Tohono O'odham Young Voices

In this episode, we explore the journey of finding cultural identity through education, resilience, and community. Joseph Morales is an enrolled member of the Tohono O’odham Nation and is a current student at Arizona State University (ASU). Our guest shares what it was like growing up mixed — navigating questions of belonging, identity, and connection to culture. Facing moments of disconnection, h...

In this episode, we’re remembering the Gu-Achi Fiddlers with Gerald Leos Sr., the last living member of the group. What made their music so unique is the way it blends traditions from multiple worlds. The Gu-Achi Fiddlers played lively Southwest fiddle tunes that carry clear traces of Mexican folk music—alongside influences from Central European traditions, like polkas and waltzes brought by Germa...

This episode features author Mike Wilson (Tohono O'odham) and co-author Tony Lucero who wrote the book "What Side Are You On? A Tohono O'odham Life Across Borders." In our conversation Mike shares pieces of his life story and Tony talks about his interest in not only Mike's experiences, but also the history of the work he's been involved in overtime. Mike spent his childhood in the small town of A...

In this episode we collaborated with University of Arizona Diné law student Divine Kickingbird. Hosted by Bre and Divine, both law students at the University of Arizona, this conversation gives a foundation of the history of the Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA). They also shed light on how ICRA intertwines with indigenous journalism, news organizations, and the potential challenges they may face in...

This episode features Lourdes Escalante, Executive Director of Alianza Indigena Sin Fronteras (Indigenous Alliance Without Borders), who is heavily involved in the Tucson community and is a member of the Yoeme (Pascua Yaqui) tribe. The episode starts off with a content warning to address the discussions that include accounts of domestic violence and death which could be traumatic and potentially t...

*Content warning the following contains discussions surrounding experiences with border patrol and graphic descriptions of violence, and even death, that may be triggering, or traumatizing to some audiences. Please take care while listening* On May 18, 2023, Raymond Mattia Sr. (baht) a respected member of the Tohono O’odham community, was tragically shot and killed by Border Patrol agents. This in...

In this season finale of Tohono O’odham Young Voices, we thank the listeners for your support, as we also reflect on season eight's accomplishments, and preview season nine's focus on uplifting Indigenous stories.  This episode highlights personal updates from us, including Tina's work with community radio, Napoleon's new teaching role at San Carlos Apache College, and Bree's dual degree pursuit. ...

This conversation is Hosted by Tina, Co-hosted with Napolean, featuring guest Kianna Pete (Dine). Kianna is a scholar, advocate, freelance writer, and Indigenous education & policy researcher from New Mexico. Working with tribes of the southwest, environmental justice organizers, and legal scholars, she promotes Indigenous self-determination and equitable education. Kianna also provides free e...

DeShawn Davis is a young environmentalist exploring traditional O’odham Jewedga (O’odham lands) in Southern Arizona. He currently works as a Next Generation Ranger at Saguaro National Park and is also an involved participant in the Eco Truths for Indigenous Youth. His passion for science-based programs and work experiences have provided him with the knowledge and the tools to excel in the STEM wor...

In this thought-provoking episode, join us as we dive deep into the intersecting worlds of Indigenous issues and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Tina Andrew, Executive Producer, and co-host Napoleon Marrietta lead a dynamic discussion, bringing together a diverse panel of experts. Dr. Christopher Wise, a seasoned professor with a wealth of experience in Africa and the Middle East, adds academic...

Episode 39 was co-hosted by Bre, Tina, and Mia with special guest Mato Wayuhi . Mato is Oglala Lakota from the Pine Ridge rez in South Dakota. He is mostly known as a multidisciplinary artist who composes his own music, raps, and is brining his own unique sound to mainstream media. His recent work is infamously heard throughout the Reservation Dogs series seasons one through three which he compose...

This episode is co-hosted by Tina and Napolean with guest Dr. Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan (Tohono O'odham). Tune in as we take a deep dive into Dr. J’s dissertation research and background in journalism. She is from Wa:k Ceksan (San Xavier District) of the Tohono O’odham Nation just South of Tucson, Arizona. Tina has known Dr. J and has over the years followed her work in the community, both as a stude...

