All My Relations Podcast

Today is the Super Bowl, and while millions gather to watch, we’re here to ask: What are we really watching? In this episode of All My Relations, Temryss Lane (Lummi Nation) and Matika Wilbur (Swinomish & Tulalip) dive into the deep, complex relationship between Native communities and sport.American football is more than just a game—it’s a battlefield. From its origins at the Carlisle Indian School to its modern-day spectacle of billion-dollar profits, colonial metaphors, and racialized labor, the sport reflects a larger American story. “Football is about violence. It’s about territory. It’s about power,” Temryss reminds us.We discuss how sports have been both a tool of oppression and liberation for Native athletes, the NFL’s plantation-like structure, the devastating impact of CTE on Black and Indigenous players, and the erasure of Native identity through mascotry (looking at you, Chiefs fans).“I can’t unsee it. Football is a game where predominantly Black players put their brains on the line for white owners to get richer,” says Matika. “And yet, I grew up watching it with my grandma, pretending to care at Super Bowl parties, and even playing fantasy leagues for years.”We hold the contradictions of loving sport, recognizing its harm, and pushing for better. “Sports teach us belonging,” Temryss says. “It’s why Native people are damn good at them.”Watch the Super Bowl if you must, but listen to this first. And for the record—Go Eagles. 🦅Text us your thoughts!Support the showFollow us on Instagram @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.

In this episode of All My Relations, Matika Wilbur (Swinomish and Tulalip) and Temryss Lane (Lummi Nation)—sit down with Indigenous rights attorney Gabe Galanda (Round Valley Indian Tribes) to discuss the mounting legal threats to Tribal Nationhood, citizenship, and sovereignty. As executive orders and court cases attempt to undermine Native status and question our birthright citizenship, we unpack what’s happening and what’s at stake.Together, we explore the legal history behind Native Citizenship, from Elk v. Wilkins to the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, and how the Supreme Court continues to challenge the political status of Tribal Nations. Gabe highlights the ongoing erasure of Indigenous identity under U.S. law, warning that Native people remain "sub-citizens," not universally protected by the U.S. Constitution, and that our status exists at the mercy of an act of Congress. He raises the unsettling reality that if a simple majority of Congress were to revoke the 1924 Citizenship Act, we could once again be placed in legal limbo.We also turn inward, examining how Tribal policies around blood quantum and disenrollment are eroding our sovereignty from within. Gabe points out that over 70% of Tribal Nations still use blood quantum—a colonial, racialized construct—to determine belonging. We ask ourselves how we can continue to argue for our political status while using a racial measurement to determine our own citizenship? If we don’t address these internal challenges, are we eradicating ourselves before the government even has the chance?This episode is an urgent call to rethink Indigenous citizenship and belonging before external forces dictate our future.Join us in this critical conversation. Please share this episode, support Native-led media, and continue the fight for Indigenous rights. Consider becoming a Patreon subscriber to help sustain these discussions.Big thanks to our team at Tidelands, our Patreon supporters, and all of you listening. Until next time… All My Relations.Text us your thoughts!Support the showFollow us on Instagram @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.

In this engaging conversation, Professor Robert A. Williams Jr., a Lumbee and legal scholar focusing on Indigenous rights, discusses the crucial role of treaties in both Native and non-Native contexts. He illustrates how treaties embody sacred commitments to land and people, urging renewal of these bonds for future generations. The dialogue delves into the significance of the UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights, while emphasizing the healing power of cultural rituals and the need for culturally-informed justice systems, showcasing the enduring relevance of these agreements.

Indigenous Data Sovereignty: Collective Rights & Responsibility features Dr. Tahu Kukutai (Māori) and Dr.Dr. Desi Small-Rodriguez (Northern Cheyenne and Chicana), with commentary from Dr. Keolu Fox (Kanaka Maoli), in a detailed exploration of the question: What is Indigenous data sovereignty, and what does it truly mean for Indigenous Peoples?Mega corporations now trade data as their primary currency, and while subversive, our Indigenous relatives recognize the extreme consequences and harm that comes from losing control of our stories, and therefore our data. As every action leaves a digital footprint, opting out is not a feasible choice. Around the world, Native communities are addressing these extractive systems, resisting their impacts, and fighting the good fight to create tangible systems to exercise sovereignty and protect Indigenous peoples, lands, and communities.Dr. Dr. Des and Dr. Tahu remind us that the concept of  “individual” data is an illusion. The decisions we make in digital space carry real consequences– not only for ourselves, but also for the land and our communities. For those of us who aren’t data scientists or daily activist warriors, this conversation serves as a grounding reminder that we are still part of this fight. Our understanding and ability to discuss these ideas create ripple effects that contribute to the broader movement.From discussing tangible steps to assert our true Tribal sovereignty and self-determination by bringing data servers to Tribal lands, to fighting for law and legislation about accessing existing Indigenous data controlled by the states and governments, or to exploring ways we can use our existing Indigenous frameworks and protocols to humanize the data into stories that are accessible and relevant to our communities, this conversation elevates the realities of the Indigenous data sovereignty revolution and its impacts on our collective contemporary survival. +++Editing & All the things by Teo ShantzEpisode artwork by Ciara SanaFilm work by Francisco SánchezText us your thoughts!Support the showFollow us on Instagram @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.

