Grand Canyon Speaks

Grand Canyon National Park - National Park Service
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Arts
  • Biweekly Series

Welcome to Grand Canyon Speaks! We are airing live interviews that park rangers had with artists from the 11 associated tribes of Grand Canyon National Park. This series explores the lives and perspectives of people who call Grand Canyon home.

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  1. Episode 1

    Kyle Sumatzkuku Speaks

    Welcome to the first episode of Season 3! This episode is about Kyle Sumatzkuku, a Hopi runner from Mishongnovi. ALCC intern, Meranden, talks with Kyle about his running journey and what it was like to qualify and run in the Boston Marathon. He also talks about his experiences becoming a cross-country coach and mentoring youth through Wings of America.

    45 min

  2. Episode 2

    Ali Upshaw Speaks

    In this episode, Ranger Eliana speaks with collegiate runner, Ali Upshaw, who is Diné from Fort Defiance on the Navajo reservation. She talks about how she started her athletic career with family who are also runners and made it to her dream college team through some intense training along the way. Through the hard work of it all, she describes how running keeps her grounded, accomplish big goals, and stay connected to her culture.

    41 min

  3. Episode 3

    Jason Amador Speaks

    This episode features Jason Amador, a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. ALCC Intern, Meranden, interviews Jason about his basketball career filled with highs and lows. Making his first appearance at March Madness was only one of the many accomplishments of his journey. With these experiences, he explains how he shares his story with native youth to provide them with motivation to go after their dreams, just like he did.

    36 min

  4. Episode 4

    Kyle Awelagte Speaks

    In this episode, Ranger Grace interviewed Kyle Awelagte to discuss his cross country and track experience as a collegiate athlete. As Kyle is from the Zuni Pueblo, he describes the cultural significance of running and shares that his family has a multi-generational history of running in Zuni. Not only is he an athlete, but he is an artist: Kyle shares his work as a fetish carver and the spiritual connections that revolve around this ancestral form of creativity. Tune in to this episode and enjoy!

    39 min

  5. Episode 5

    Wendi Lewis Speaks

    Nahongvita! Askwali! Kwa’kwa! Just some of the words you may hear if you ever run a race at one of the Hopi villages. Wendi Lewis describes her running journey which ultimately influenced her to become a cross country and track coach. Now a head coach at Tuba City High School, she incorporates the cultural aspects of running for her team. She also tells us about her apparel business and how she uses it to help the community through fundraisers.

    27 min

  6. Episode 6

    Malia Ukestine Speaks

    A small number of our Indigenous athletes are fortunate enough to showcase their talents at a collegiate level, and Malia Ukestine is one of those athletes! After overcoming an ACL injury in high school, she received a scholarship to play at Scottsdale Community College and shares this experience in this Speaks episode. Malia also describes details regarding traditional Zuni connections to Grand Canyon and how it’s carried on by today’s generation. Tune in to season 3 and enjoy this episode!

    15 min

  7. Episode 7

    Lakin Epaloose Speaks

    Hunting wildlife has been practiced by Indigenous tribes for hundreds of years in this region and many of those traditions are still practiced today. Although many may see hunting as a sport, it is also regarded as spiritually and culturally significant for tribes and pueblos such as Zuni. In this episode, Lakin Epaloose discusses his hunting experience throughout the years and the traditional-ecological knowledge he’s picked up along the way. Take a listen to this episode and we hope you all enjoy!

    37 min

  8. Episode 8

    Lynette Lewis Speaks

    This episode features Lynette Lewis, a Diné woman who explains her involvement with NABI, the Native American Basketball Invitational. As a businesswoman of LRLewis LLC, she talks about how she is able to provide services to native athletes such as basketball tournaments and skills training. Rez ball is a huge component to her native community and she talks about the efforts she is doing to provide exposure to some very talented athletes.

    29 min
See All Season 3 (13)

Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Welcome to Grand Canyon Speaks! We are airing live interviews that park rangers had with artists from the 11 associated tribes of Grand Canyon National Park. This series explores the lives and perspectives of people who call Grand Canyon home.

Information

  • Creator
    Grand Canyon National Park - National Park Service
  • Episodes
    43
  • Seasons
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 NPS - For Personal Use Only
  • Show Website
    Grand Canyon Speaks

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