sun, December 18, 2016
Terra Branson | Reflecting on Personal Growth
Terra Branson: “How do you look backward but still move forward?” Terra Branson (Muscogee Creek) is the Executive Director of the Self-Governance Communication and Education Consortium.Terra joined the show previously, and she returned graciously for another wide-ranging conversation. When Terra Branson last joined the show, she just started her job at SGCEC as the Executive Director. Two years later, we discuss her adjustment and growth in the role. Part of her experience includes settling into her community of McAlester, Oklahoma. Like many that move to a new community, Terra experienced the challenge of building new friendships after college and in her professional career. We discussed identifying your skill sets, how to use those in your career, and how often times others see those skills in you before you see them in yourself. On Growth and Reflection We both moved away from a busy place to a place that allows you to think and reflect. This reminded me of a discussion shared by venture capitalist Chris Sacca on another podcast. Sacca invested in what became some of the biggest technology startups of the last decade. He credits part of his success to moving away from the Bay Area to Lake Tahoe where he could be proactive in his work, and less reactive to the daily static of Silicon Valley. The distance allowed him perspective and the ability to make the investment decisions in which he believed. The point is that we need to find more time to be reflective, and for Terra and I, we gained that time by moving away from a busy city. The conversation covered a lot of ground, but I think the theme of this episode is personal growth, reflection, and how we move through our careers. One thing that remains consistent with NextGen Natives is that even with these topics, the work that we do is always connected to our communities. Terra’s story is no different.
Fri, December 16, 2016
Reno Franklin | Servant Leadership
“The most important thing is to be open minded to allow forgiveness...some of the horrible things that were done to us, we know our story. We know the horrible things. We don’t let that define who we are. Those horrible things that were done to Kashia are not who Kashia are. We’ll never forget it. We’ll always remember it. We’ll honor those that was done to, but we won’t let that define us. And we will be open to forgiveness....I would challenge everyone to find it.” Reno Franklin is Chairman of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians . This episode is a bit different because i) I usually do not have tribal leaders on the show. This is not for negative reasons, but instead I want to highlight the work of others not in leadership positions to show how much amazing work is being done in Indian Country. It’s also different because while we discuss Reno’s life, we also discuss his work as a tribal leader, projects he’s working on, approaches to being a leader. It’s definitely a fun conversation, and that’s before we even get to his story. Reno’s story: I first met Reno through the National Indian Health Board. I worked there and Reno was Chairman of the the organization. He also chaired the California Rural Indian Health Board , and the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers . This is not to mention the work he’s done with other associations and working groups. Although his resume reads like one of grand ambition, his beginnings in tribal leadership tell a different story. It tells a story of service. Reno moved back to the reservation after he was asked to help with some wildfire work for the tribe. Reno was a firefighter and EMT at the time. Reno said that since he was asked, he moved home. He wasn’t far away, but this was his time to come home. His firefighting work led him to historic preservation work. Like other NextGen Natives, one project led to another, which eventually opened new doors and challenges. His work in healthcare started with a personal story he shared. To hear it, you’re going to have to listen to the show. But suffice it to say, when he started, he didn’t have any experience in the field. He learned through service and eventually his work rose to the national level. We discussed what it was like for him to
Tue, December 06, 2016
Brian Howard | To Grow Be Uncomfortable
Brian Howard is Research and Policy Analyst American Indian Policy Institute . He is Pipash, Akimel and Tohono O’odham. I’ve always respected Brian for his humility, knack for policy, and his commitment to Indian Country. During our conversation, I got to know more about his personal story, which I think includes a key lesson for everyone: being uncomfortable in order to grow. Brian shared a few stories during our conversation that shared the theme of growth and trying something new. What I found unique about the experiences was that he was able to combine the new experience with a familiar one so that the new challenge does not seem to have been as challenging as it could have been. For example, Brian traveled to Australia and New Zealand for a study abroad program when he was 16 years old. It was a big transition, but he spent much of his time in communities with Aborigines and Maoris, a familiar experience that helped him in his experience. Recently he moved back home to be closer to his family, including his niece for whom he now acts as a father figure. He was moving back home, and closer to family. Easy, right? Well, he made the move without any job prospect. Each instance is an example of situations where people may not have taken action because they were afraid. What if I’m home sick? I would move back home but I don’t have a job yet. Brian did not let those questions deter him, and he came out on the other end of those experiences with new perspective. Brian shared many great insights in this episode. He talked about the amazing role his mother played in his life, the importance of understanding policy issues, enduring lost loved ones, and more. But I think Brian’s willingness to take on new challenges, and grow as an individual, is the best lesson we can take away. You don’t need to be considering a move to Australia to take advantage of his lesson. Identify a goal, challenge, or need that makes you uncomfortable. Do you feel that feeling in your gut? Did you immediately find 10 reasons why you can’t achieve it? If you did, then I think you found what you should focus on.
Mon, November 21, 2016
The Navajo Dory (the fish) | Natalie Benally
"You give everything you got. It's hard, It's super challenging. You give all your life force to your art. so when you see the tiny moment when people are smiling, laughing, or being proud..." Natalie Benally, Navajo, wears many hats. Or maybe the better metaphor is...dance shoes. Natalie is a member of the Native American contemporary dance company Dancing Earth . She also served as the voice of Dory for the remake of Finding Nemo, or Nemo Hádéést’į́į́. Oh, and she also has a full time job as the teacher of the arts back on Navajo Nation. Natalie and I connected while Dancing Earth was visiting Crystal Bridges as part of a special exhibit on dance. We had a wide ranging conversation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oChIg8dA09I Natalie went to a Bureau of Indian Education school at an old fort on the reservation. It was only a matter of time, not only as a Native person but as a student, where she started to understand the context in which she lived as a Navajo person, at the fort where her people’s long walk ended. She became interested in this broader history. It reminded me of the documentary The Flat , where younger people several generations removed from traumatic events begin asking questions about their family’s history, evoking strong emotions. We chatted about going away, and how that experience can either crystallize your awareness of who you are as a Native person, or people find it difficult to adapt and it becomes overwhelming. One of the amazing things about the experiences of people from all different tribes is how so many people can share similar experiences. This is one of those dynamics that many experience, whether they moved away for a job, education, they were taken away from their families, etc. We discussed Natalie’s role as an educator in the arts. She shared how powerful it can be to help students gain self-confidence and find themselves. And, of course we discussed Natalie’s experience playing Dory in Finding Nemo. There is an amazing effort underway to translate <a href= "http
Mon, November 14, 2016
Be Productive Not Busy: A Mindset
Jaclyn Roessel, Navajo, is many things. She is the Public Programs and Education Director at the Heard Museum. She is is one half of Schmooze: Lady Connected. She writes for the fashion site Presence 4.0. She curates her own website Grown Up Navajo. She’s even a previous guest on NextGen Native. One thing Jaclyn isn't? Busy. That doesn't mean Jaclyn doesn't have a full schedule or a lot going on. Quite the contrary. What it does mean, for her, is that she is mindful of what the word means and that people often use it as a crutch. Jaclyn has been on a minor campaign to remove that word from the lexicon of those around her. I appreciate it. I had the same revelation a few years ago. I try not to use it to describe my own experience but sometimes out of habit or social conformity I'll drop the word or at least go along with another person’s use of it in conversation, nodding in exasperated agreement. Tell me about it. I often use it when reaching out to guests for the show, acknowledging the value of someone’s time (I know you're busy…). That's how I found out about Jaclyn’s viewpoint on the word. After she said something along the lines of “I'm not busy, I try not to use the word” I had to reply by saying, effectively, “me neither! well,except for just then. It that was different.” That's when we decide we should have another episode outlining our thoughts on busy-ness and other musings. To get the full context, let you think we are insufferable zealots, have a listen. Hopefully our conversation inspires you to think differently, and more mindfully, about the language you use to describe your life. We dove into several other subject such as our fear of organizing events where no one shows up, our inspiration behind our passion projects, creating one’s own happiness, Jaclyn’s morning routine, and much more. Check it out.
Thu, November 10, 2016
Politics, Art & Bryan Newland
Bryan Newland joined the show the day after the election in 2016. We discussed a variety of issues about politics, from the election itself, what it means for tribes, and broader ideas and actions around politics generally. It's not your normal take on politics, which I think is a good thing. Not that there is anything wrong with the "normal take," it's just that people are used to it. If you want to hear some in depth conversation about these issues, to hear some thoughts that should challenge people on any side of a political debate (in a good way), than this conversation is for you. But as the title suggests, this conversation is about more than just politics. One of the things I love about where NextGen Native is heading, is that we can spend more time talking with previous guests (like Bryan) about a wide array of issues. In this episode we also dive deep into his passion for photography. He's been photographing his homelands and the results are awesome. Check him out on Instagram (bryannewland) to see some of his work. I realized during our conversation that Bryan's love of politics and photography comes from the same place: his love of his community, and his desire to be engaged and involved. Sounds corny, but if you listen to the conversation, I think you'll find that it's true. If that all sounds too high-and-mighty, worry not. We find ways to make fun of ourselves and have a good time. In other words, it was a healthy conversation. To get back on the high horse, I think that is one of the other takeaways to this conversation: you can have a range of emotions and thoughts about important or controversial issues at one time and still find ways to laugh and find comfort in conversation. Enjoy.
Wed, October 26, 2016
Sara-Jane Smallwood | Choctaw Promise Zone and President Obama
“There’s nothing holding you back except what’s in your mind” Sometimes you speak with someone that has so much positive energy that it’s bound to rub off on you. Despite a massive headache during this conversation, I came away feeling energized after speaking with Sara-Jane Smallwood. Sara-Jane is one of those people that had a clear goal from a young age and pursued that goal and was able to realize that goal: returning home to work for her tribe. She did so in a big way, working on a very high-profile program that eventually resulted in a visit from President Obama to Choctaw Nation . Official Bio Sara-Jane Smallwood is the Director of Public Policy and Promise Zone Coordinator for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Her Choctaw heritage and passion for public policy are intertwined. She comes from a long line of farmers and ranchers who make their living from the land, and she grew up near Sardis Lake and the Choctaw Capitol in Tvshka Homma. These experiences taught her the importance of the Choctaw Nation’s culture, natural resources, and leadership. Sara-Jane is currently a student at Oklahoma State University pursuing a PhD in Environmental Policy. She received her Master of Public Affairs with emphasis in local governance and environmental policy from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs in 2012. She received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications and American Indian Studies at Oklahoma State University in 2008, and was named an Outstanding Senior as one of the university’s top graduates. In 2007, she was chosen as a Scholar by the Morris K. Udall and the Stewart L. Udall Foundation and as a Fellow by the Public Policy and International Affairs Program, where she was part of the Princeton University <span
Wed, October 12, 2016
Charles Galbraith | From Dug Out to White House
“We’ve been conditioned to think that we have to compete with each other...which is not the case.” Charles Galbraith is Navajo. Currently, Charles (aka Charlie) is Counsel at Kilpatrick Townsend Law Firm. Previously, Charlie spent several years working at the White House for President Obama and before that he was an Assistant U.S. Attorney and a staffer in the U.S. Senate . Charlie grew up in Phoenix. His parents both prioritized education and so Charlie knew at a young age he’d go to college. He ended up playing baseball and studying at the University of Chicago . His baseball playing taught him endurance and the knowledge that not everything would break his way in life. It taught him how to dig in for the long haul, and how to keep a cooler head when things weren’t going his way. These two lessons would suit him very well in his career. He studied political science and decided that a career in a profession such as the law interested him. So he attended Arizona State University Sanda Day O’Connor School of Law . It wasn’t long before a summer internship in Senator Tim Johnson’s office resulted in a full time position. Charlie jumped at the chance and eventually earned his degree after taking night courses while also working full time. That opportunity led Charlie to working on President Obama’s campaign, and eventually on to the White House. There is much more to that part of the story, but you’ll need to listen to hear the full context. It was fun to hear Charlie share his experience at this particular point in time. The president is at the end of his second term so Charlie is just now able to have some perspective on the entire experience and what it means to him. Charlie has always been a practical kind of guy, and you get a lot of that practical wisdom in this episode.
