Collective Spirit Podcast

Emma Hildebrand (Athabascan) works in quillwork, beadwork, leather, and carving which are among the traditional materials and artistic mediums of her people in Alaska. In this episode, Emma looks at her roots which continue to inspire her desire to teach and perpetuate the language and cultural practices of her people.

Shayna Grandbois Herrera (Turtle Mountain Chippewa) is a sculptor based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In this episode, Shayna discusses how her work as a sculptor upholds the teachings and influence of her family. Grandbois Herrera is a 2022 Artist in Business Leadership fellow with First Peoples Fund.  

Shawn Brigman (Spokane) is a cultural recovery artist based in Spokane, Washington. In this episode, Shawn shares how his academic background in architecture and his work with the youth in his community continues to guide his work in recovering the material culture, stories, and language of his community. Shawn is a 2022 Community Spirit Award honoree. 

About the Episode Del Curman (Crow Tribe of Montana) is a painter based in Sante Fe, New Mexico. In this episode, Curfman describes his evolution as a painter and how contemporary Native stories strengthen his work. Curfman is a 2022 Artist in Business Leadership fellow with First Peoples Fund. About the Artist Del Curman (Crow Tribe of Montana) views his Apsáalooke heritage as a gift and a blessi...

About the Episode Stacy Wells (Choctaw) is a children’s author and a youth librarian. In this episode, Wells describes her forthcoming books for children, as well as the challenges of publishing Choctaw stories. Wells is a 2022 Artist in Business Leadership fellow with First Peoples Fund. About the Artist As a young child, Stacy Wells (Choctaw) loved spending time with one of her many cousins play...

About the Episode Wetalu Rodriguez (Nimiipuu) is a beader and seamstress of powwow and traditional regalia. Moreover, Rodriguez is a scholar and has led research about the mental and emotional health of Indigenous people. In this episode, Rodriguez advocates how sewing, beading, and her community work heals her people. Rodriguez is a 2022 Cultural Capital fellow with First Peoples Fund. Content Wa...

About the Episode Aveda Adara (Diné) is a musician, DJ, vlogger, performance artist, and host of the Two Spirit Podcast. In this episode, Adara discusses how her sobriety and the LGBTQ+ community inspire her creativity. Adara is a 2022 Artist in Business Leadership fellow with First Peoples Fund. About the Artist Aveda Adara is a member of the Diné tribe, born into Kiyaa'áanii (Towering House...

About the Episode Tsanavi Spoonhunter (Northern Paiute Tribe, Northern Arapaho Tribe) is a journalist and documentary filmmaker. In this episode, Spoonhunter discusses the hardships and hopes of filming her award-winning short documentary film Crow Country: Our Right to Food Sovereignty. Spoonhunter is a 2022 Artist in Business Leadership fellow with First Peoples Fund. About the Artist Journalist...

About the Episode Blossom Johnson (Diné) is the playwright of A Boarding School Play and monster SLAYer , among other works. In this episode, Johnson discusses how she balances the positives and pains of crafting Indigenous stories for the stage. Johnson is a 2022 Cultural Capital fellow with First Peoples Fund. About the Artist Blossom Johnson is a Diné storyteller, playwright, teaching artist, a...