Reproductive Justice: Birthing The Next 7 GenerationsIn this episode, we sit down with Camie Jae Goldhammer (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyaté), BirthKeeper, Reproductive Justice advocate, and founder of Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services, to define, discuss, and explore how Indigenous birthing practices, breastfeeding, and community care intertwines to combat colonial and capitalist systems of oppression that disproportionately affect Indigenous, Black, and, Brown people. The maternal mortality rate of American Indian and Alaska Natives is 8 times higher than white Americans, with 80% of deaths being preventable. Before Hummingbird was founded, there were no resources in the Pacific Northwest specifically for Native parents and families. Camie shares her own birth journey and how it led to her career serving over 3,000 Native moms and parents.This conversation with Camie is a love letter to Native mommas, parents, and communities as she shares her wisdom as an Indigenous Lactation Consultant and Full Spectrum Doula, having co-created the first and only lactation counselor training created for Native people by Native people. Hummingbird’s mission is to have healthy Indigenous babies being born into healthy Indigenous families being supported by healthy Indigenous communities. Our Indigenous reproductive justice is healing not only the future generations but also the ones that have come before us. This conversation is especially close to our hearts at All My Relations as Matika’s baby #2 is on the way, and resources like Hummingbird Family Services are so crucial to the reclamation of our birthing stories and practices.Tune in for an unforgettable episode on reclaiming Indigenous birthing practices and reproductive justice . +Episode artwork by Ciara Sana & Matika WilburEditing by Teo Shantz Films by Francisco SánchezText us your thoughts!Support the showFollow us on Instagram @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.

Dr. Keolu Fox, a Kanaka Maoli genome scientist and co-founder of the Native Biodata Consortium, dives into the intersection of AI and Indigenous data sovereignty. He challenges the colonial roots of programming languages and highlights the environmental costs of data centers. Keolu discusses the hidden energy impacts of everyday AI usage and advocates for renewable data infrastructures. He also touches on the promises of AI in health, emphasizing the need for ethical engagement and community-driven technology that prioritizes sustainability over profit.

Thanksgiving is often celebrated with gratitude and togetherness, but the story most of us know is rooted in myth and erasure. Recorded live at the new Tidelands Gallery, this episode flips the script and reimagines the holiday through an Indigenous lens.Valerie Segrest (Muckleshoot), a nutritionist and food sovereignty advocate, kicks off the episode by sharing real and practical ways to reframe our Thanksgiving table. She offers a preview of her upcoming show, The Old Growth Table, a project we’re proud to be working on at Tidelands, focused on ancestral foodways and Indigenous connections to the land.Matika Wilbur (Swinomish & Tulalip) follows with a powerful exploration of the Thanksgiving myths we’ve been taught, unpacking the holiday’s colonial legacy and offering a bold vision for how we can ground it in truth, healing, and Indigenous resilience.From reclaiming our food traditions to rewriting the narrative, this episode invites us to rethink what it means to gather, give thanks, and set the table for a better future.Let’s reimagine Thanksgiving together, Relatives.Text us your thoughts!Support the showFollow us on Instagram @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.

This episode highlights the incredible Native women at the forefront of the efforts to bring about President Biden’s recent apology for the harm caused by the federal Indian boarding school system.We sit down with Deb Parker (Tulalip) to uncover the behind-the-scenes journey of this apology, break down its significance, and dive into the Truth and Healing Bill [HR.7227/S.1723]. This bipartisan bill, unanimously approved by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on June 7, 2023, strengthens Tribal sovereignty and centers survivor voices, offering a path toward truth and reconciliation.✨ Special guest Freddie Lane (Lummi) reflects on his time at Chemawa Indian Boarding School and his reaction to Biden’s historic speech. His heartfelt story reminds us of the countless children who never made it home and the resilience of those who carry their legacy forward.🚨 This bill needs our support NOW. 🚨 The Truth and Healing Bill is a crucial step toward accountability, healing, and justice for survivors and their families. Your voice matters.What you can do: 🔗 Learn about and support the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition: https://boardingschoolhealing.org/ 📣 Contact your representatives to ensure this bill passes into law.🎉 This marks our second episode from the new Tidelands studio! Huge thanks to our amazing team: 💡 Creative direction & editing: Teo Shantz 🎨 Artwork: Ciara Sana 🎥 Film work: Francisco Sanchez⚠️ Content warning: This episode discusses topics related to Indian boarding schools, including trauma, cultural loss, and the ongoing effects on Indigenous communities. Please take care while listening—gather your medicines, smudge, and lean on your community for support.Text us your thoughts!Support the showFollow us on Instagram @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.

🎉 We’re back! Season 5 kicks off with Sacred Manhood, featuring the unforgettable Dallas Goldtooth—actor, comedian, activist, and founding member of the Indigenous comedy group, The 1491s. Known for his work on Reservation Dogs and his frontline activism with the Indigenous Environmental Network, Dallas brings a blend of wild auntie laughs and deep conversations that only an uncle like him can inspire. We dive into his acting career, his environmental justice work, and get personal about manhood, fatherhood (yes, there’s some "Daddy Dallas-ing"), and the power of shifting narratives to drive real change—from grassroots movements to Hollywood’s writers’ rooms.Special shoutout to our incredible team for making this episode—our first in the new Tidelands studio—a reality! Creative direction and editing by Teo Shantz, artwork by Ciara Sana, and film work by Francisco Sanchez.Text us your thoughts!Support the showFollow us on Instagram @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.

Big news! The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of leaving the Indian Child Welfare Act intact. This is a major victory for Indigenous rights and sovereignty. In this special episode, Matika is joined by Sedelta Oosahwee (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara and Cherokee) a Senior Program and Policy Analyst and Specialist at the National Education Association who was recently appointed by the Biden Administration to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education to discuss the ruling and what it means going forward. +++Shout out to our All My Relations team that makes this possible. Produced and edited by Jonathan Stein, music by Max Levin, mixing by William McGuigan and social media by Lindsey Hightower. Text us your thoughts!Support the showFollow us on Instagram @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.