A Smudge For Your Thoughts

KiEwSis and Zosia

Boozhoo/Tahnsi-Kiyahw (Hello, how are you)? Our podcast's mission is to promote respect and understanding of Indigenous cultures, by spotlighting perspectives of contemporary Indigenous people. On our podcast we have a sit down discussion with indigenous people, on topics that center around how we navigate this contemporary world while maintaining our cultural connections. Our conversations range from 30min. - 1 hour+. We hope you learn something and have fun along the way! Migwech/Hiy-Hiy (Thank You) Check out our website: www.asmudgeforyourthoughts.com

  1. 02/28/2021

    Antonio Rafael - Interview

    Antonio Rafael is an indigenous (Coahuiltecan and Boricua) agroecologist, educator, outdoorsman, radical economist, artist, beekeeper, and gardener from Southwest, Detroit. As an educator, facilitator and consultant he weaves together disparate phenomena from economic and environmental history to the current neoliberal assault on public goods in a way that’s easily digestible for all grade levels from youth to professionals. His political street art has gone viral, been featured in movies, articles, and movements. Learn more: #decolonizeDetroit​ Antonio organizes with his neighborhood through his agroecology and arts center called Southwest Grows. #SWGrows​ He and neighbor-gardeners started a beekeeping cooperative called Southwest Beetroit. #SWBeetroit​ Sharing his love for nature, he co-founded the Black to the Land Coalition to encourage BIPOC Detroit residents to explore the outdoors. #blacktotheland​ He works closely with Anishinaabe communities across the Great Lakes, hunting, harvesting wild rice, and building birch bark canoes. Antonio works with the National Wildlife Federation pouring his knowledge and networks into developing the Detroit Leadership and Environmental Education Program, to cultivate the next generation of critically conscious environmental leaders from Detroit High School Students. Check out Antonio's IG profiles to see what he's up to with these projects! @blacktothelanddetroit @swbeetroit @313LEEP Migwech/Hiy-Hiy (Thank You) Remember to check out our website for updates and how to get in contact with us! https://www.asmudgeforyourthoughts.com/

    1h 20m
  2. 02/11/2021

    Alex Starblanket & Mike Scott - Interview

    -Alex Starblanket-  My name is Alex Starblanket CEO of 🌟STARBLANKET 🌟graphics.  I grew up in Ahtahkakoop reserve just an hour away from Prince Albert, SK. In 2017 I was diagnosed with kidney failure and during my fight I started STARBLANKET GRAPHICS as a way of healing and staying positive through my struggle. Starblanket is based on healing, having though pain or through trauma or struggles. The Starblanket is based on the " 7 teachings ", in our culture that is LOVE, TRUST, HUMILITY,  COURAGE, HOPE, PEACE, and RESPECT. The Starblanket symbolizes these meanings. They also show what struggles we been through and yet still fighting.   -Mike Scott-  Mike Scott presents a powerful power point presentation, "Finding the Warrior Within" which is based on the obstacles of his life. His story has been presented to over 550 communities in the past 6 years alone (2013-2020). Mike was in and out of the foster care system and never had a stable upbringing as a child. He has been through many obstacles in his short 31 years of life including incarceration at the age of 12, overdosing at the age of 17, becoming a single father at the age of 19 and tragically losing his mother at the age of 22.   Mike has broken the dysfunctional cycles that have plagued his family for years. He now travels and shares the incredibly powerful stories, as a way to show youth and adults alike that positive change is possible! Benefactors from his presentation show the reality of addiction and motivate people to open their own eyes to the cycles they face. Empowering young people to start becoming their own leaders and paving a positive way for future generations. Inspiring adults to want a brighter future for their youth and giving them the tools necessary to be able to relate and understand from their point of view so that they may work together to build a brighter future.   Mike's message is: "You can live a file full of depression if you want to, or you can change your position by changing yourself and learning to love who you were truly destined to be. Nothing is impossible and nothing is out of reach, only you can put a limit on what you need and deserve in this life. So be to yourself and have faith in a brighter day! Life is what you make of it."   Migwech/Hiy-Hiy (Thank You) Remember to check out our website for updates and how to get in contact with us! https://www.asmudgeforyourthoughts.com/

    1h 2m
  3. 01/13/2021

    Dante Biss-Grayson - Interview

    Dante Biss-Grayson is a Veteran and a member of the Osage Nation. He is an Artist, Poet, and Fashion Designer. His work covers a vast array of topics through a variety of mediums. A Native-Renaissance is occurring and his multi-faceted approach to art and advocacy is apparent in the following projects:   As the Creative Director and Owner of the Sky-Eagle Collection, he has designed collections of Ribbon Skirts, Dresses, Jewelry, Neckties, and Scarves with the intent to bring Awareness and Action to issues impacting Indian Country. One Collection in particular address the MMIW epidemic and a percent of the proceeds are donated to Native American Advocacy Groups. This year he has started the "400 Ribbon Skirt Project," where he will donate 400 Ribbon Skirts to homeless and DV shelters to the the hardest hit reservations, and will send them to the 4 directions. This is a way to give good medicine and healing to those in need, and support Native Communities.   In the realm of Fine Art, he has excelled with Oil Paintings in abstract and expressionist styles. Initially part of his therapy for his multiple tours overseas in conflict zones, the work has enveloped, and eventually expanded into multi-media sculptures and paintings. He has created a 3d Holographic installation of a Straight-dancer, and plans to link these units together to form a 10 ft tall sculpture. Once completed, other tribal dancers will be part of the project, and the intent is to compare the physical world with that of the spirit world, and the connections between them.  Lastly, he has started a compendium of poetry in 5 volumes. The book of poetry brings awareness to the MMIW epidemic by honoring those who are missing, murdered, and taken away from their families and tribes.    Visit National Indigenous Women's Resource Center to learn more about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women - https://www.niwrc.org/resources  Dante's fine art portfolio - http://dantebissgrayson.faso.com/  Sky Eagle Collection - https://www.skyeaglecollection.com/  Migwech/Hiy-Hiy (Thank You) Remember to check out our website for updates and how to get in contact with us! https://www.asmudgeforyourthoughts.com/

    49 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Boozhoo/Tahnsi-Kiyahw (Hello, how are you)? Our podcast's mission is to promote respect and understanding of Indigenous cultures, by spotlighting perspectives of contemporary Indigenous people. On our podcast we have a sit down discussion with indigenous people, on topics that center around how we navigate this contemporary world while maintaining our cultural connections. Our conversations range from 30min. - 1 hour+. We hope you learn something and have fun along the way! Migwech/Hiy-Hiy (Thank You) Check out our website: www.asmudgeforyourthoughts.com