Tohono O'odham Young Voices Tohono O'odham Young Voices

*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 incident, highlights the frequent and invasive interactions between Border Patrol and the Tohono O’odham people with the use of excessive force. 

This episode highlights the family and community members that have organized peaceful protests, and are pursuing legal action, emphasizing the need for greater oversight of Border Patrol operations. 


Raymond's death has brought attention to issues of accountability and transparency within the Border Patrol, his family has been vocal about the excessive force used and the lack of accountability, calling for immediate reforms to prevent future tragedies within the community. 

There is a growing call for solidarity and support from other communities to raise awareness and catalyze societal change.This incident underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive review of Border Patrol practices, the family's advocacy for justice highlights the ongoing struggles of militarization across the Tohono O'odham Nation, may we continue to stand in solidarity with the family in their efforts. 

*for NON O'odham listeners. (BAHT) is a O'odham phrase meaning to respect those who have passed and keep them at peace. 

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.  We also discuss Community projects, including a permanent exhibit at the Mexican American Heritage Center and Museum, an NEH-funded sound-based project, and the San Xavier Allottees Association's podcast initiative.
Next, we reflect on community events and conferences, underscoring their role in promoting engagement and cultural preservation. Key episode discussions from season eight are revisited including one with Kiana Pete and season nine's focus on topics like Indigenous rights and missing and murdered Indigenous women is previewed, kicking off with an episode about Raymond Mattia Sr. (baht).
We want to thank all the listeners who came to support us and gave us words of encouragement as we dive into deeper topics in our communities around justice and awareness that could be challenging for some listeners.

Follow and check out some of the amazing Indigenous communities doing similar work to us and support! 

Here are helpful links to learn more about the topics we discussed in our conversation:
https://www.tribalselfgov.org/about/

https://usindigenousdatanetwork.org/us-indigenous-data-sovereignty-governance-summit/

https://www.nativeamericacalling.com/friday-april-19-2024-remembering-the-1974-navajo-border-town-murders/

https://grbc.tv/

https://www.pursuitfilms.com/blog/the-girl-scout-murders

Music By- Famous Ones "Love You To The Moon & Back (Interlude)" Chica De Mis Suenos

Epidemic Sound - Jobii, LM. Styles "Kerfuffle" Midnight Haze

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 educational resources on social media about Indigenous organizing around issues of climate change and tribal rights.

Kianna's project title: The Formation of Tribal Reservation Border Towns: Navigating Dine Identity in “Injun-Killing” Spaces. Examination of Tribal Reservation Bordertowns - relatively new concept to Indigenous studies that responds to the ensuing violence against Native Americans. 

Helpful links:
Book - Red Nation Rising - https://www.google.com/books/edition/...
The Everyday Violence of Indian Country's "bordertowns" - https://www.hcn.org/issues/53-6/ideas...
The Amerian Indian Movement: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMjHxththQA&t=0sA Broken Circle" NHD Documentary
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kianna_pete...
Tohono O'odham Young Voices: https://www.toyoungvoices.com/

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 world. He also embraces his deep cultural connections and access to ancestral lands. The critical role we have as Native/Indigenous people to protect sacred sights, nature, animals, etc. is important especially when working in the National Park Service; to educate and share historical facts, and cultural perspectives, and update the narrative that local tribes are more than just a chapter in history books, but that we are still here evolving and thriving while still holding on to our cultural inheritance.

Recorded: January 2024

Background music by: Guustavv “Barranca” and Bomull “älv”

For more information about Deshawn's involvement, check out these articles and interviews!
Next-generation ranger camp
https://www.nps.gov/sagu/getinvolved/next-generation-ranger-corps.htm

Eco Truths for Indigenous Youth
https://ironwoodtreeexperience.org/community/projects/ecotruths-for-indigenous-youth-2/

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 depth to our conversation. Another special guest Amy Juan, drawing from her firsthand experiences in Palestine-Israel, offers a unique perspective that uncovers striking parallels between the O'odham and Palestinian lifestyles and experiences living within' a militarized environment.
Throughout the episode, our conversation centers on key themes such as colonization, land rights, and cultural preservation, spotlighting the universal nature of these struggles. The parallels between the experiences of Indigenous people and Palestinians serve as a lens to examine complex global issues. We emphasize the importance of understanding historical and cultural contexts as we explore the intricate web of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This dialogue challenges listeners to think critically about these issues beyond mainstream narratives, inviting them to explore deeper dimensions of historical, political, and social significance. Ultimately, this episode offers a multifaceted exploration of global conflicts, Indigenous issues, and the profound impact of personal narratives on our collective understanding of complex social and political dynamics.
Tune in for an enlightening and engaging conversation that aims to broaden your perspective on these pressing global issues.

Background music: Dusty Decks "Top Glare", Ahmad Kaabour "Ounadikom", Hannes "Summer 3000"

Recorded: November 22, 2023

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 composed as well as acted as Young Bucky in season three, which is sadly the final season of the show. The impacts he's making and the roads he's paving for younger generations to follow or not follow, are at least recieving recognition from all walks of life. Bringing that indigenous sound for the universe to hear, staying true to his own individualism as an artist, while intigrating his Oglala Lakota roots, his talent does not disappoint! The interview Mato, shares his music journey that eventually led him to also compse music for Disney Launchpad titled "The Roof." We hope you enjoy the conversation!

Background music by: Mato Wayuhi "Rez Dogs Theme" "Switch Lanes" "Sour Sofkee"

Recorded: October 30, 2023