Fri, September 30, 2016
Jose Acevedo | Finding Arizona
Jose Acevedo is back on NextGen Native. One episode wasn’t enough to capture his energy and excitement. To be honest, two shows probably isn’t enough, either.! On the first show, we talked about his life. This time, we can skip the details (where you from, etc.) and dive into various subjects. Jose is the host of Finding Arizona , a podcast focused on entrepreneurs in Arizona. He is also part Hopi. We have a lot of mutual experience and energy to share amazing stories through our podcasts. You should check out his podcast and listen to the ways that disparate business people share common experiences, what their drive is, etc. On this episode, we dive deep into #NODAPL . We take a look at the movement from a variety of angles. The obvious and most direct is the importance of water to humans as it is to any other life form. But we also discuss different angles such as how the event has brought so many tribes together, that the camp is filled with people from all walks of Indian Country. We also chat about what we’ve learned from our podcast experiences and how those lessons transcend beyond podcasting. For example, I’ve sharpened my strength as a listener in a way that I often feel like my conversations with people feel like they could be a podcast episode because I’m listening, asking questions like I would if the mics were hot. We talk about some of the guests we’d each like to interview including A Tribe Called Red , Wab Kinew , Thosh Collins and more. We talked about how our podcasts helped us grow. When I listen to previous interviews I did, it’s embarrassing. But I’m also able to see how I’ve grown with the podcast. Like anything, you don’t get better unless you dive in. And so if you are able to gain insight from those that come on my show, and you definitely will, you can also see my podcast journey itself as a metaphor for personal growth. I will still interview people and learn about their journeys, but after several dozen episodes (maybe 100?) I plan to circle back to more of my previous guests so we can dive into current events and just shoot the breeze. And I’m sure we will learn just as much from them the second, third,
Wed, September 14, 2016
Brian Gunn | Colville Lawyer
Brian Gunn is a member of the C onfederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation . He is a Principal at Powers Pyle Sutter & Verville PC in Washington DC. Brian is someone I’ve admired for a long time. In addition to being a lawyer that has taken on several large cases and initiatives as part of his work in Indian Country, he is low key and always maintains his sense of humor. Brian discusses how his general low key demeanor has positively impacted his clients’ cases. It reminded me of the saying “you can shear a sheep many times, but you can only skin it once.” Brian grew up in Omak, Washington. He attended Washington State University . He served on the school’s newspaper and as part of his work, he decided to reach out to Bill Kunstler for an interview. To his surprise, the well known civil rights attorney agreed to speak with Brian for 45 minutes or so. He was surprised at the interest and access Kunstler gave him, and it sparked his interest in the law. I think this is one of the best nuggets of information from this conversation. Brian’s story demonstrates that it’s usually worth making the reach to email someone, approach them at a conference or connect via social media. Nine times out of ten you may hear nothing back, but occasionally you will connect and the encounter can change your path or theirs, and that’s worth it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL7Ct_urpUY After attending the University of Washington School of Law, Brian knew he wanted to end up in DC. So he moved and has been there working on behalf of Indian Country ever since. Brian and I discuss the challenges and effort of being a tribal leader, and his interest in the work of Hunter Thompson. We recorded the conversation on 9/11 and we discussed how individuals email communications at his law former law firm (located in one of the towers) were published several years ago. They are a surreal read. Brian encourages people to engage tribal leaders and get to know them, and the work
Thu, September 08, 2016
Jacqueline Wilson | "Classical" Native
Jacqueline Wilson Highlights “The thing classical music and being Native have in common is reassuring people we are not obsolete.” “Even if what you do is unorthodox, or unexpected or outside of the box, what you do and who you are is important and you should share it with other people.” In Indian Country, we often discuss being “traditional,” but in today’s episode, we get to hear someone who is “classical” while also being indigenous. That person is Jacqueline Wilson, a “classical Native” Jacqueline Wilson is Yakama . She is an Assistant Professor at Southeast Missouri State University and is a professional bassoonist. She also is the creator of the website Molto Native Music , which promotes Native musicians in classical music. I really enjoy finding people that I can have a conversation where I learn not only about their own experience, but to learn about things I have very little exposure to, and this is one of those shows. Jacqueline started playing the bassoon after a high school teacher suggested that the instrument may be a way for her to earn a scholarship to attend college. She started learning the instrument, and before long she enrolled at Eastern Washington University . But her first semester, she took an F in her orchestra class. Her professor essentially told her she didn’t belong. That statement fired a spark within her, and she spent several months practicing several hours each day. The very next semester, she earned an A with the same professor. That spark carried her to Boston University for her Master’s, and to the University of Iowa for her Ph.D. She is now a professor and professional musician. Quite the journey from her first semester of college. Like Native people in other professions, Jacqueline spends part of he
Thu, September 01, 2016
Lance Morgan | A Business Revolution
“If you are interested in Native issues, do what you need to do. One person can make a difference.” If you listen to NextGen Native, chances are you know Lance Morgan. Lance is the CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc , a corporation owned by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska . He also is the managing partner of Frederick Peebles Morgan , and teaches at Arizona State University Law School. I worked with Lance and his company in my last job and had the chance to get to hear his story a bit as he told the story of Ho Chunk Inc. The two are intertwined. After studying economics and earning a law degree (official bio below), Lance moved back to his tribe and within a few years, started to implement the idea he had been tinkering with to create a tribally owned company. It’s a bit crazy now to think that not too long ago, this was a revolutionary idea. Lance grew with the company, and it’s currently generating about $250 million in revenue. It’s a shining success in Indian Country. And not just because of how much it earns, but what it does with its profits, creating housing on the reservation, running a used car company to help tribal members build credit. We discuss transition and trying to build the next generation of talent. We discuss the idea that 30 years from now, there will be 100 Lance Morgan’s and that will be the expectation. We discuss the transition the company is experiencing currently in its business lines. Lance shares some of his favorite podcasts (Freakonomics, Revisionist History, TED, Stuff they Didn’t Teach you in History Class, Revolutions, Harvard Business Review, NPR, and BBC to name a few). This conversation spans far beyond business, including what Lance thinks is most important in life. It’s a jam packed 45 minutes, you may end up listening to it twice! Official Bio Lance Morgan is President and Chief Executive Officer of Ho-Chunk, Inc. Morgan launched Ho-Chunk, Inc. in 1994 as the economic development corporation of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. Under Morgan's leadership, Ho-Chunk, Inc. has been recognized by a variety of national organizations including: Innovations in Government Award, sponsored by Harvard University and the <span style= "font-weight: 400
Tue, August 23, 2016
Stacy Leeds | Dean of the Arkansas Law School
“We never control the timing of our opportunities.” “ I always thought about the removal with anger or sadness...and now I think about survival and resilience.” Stacy Leeds is a Citizen of the Cherokee Nation . She is also Dean and Professor of Law at the University of Arkansas School of Law. Recently, Dean Leeds was reappointed to a second term as Dean. Let me restate that: Dean Leeds is a Citizen of the Cherokee Nation and Dean of the University of Arkansas School of Law. I’ve been excited to get this conversation on the record to share, because Stacy is one of Indian Country’s shining stars. Stacy is from Muskogee, Oklahoma. She was active in sports, excelling in basketball. Eventually she played small forward at Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri. She was not familiar with the school’s prestige when the school contact her initially, she decided to attend because it was where she could play ball. This is a familiar theme in Stacy’s life, jumping into something full steam ahead. I’ve always found, despite my desire to learn as much as I can about an issue, the best way to do things. Because when you dive into something you cannot allow yourself to get in your own way. It’s served Stacy well throughout her life. After college, she attended the University of Tulsa College of Law . During law school, she realized her desire to enter legal academia. So after school she participated as a Hastie Fellow at the University of Wisconsin Law School . When the fellowship was finished, she began teaching at the University of North Dakota . Her next stop was at the University of Kansas </a
Wed, August 17, 2016
Kayla Gebeck | Around the World for the Language
“What do [you] feel you are good at and feel you can contribute to your community?” When I spoke to Kayla Gebeck, the thing that jumped out at me was her enthusiasm to try new things, start new adventures, with the goal of preserving her language. After not traveling far beyond the upper Midwest, Kayla traveled to a Pueblo, then to Hawaii, and ultimately to New Zealand. Her goal was to learn how different communities were working to to preserve their languages.So while she was able to explore personally, and expand her horizons, the skills she was learning would help future Ojibwe speakers. Before it was over, Kayla studied in London and was able to connect the work people do in developing countries and relate that to Indian Country and visa versa . We talked about making connections outside of Indian Country and how these connections can create lasting ripples of interest or awareness with Indian Country. Kayla’s story is really interesting to see all that she’s been able to accomplish already. And more importantly, that her community is the driving force for her work. Official Bio Kayla Gebeck is a public affairs advisor at Holland & Knight's Washington, D.C., office and a member of the firm's Native American Law Practice Group. Ms. Gebeck provides assistance to tribal governments and their enterprises on legislative and regulatory matters. Her areas of focus include education, healthcare, housing, social services, natural resources, environment, self-governance, trust land and federal relations. Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Ms. Gebeck served as a policy analyst for the Native American Finance Officers Association . In this position, Ms. Gebeck advocated the views and concerns of tribal governments in the areas of access to capital, tax and finance policy, in addition to preparing reports and broadcasts that alerted tribal members on new guidance and/or legislation affecting their governments and enterprises. While attending the University of London , Ms. Gebeck served as a photographer for the Global Coordinating Group Indigenous Media Team, which covered the preparatory meeting for the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples in Alta, Norway, and conducted research for Legal Action Worldwide in an effort to build the
Wed, July 27, 2016
Amanda Tachine | Center for Indian Education
Amanda Tachine If you need an energy boost, or your spirit lifted, this episode is for you. Amanda Tachine’s voice lifted my mood and her enthusiasm and energy lasted throughout the episode. Amanda is Navajo, and is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Center for Indian Education at Arizona State University . Amanda’s busy, and her accomplishments demonstrate that. TEMPE - September 8th, 2015 - ASU News - Postdoctoral Scholar Amanda Tachine will be recognized for her work as a White House Champion of Change in Washington D.C. and is pictured here at the Center for Indian Education at Arizona State University Tempe Campus on Tuesday afternoon September 8th, 2015. Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU News But much of our conversation focused on topics other than work. We discussed how she navigated through her educational career. We bonded over the physical feeling of when you go home. I mentioned a book I'm reading, The Shepherd’s Life , and how it relates to language often associated with Indian Country. We discussed the friends that helped her navigate to her graduate degrees. Amanda mentioned others around the country involved in this field of study (e.g. Adrienne Keene ). Amanda mentioned her approach of focusing on the Now, and how that impacts her life. We discuss (not) burning bridges, including the quote “you can shear a sheep many times, but you can only skin it once.” Amanda’s work at the Center for Indian Education advances ideas and strategies to increase Native college student success. She joined the center after receiving her doctoral degree in Higher Education at the University of Arizona . Amanda received the <span style="font-weight: 400
Thu, July 21, 2016
Vince Logan | Special Trustee
Vince Logan (Osage) is the Special Trustee for Native Americans at the Department of the Interior . In that role, he is responsible for the trust assets administered by the Department. He is a Senate-confirmed member of the administration. As impressive as that is, it’s only a sliver of his accomplishments in his personal and professional career. Vince is from Oklahoma. At a young age, his parents moved to Norman so him and his siblings could be close to more opportunities for education. Despite growing up in the town where the University of Oklahoma is located, he eventually attended Oklahoma State University . Eventually, he ended up in New York as a lawyer. He went to work for a big law firm where he focused on financial transactions involving transportation and logistics. It was a world he’d never been exposed to but he was drawn to it. He excelled in the environment and spent a lot of time working as a lawyer on these transactions. At some point, he decided he would jump into a new part of the financial world working for financial entities, rather than as their lawyer. It was at this point he was able to begin working professionally with tribes on finances. Eventually the opportunity arose to serve as the Special Trustee. In addition to discussing how important the world of finance is, Vince wanted to talk about his personal experience as a gay man. He wanted to share his experience so that others may be able to relate to the experience and challenges in his life not just as a gay person but as a gay Native person, and a very successful one. This is just scratching the surface of what we discuss in this episode, including how one baseball scoreboard influenced his life direction towards New York, digging into interests, personal finance and more. Vince was gracious in sharing his story, and like other NextGen Natives, his story is worth listening to.
