Aunties on Air...and some Uncles too

Lisa Sockabasin, Clarissa Sabattis
  • 4.9 (14)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Biweekly

A podcast to amplify indigenous voices while building powerful connections through conversations, culture and community. For far too long, indigenous people have been targeted, silenced, and made nearly invisible by the societies that surround us. The values that maintained balance of our shared land and communities are old, valuable, and deeply needed in our world today. During our time together we will explore many topics through storytelling, laughter and sometimes tears. Come along on this journey where together we will feel the power of relationships and experience healing that comes with centering Wabanaki culture. Each month, and often more, we will share an episode with our guests to offer good medicine to all who join. Woliwon (Thank you)!

  1. Aunties on Air Episode 52: MMIW: Indigenous Sovereignty and Healing with Lyla June

    May 30

    Aunties on Air Episode 52: MMIW: Indigenous Sovereignty and Healing with Lyla June

    Episode 52: MMIW: Indigenous Sovereignty and Healing with Lyla June Our ancestors understood that the health of the land is directly tied to the safety and sacredness of our women and relatives. In a system built on extraction, both our earth, our sisters and our relatives have faced deep violence. Today, we are continuing our focus on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) crisis by welcoming Lyla June Johnston to our studio. This conversation explores how reclaiming our traditional food systems, land sovereignty, and ancestral wisdom serves as the greatest protective shield and path toward collective healing. Wabanaki Words Used: Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) - https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc   Topics Discussed:   Lyla June Johnston - https://www.lylajune.com/ Diné - https://www.navajo-nsn.gov/ Cheyenne - https://www.cheyenneandarapaho-nsn.gov/ Anadarko, Oklahoma - https://www.cityofanadarko.org/ Native Women by Lyla June - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWPXVbarjqM Ahupua’a Water Systems - https://www.nationofhawaii.org/ahupuaa/ Time Traveler by Lyla June - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulK_GE9XjO8 Desirae Harp - https://mesarefuge.org/person/desirae-harp/ Emergence Magazine - https://emergencemagazine.org/ Robin Wall Kimmerer - https://www.robinwallkimmerer.com/ Plant, Baby, Plant - https://plantbabyplant.com/ Choctaw Nation - https://www.choctawnation.com/ Haudenosaunee - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haudenosaunee Jared Diamond - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jared_Diamond Norsemen - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norsemen Desmond Tutu - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Tutu Standford University - https://www.stanford.edu/ All Nations Rise by Lyla June - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr2VLI8jKww   Wabanaki Tribal Nations: Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net) Mi’kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov) Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati Motahkomikuk Passamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com) Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine   Special Thanks/Woliwon:  Guest: Lyla June Johnston Producer: Gavin Allen Podcast Team: Macy Downs

    1h 39m
  2. Aunties on Air Episode 51: MMIW: Healing Through Taking Space

    May 19

    Aunties on Air Episode 51: MMIW: Healing Through Taking Space

    Episode 51: MMIW: Healing Through Taking Space In Wabanaki territory and across Turtle Island, our women, girls and two-spirit relatives are the heart of our nations. They carry our stories, our languages, and our future. Yet, the painful reality of the MMIW crisis continues to affect our families and communities deeply. This week, we welcome back a very familiar voice and longtime advocate to the studio, our former Aunties co-host, Lauren Stevens. Together, the Aunties sit down with Lauren for a deeply necessary conversation about grief, resilience, and reclaiming our narrative. We dive into the profound medicine of speaking our stolen relations' names out loud, ensuring they are never made invisible by the systems around us. Lauren shares how utilizing the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) network provides critical, proactive support to keep our people whole and protect our collective spirit before crisis even begins. This is an episode about taking up space, raising our voices, and anchoring ourselves in cultural traditions. True healing happens when we center our Wabanaki values, look out for one another, and refuse to be silenced.  Wabanaki Words Used: Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) - https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc   Topics Discussed:   MMIW - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_and_Murdered_Indigenous_Women Salt Bay Chamberfest - https://saltbaychamberfest.org/ Dawn Avery - https://www.dawnavery.com/ Wilhelmina Smith - https://www.wilhelminasmith.com/ We Are Water - https://portlandovations.org/event/we-are-water-a-northeast-celebration/ Yo-Yo Ma - https://www.yo-yoma.com/ Rodger Paul - https://umaine.edu/nativeamericanprograms/people/rogerpaul/ Chris Newell - https://www.nefa.org/chris-newell Mali Obomsawin - https://www.maliobomsawin.com/ Jeremy Dutcher - https://jeremydutcher.com/ Andri Magnason - https://andrimagnason.com/ MMIW Poem by Feather Mason-Delorme - https://poetryinvoice.ca/write/monthly-poem-prize/winning-poems/mmiw-poem UNITY - https://unityinc.org/   Wabanaki Tribal Nations: Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net) Mi’kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov) Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati Motahkomikuk Passamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com) Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine   Special Thanks/Woliwon:  Guest: Lauren Stevens  Producer: Gavin Allen Podcast Team: Macy Downs

