Ep. 20: Mason Runs Through – Folk-Punk and Interpreting Dinosaur National Park

Meet punk musician and park ranger Mason Evan Runs Through III, also known as his stage name, Wounded Knee. Born in Minot, North Dakota, he is of the nearby Fort Peck Reservation in North East Montana and is a member of the Assiniboine (Nakoda) nation. He is currently based in Utah, where he lives and works as an interpretive ranger and environmental educator in Dinosaur National Monument. Mason also shares about his musical project, Wounded Knee, and how he “creates emotionally charged music for a world that’s forgotten how to feel.” Tune in to hear about his journey to working for the National Parks System, as well as how he uses his music for political activism. Mason’s belief in genuine self expression and standing up for what’s right is inspiring and empowering, and his life reflects what he speaks. Don’t miss this striking episode of Songscapes!

Thanks for listening and don’t forget to review, share and subscribe to the podcast! Learn more about nonprofit Sustain Music and Nature’s work to make music a force for nature at: www.sustainmusicandnature.org

You can find Mason on his Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/woundedkneepunk/ or on his Bandcamp at https://woundedkneepunk.bandcamp.com/album/bury-my-heart

Find Charles on his Twitter at https://twitter.com/coplincharles

Host: Charles Coplin

Producer: Sustain Music & Nature

Editor: Harrison Goodale

Media Researcher: Lindsay Johnson

Theme Music: Harrison Goodale

Featured music: Holy Fire, Nakoda Calling, Burning Tipis