Thu, July 14, 2016
Justin Wilson | No Other Choice
Justin Wilson is an upbeat guy. You sense his energy from the moment you start a conversation with him. Or more likely, when he starts a conversation with you. When you learn about his life, it’s amazing to think how he can be so upbeat. But then you realize, it’s because he had no other choice. Justin Wilson is Choctaw. He grew up in Southeast Oklahoma. His father died when he was three and his mom wasn’t around much. He was living on his own at age 14. He excelled at school. He realized it was his way out of the life he experienced as a kid. Having just listened to an amazing episode of Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast Revisionist History , I knew exactly what Just meant. The episode is titled “Carlos Doesn’t Remember” and I realized that Justin was very similar. ## Subscribe to NextGen Native iTunes Stitcher Google Play ## Justin attended Oklahoma State University . It’s an understatement because he is a diehard alumnus. For a while, before he was the Advisor to the Special Trustee for Native Americans , Vince Logan , he was raising money for his alma mater. Before that, he was in medical school at the University of Oklahoma. In this episode, Justin discusses all of these events. He even opens up to discuss how attending medical school was one of his biggest mistakes. Just told me he wanted to share that story so people kno
Wed, June 29, 2016
Erin Spiceland | Natives in Tech
“Google “Native people in tech…; and see Native people in every field, no matter how much of a walled garden exists. They did it, you can do it.” One of the goals for NextGen Native is to connect Native people across a variety of professions, and to tell the story of these people to place their experience in context i.e. being Native person in the 21st century. Perhaps no one best exemplifies this to date than Erin Spiceland. Erin Spiceland is Choctaw, and grew up in South Georgia. Her family ended up there after her grandfather settled down in the area after serving in the Navy. She is a software engineer working in for a technology company in Huntsville, AL. If there is one area that every community needs to be part of in 2016, it’s technology. Specifically, preparing people to work in technology by teaching them to code. But even more, in the same conversation Erin talks about the importance of coding, she talks about learning her language, and teaching it to her kids. Erin’s journey is about more than just coding. Erin lost her mother at a young age after a battle with Leukemia. It was difficult for her to move on after the loss, but she found strength in her faith and realizing that her life did not have to be defined by what she lost. In this episode we discuss: Math and music: the connections between the two. How Erin wanted music to be a major part of her life and influenced her academic future. The benefit of having a support system that allows someone to challenge themselves. How studying computer science in college is behind the curve when it comes to what actually occurs in the real world. What is an algorithm ( never be afraid to ask questions ). How Erin ended up at Nodesource . Different resources for learning code: Khan Academy ; Code.org ; Coursera</s
Wed, June 22, 2016
Jacob Aki | On the Future of Hawaii
Jacob Aki on Native histories: "When we look into our history, we have a history of excellence...and we have to reclaim that." Jacob Aki My conversation with Jacob Aki sparked a lot of thoughts about how I think about leadership and solving tough problems. Jacob Aki Jacob’s bio below outlines well his leadership and contribution to his community at such a young age. In particular, I was taken by two parts of our conversation: First, Jacob discussed the organization Aha Kane , which has the mission “To nurture a healthier Native Hawaiian male population by eliminating psychosocial, health, and educational disparities through activities founded on traditional cultural practices that build sustainability in the community.” Essentially the organization has formalized mentoring of young Hawaiian men in traditional teachings, but also creates a network to rely upon throughout one’s life. There is a woman’s organization , too. This seems to be an innovative approach to create formal and informal networks in the community. Second, Jacob discusses the current debate happening in the Hawaiian community surrounding how the nation should move forward. I’m not jumping into the middle of that debate, but I thought about how we often think of previous leaders and how they were able to unify a people under their leadership. There have to be those types of people today, but do we think of their skills and abilities in the same was as we appreciate those whose contributions we can see retroactively? The other leadership component I thought about is how young and old generations transition the knowledge and decision making in an organization/business/community/government. I think the natural tendency for young Native people is to stand back and let others lead because that is what we think we’ve been taught (and often times is what we are taught). But Jacob told a story about how once he and others got involved in different processes, older leaders expressed appreciation that they were there, and consternation about what took them so long to step up. Learning happens by doing, and I think there is a cultural estuary that we miss out on if we don’t bring different generations together to teach and correct and to learn and succeed. This is not to say that a young person should expect to lead their people without any prior experience. But it is to say that people of any age can get involved in a variety of ways and begin to learn how to lead, learn and carry themselves. Any thoughts? Leave a comment below. Jacob’s bio Jacob Bryan Kaʻōmakaokalā Aki is a 21 year old Native Hawaiian who was born and raised in Kapālama and Waiʻanae on the island of Oʻahu. He is a graduate of the <a href=
Thu, June 16, 2016
Kekoa McClellan | Native Hawaiian Organizations
Kekoa McClellan: " "We can never forget that we are native first, but we cannot ignore that we are not the only people who matter.. We have to look at the people around us. If we separate ourselves from them, we are separating ourselves from their hearts." Kekoa McClellan Official Bio Kekoa McClellan is the President and CEO of Pelatron Power Evolution and the President of the firm's Joint Venture PQ Energy, LLC. McClellan leads the development of waste-to-energy systems in the State of Hawaiʻi. Kekoa McLellan As part of the Pelatron Center for Economic Development family of companies, Kekoa directs the group's external finance and government relations activities. Prior to his work with Pelatron Power Evolution, Kekoa was the Chief of Staff to Honolulu City Council member Stanley Chang , managed an independent political consulting firm, and worked as a commercial banking officer at Central Pacific Bank . Kekoa has served on numerous community boards including The March of Dimes and Hawaiʻi Maoli, and he is currently a director at One Hawaiʻi In Action (OHIA), a Native Hawaiian think tank founded by Senator Daniel K. Akaka. Kekoa is a graduate of The Kamehameha Schools , holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hawaiʻi Pacific University , and an Executive MBA from the <a
Thu, June 09, 2016
Jose Acevedo | War Cry Warrior
[ ed note: Jose Acevedo’s challenge to NextGen Natives was actually directed at me (and you). The challenge was for me to use the NextGen Native platform to bring NextGen Natives together in person. If this interests you, let me know by leaving a comment here, or on Facebook/Twitter, etc.] Jose Acevedo connects with all kinds of people through his podcast Finding Arizona . He also connects with people through the business he created, War Cry Warrior . And that does not include his day job as a landscape architect. Jose’s ability to connect with people has roots with who he is as a person. Jose is Hopi and Puerto Rican. He lived in Pennsylvania until he was 12 and moved back to Hopi at a critical juncture in his development. He went from a place where there were all kinds of people to a place where there were far fewer kinds of people, and fewer people generally. And while he had a diverse background, no group knew quite what to make of him. Ever since he was 12 he has been building those relationships with people and learning how to do so with a wide array of people. He’s also been reconciling who he is through his personal experience, too. This conversation did not follow the usual journey of someone’s life because it involved life tangents and going down various rabbit holes. It all flows well, and is a great conversation, but we cover more than just Jose’s personal journey. ### Subscribe to NextGen Native iTunes Stitcher Google Play ### We also discuss: Why Jose started his business. The genesis of his podcast, and the impact it’s had on him. Why we both enjoy the U
Thu, May 26, 2016
Sooner Davenport | On Healing and Campaigning
“Give yourself six months and do the one thing that absolutely terrifies you.” Sooner Davenport’s official bio Sooner Davenport is Apache Tribe of Oklahoma , Kiowa and Navajo. She was born in Shiprock, New Mexico and currently lives in the Oklahoma City area. She graduated with her Bachelor's from Oklahoma City University and pursued graduate studies at the U niversity of Minnesota-Duluth's Master of Tribal Administration and Governance program. Davenport is a passionate advocate for quality education, child welfare, multiculturalism and sensible economic policies. In 2014, Davenport was selected to the prestigious Native American Political Leadership Program in Washington DC. It was there that she served as a policy assistant for the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education . She returned from this experience at the US Department of Education determined to continue policy work in Oklahoma. Her work with tribal governments includes the areas of taxation, economic development, oil & gas, renewable energy and government accountability. She has also completed an internship for the Oklahoma Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank. Currently, she works in the non-profit sector building public awareness around the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault in communities throughout Oklahoma. She is involved in many projects and organizations, the latest of her endeavors is her campaign for the Oklahoma House of Representatives in District 43. In this episode we discuss: How Sooner got her name Running cross-country in college Sooner’s ability to make tough decisions The importance of self-awreness “Following your passion” vs. being passionate about a job Na
Mon, May 16, 2016
Adrienne Keene | Native Appropriations
“Our voices will not be centered unless we fight for Native voices to be heard.” Dr. Adrienne Keene (Cherokee) will begin a position at Brown University this fall as a tenure track Assistant Professor in the American Studies Department. She also is the author of Native Appropriations, her website that “is a forum for discussing representations of Native peoples including stereotypes, cultural appropriations, news, activism and more.” Each of these accomplishments alone is impressive. The fact that Keene accomplished both in recent years is pretty amazing. I was excited to have Keene on NextGen Native. Given her experience in academia, and her blog often being the first insight many have into Native cultures, she has a unique position in Indian Country. Most of you probably know her work, but I was excited to learn more about Keene as an individual and her personal journey. Keene grew up in Southern California. During the summers, her family would make trips back to visit the Cherokee Nation . It was in high school where she first experienced interactions with people based on their perceptions of what a Native person should be, and not what Native people are . After acceptance into Stanford University, people questioned whether she “deserved” admission into the school or whether she was accepted because of her tribal citizenship. She dove into academics and the Native community once on campus. Keene thought she was heading towards work in a museum, but she gradually realized that her interests were skewing towards ethnic studies and education. After graduating, she spent some time working in academic admissions. This is where Keene really found her inspiration for her next step. While working in admissions, Adrienne Keene decided she wanted to pursue her Ph.D in education. She realized while traveling through Indian Country there was a lack of data and information about Native Americans in the education system. She enrolled at Harvard and began her research. It was during a shopping trip that Keene’s second project presented itself to her. It was in a store that she realized she needed to create Native Appropriations. A trip to Urban Outfitters “inspired ” Keene’s first blog post. That was in 2010. That’s a long time in Internet time. She’s built a great following, forced difficult conversations, and provided a voice for Native peoples across the country around an issue that began to find its focus around the same time. I’ve constantly wondered how she keeps the energy to write on the topics she covers through Native Appropriations. But in the course of our conversation I realized that her experience is
Mon, May 09, 2016
Carina Miller on Success in Indian Country
Carina Miller on success: “Why are we accepting that [success] is not something that is part of an Indian identity?” Carina Miller's Leadership Carina Miller has a unique skill set. She is committed to making her community a better place. She has the drive and persistence to see tough projects/times/conversations through. And, perhaps most importantly, her communication skills are excellent. The communication piece helps her explain her ideas and goals to others, even in difficult meetings, in a way that shows both respect for the individual, with conviction for her beliefs and values. The Plateau and the Big River Carina is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs . She recently ran for tribal council, and was elected. I do not typically have many members of councils on the show because I think it is important to showcase those that serve and contribute to our communities in other ways, too. (note: this is not saying councils do not do so) But Carina’s campaign caught my eye on social media. Specifically, Carina’s reasons for running for tribal council. I even shared one of her Facebook posts last year on the NextGen Native page because of how moved I was by her thoughts. So she ran for council, and she won. Seeing a young woman elected to council was awesome! But it wasn’t always easy. Carina discusses the different, difficult conversations she engaged during the campaign. One of the common refrains (listen to the episode for more background) was that she was “too white” for council. The most disturbing part was not the statement itself but what really lay below the statement. Carina dug, and people acknowledged that it was that she had been successful in her ventures that they believed to be non-Native. </p