    47 min
  3. Aunties on Air Episode 50: MMIW: Healing Through Policy

    May 5

    Aunties on Air Episode 50: MMIW: Healing Through Policy

    Episode 50: MMIW: Healing Through Policy In Wabanaki territory, our women are the heart of our nations. They are the givers of life, the keepers of culture, and the protectors of our future. Yet, for too long, our sisters have been made invisible by systems that fail to see their worth. Today, we are opening a three-part series on our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) with Maulian Bryant. This is a conversation about love, grief, justice, and the sovereign right to live in safety. Wabanaki Words Used: Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) - https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc   Topics Discussed:   Maulian Bryant - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maulian_Bryant MMIW - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_and_Murdered_Indigenous_Women Oh, Grow Up! - https://www.facebook.com/ohgrowupbangor/ The Rock and Art Shop - https://www.therockandartshop.com/bangor Donna Loring - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_M._Loring Peter Pan (1953) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Pan_(1953_film) 1980’s Settlement Act - https://www.mitsc.org/mitsc-narrative-summaries/summary-of-the-maine-indian-land-claims-act-of-1980 VAWA - VAWA Information Janet Mills - https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/ Troy Jackson - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy_Jackson_(politician) Mike Carpenter - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_E._Carpenter Sara Gideon - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sara_Gideon Rachel Talbot Ross - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Talbot_Ross Chellie Pingree - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chellie_Pingree Mike Simpson - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Simpson IHS - https://www.ihs.gov/ BIA - https://www.bia.gov/ Abigail Echo-Hawk - https://aascu.org/people/abigail-echo-hawk/ Holly Echo-Hawk - https://kauffmaninc.com/team/holly-echo-hawk/ Beverley Polchies - https://darkdowneast.com/beverlypolchies/ Woodstock, First Nations - https://labrc.com/first-nation/woodstock/ Dark Downeast - https://darkdowneast.com/ Wabanaki Alliance - https://wabanakialliance.com/ Harvard Project - https://indigenousgov.hks.harvard.edu/ Zeke Crofton-McDonald - https://www.mitsc.org/commissioners-staff/ezekiel-crofton-macdonald Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute - https://snoweleadershipinstitute.org/ Harvard Project - https://indigenousgov.hks.harvard.edu/ Imelda Perley - https://forcitizenship.ca/people/imelda-perley/   Wabanaki Tribal Nations: Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net) Mi’kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov) Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati Motahkomikuk Passamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com) Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine   Special Thanks/Woliwon:  Guest: Maulian Bryant Producer: Gavin Allen Podcast Team: Macy Downs

    1h 15m
  4. Aunties on Air Episode 49: Strengthening Our Communities Through Research, Data, & Sovereignty

    Apr 21

    Aunties on Air Episode 49: Strengthening Our Communities Through Research, Data, & Sovereignty

    Episode 49: Strengthening our Communities through Research, Data, & Sovereignty Indigenous communities across this nation hold deep knowledge on how we heal and how we learn. For many generations, academia and non-indigenous people have told our stories and shared their perspectives on who we are. Today, we have many indigenous scholars who are changing this trend. Increasingly, indigenous people are obtaining the education and degrees necessary to conduct research within our communities while integrating indigenous methodologies, making the work even more meaningful. The Aunties will be talking with Dr. Darren Ranco (Penobscot) and Dr. Suzanne Greenlaw (Maliseet), who are both indigenous researchers conducting innovative work in Wabanaki communities!  Wabanaki Words Used: Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) - https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc   Topics Discussed:   Darren Ranco - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darren_Ranco Suzanne Greenlaw - https://schoodicinstitute.org/team/suzanne-greenlaw/ Schoodic Institute - https://schoodicinstitute.org/ University of Maine - https://umaine.edu/ SUNY ESF - https://www.esf.edu/ Robin Wall Kimmerer - https://www.robinwallkimmerer.com/ “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer - https://bookshop.org/p/books/braiding-sweetgrass-indigenous-wisdom-scientific-knowledge-and-the-teachings-of-plants-robin-wall-kimmerer/6fa4d296293d20e8?ean=9781571313560&next=t “Gathering Moss” by Robin Wall Kimmerer - https://bookshop.org/p/books/gathering-moss-a-natural-and-cultural-history-of-mosses-robin-wall-kimmerer/dcc7a63d6e4517d0?aid=86677&ean=9780870714993&listref=robin-wall-kimmerer&next=t “The Serviceberry” by Robin Wall Kimmerer - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-serviceberry-abundance-and-reciprocity-in-the-natural-world-robin-wall-kimmerer/11103aae5b752d02?aid=86677&ean=9781668072240&listref=robin-wall-kimmerer&next=t Emerald Ash Borer - https://www.emeraldashborer.info/ WaYS - https://www.wabanakiyouthinscience.org/ “The First Blade of Sweetgrass” by Suzanne Greenlaw and Gabriel Frey - https://a.co/d/0h8RcPDd Darren Ranco TEDx Dirigo  Talk- https://www.ted.com/talks/darren_ranco_addressing_wicked_problems_with_wabanaki_diplomacy   Wabanaki Tribal Nations: Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net) Mi’kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov) Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati Motahkomikuk Passamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com) Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine   Special Thanks/Woliwon:  Guests: Suzanne Greenlaw, Darren Ranco Producer: Gavin Allen Podcast Team: Macy Downs