In this episode host Tina Andrew is joined by two strong, educated, indigenous women who both work in the field of archaeology. Dr. Paulette Steeves (Cree-Métis) is a renowned indigenous archaeologist who's work is groundbreaking for all indigenous/native communities. In her research, Steeves argues that, "Indigenous peoples were present in the Western Hemisphere as early as 100,000 years ago, and...

In this episode we went live with waila/Tejano musician Stevie Ray Vavages . Tune in as Stevie goes in depth about his upcoming and his musical journey that is rooted in the Tohono O’odham social music called Waila. The word waila is derived from the Spanish word Baila, which means “to dance.” Growing up Stevie was surrounding by music and inspired by family who played in a waila band called Thee...

In this episode Exec. Producer, Tina and guest Tanisha Tucker-Lohse share their last thoughts about our partnership with the Artist-At-Work (AAW) Program as it comes to an end. Over the past months Tanisha has been a mentor to the entire podcast team, sharing her time, knowledge, and engaging the community through hands on cultural experiences. We've had the opportunity to learn from Tanisha durin...

Episode 34 features the trio Famous Ones, who are brothers Chad (drums/guitar), Carl (bass/guitar), and AJ (accordion/guitar) Flores from the San Lucy community near Gila Bend, AZ. They began learning how to play music taught by their late Dad who started teaching them at a young age about dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to their music talents. Famous Ones are continuously setting the bar fo...

In this episode, Napolean and Bre are joined by Monique Harvey, a UCOD Graduate Student, and Crystal Miller, a current Ph. D. student at the University of Arizona. Together, they delved into the unique challenges and milestones that come with being a Native student in academia. The conversation revolved around their personal and professional experiences in education, the importance of having mento...

In this episode, Tanisha and I decided to meet up at “A” Mountain aka Sentinal Peak in Tucson to have a conversation about desert wild foods and climate change. Even though it was windy up top we found a comfortable spot alongside the mountain facing south Tucson. It was a good place to reflect and imagine what the land once was like when it was just our ancestors the Huhugam (Hohokam). We delve i...

For many years this “Desert Dweller” aka Andrew has been in the metal scene as a musician and as a concert promoter. In this episode, “Desert Dweller” shares a before and after experience of the Vinom Piast; a show that highlights mostly Native bands local and non-local. Bringing Vinom Piast (metal party) to his own community was a way to bring the sounds of distortion, intricate guitar work, and...

In this episode Exec. Producer, Tina, sits down with Tanisha Tucker Lohse (Tohono O’odham) to talk about upcoming collaborations with the podcast. Tanisha is currently in a residency program called Artist At Work (AAW) which is aimed to provide artists with the means to continue their work passion during a post-pandemic time. With this program T.O. Young Voices has been selected as the Social Impa...

In this episode Exec. Producer, Tina, had the opportunity to interview Jefferson Stein who is the Writer and Director of the short film "Burros" . Burros was filmed in various locations on the Tohono O'odham Nation and tells the story of a young O'odham girl and a lost migrant child who's been separated from her father while passing through the rez. This film features familiar areas of O'odham jew...

What is a pretendian? When do you know when someone is claiming to be someone they're not in Indigenous communities? Join podcast team members Napoleon and Genesis with special guests Rene and Erika from various Indigenous regions. We dive in a deep conversation about identity, political identity and the complexity of indigeneity and why we continue to tell our own stories. Background music/sound...

In this episode the podcast team discusses cross-cultural differences and similarities in our communities that include, tohono o'odham, akimel o'odham, and yoeme. The conversation goes into different traditions surrounding religious practices. We compare different points of religious contact in our different communities. While we understand and practice some of these holidays, we also acknowledge...

In this episode you will hear from three young O’odham who all started their professional journey’s working in an oidag (garden) at Tohono O’odham Community College, located in Sells, Arizona. Duran Andrews is the Farm Manager at San Xavier Co-op Farm; he is from Ali Chukson (little Tucson) village on the Tohono O'odham rez. Monique "Tas Hiosig" Ramon is from the community of Covered Wells in the...

I learned if we want to maintain our language, traditional foods, ceremonies, games, medicines, our cultural ways, we must do those things. Speak the language, plant, and harvest our lands, to keep our songs and stories alive. Planting and growing a garden is one of the ways to not only be sustainable, but to experience something our ancestors did many years ago. This episode features community me...