Wed, May 04, 2016
Jaclyn Roessel Creativity and Mindfulness
Jaclyn Roessel “You need to savor, truly savor the life that you built for yourself...it’s the worst thing to have a beautiful life and not be able to appreciate it.” Jaclyn Roessel is Navajo. She grew up on the Navajo Nation and attended Arizona State University . She is the Education and Public Programs Director for the Heard Museum . She also writes the blog Grown Up Navajo , hosts a podcast called Schmooze: Lady Connected and Presence 4.0. As you can tell, Jaclyn is very busy. But she does it all because she has a passion for creativity and for creating and supporting positivity in Indian Country. Jaclyn’s energy is infectious and her story is not one to miss. In this episode we discuss: Jaclyn’s support as a child from parents and grandparents that fostered her creativity. How that support helped Jaclyn become a doer. How Jaclyn’s decision to attend ASU positioned her to work for the Heard Museum. Managing the temptation to ask “what if?” on past decisions or events. Taking care of yourself, especially if you want to take care of others. Growing personally so you can continue to provide for others as their needs grow and change. How an unpaid internship at the Heard Museum evolved into full time work. How/why we both read “self-help” type books. Float tanks Meditation/mindfulness Why Jaclyn embraces her nickname “Glamhippy” How Jaclyn became a museum curator by responding to a call for ideas, which eventually became <a href= "http://heard.org/exhibits/co
Thu, April 28, 2016
NextGen Natives in the News
On this episode, I share some of these updates with a segment I call “NextGen Natives in the News.” This is a mini roundup of things I’ve come across recently that I think is worth sharing with NextGen Natives. NextGen Native has been around about a year and a half. In that time, we’ve heard stories from many amazing people in Indian Country. The fun part about building this network of NextGen Natives is to see the amazing things that previous guests continue to do, and learn about cool things that others are doing who are good candidates to get on the show. Jared Yazzie Jared Yazzie created OXDX clothing . Recently he was featured on a story by KJZZ radio station in Phoenix. The story discussed the growth of Native fashion generally and Yazzie’s work specifically. It includes both audio and print. Jessica Metcalfe & Beyond Buckskin Another leader of the fashion movement in Indian Country is making waves. Jessica Metcalfe , founder of BeyondBuckskin , the online fashion boutique and blog is opening a retail storefront in Belcourt, ND. The store will also include space for artists. The grand opening is May 7. This is so cool! Lawyers in the News Nikke Alex is a third-year law student at the University of New Mexico. She will graduate this Spring. Earlier this week, Nikke shared that she is receiving an award from the school during graduation. It’s great to see that someone that balanced her academics, work, personal projects, and more is being recognized for her accomplishments. Congratulations, Nikke! The other legal news is from someone I have not met, but the
Thu, April 21, 2016
Kraynal Alfred | Navajo
Kraynal Alfred is Navajo. Originally from Tuba City, she moved around as a child. She spent time both in Oakland, CA and Atlanta, GA. Eventually she attended Georgia State University. She’s worked for the National Congress of American Indians, National Indian Health Board, the Speaker of the Navajo Nation, and currently at the Native American Political Leadership Program. Kraynal has been able to utilize several program to facilitate her educational and professional development. Those programs have taken her to Yale for the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship , the Kennedy School of Government in Boston, and soon to Tucson for her Ph.D at the University of Arizona. As a recipient of various programs, Kraynal now gets to give back. Kraynal has been able to develop the Native American Political Leadership Program. The program recently launched the Richard M. Milanovich Fellowship. The fellowship is named after the former long-time Chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. To learn more about the fellowship, listen to the article and check out the website (below). In this episode we discuss: What it’s like to move around as a kid. Finding programs to attend, and the impact of those programs on your life. Kraynal’s research interests. How Kraynal TWICE bought one way tickets to a new city without a job and landed on her feet. (Listen to find out how she did this) Moving back home to the reservation. Resources: The Native American Political Leadership Program: The Richard M. Milanovich Fellowship: The INSPIRE Pre-College Program : For all the details, listen to the episode. You can also listen on: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nex
Sat, April 16, 2016
Three Resources for NextGen Natives
A change up to the normal show, here we share three different resources or ideas that have impacted me recently: Investing for retirement-the impact of compound interest A quote I'm pondering about decision making. Cold showers. Links and resources: Investment Philosophy Magic of compound interest Stress Test Vice documentary on Wim Hoff Conversation with Victor Rocha
Thu, April 07, 2016
Hopi Girl Silver | Cynthia Begay
“I wanted to inspire [my sister] to carry on our traditions through any kind of art.”--Cynthia Begay The Origins of Hopi Girl Silver Cynthia Begay is Hopi and the brains and talent behind Hopi Girl Silver. Check out her amazing work at www.hopigirlsilver.com . Cynthia grew up in Bakersfield, CA. During the summers, she would spend time with her family back home. There she watched family members that were silversmiths. When she went to college she would ask “which family member made that for you?” Only to realize that not everyone can get their jewelry from their family members. She was determined to work with silver, but thought she would do it when she retired and could move to the rez. She is currently in a Master’s program in health (epidemiology research) and plans to pursue her Ph.D. In this episode we discuss: Her solo trips to the rez and the experience of Urban natives trying to engage back home. Why college was never a question for Cynthia. How seeing health disparities inspired her to pursue a degree in health care to impact her community. How she connected to Native American Research Center for Health . Four Directions Summer Research Program at Harvard . How health research connects directly to community impact. How epidemiology (sort of) relates to the zombie apocalypse. How something as simple as “the definition of Indian” in policy conversations is more complex than one may think. Imposter syndrome and how to battle it. How fellow NextGen Native <span style="font-weight: 400
Thu, March 31, 2016
Vernon Miller | Nebraska v. Parker
The Story of Nebraska v. Parker Vernon Miller is Chairman of the Omaha Nation . Recently, the nation has been in the news as it successfully defended its sovereignty before the Supreme Court in the case Nebraska v. Parker. In this episode, we discuss the background of the case, the strategy put together for the case, and the impact the case will have on his own nation, across Indian Country and on the Chairman’s leadership experience. In recent years, Indian Country has been timid to bring cases to the Supreme Court because it has been viewed as an unfavorable, perhaps unknowledgeable, about Indian law. But this case turned out very different. The recent decision ruled in favor of the tribe. Unanimously. It was an important victory for the Omaha Nation and for all tribes. This is a great episode for people that want to learn more about current issues, but may not be a lawyer (like me). In this episode we discuss: The background of the case. The history of the case proceeding through the court system. How the tribe thought the case was laid to rest, only to learn the Supreme Court decided to hear the case. How the case began to weigh on Chairman Miller as a burden because of its potential impact not only to his tribe but to all of Indian Country. How the tribe decided to to work with Paul Clement , a well respected attorney, for the case. And how the Supreme Court Project of the Native American Rights Fund and the National Congress of American Indians worked with the nation along the way. The experience of watching the case be debated, and the uncertainty felt after watc
Wed, March 23, 2016
Johnnie Jae | A Tribe Called Geek
Johnnie Jae on being a suicide survivor “You don’t just have to survive, you can thrive...” Johnnie Jae’s Bio Johnnie Jae is of the Otoe-Missouria and Choctaw tribes of Oklahoma. She is the managing partner of Native Max Magazine , founder of A Tribe Called Geek , and contributor to Native News Online . She is the manager and producer for the Success Native Style Radio Network , where she hosts the Indigenous Flame and A Tribe Called Geek radio shows. She is also a founding board member of Not Your Mascots . Known as the “Brown Ball of Fury,” Jae seamlessly shifts from humor and pop culture to advocacy and digital media, which has made her a much-sought after speaker and commentator. Her work has been discussed in many media outlets, such as Indian Country Today, ATPN, CBC, USA Today, BBC, Women’s E-News, Takepart.com and Upworthy. She has been a guest on several radio shows, including Native America Calling, Native Trailblazers, BBC’s World Have Your Say, and ICI Radio. Johnnie’s challenge to NextGen Natives Be real, work hard, and love with all your might. In this episode we discuss: Johnnie Jae's unique upbringing for the first seven years of her life. How school taught her that being “Native” was different. Johnnie’s various interests in school (cello, violin, classically trained vocalist) led to her being tokenized, and how that tokenization gave her access to opportunities others may not receive. The complexities of being “Native.” Suicide and the experience of suicide survivors. Johnnie is a multiple suicide-attempt survivor. We talk about addressing the stigma of suicide in Indian Country. The topic begins around the 21 minute mark. I urge you to listen. It’s a difficult topic but we need to have these conversations.
Thu, March 17, 2016
Nick Tilsen | Thunder Valley CDC
“We were never afraid to admit what we didn’t know...But we did not fear to dream big...it is your right to dream big bold visions about your future, and your right to pursue those visions.” Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation is doing some incredible work on Pine Ridge. And Nick Tilsen is the Executive Director of the organization. Nick Tilsen, Executive Director of Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation Thunder Valley was created after Nick and others were scolded by some ancestors during a sweat. They had been complaining about the way the rez is. The ancestors challenged them: “how long are you going to let other people decide the future for your children. It’s time to stop talking and start doing. Don't come from a place of fear, come from a place of hope.” And with that, Thunder Valley CDC was created, named after a spiritual circle on the reservation. Nick Tilsen is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota. When he was five years old, his parents separated and he moved to Minneapolis with his father. He went from a predominantly Native American school district to a school where no single group made up more than 20 percent of the population. But no matter how long he lived in Minnesota, he knew his home was Pine Ridge. After high school, Nick spent some time in Alaska fishing. Eventually he joined U.S. Trek . He traveled around the country interviewing leaders in their local communities. He saw the impact they had in their communities and was inspired by them. <img class="mce-object mce-object-iframe" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" alt="" width="560" he
Mon, February 29, 2016
Stacey Ecoffey | Life Gets Better
“Life gets better...Things get much better... if you can get through that hard stage... Life, love, happiness, everything gets a whole lot better…” Stacey Ecoffey is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota. She grew up on the Pine Ridge Reservation in Pine Ridge. She is currently the Principal Advisor for Tribal Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services . Growing up, horses were a big part of Stacey’s life. Her grandfather always had her on a horse, and she found horses to be a big stress relief. She attended rodeos. She also enjoyed school Stacey Ecoffey attended Colorado State University . She earned a degree in Cultural Anthropology with a focus on Native American studies. Her school was far enough away that she could be in her own world, but close enough to home that the self-described “rez girl” could get home to visit family, too. She thought she would return home to work for the tribe, but decided to attend graduate school before coming home. So she attended Boston College and earned her Master’s Degree in social work. After grad school, she returned home and ended up finding a job as a coordinator for the tribal council’s Health and Human Service Committee. Very similar to Jodi Gillette, Stacey believes this experience was critical to learning how to function and maneuver and get things done in DC. In this episode we discuss: Stacey’s philosophy to always move forward, to have a glass half full. How a f ellowship prompted her move to DC. The importance of networking. How attending the Indians into Medicine program got Stacey used to being away from home. How Stacey learned that you can always come back home. <span