    1h 1m
  5. Aunties on Air Episode 48: Live from the Wabanaki Spring Social

    Apr 7

    Aunties on Air Episode 48: Live from the Wabanaki Spring Social

    Episode 48: Live from the Wabanaki Spring Social In this special episode, the Aunties come to you live from the 28th annual Wabanaki Spring Social! Our hearts are so full after a day of being together with our community. From the incredible vendors to all of the wonderful traditional food that kept us going throughout the day, the energy was bright, healing and a beautiful way to kick off the spring season. Most importantly, we felt the deep power of our honoring songs and ceremony, which grounded us in our traditions and lifted our spirits as one. Kci-woliwon, everyone who had the chance to join us in-person! Enjoy this special live episode!  Wabanaki Words Used: Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) - https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc   Topics Discussed:   Nisuwok Wiphunsisok Pottery and Leather - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559854977029 Crafts from the Bay - https://www.facebook.com/p/Crafts-From-The-Bay-100068095383910/ Blue Bird Beading - https://www.facebook.com/BluebirdbeadingNL/ Maine CDC - https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/ Wabanaki Alliance - https://wabanakialliance.com/ Maine Arts Commission - https://mainearts.maine.gov/ “Little People of the Dawn” by Minquansis Sapiel - https://a.co/d/0bhVzYZH “Gluskabe and the Gift of the Maple Trees” by Minquansis Sapiel - https://a.co/d/0hNqNCPH   Wabanaki Tribal Nations: Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net) Mi’kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov) Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati Motahkomikuk Passamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com) Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine   Special Thanks/Woliwon:  Producer: Gavin Allen Podcast Team: Macy Downs

    40 min
  6. Aunties on Air Episode 47: When Leaders Lead with Love, We Heal

    Mar 24

    Aunties on Air Episode 47: When Leaders Lead with Love, We Heal

    Episode 47: When Leaders Lead with Love, We Heal Leadership is essential for healing. The way we lead can either harm or heal. Today, we will be talking with Randy Liberty, Commissioner of Corrections for the state of Maine. Randy is a leader who “sees people” and believes in the potential of all. “Liberty’s Prison” is Randy’s newly released book that discusses stories of service and leadership. Please sit back and listen to the lessons and stories Randy must share!   Wabanaki Words Used: Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) - https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc   Topics Discussed:   Randy Liberty - https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/about/cabinet/liberty “Liberty’s Prison” by Randy Liberty - https://www.amazon.com/Libertys-Prison-Radically-Reformed-American/dp/B0F941CFY3 Randy on “207” -  https://www.newscentermaine.com/video/news/local/207/207-february-12-2026/97-347e7448-6142-43e9-adaf-617a5e6e2271 Maine Criminal Justice Academy - https://www.maine.gov/dps/mcja Robin Wall Kimmerer - https://www.robinwallkimmerer.com/ Maine Compost School - https://extension.umaine.edu/agriculture/maine-compost-school/ AIO, Rockland Food Pantry - https://www.aiofoodpantry.org/ USDA - https://www.usda.gov/ Togus VA - https://www.va.gov/maine-health-care/locations/togus-va-medical-center/ Colby College - https://www.colby.edu/ National Suicide and Crisis Number, Press 1 for VA- 988 Wabanaki Careline – 1-844-844-2622 CAP Agency, Maine - https://mecap.org/ Ellsworth, Maine - https://www.ellsworthmaine.gov/ Kennebeck County, Maine - https://kennebec.gov/ Department of Corrections - https://www.maine.gov/corrections/   Wabanaki Tribal Nations: Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net) Mi’kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov) Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati Motahkomikuk Passamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com) Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine   Special Thanks/Woliwon:  Guest: Randy Liberty Producer: Gavin Allen Podcast Team: Macy Downs

