On the final episode of Indigenae, cultural practitioners Kathy McCovey and Lisa Hillman teach us about Indigenous stewardship and the sacred connection between land and our physical, spiritual, and mental wellbeing. Kathy McCovey, is a fourth-generation forester, archeologist, and Cultural Resource Specialist. She has dedicated her life to revital…

Cari Herthel, Vice Chair of the Esselen Tribe, reckons with the complex and intergenerational trauma caused by human trafficking. As a survivor, Cari offers personal reflection, deep truths, and authenticity to connect with others and raise awareness for protecting our relatives; By experiencing and continuing ancestral practices —“I now know that …

On Episode 20 of Indigenae, hosts Olivia Trujillo (Navajo), Sarah Stern (Cherokee), and Dr. Sophie Neuner (Karuk) share how this collection of stories came into being, what inspired the project, and lessons learned along the way. About Indigenae: https://caih.jhu.edu/programs/indigenae-podcast Check out some of the podcasts that inspire us: This La…

Birdie Lyons, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, was seven years old when she was taken away from her family. Not long after, she escaped from boarding school to return to her community and grow up immersed in Ojibwe culture. During the ceremonies to mark her First and Final Moons, Birdie received assignments and teachings that have guided her on her path …

In part two of our series on Two-Spirit wellbeing, we continue our conversation with Souksavanh T. Keovorabouth, who is a Diné and Laotian PhD student in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Oregon State University. We dive into a discussion about Two-Spirit Autonomy, and sex and pleasure outside hetero norms. Souksavanh shares how experiencing p…

On this of Indigenae, we move beyond gender binaries to explore the topics of Two Spirit identity, the sacredness of fluidity, and restoring balance. Joining us is Souksavanh T. Keovorabouth, a Diné and Laotian PhD student at Oregon State University, where they study Two-Spirit wellbeing, Native and Queer urbanization, BIPOC Masculinities, and MMIW…

Navajo Elder Phyllis Smith is an educator, breast cancer survivor, and patient advocate. Phyllis explains how her medical team, family support, and healthy dose humor helped her heal from cancer. “To see me here tells you that cancer, you can beat it. There’s all different ways, it depends on yourself. You’ve got to be determined, you’ve got to set…

Dr. Jenny Richards, an Assistant Scientist at the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health, shares how Indigenous strengths-based research counters harmful narratives around coming of age, menstruation, and toxic masculinity. “Reinforcing how much social support we have in our culture, in our ceremonies, in the way we raise our children [...…

Taos Pueblo Doula Aspen Mirabal joins us for a conversation about birth equity, decolonizing birthing spaces, and supporting our birthing relatives. She shares her journey in birth work and talks about the unique role of doulas in re-matriating cultural traditions and ancestral birthing practices. Aspen Mirabal is the eldest of three daughters from…

Dr. Amanda Bruegl, a member of the Stockbridge and Oneida Nations, shares why cancer screening and cancer prevention are so important for our Native peoples, and how providers can be more sensitive to our unique cultural needs. She explains how to advocate for yourself and your body during visits with a health provider: “Bring a friend, bring your …

Karla Decker-Sorby, a Public Health Nurse and Dakota Elder, shares important lessons about living in a good way, paying respect to our Elders, and building reciprocal relations with our communities. “With menopause”, Karla explains, came “the best years of my life”; she learned to fully embrace who she is, and give her best with the gifts she was g…

Delilah Robb (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians) talks about her work as a community health educator. She explains why community-driven health promotion is at the center of healing, and how traditional stories teach us to honor our bodies and sexuality. Delilah Robb is pursuing her Masters of Public Health in the Maternal and Child Health pr…

Mary Kathryn Nagle (Citizen of the Cherokee Nation) answers questions about the legal framework around the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit. She explains how a 1978 Supreme Court decision failed to protect Native people from violence perpetrated by non-Natives, and what has happened since to restore Tribes’ r…

Tara Maudrie ​(MSPH​), a Sault Ste. Marie Ojibwe PhD student at the Johns Hopkins ​​​​​​​Bloomberg School of Public Health, discusses food sovereignty in an Urban Native context. She points out that our relationship with food consists of more than the things we eat and encompasses our relationships to land, water, air, and all living beings. Tara r…

Traditional healing methods and teachings are at the center of Indigenous wellbeing. They can support Indigenous people diagnosed with cancer. Linda shares her story of being both a traditional practitioner and overcoming a cancer diagnosis. She knows the manner in which difficult news such as a cancer diagnosis is delivered matters, and reminds us…

Ashley Phelps-Garcia teaches us about the importance and joy of living in ceremony and community. During the boarding school era, many of our relatives were made to feel ashamed of who they were as Native people. Indigenous practices and ways of knowing were banned. Today, we are proud to be Indigenous. Our ceremonies allow us to heal and grow indi…

Dr. Jules Koostachin reminds us that stories about our bodies are alive and carry agency, especially during times of change. These transitions are individual experiences, and call us to be present in our bodies. Jules allows us to dig deeper into the question, “When signs of menopause begin, how do we find support from our communities?” Dr. Jules A…

Sexual wellbeing is a holistic practice of bodily autonomy. Gabrielle Evans reminds us that pleasure, communication, and sex outside of a binary are all important parts of Indigenous health. She also emphasizes the vital role of sex educators to decrease stigma and further conversations about healthy relationships. Gabrielle S. Evans, MPH, CHES, Me…

Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit have faced unfathomable violence since the arrival of settler colonialism. Dr. Blythe George, a Member of the Yurok Tribe, is here to unpack the ongoing epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women and talk about its causes while centering survivorship, resilience, and healing. Professor Blythe K. George…

Dr. Nicole Redvers creates a bridge between Indigenous and Western ways of thinking about health. Dr. Redvers reminds us that land-based practices are essential to our health wherever we are living: “By going on our healing journey, we’re automatically in healing with the land itself because we are in and of itself land.” Dr. Nicole Redvers, ND, MP…

Dr. Cutcha Risling-Baldy offers us the opportunity to explore the revitalization of ceremony that marks the passage into adulthood. Dr. Risling-Baldy speaks about the importance of uplifting our young people and honoring the ancestral strength of our bodies. She unpacks toxic eurocentric ideologies and modes of colonization and reminds us of the sa…

From creation stories to clinical spaces, Ursula Knoki-Wilson walks us through celebrating the mystery and wonder of new life. Ursula speaks to the importance of sacred birthing spaces and support during pregnancy and childbirth. Ursula’s own journey of Navajo traditional and clinical midwifery practices offers a way to think about strengths-based …

Coming soon to the Indigenae Podcast: Dr. Cutcha Risling-Baldy talks about the revitalization of Coming of Age ceremonies, the sacred nature of menstruation, and the transition to adulthood.Oleh Indigenae Podcast

Coming soon to the Indigenae Podcast: Midwife Ursula Knocki-Wilson (Navajo) speaks to the importance of sacred birthing spaces and support during pregnancy and childbirth. Her journey of Navajo traditional and clinical midwifery practices offers a way to think about strengths-based community health that ensures our generations to come.…

The Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health proudly announces the launch of Indigenae, a community-grounded podcast celebrating Indigenous Womxn’s Health and Wellbeing. Listeners can subscribe to the Indigenae Podcast on all streaming services for new episodes every Tuesday. The Indigenae podcast shares conversations with traditional practi…