Mon, February 29, 2016
Jodi Gillette | Humble Leadership
“I never thought of myself as pitiful”… “but I struggled with the injustice of our history”-- Jodi Gillette Indian Country is humble. It encourages, as discussed on a previous episode, leadership as service . Jodi Gillette is a great example of this leadership style. Jodi Gillette is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe . She grew up in Kyle, South Dakota. Jodi describes herself as one of the most fortunate people in the country because of where she is from. As a child she was surrounded by family and friends. Sports, ceremonies, and powwows were central to her childhood. Her upbringing provided a solid foundation for her education and career. Jodi became well known throughout Indian Country through her service in the White House under President Obama. She was a policy advisor to President Obama on Native American affairs, and served in other key positions throughout her tenure in the administration. She now serves as a policy advisor at Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endreson & Perry LLP . In this episode of the Lakota Voices series, we discuss Jodi’s background further and how she ended up in the administration. The episode covers a lot of ground, and we didn’t get to discuss other aspects of Jodi’s life that has also received significant attention . In this episode we discuss: The role of sports in her life. Shauna Long (Standing Rock Sioux), a professional basketball player in Morocco and daughter of a childhood friend. How Jodi attended a math and science program at Phillips Academy , and eventually attended the boarding school for her high school education. Her experience at Dartmouth (which she was admitted to after an essay made up for her SAT score), including how Jodi almost left school but Dartmouth went “all in” to keep her enrolled. How anyone can make a difference in the lives of others, and it doesn’t need to be a grand gesture. Jodi’s determination to change the narrative told about Native peop
Tue, February 23, 2016
Mike Black | BIA Director
“I like to tell [students] you’ll never know what you’re capable of until you try.” “The future is whatever they want it to be. And there is nothing that should stop them from getting there.” --Mike Black Mike Black, Oglala Sioux , is the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs . Mike’s story is a great example of what happens when you combine experience, skills, and mentorship. On their own, each is a valuable asset. But they may not be enough individually to propel your career to the highest level. Combined, they are powerful. Mike Black was born in Flandreau, South Dakota and grew up in Aberdeen, South Dakota. As a kid, Mike enjoyed school and sports. Math came easy to him, so it’s no surprise that he attended the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology . Several friends from Aberdeen also attended the school, providing a critical peer support group. After college, Mike wanted to return to Aberdeen. The BIA was hiring a mechanical engineer so it worked out well for him to take this position. But Mike’s path wasn’t a straight line to the Director’s chair. He started as a “GS-5.” The “GS” scale is how the government determines pay for employees. To provide perspective, the GS schedule goes to 15. So Mike started in the bottom third of pay. Maybe, despite the pay, Mike had some amazing work, right? Wrong. Mike spent the first several months printing blueprints. Mike learned the lesson that even though he was full of energy and had a degree, he had to learn the ropes before getting to work. But along the way, the same supervisor who put him on the printer also allowed Mike to ask questions. He was able to learn about the more substantive hands-on work. He learned not only the nuance of the trade but how to operate within BIA. He also learned humility. Mike embraced those lessons and kept them close as he rose through the BIA. To hear how he did it, listen to part 1 of Lakota Voices. In this episode we discuss: The tradeoffs for a college student to do doing manual labor jobs vs. internships during summer break. The role of mentor
Fri, February 19, 2016
Launching Lakota Voices
Launching Lakota Voices Pine Ridge is WAY TOO FAMILIAR with the tired narrative of Indian Country as poverty porn. It is ground zero for media that perpetuate the narrative. It’s also the example used by those trying to counter it. But there’s another story about Pine Ridge and Indian Country generally. It’s our story told by us. In general, I call this story NextGen Native. And I’m excited to launch a series that focuses on this story in a specific community. The series is called Lakota Voices. ( ed note: I know the pic below is of kids from Rosebud, but they are with FLOTUS which is awesome. Let's roll with the flow) A photo posted by Pete Souza (@petesouza) on May 27, 2015 at 2:47pm PDT Native Youth at the Forefront Native youth issues are receiving significant focus right now, and it’s powerful. I remember listening to President Obama describe his and Mrs. Obama’s experience visiting Indian Country and how that prompted the entir e Ad ministration to focus more on Native youth. The President launched <a hre
Fri, February 12, 2016
Walk Your Own Path | Control Your Life
Walk Your Own Path “Walking your own path is getting off the moving walkway at the airport. On the walkway, you may be moving but you are not the one driving the motion nor are you in control of where it is going. Instead, choose yourself where to go and how to get there. It’s more work than the moving walkway, but the payoff is worth it.” Dennis Worden Usually on the podcast we hear amazing stories from NextGen Natives around the country. This episode I discuss some concepts and ideas that I think are relevant for NextGen Natives. They are things I have been thinking about recently. A bit of background: the original idea for this episode came from a negative experience that occurred recently. I was going to turn around the negative experience and discuss the upside of why it didn’t bother me as much as it could have. It was then I realized the episode was much bigger than a single incident. It is about how we shape our lives, and choose to respond to the world around us, particularly when things are beyond our control. We control more about our lives than we may think, and we can then influence how we live our life. It is an intimidating realization. But it’s intimidating because it’s powerful. I’ve been doing a lot of self-reflection about where I want to go in my personal life and in my career. Over the last few years I’ve been introduced to several different resources and ideas that are finally becoming a coherent philosophy for me. And I wanted to share these with you. In this episode I discuss a few key concepts that are influencing me right now: Plan beats no plan. It may not be perfect, but it’s better than nothing. You can’t judge a decision by outcomes. You can only judge decisions based on the information at the time a decision was made. Creating your life builds conviction about what you are doing. Don’t let critics get your down. It is not the critics who count. Stoic philosophy as introduced to me by Tim Ferriss . Some thoughts and resources on personal fin
Thu, February 04, 2016
Waylon Pahona | Healthy Active Natives
“I’m always asked to motivate other people. Motivation has to come from within you. Nobody can give it to you.”-- Waylon Pahona If you’re reading this, you are probably familiar with Healthy Active Natives. Waylon Pahona created this Facebook page that has almost 60 thousand likes. It’s been a source of motivation and support for people throughout Indian Country. Waylon--who is Hopi, Tewa and Maricopa Piipaash--joined NextGen Native to share his story. If you need some positive energy, Waylon is your guy. Waylon grew up on Hopi and left when he was 18. He left to get away from some of the negative incidents he experienced. Waylon shared how he was sexually abused and wanted to get away. These negative experiences impacted him profoundly. For many years, he pushed those memories away and was not living a healthy life. He turned himself around (listen to the podcast to learn how) and eventually shared this story with others. This transformation eventually led to the creation of Healthy Active Natives. In this episode we talk about: Being vulnerable--Brene Brown became a viral hit discussing how shame and courage come from the same state: being vulnerable. When you hear Waylon’s story, you’ll see he chose courage over shame. Float tanks--how they can be used to process memories, emotions, fears. Getting healthy is more than just exercising, or even eating right. It’s about mental balance, too. Understanding people to connect and encourage action. How to deal with negativity. Why Waylon hates the word “haters.” Working on letting go. Why he got a huge hug while traveling in Canada recently. How Derek Jeter’s last hit as a Yankee inspires Waylon. For all the details, listen to the episode. You can also listen on: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nextgen-native-podcast/id915352712?mt=2"
Thu, January 28, 2016
Jackson Brossy | Why NOT In Indian Country
“If it takes an hour to go to the nearest ATM, banking isn’t really on your horizon as a job option” -- Jackson Brossy Jackson Brossy Jackson Brossy is on a mission. First, his passion to serve his people of the Navajo Nation is strong. Second, his passion for economic development across Indian Country is part of a wave to make our communities a stronger place to live. Jackson is Navajo. He grew up on the nation in Red Mesa , and spent weekends traveling an hour, to the nearest border town for groceries and to access the closest ATM. Jackson is the Executive Director of the Navajo Nation Washington Office . He attended Stanford University and then the Harvard Kennedy School . In this episode we discuss: Jackson’s roots in Red Mesa, AZ on the navajo Nation. The role of parents in the college application process. Jackson’s experience at Stanford and Harvard. How a Native student told him not to attend the same school they did and why. The motivation behind Jackson’s interest in economic development (hint: border towns & silicon valley). Jackson’s question of why not in Indian Country? The value of relationships versus “networks” and
Thu, January 21, 2016
Jourdan Bennett-Begaye | Survival of the First Voices
Jourdan Bennett-Begaye is Navajo. She attends the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University . Jourdan is also one of the creators of the Survival of the First Voices Festival. Jourdan grew up in Shiprock, NM. Sports played a big role in her life as a child. She played soccer and volleyball. One came naturally, as Jourdan’s mother was a volleyball coach. Soccer was completely foreign to her and her first practice she showed up in tennis shoes and denim shorts. Both experiences are great learning environments. In one, you have access to knowledge, mentors, and opportunity. In the other, you are in an environment unfamiliar to you, you are uncomfortable, you have to open yourself to learning and growth and being comfortable being uncomfortable. I think access to structure, mentors and resources, as well as discomfort are critical to development and success. People can succeed with one or the other, but combined experiences are really springs to success. Jourdan eventually focused on volleyball full time. She played club volleyball, traveled many hours each week to practices and tournaments. It even allowed her to travel to Australia, opening Jourdan up the world of travel. Jourdan began college at Emory University . Her goal was to go work at the Centers for Disease Control . But she experienced culture shock, living far away from home and not being able to play volleyball due to some injuries. She transferred to Fort Lewis College , which was closer to home. But it was her last choice when initially considering what school to attend. I asked Jourdan why that was the case. She got very real and shared a powerful story. Initially she thought Fort Lewis was “too rezzy” and she was looking for a different experience. She said during high school she felt a bit ashamed of being Native; she accepted it but felt ashamed of her identity. Today, she has the complete opposite perspective. What caused this change? A story from her grandparents. She was visiting them one day and her grandmother told a story about how Jourdan’s Greatx2 grandmoth
Fri, January 08, 2016
Paulette Jordan | Leadership as Service
Paulette Jordan is Couer d' Alene. She is currently a member of the Idaho State legislature, and she also sits on the board of the National Indian Gaming Association. Paulette also was previously a member of her (and my) tribal council. Paulette Jordan's family instilled leadership from an early age. But leadership for power was not the goal. Service was. Paulette demonstrates her commitment to service through the various positions she has held over the years. Paulette was both a self-described book worm and athlete growing up. She attended a college prep high school and then attended the University of Washington. There she used sports to connect with other students as she adjusted to life in the city after growing up on the reservation. After school, Paulette returned home and soon started to hear requests for her to serve and pursue elected positions in the community. She was elected to tribal council and in 2012 decided to run for the state legislature. Paulette was elected in 2014. Her presence in the legislature made an immediate impact in the state. She invited the tribes to attend an annual event at the capital. It was the first time that ever occurred. She hopes her role can strengthen relationships between the state and tribes. I really believe the trend of more Natives pursuing state office is one for the future. Relationships with states are tenuous. But more tribal people in elected office at the state level can help forge stronger working relationships. Paulette Jordan, like many NextGen Natives, discussed the role mentors have played in her life. Whether it is tribal elders and family members (Felix Aripa, Dave Matheson), previous member of the state legislature and fellow tribal member Jeanne Givens, or national leaders like Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Paulette is learning from the previous generation to further her service.