    1h 8m
  7. Aunties on Air Episode 46: Springing into Community: Join Us at the Wabanaki Spring Social

    Mar 10

    Aunties on Air Episode 46: Springing into Community: Join Us at the Wabanaki Spring Social

    Episode 46: Springing into Community: Join Us for the Wabanaki Spring Social Spring is a time of renewal, growth, and gathering! In this episode, the Aunties dive into the excitement of the upcoming Wabanaki Spring Social. We’re sharing what we love most about this time of celebration, connection, and Wabanaki culture. Whether you’ve joined us before or this is your first time, we’re inviting everyone to come along, feel the power of relationship, and experience the healing that comes when our community gathers. Grab a snack, lean in, and get ready to join the fun!   Wabanaki Words Used: Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) - https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc   Topics Discussed:   Ann Pardilla - Ann Pardilla was born in Old Town, Maine (to a Penobscot mother and a Kiowa father) and grew up on the Penobscot Indian Island Reservation. Ann later travelled the world with her husband George Pardilla and their six children throughout his time in the military. Upon returning to Old Town, Maine in the 1970’s, Ann went to work serving her community as a tribal council member as well as Vice Chief for Penobscot Nation. In the late 1990’s and into the early 2000’s, she worked with Wabanaki Public Health to continue her service to her community and, in doing so, helped to create the Wabanaki Spring Social which we are celebrating here today. Cricket Griffith - https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Muddy-Cricket-100063494533307/ Baxter State Park - https://baxterstatepark.org/ Wabanaki Spring Social flyer - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EwtX6PQKy/   Wabanaki Tribal Nations: Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net) Mi’kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov) Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati Motahkomikuk Passamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com) Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine   Special Thanks/Woliwon:  Producer: Gavin Allen Podcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

    32 min
  8. Aunties on Air Episode 45: "For the Love of" Our Sacred Medicines

    Feb 24

    Aunties on Air Episode 45: "For the Love of" Our Sacred Medicines

    Episode 45: "For the Love of" Our Sacred Medicines Join us in finishing out our “For the Love of” series with a show centered around our Sacred Medicines! Each week, the Aunties have been highlighting the things they love. We are holding on tight to love in 2026 and focusing on relationships and healing. Today, we will be talking with Robin Wall Kimmerer, award winning author, citizen of the Potawatomi Nation, mother, scholar, scientist, and a giver of knowledge. The Aunties will dive into deep conversation with Robin, highlighting the love and abundance mother earth provides, so please sit back and take in the lessons that Robin is so talented in sharing!   Wabanaki Words Used: Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) - https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc   Topics Discussed:   Robin Wall Kimmerer - https://www.robinwallkimmerer.com/ “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer - https://bookshop.org/p/books/braiding-sweetgrass-indigenous-wisdom-scientific-knowledge-and-the-teachings-of-plants-robin-wall-kimmerer/6fa4d296293d20e8?ean=9781571313560&next=t Carlisle Indian School - https://www.npca.org/parks/carlisle-federal-indian-boarding-school-national-monument “The Serviceberry” by Robin Wall Kimmerer - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-serviceberry-abundance-and-reciprocity-in-the-natural-world-robin-wall-kimmerer/11103aae5b752d02?aid=86677&ean=9781668072240&listref=robin-wall-kimmerer&next=t “The First Blade of Sweetgrass” by Suzanne Greenlaw and Gabriel Frey - https://www.amazon.com/First-Blade-Sweetgrass-Suzanne-Greenlaw/dp/0884487601 Monique Smith - https://wordfest.com/artist/monique-gray-smith/ “Bud Finds Her Gift” by Robin Wall Kimmerer - https://bookshop.org/p/books/bud-finds-her-gift-robin-wall-kimmerer/615a02894e9290a1?aid=86677&ean=9780063324428&listref=robin-wall-kimmerer&next=t The Briar Patch - https://briarpatchbooks.square.site/ Plant Baby Plant - https://plantbabyplant.com/   Wabanaki Tribal Nations: Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net) Mi’kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov) Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati Motahkomikuk Passamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com) Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine   Special Thanks/Woliwon:  Guest: Robin Wall Kimmerer Producer: Gavin Allen Podcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

    53 min
See All (63)

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

A podcast to amplify indigenous voices while building powerful connections through conversations, culture and community. For far too long, indigenous people have been targeted, silenced, and made nearly invisible by the societies that surround us. The values that maintained balance of our shared land and communities are old, valuable, and deeply needed in our world today. During our time together we will explore many topics through storytelling, laughter and sometimes tears. Come along on this journey where together we will feel the power of relationships and experience healing that comes with centering Wabanaki culture. Each month, and often more, we will share an episode with our guests to offer good medicine to all who join. Woliwon (Thank you)!

Information

You Might Also Like