Drum Circle News

Dylan

Drum Circle News is a Native-led podcast amplifying Indigenous voices, stories, and solutions across Turtle Island and beyond. Hosted by Dylan Aubrey, a Yurok Tribal member and media producer, the show features in-depth interviews with elders, cultural leaders, activists, artists, and visionaries working to restore balance in their communities. From traditional ceremony to environmental restoration, economic sovereignty to cross-border alliances, Drum Circle News brings forward the conversations mainstream media ignores—centered in Indigenous knowledge, grounded in truth, and guided by ancestral wisdom. Join us as we reawaken the spirit of intertribal trade, cultural resurgence, and Indigenous unity—one story at a time.

Episodes

  1. Four Arrows Indigenous Worldview, Ceremony & TEK A Powerful | Drum Circle News

    07/10/2025

    Four Arrows Indigenous Worldview, Ceremony & TEK A Powerful | Drum Circle News

    In this deep and wide-ranging interview, I sit down with world-renowned Indigenous scholar and author Four Arrows (Wahinkpe Topa) to explore the core principles of Indigenous worldview, the sacred role of ceremony, the importance of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and the dangers of colonial ideologies like blood quantum and utilitarianism. We open the conversation by discussing place-based wisdom—why it’s critical to protect Indigenous knowledge rooted in language, ceremony, and land stewardship—and the distinction between Indigenous worldview and tribal-specific place-based knowledge. Four Arrows shares profound insights from decades of work with Native and Indigenous communities around the world, including the Kogi of Colombia, Lakota ceremonies, and the powerful role of humor and non-binary thinking in traditional cultures. He challenges common assumptions around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) from an Indigenous lens and discusses his critiques of top-down leadership models, drawing from his book The Authentic Dissertation and his work on ProvenSustainable.org. We also dive into controversial topics such as: Should ceremony be shared with outsiders? How can settlers reconnect to their own lost Indigenous roots? The colonizing impact of blood quantum and federal recognition The dangers of misusing spiritual practices without proper guidance As a Yurok tribal member working in river restoration, I also share how Indigenous worldview shapes ecological restoration in my community—particularly around the historic Klamath River dam removal and revival of salmon runs. Whether you're a student, educator, reconnecting Native, or settler ally seeking to learn and grow—this is an essential conversation that centers truth, humility, and healing through story, relationship, and respect. 📚 Recommended For: Students | Indigenous leaders | Environmental activists | Educators | Allies | Cultural workers | TEK practitioners | Ceremony stewards

    1h 17m
  2. Cahuilla History, Colonization, and Catholic Faith | Drum Circle News

    06/27/2025

    Cahuilla History, Colonization, and Catholic Faith | Drum Circle News

    In this compelling 1 hour and 20 minute episode of Drum Circle News, Dylan Aubrey sits down with Sean Milanovich, an esteemed elder from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and a doctor of Anthropology, for an in-depth discussion on Cahuilla history, the theories of great migrations, and the dark strategies of colonization. Sean delves into the rich history of the Cahuilla people and shares his insights on the great migration across the Bering Strait. He challenges this widely accepted theory, emphasizing that it contradicts the traditional oral stories passed down through generations. Sean provides a nuanced perspective by comparing what he learned academically with his personal beliefs and cultural teachings. The conversation takes a gritty and dark turn as they explore the brutal strategies of colonization. Sean recounts the Spanish colonization and the devastating impact of the mission system on his people. He also discusses the subsequent colonization by Mexico, which resulted in the loss of land, women, and resources. In a thought-provoking segment, Dylan questions Sean about his Catholic faith, given the historical atrocities committed by the Church against Native communities. Sean shares his personal reconciliation of this complex and contradictory perspective, offering a deep and reflective insight into faith, identity, and cultural survival. Key Topics: Cahuilla history and oral traditions Critique of the Bering Strait migration theory Impact of Spanish and Mexican colonization The establishment of missions and their effects on Native communities The complexities of Catholic faith within colonized communities Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more profound conversations on Drum Circle News!

    1h 17m

About

Drum Circle News is a Native-led podcast amplifying Indigenous voices, stories, and solutions across Turtle Island and beyond. Hosted by Dylan Aubrey, a Yurok Tribal member and media producer, the show features in-depth interviews with elders, cultural leaders, activists, artists, and visionaries working to restore balance in their communities. From traditional ceremony to environmental restoration, economic sovereignty to cross-border alliances, Drum Circle News brings forward the conversations mainstream media ignores—centered in Indigenous knowledge, grounded in truth, and guided by ancestral wisdom. Join us as we reawaken the spirit of intertribal trade, cultural resurgence, and Indigenous unity—one story at a time.