Sat, January 02, 2016
Jaynie Parrish | Parrish Digital
Jaynie Parrish is Navajo and the principal of Parrish Digital. You can find Parrish Digital on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram . Jaynie grew on Navajo Nation but moved to Phoenix to live with her dad for high school. They ended up helping each other out during this time, but you have to listen to the episode to learn how! Jaynie utilized and participated in different programs in high school and college (and beyond). We discuss the impact these programs have on individuals. I know I definitely would not have the opportunities I’ve experienced without the programs that I was able to utilize, and Jaynie thinks the same is true for her. One thing that stands out about Jaynie’s experience is the importance of mentors in a person’s life and career. While at ASU, Jaynie met Dr. Petersen Zah. A fellow Navajo, he mentored Jaynie and other Native students at the university. This mentorship while she was a student lasted beyond her time in school. Eventually Dr. Zah encouraged Jaynie to apply for a job with the Navajo Nation Washington Office (Jaynie was in DC for an internship with National Public Radio ). Over time, she moved back to Arizona and ended up working for Dr. Zah at the university for seven years. Jaynie decided that she wanted to pursue graduate education. She served as a fellow for the Harvard Honoring Nations program and then obtained a Masters of Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School . While she was at Harvard she learned about political organizing and decided that she would take a direction that was different than her original plan to pursue education leadership. Jaynie went on to work with Rock the Vote and other nonprofits. After organizing for Rock the Vote, Jaynie realized that more and more, organizing was occurring online. Realizing that she wa
Mon, December 21, 2015
Jim Gray | Reforming Tribal Government
Jim Gray is Osage. Not only is he Osage, he is the former Principal Chief. Jim is one of the few (so far) elected leaders to appear on NextGen Native. Jim served two terms as Principal Chief from 2002-2010. During that time, he led significant reforms to the Osage government, eliminating almost one hundred years of U.S. government say in who was an Osage. I’ve shied away from interviewing elected leaders on NextGen Native. The reason is there are so many people serving or working in Indian Country that are not elected leaders that I thought they needed a spotlight of their own. However, I think Jim’s story as a former leader, in particular one who accomplished what he did as a young leader, is worth sharing his story. It’s amazing to see how small events cascade and facilitate into life changing moments. Jim did not seriously consider college until he realized he could play tennis at the collegiate level. Sport is what pushed Jim into college and set him on his course. Jim's first job was with his tribe as a grant writer. Eventually he found a job in the newspaper business where he found the work suited him. He continued working for the Tahlequah Daily Press for about ten years. An opportunity arose to buy his own newspaper, the Native American Times . At the time, there were only a few papers in Indian Country that were not owned and published by tribes.The Times was able to cover all tribal issues in Oklahoma and across Indian Country with a unique viewpoint. Jim Gray ran for office after a controversial time in Osage politics. He wrote a piece that described the need for a serious alternative candidate. After reading this piece, tribal members urged Jim to run. Jim won by a handful of votes. And just like that a tribal leader was created. Jim dove into the work of reforming the Osage government. Under his leadership, the tribe was able to enact a law at the federal level to pave the way for tribal reforms, create a commission to consider the reforms, draft a constitution, and enact it despite small pockets of resistance in the tribe. The reforms were recognized by the Harvard Pro
Mon, December 14, 2015
Jared Yazzie | OXDX Clothing
Jared Yazzie is Diné and the owner of OXDX Clothing. He also happens to be the brother of previous NextGen Native guest and NASA engineer, Aaron Yazzie . Jared went to the University of Arizona on a full ride scholarship to study engineering. But after a few years, he realized that path was not for him. Jared left the university and enrolled at Pima Community College. He would transition into arts. During this time he started to sell shirts out of his car trunk. This is where the hustle of what would become OXDX began. After college Jared went to work for a screen print shop. He continued to design and print his own shirts. On the weekends, Jared traveled to the reservation to sell his merchandise. He found that while he was onto something, not everyone was supportive. Jared had to learn how to listen to negative feedback while not internalizing it. Originally, Jared’s company was called Overdose. The name was taken from a lyric in Lupe Fiasco’s “ Baba Says Cool for Thought” where a line warns not to “overdose on the cool.” Jared found the lyrics resonated with his experience moving from the rez to a city where there was potential to overdose on everything a city has to offer. Overtime, Overdose evolved into OXDX and the name has stuck ever since. ### Subscribe iTunes Stitcher RSS ### OXDX is building a following. Perhaps the company’s most famous design to date is the “ Native Americans Discovered Columbus ” tee. Jared designed it but did not understand how big of a hit it would be until Jessica Metcalf put the shirt on her Beyond Buckskin Boutique . <span style="font-weigh
Wed, December 09, 2015
Victor Rocha | Pechanga.NET
Key Takeaways See the big picture, even when others cannot. Victor says find a passion and pursue it. Give back to your community. Victor Rocha is a member of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians . Victor also created and runs Pechanga.Net . Chances are if you are reading this blog you are familiar with the news aggregating website. Victor created Pechanga.Net 17 years ago and has been operating it ever since. Victor Rocha grew up in San Bernardino and was a music junkie. He spent the first few decades of his life working in the music industry. After spending some time on the East Coast, he moved back home. He was trying to figure out “what was next” after his musician days. ### Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher RSS ### Around that time, the Pechanga Band was getting into the gaming industry. After some rapid growth, Pechanga and other tribes were battling the state of California, which was trying to impose unfavorable gaming compacts on the tribes. The tribes used the state’s referendum process and took Proposition 5 to the voters in 1998. Proposition 5 passed overwhelmingly (in favor of tribes), with 64 percent of the voters supporting it. Victor Rocha found himself at the center of information regarding the ballot initiative. The Chairman of Pechanga, Mark Maccarro , was a leading public voice for the tribes during the debate of Proposition 5. And Victor decided that he would create a website where he collected and shared information with the tribes regarding the proposition. He decided to call the website pechanga.net. California tribes found the resource valuable. After the election, someone told Victor “That website was useful! I guess we don’t need it anymore.” But in Victor’s mind, this was only the beginning. In Pechanga.net, Victor found his calling. He realized the potential for the website. It was his way of giving back to Indian Country. Pechanga.net could be used to empower tribes to organize for political and legal purposes around information that was aggregated through his website. In 2015 this may not seem like a revolutionary idea. But Victor did it in 1998. Before
Mon, November 30, 2015
Sharice Davids | Thunder Valley | Hoka! Coffee | Ho-Chunk
Sharice Davids is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin. She also is a lawyer, a former used car dealer, an entrepreneur ( Hoka! Coffee ), Chair of the board of directors for 12 Clans--Ho-Chunk’s Section 17 holding corporation, MMA fighter , and the Deputy Director for the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation . Phew. Sharice is a great example of how one’s journey can take curved routes. After spending many years abroad as a military child, she went to six different colleges before earning her degree. The remarkable thing about this though, is that each transfer was for a specific purpose such as to learn about computers, learn sign language, or play sports at a collegiate level. It was very focused, and contrary to what I think is often perception when people move around to different colleges. Eventually Sharice earned her degree but it wasn’t long before someone at a coffee shop urged her to go to law school. Sharice attended PLSI in New Mexico prior to law school. While at PLSI, a mentor urged her to apply to Cornell Law School . Sharice doubted whether Cornell was the right school, at the time she had applied only to one. But she was admitted and ultimately went to New York. After law school, she landed in Kansas City at the law firm now known as Dentons . She learned a lot about the law while at the firm from Steven McSloy. But Sharice also credits McSloy with showing her how to use and maneuver within spaces of power and that she could question people, institutions and even the law. Moreover that s
Tue, November 24, 2015
Michael Adams | Gourd Jewels | Hopi
Michael Adams is Hopi. He is also the the owner, along with his wife, of Gourd Jewels . The company is a jewelry business that sells online. We caught up just before Black Friday Side Note: As the Holiday season begins, think about supporting businesses like Gourd Jewels and many other Native businesses. Gourd Jewels is having a black Friday sale, so check out their website for a discount. One consistent theme from the conversation with Michael was his ability to analyze situations and make tough choices based on analysis and not emotion. For example, Michael attended Occidental College to play football. His goal was to make it to the NFL but after suffering an injury, he realized he should plan for something else in life. Another example came while studying for a Ph.D. in psychology at Northern Arizona University . He realized his heart was not in it and that it was not worth the time, energy, and cost to pursue this career he thought may have been for the money. To listen to previous episodes, listen go to www.nextgennative.com/podcast . You can also subscribe on iTunes & Stitcher The most recent came when he was preparing to launch a podcast, but realized there were too many competing interests for his time. Something would have to give. Rather than let his business, relationships, or culture suffer, he made the tough decision. He does have another podcast in the works, but is doing it with a partner, and more strategically. Oh, and he also has a business. It’s cool to hear a Native entrepreneur building a life as an artist. But Michael is thinking many years down the road, and building strategically. He reminds me of the conversation with Louie Gong . There is always something to learn from ot
Wed, November 18, 2015
Louie Gong | Eighth Generation
“It wasn’t all about spirituality, all about mother nature or charity. It was ‘I’m a Native person, here are my values and I’m going to kick ass.’ It was a much more three-dimensional view of who Native people are.” Who could get Natives to buy fewer Pendleton blankets and instead buy blankets created by Natives? Louie Gong. Louie Gong is creating his own energy right now, and I’m digging it. Louie is Nooksack , and grew up both in Canada and the U.S. He also runs Eighth Generation , a company that makes blankets, jewelry, phone cases and more. His stuff is fresh and more importantly, Native designed and owned! The journey to business owner and cutting-edge designer was not a straight path. Louie lived on his own in high school. Like a previous NextGen Native, he used this independence to hone his grind and hustle. Rather than falling through the cracks, he played sports, but then had to find ways to get home, pay rent, etc. His grades did suffer, however. Louie admitted that he did not like learning the way the school was trying to teach him, resulting in his poor GPA. Despite the high school grades, Louie decided he wanted to attend college. College counselors and others did not support his zeal. Only one teacher helped him apply for colleges. Louie remembers this vividly, and it called out his inner fight and determination. Years later, Louie would attend the school no one thought he would, and got his Masters degree to become a guidance counselor. To this day, he visits the teacher who believed in him. He continued his personal growth by traveling abroad for the first time, teaching English in Korea. Completely on his own in Korea, he learned how to put himself out in the world and take more risks. This would be crucial for his eventual life as an entrepreneur. Louie started to hone his artistic skills working for the University of Washington . But it was while working for the Muckleshoot tribe where he started to find his calling. He helped paint drums for a giveaway to coincide with the tribe’s hosting of Canoe Journey. Eventually, he turned his passion for Northwest coast Salish art into a sustainable business that while based on his art, is not dependent on galleries. Most people probably know Louie’s work from the blankets he recently has launched. The demand is through the roof. Eighth Generation blan
Tue, November 10, 2015
Joe Sarcinella | The 100K Runner
“My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father. Prepare to die.” Joe Sarcinella is not Inigo Montoya from the Princess Bride. He is not seeking to avenge the death of his father. But Joe promised his father he would complete a 100 mile race that his father could not complete. Joe’s drive came from this promise. The question was: could it get him across the finish line? When Joe was a child, his father attempted a 100 mile race but had to stop at mile 89 due to an injury. MILE 89 . Joe thought this a travesty. And as a kid, Joe promised his father that he would one day finish the race for him. He would run a 100 mile race in honor of his father. Little did he know the challenges he would face or the lessons he would learn. I interviewed Joe last year and we discussed his training regimen and his journey to becoming more healthy, losing more than 85 pounds in the process. I was amazed at his focus and decided that I would interview him after he ran the race. He recently competed. This interview is the follow up after the race. Joe could not finish the 100 miles. The terrain was steeper and more difficult than he anticipated, resulting in twisted knees and ankles. The weather hovered in the 80s for a large chunk of the race, resulting in cramps and dehydration. After training on flat land, he realized quickly that it would be a tough go over steep, unforgiving hills on a narrow trail. Joe wanted to quit at mile 38. Think about that. Joe ran 1.5 marathons, but was less than 40 percent completed with this race. Even though he was an athlete, he never had to utilize a well this deep to continue. Joe eventually ran over 60 miles in his effort. He received a buckle for completing 100 kilometers, which he gave immediately to his father. On this episode of the podcast we discuss the day of the race, the support he received and his plans for the future. We also discuss the impact this race had on his life. As cheesy as it sounds, I even found a little bit of Forrest Gump in Joe’s story. Joe thought he was running for his father but realized he was probably running more for himself. But that lesson that is not learned without going through the process itself. It is a lesson learned in catharsis. At the end of the day, Joe accomplished something remarkable. He also found some balance in the outcome. He seems totally content with the results. But he has a bit of wisdom he received. But he is not looking backwar
Wed, November 04, 2015
Kalika Davis | Salon Tallou in ABQ
Kalika Davis is Dine, Ute, Chippewa and Northern European. She is the owner of Salon Tallou . The business is an organic hair salon, but also includes space for other holistic healing center. She is currently a Native Entrepreneur in Residence with New Mexico Community Capital. Kalika grew up in Bellingham, Washington before moving back to the Albuquerque area during middle school. Her family moved back to the southwest in order to be closer to other family and Central New Mexico Community College before going on to earn her cosmetology degree. She became interested in hair design after spending some time with family in Mexico City where her cousin was a stylist. We discuss the incredible impact someone in this field can have on their clients. Hair care is incredibly intimate, and as Kalika describes, can be very therapeutic. This bond has created friendships with her clients and they share important aspects of their lives with each other. Kalika opened her salon after realizing she realized there were no organic salons in ABQ that were not using chemicals. She found a great space for a business and decided to take the leap. But it’s more than just a hair salon. Her business now employs several individuals that contribute to a more holistic experience for clients beyond haircare, including massages and Ayurveda services. She also has several interns from the Native American Community Academy . She also plans to open her space for more community events. Kalika became involved with the Native Entrepreneur in Residence after being connected by a friend, and fellow podcast interviewee, Warren Montoya from Rezonate Art . The program focuses on providing mentorship and support to Native businesses. Evelyn Lazaro also joined us for the conversation. She joined Salon Tallou after participating in the internship through the academy. Eventually she was offered a full time job at the salon. Evelyn is also a student at C
Thu, October 29, 2015
Nikke Alex | Nerdy Navajo
Nikke Alex is Dine. It was awesome to get to speak with another former WINS intern on the podcast, and to see what all of us are doing TEN YEARS LATER! She is currently a third-year law student at the University of New Mexico . She is also a self-described nerd. And when you listen to her story, you understand that it is an awesome/honest assessment! I was blown away at Nikke’s stories about the projects she undertook on her own as a child. It was cool to see someone who was so self-driven in their studies and interests, even when she was on the road with her rodeo family! That academic skill set led her mother to encourage her to leave home during high school to get the education that could challenge her and help Nikke to continue growing. She attended a school in California that had several unique aspects, including the tending of horses for freshmen. She became comfortable interacting with classmates who came from wealthy families. But at the school, everyone was just another student. After high school, Nikke Alex was determined to attend the University of Arizona. While basketball was a large driver for this decision (Nikke is a die hard basketball fan), she also wanted to be closer to home and among more Native students. However, she encountered cold shoulders from many Native students who thought she was “too white.” A recent article in the New York Times described this experience that persists for many students of color. Although taken aback with this reaction, she found friends in the international student circles. After school she was thrust into a leadership role as an Executive Director for a grassroots organization that worked with fellow Navajos. This work was very locally based but stretched to international work, coordinating projects with other organizations as part of the United Nations. Nikke eventually burned herself out through all the work and decided to travel for some time.
Wed, October 21, 2015
Tanaya Winder | The Hustler from Duckwater Shoshone
Tanaya Winder is a citizen of the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe . She is also Pyramid Lake Paiute , and Southern Ute . She grew up in Ignacio, Colorado, on the Southern Ute Reservation. She describes herself as a writer, artist, manager, and oh yeah, the Director of an Upward Bound program. As a kid, Tanaya knew she would attend Stanford. She just knew it. Tanaya thought she would become a lawyer, but wanted some exposure to liberal arts while an undergraduate. She applied to other schools, and was admitted to these schools, but ultimately decided to fulfill her goal that she had for years to attend Stanford. There were some moments when the certainty was in question. After her grandfather passed away while she was in high school, she spent time working at a casino instead of attending school (though she had enough credits). She thought that she would just continue working at the casino until she realized her grandfather would want her to finish her education. When she returned to school, one of the few classes that would allow her to enroll was a creative writing class. Tanaya Winder found the writing helped her through the difficult time after her grandfather’s death. While attending Stanford, Tanaya eventually switched majors to focus on her creative side. It took time for her to overcome imposter syndrome. After enduring a friend’s suicide, she found that the creative writing continued to help her process her grief. She eventually went on to earn a Master's of Fine Arts from the University of New Mexico , all the while trying to find her voice as an artist. She did, and now she has a collection of works published in the book Words Like Love . While attending school she also began working for Upward Bound after a position opened that was too good to pass up. This is where The Hustle emerged. To pay for her tuition she a
Wed, October 14, 2015
Aaron Yazzie | Navajo at NASA
Aaron Yazzie is Navajo. He is currently a Mechanical Engineer at NASA at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Anaheim, California. Aaron Yazzie’s journey began on the Navajo Nation where he excelled as a student. His mother, a teacher, and his father, an engineer, emphasized education from an early age. Aaron knew that college was in his future. But even as a gifted student, he doubted whether he was “good enough” to get into the schools he wanted to get into. In high school Aaron attended College Horizons (and Upward Bound , too), a program for Native American high school students. The organization exposes Native students to college and vise versa. Aaron met someone from Stanford University, who encouraged him to apply to Stanford. Even with good grades, a drive for school, and encouragement by university staff, he was not confident he would be admitted. Thankfully, Aaron was only suffering from imposter syndrome , and was able to enroll at Stanford. Aaron Yazzie studied mechanical engineering while at Stanford. He also lived at the Native American house on campus. Although gifted academically, Aaron found he had to work harder at Stanford, and that the competition was stiff. During college, Aaron worked as an intern with NASA, and realized it was somewhere he enjoyed working. He never thought NASA was somewhere a mechanical engineer could work. He spent two summers in college with NASA and applied for a job. He successfully transitioned internships with NASA to full time employment. Aaron has even worked on components that have been to space already, with one of his first assignments being part of the team that developed the Mars Rover . Aaron and I discussed what it is like to be a Native employee. There are a handful, at most, at NASA JPL. This is why Aaron spends much of his time with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES). Aaron benefi
Wed, October 07, 2015
John Pepion | Up and Coming Ledger Artist
One of the tensions NextGen Natives experience, I believe, is whether your work faces outward to the broader world or inward towards Indian Country. By focusing on efforts that face outward, your goal is to broaden the exposure of Indian Country to others, to educate, to transcend. Efforts inward may focus on addressing an issue, or empowering, etc. but perhaps with little support or focus from outside Indian Country. John Pepion is currently straddling both, and may be on the cusp of getting BIG. John Pepion is a member of the Blackfeet Nation. He grew up in Birch Creek on the reservation. John is a young ledger artist. His work is captivating and incorporates both traditional scenes one expects from ledger art , and contemporary scenes captured in a familiar medium. I came across John Pepion after someone retweeted a blog post written about John’s work. This wasn’t just any blog, it was Instragram’s blog . As a fan of ledger art I dove into his I nstragram account . I reached out to him to be on the podcast. He agreed and we had a great conversation. John Pepion’s story touches on many familiar themes from the podcast. He got into trouble as a teenager. His mom send him around to live with other family to stay out of trouble. Looking back on it, he realized he had and maintains to this day a strong support network . John floated around after earning his GED. He attended United Tribes Technical College and focused on art, but did not take it seriously. Later he applied to the Institute for American Indian Art after some encouragement. Though he was accepted, he did not attend at first. Eventually he did, and it was his last year in school when he started to dabble in ledger art. But it wasn’t until 2009, after a car accident, that he really found his passion for his art. It became his way of avoiding depression while recover
Thu, September 24, 2015
Leadership Lessons from Beast Mode
I recently found one of the best examples of managing success and leadership that I’ve read in a long time. It did not come from a scion of enterprise. It came from NFL running back Marshawn Lynch , aka Beast Mode . I found the nugget of wisdom while reading American Way, the inflight magazine of American Airlines . At the time the NFL season was about to begin and the issue was dedicated to all things football. For those who don’t follow football (and for those that are not fans of Lynch/Seahawks, etc. I urge you to keep reading, too), Lynch is the running back for the Seattle Seahawks . He is generally recognized as one of the best, if not the best, running backs in the NFL. His nickname is Beast Mode. Originally given for his running style on the field, it has evolved into something larger than football. It’s more than just a name, it’s a state of being . Lynch provided a prime example of what Beast Mode means when he made this insane run against the New Orleans Saints in 2011. Since then, his fame has grown, and the brand of Beast Mode with him. Many learned more about Lynch from the significant media attention he received during the 2014-2015 season. Lynch often refused to engage in media interviews, being fined by the NFL, and then ultimately answering each question during an interview at the Super Bowl with “ I’m here so I won’t get fined. ” Some loved it and some hated it. There was a lot of coverage about who his actions and his responsibilities as a player. But few took the time during the hoopla to dig into who he really is as a person. Cue the American Way interview. The article was a deep dive into Lynch as a person off the field. He is dedicated to his community where he grew up in Oakland, CA. In particular, the article connected what the infamous run (aka Beast Quake) means in the larger context of Lynch’s life. The article states: For Lynch, the run represented more than a fabulous football play. The effort and determination it took was a reflection of his effort to lift himself out of a tough North Oakland neighborhood, where he was raised in a single-parent household. “My mom worked three jobs at a time and supported four kids on her own,” Lynch says. “We had no father figure. I never thought about the NFL because I’d never seen it done. That run symbolizes the way that I feel with my life, growing up t
Thu, September 10, 2015
Maria Givens | Udall Intern to Hatfield Fellow
Maria Givens is a member of the Coeur d’ Alene Tribe and currently works for the National Indian Health Board . I was excited to interview a fellow tribal member for the first time! This is also the second Mark O. Hatfield fellow to appear as a guest on the podcast in addition to yours truly, who was also a Hatfield Fellow. <span style="font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-
Wed, September 09, 2015
Bryan Newland | Hot Topics in Indian Law
Vine Deloria, Jr. wrote in Custer Died for Your Sins “...law became a trap for the weary and a dangerous weapon in the hands of those that understood how to use it.” This concept drives my interest in law and public policy in Indian Country. Tribes need tribal members that understand how to use the law, argue the law, make laws, and influence the law. Laws, regulations and court cases greatly impact how we live our daily lives, especially in Indian Country. This episode provides insight into the “hot” topics in Indian law today. Bryan Newland ( Bay Mills Ojibwe ) and I discuss some key pending leg
Tue, September 01, 2015
Clara Pratte | Navajo
Clara Pratte is currently Interim CEO of Nova Corporation . The company is owned by Navajo Nation , of which Clara is a citizen. Clara's ascension is impressive in its own right. But it becomes even more impressive and inspiring when you hear her full story. Clara is well known throughout Indian Country for her work with the federal government as a political appointee <span style="font-size: 11.333333333333332px; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-dec
Fri, July 31, 2015
Cory Hinton | Passamaquoddy
Michael-Cory Francis Hinton is Passamaquoddy, a former Lacrosse standout, and a lawyer at the law firm Akin, Gump, Strauss Hauer & Feld in Washington, DC. He is using his legal skills to help tribes and to help bring justice for his great grandfather's murder.
Thu, July 30, 2015
Celeste Terry | Thinking Indigenous
Celeste Terry is Oglala Lakota and recently attended the White House Tribal Youth Gathering, #WHTYG. She shares her experience of the event and also discusses her project that is a result of the gathering, Thinking Indigenous. For full show notes, visit www.nextgennative.com.
Thu, July 23, 2015
Joe Nayquonabe | Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures
Joe Nayquonabe Joe Nayquonabe is the CEO of Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures . This company is the economic arm of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe . Joe rocketed to this position at a young age after serving as the VP of Marketing for the tribe's casino at the age of 27. Joe Nayquonabe, CEO Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures Joe Nayquonabe's story is a great story of how his tribe has consisntently encouraged educational opportunities, and also for those that receive an education to come back home. Once back, the tribe fosters and creates opportunities for these individuals to grow into professional careers. Joe has certainly capitalized upon those opportunities. And his work has been recognized nationally. Earlier this year he received the CEO of the Year award from the Native American Finance Officers Association . Joe Nayquonabe has some ambitious goals-he wants revenue from the company to match the revenue earned through gaming. He is thinking ahead about how can the tribe diversify its holdings to continue to thrive. The last item I will highlight is Joe's recognition that the work he does for Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures has a big impact in the community beyond providing revenue to the tribe. Joe recognizes that a stronger economy in his community will impact the social measures of the community, too. I think it is important for tribes and tribal organizations to connect to a greater degree the role that building strong economies has on health, housing, education, etc. and that those issues also impact the ability to grow a strong economy. <p style="line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open San
Fri, July 17, 2015
Mark Trahant | Trahant Reports
Mark Trahant Mark Trahant is Shoshone-Banonck and runs the website Trahant Reports, his home base for his journalism. He is well known and well respected in Indian Country for his coverage of issues in Indian Country whether it was a video that went viral while asking President Bush a question about sovereignty, or complex issues such as the Indian health system. courtesy of Mark Trahant We cover a variety of topics in this episode. Topics include: Mark's transition to new media from the newspaper business; his website; social media and its impact in Indian Country; elections and the Native vote and more. What is fascinating about Mark is how his work transcends any one medium or field. For example, Mark was a newspaper journalist by experience but his work includes movies and documentaries. Recently he has taken on stints in academia both at the University of Alaska and the University of North Dakota. He will continue to be a thought leader in Indian Country covering topics and stories from a unique angle and with a depth that is difficult to replicate. ### Subscribe to the Podcast The more people subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and Stitcher the more it helps connect others with the show. Reviews and ratings also help others find the podcast. If you like the show, please consider any of the actions: subscribe ; rate; review on iTunes. Thank you! <p style="line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0px 1.7
Sun, July 12, 2015
White House Tribal Youth Gathering
This episode is a reflection on the White House Tribal Youth Gathering. Members of Generation Indigenous traveled from across the country for the #WHTYG. I also discuss the upcoming visit to Choctaw Nation by President Obama. The show notes are short this week, but I did want to share First Lady Michelle Obama's keynote speech from the #WHTYG.
Sun, June 28, 2015
Nathan McCowan | The Right to Modernity
Nathan McCowan is the President and CEO of St. George Tanaq Corporation , a village corporation created by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act . Nathan is Tlingit and Aleut. Prior to St. George he worked for Sealaska Corporation. Through this work experience he has been able to work for two companies that represent his Tlingit and Aleut heritage. We discuss several different issues in this podcast. From business and leadership, to race. This podcast was recorded the week of the Charleston shooting. As part of that conversation, I mentioned the recent interview President Obama did with Marc Marron on " WTF, " the host's podcast. As an aside, it is crazy that podcasting has got to a point where the President chose to be a guest on one. But more relevant to the conversation, that episode was recorded just after the shooting an they have an insightful conversation. Nathan coined a great term "the right to modernity." This has to do with our right as Native people to be modern people, without giving up who we are as peoples. Sometimes we hold ourselves to this standard. It was a great way to describe the idea. ## Subscribe to the NextGen Native podcast! iTunes Stitcher ##
Fri, June 19, 2015
Eddie Sherman | Omaha & Navajo
Eddie Sherman is a member of the Navajo Nation and Omaha Tribe. He is now using the knowledge and expertise he has gained through his own career, and fellowships he has participated in, to help other organizations.
Wed, June 10, 2015
Collin Church | Hear Our Voices
Collin Church is Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. He is active in his tribe and across Indian Country on issues for Native youth.
Sun, May 31, 2015
Personal Finance in Indian Country--A Philosophy
Ever since I started the podcast, I wanted to discuss personal finance. I’ve spent more time than I care to admit learning about personal finance. The main reason is that knowledge is power. And according to several studies , most Americans do not know enough about personal finance. This has big implications, from not saving enough for retirement, getting into too much debt, etc. Why should we as NextGen Natives worry about personal finance? Because personal finance impacts your own personal sovereignty. Personal finance can be an issue not easily discussed among people. That’s why the Internet is great! You can learn and explore without feeling uncomfortable. On
Tue, May 19, 2015
Gabe Galanda | Forcing Hard Conversations
Gabe Galanda is an enrolled member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes , a confederation of tribes in Northern California. He is also a founding partner of a lawfirm that includes his namesake, Galanda Broadman . You can follow the firm and its lawyers on Twitter and Facebook . Gabe started from very humble beginnings. Gabe’s father spent time in prison and his mom struggled with substance abuse. But Gabe was raised by a village. From the age of 4 when his mom dropped off at a Catholic School, he always had people looking out for him. A twist of fate in highschool found Gabe working for the prosecutor that sent his dad to prison (listen to the podcast to learn more!). He cites this as a pivotal moment in his life that led to college. He spent a brief time in community college, Gabe went to Western Washington University . By the time Gabe enrolled at Western Washington University, he knew he wanted to go to law school. Eventually he attended University of Arizona Law School . Gabe worked for a law firm in Seattle for several years before striking out on his own. He left a partnership at Williams Kastner to start his own firm with a friend. After he learned his wife was pregnant. With twins. His decision was driven by his desire to be a strong presence in his children’s lives, and his own firm allowed him to structure his work life accordingly. This was a decision that many view as a “big jump.” But when you have focus and knowledge, The Leap is not as big as it seems. Since then, Gabe Galanda has made significant headway in the legal field and in Indian Country. He helped start a nonprofit organization Huy that promotes religious o
Tue, May 12, 2015
Whitney Sawney | Acknowledge and Move Forward
Whitney Sawney is graduating from the University of Arkansas. She shares a powerful story about overcoming adversity, seeking help, and moving forwrd for the better. It is a great story, and one that needs to happen more in Indian Country. We cannot be afraid to seek help.
Sat, May 02, 2015
Jason Croxton | Opportunity Favors Preparation
Jason Croxton is Navajo. Currently he serves as an in-house attorney for the Wild Horse Pass Development Authority . The authority is an enterprise of the Gila River Indian Community . He has a great job, but it has not come without hard work and dedication. In this episode, we talk not only about his personal story, but about what it really means when things “align” for someone. Alignment does not happen on its own. Some magical energy in the universe does not magically clear the path for you. You do. It takes hard work, focus, dedication. It means overcoming challenges, learning from mistakes, and growing as a person. And rarely do things “align” without some help and/or luck along the way. The key for things to align is to be prepared. Jason made a great point in the interview when he said that opportunity favors preparation. Jason started his bachelors degree the University of Arizona . While working through college to help pay his tuition, he ended up focusing more on work and ended up taking some time off from school. He spent more than two years in the restaurant industry. Eventually he worked his way up to head bartender. Ultimately, he re-enrolled at Arizona State University, focusing on Housing and Community Development. Eventually, he earned his law degree from Arizona State University . Jason has a great story, and the conversation includes great insight into planning a career. We go deep in this episode, and it is worth it. ## Subscribe to the Podcast iTunes Stitcher RSS Like on Facebook Follow on Twitter ## Other Links
Mon, April 20, 2015
Jessica Metcalfe | Beyond Buckskin
Jessica Metcalfe, founder of Beyond Buckskin Jessica Metcalfe ( Twitter , Instagram ) is Turtle Mountain Chippewa. She is the owner of Beyond Buckskin Boutique and also runs the Beyond Buckskin blog. Beyond Buckskin is all about Native fashion. The boutique sells products and merchandise designed by some of the leading Native American fashion designers in the country. Before starting Beyond Buckskin, Jessica attended Dartmouth College and then received a Master's and Ph.D at the University of Arizona . Her dissertation focused on Native American fashion designers since the 1950s. Jessica's academic research prompted the creation of her blog and ultimately the Beyond Buckskin Boutique. If you are going to be in ABQ for Gathering of Nations this week, check out the event Creative Frequencies that Jessica is co-hosting <a style="color: #21759b; outline:
Tue, April 14, 2015
#Nativeambitionl |Building on #dearnativeyouth
#Nativeambition #Nativeambition is a new hashtag. It builds upon the efforts of # dearnativeyouth and the Gen-I movement. The goal is to hear from Native youth (and others!) about their goals. Native youth need to hear the messages from others that were shared under the #dearnativeyouth hashtag. That is important because for so long, many may not have heard those thoughts and feelings. #Nativeambition is the equally important way for us to listen to Native youth about their goals. Ambition often has a negative connotation, but like fire, it depends on how it is used. it is neither good nor bad on its own. Dicitonary.com defines ambition as "an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth,and the willingness to strive for its attainment." The key phrase is at the end, in that ambition compels people to "strive for its attainment." Even though this is a follow up specifically targeted at young Natives, #nativeambition is for everyone. Ultimately, it is about showing the positive energy and ambition in Indian Country, and also creating support for each other. A current #nati
Tue, March 24, 2015
Warren Montoya & Eric Manolito | Rezonate Art
Rezonate Art Warren Montoya is the co-founder of Rezonate Art . Warren is from the Santa Ana and Santa Clara pueblos in New Mexico. Warren Montoya, image courtesy of Rezonate Art Eric Manolito is an employee at Rezonate Art. Eric is Navajo (Dine). The company helps contemporary Native artists build and audience and sell their works through the Rezonate website. We discuss how an interest in art led Warren to start Rezonate, and where they see it growing both in the short term and in 3-5 years. Rezonate is co-hosting an event called Creative Frequencies next month in ABQ during Gathering of Nations. The event will feature Native hip hop, a fashion show featuring Native designers, and live art done by Native artists. The event sounds awesome and if you are making the trek to GON you should check out this event, which is also co-hosted by Beyond Buckskin Boutique. For more information, see the links below. ## Subscribe to the Podcast iTunes Stitcher <p style="line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; color: #444
Tue, March 10, 2015
Haven Harris | Alaska Native Business
Haven Harris Haven Harris is Inupiaq Eskimo from Nome, Alaska. Haven works in government contracting as a means for economic development for Alaska Natives. We have a great conversation that spans attending the University of Michigan site unseen, his incidental foray into politics, and how he got into the world of business for Alaska Natives. Courtesy Dennis Worden This is a great episode with lots of good information. Haven is a friend and I was not disappointed with the interview. One of the things I am noticing about the NextGen Natives that I interview is that they all have certain things in common. In particular, several have discussed the importance of asking good questions. They also stress the importance of exercise in their personal and professional lives. It is great to hear these consistencies and others come up because although each story is unique, my hope is that listeners can take away general themes from the guests. ### Subscribe to the Podcast To get the podcast downloaded directly to you, subscribe to teh show through whatever medium you prefer to use! iTunes Stitcher RSS Facebook (listen
Wed, March 04, 2015
Shon Quannie | 4X Studio
Shon Quannie Shon Quannie is Pueblo of Acoma, Hopi and New Mexican. He owns 4X studio based in Phoenix, Arizona. On this episode of the NextGen Native podcast, we discuss his work at 4X Studio and design generally. Shon Quannie, courtesy of Shon Quannie I have to give Shon Quannie a shout out because he helped design the NextGen Native logo. We discuss its meaning in the episode, so if you are curious about how it came to be, check it out! ### Podcast Subscribe to the podcast to get the latest episodes delivered to you. Please rate the podcast and or leave a review on iTunes or Stitcher. It helps keep me going. iTunes Stitcher RSS ### Links and Resources Pueblo of Acoma Twitter <p style="line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0px
Tue, February 24, 2015
015 Kelly Lendsay | Aboriginal Human Resource Council
Kelly Lendsay Kelly Lendsay is the President & CEO of the Aboriginal Human Resources Council. He also leads its sister organization, Kocihta. In this episode of the podcast, we discuss the work of the council and Kochihta. The council helps create demand from companies to hire Native employees. Kocihta helps create the supply of these workers. Kelly Lendsay, courtesy of the Aboriginal Human Resource Council Kelly’s work goes beyond Canada. We discuss his efforts to build relationships in the U.S., Australia and beyond. He expects Kocihta’s impact to be global in the next five years. The council’s work along with Kocihta’s work is exciting. Can the U.S. adopt a similar model? We also discuss mentorships. These relationships are so important. This topic warrants its own post. But Kelly offers great advice about surrounding oneself with mentors. It was awesome to interview Kelly Lendsay. My interview with Ambassador Harper was technically international. He spoke from his post in Geneva Switzerland. But the Ambassador is a U.S. citizen. Kelly Lendsay hails from Canada. I am excited to connect with a brother from the North to share ideas on the podcast. Overall, this episode continues to confirm why I started the podcast. There are NextGen Natives taking action everywhere. The more we can connect people, share ideas and incite action the better! Subscribe to the NextGen Native Podcast! To get the latest episodes of the podcast delivered to your phone or tablet, follow the links below or subscribe directly from your phone to iTunes, Stitcher or the RSS. <p style="margin: 0p
Tue, February 17, 2015
013 Monica Simeon | Sister Sky
Monica Simeon and the Beginning of Sister Sky Monica is a Spokane tribal member. She attended the University of Washington. She almost left school before graduating but was able to stick with it. After graduate, Monica worked for a tribal casino. But Monica got the itch of an entrepreneur. Monica is now CEO of Sister Sky. The company makes all natural products such as soap, shampoo, conditioners, etc. on her tribe's reservation. The company's formulas are rooted in traditional tribal ingredients. Monica Simeon's began Sister Sky as a "hobby business." But Monica and her sister decided to grow it into a full fledged business. The company now operates a production plant on her reservation. Sister Sky also employs tribal youth to help fill orders. Monica is proud to provide jobs for young people that work for her during summers. Monica Simeon, image courtesy of Monica Simeon Monica's success attracts advice seekers. And she is happy to share. Monica Simeon and her sister realized this was another business opportunity. And they decided to go for it. Recently, they launched Sister Sky Enterprises, Inc. Monica is the VP of this new company. Monica Simeon has created two businesses. One makes products. The other provides services. Both are rooted in her tribal culture. Monica shares advice with us. This includes: do not be afraid to ask questions. There are many resources for people to utilize, you just have to ask. I strongly believe in this principle. Asking questions is not a weakness. Questions provide knowledge. Asking questions is powerful. Asking good questions is even more powerful. This goes beyond business. This can apply to culture, language, etc. <p style="line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0
Tue, February 10, 2015
Megan Redshirt-Shaw | Natives in America
Megan Redshirt-Shaw is an enrolled member of Oglala Sioux Tribe. She is the founder and editor of Natives in America . Megan’s parents were both academic and so growing up she moved across the country. When looking at college, she chose to attend Penn because it was a campus where she had not lived with her parents. In this episode, we discuss why 2015 is going to be the year of the Native. The power and relatively cheap cost of the Internet makes it easier than ever for Natives to get our voices out into the world. This medium also makes it easier for Natives to be proactive instead of reactive. It helps to react quickly, widely and easily to things that may occur in the media, but the power lies in being proactive and shaping the conversation. We also discuss Megan’s “full time hobbies” including the recently launched website Natives in America . This is in addition to her work with Etki and Urban Native Era . Her website provides a venue for long-form writing for young Natives to express their voices. The year of the Native and the projects Megan is associated with have something in common that we discuss. And that is: our action helps us break stereotypes and build positivity in our communities. Do you like to write? Submit your piece to Natives in America. Listen to the episode to find out how! ---- Links <a style="color: #21759b
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