In this episode, we offer prayers for Southern California and reflect on the legacy of Deb Haaland, the first Native American Interior Secretary. We honor her transformative work for Native communities, public lands, and environmental justice. The episode also shines a light on Leonard Peltier’s case, his sacrifices, and the growing call for clemency by President Biden. Featuring a powerful story from Native News Sun by Grouchy Gourmet and an exploration of the role of music in advocacy, this episode is a heartfelt tribute to resilience, justice, and hope.

Today’s episode of Heart of the Earth focuses on remembering the Wounded Knee Massacre, which took place on December 29, 1890. We will also discuss the commemorative horse rides held to honor this history. Additionally, we’ll explore how ceremonies that were and still are integral to Native American culture were once criminalized. Finally, we’ll share a statement from Chuck Hoskin Jr., Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, on the importance of reclaiming school lands.

In this episode, we explore the growing pressure on President Biden to grant clemency for Leonard Peltier, a pivotal figure in Native American rights. We also discuss the president’s historic decision to designate the Carlisle Indian Industrial School as a national monument, acknowledging its profound legacy. Plus, we celebrate the creativity and cultural contributions of Native artists shaping contemporary art and storytelling. Join us for a powerful conversation on justice, history, and Indigenous resilience.

Today on “Heart of the Earth,” I spoke with Earl Tulley, Vice President of the Navajo Water Rights Commission. We discussed the ongoing struggle of the Navajo people to secure the water rights they are owed, as well as the critical House and Senate bills aimed at addressing this long-standing issue. Later in the episode, I shared a fascinating story from Wild Rice of the Ojibwe Nation about her personal experiences with ETs. It’s an episode that blends advocacy, history, and the unexplained — all at the heart of the Earth.

In this powerful episode, we confront the whitewashed narrative of Thanksgiving taught in schools and expose the fairytales that mask a history of land theft, betrayal, and brutality. We explore the real story of the Pilgrims’ arrival in America — a disaster for the colonized and a boon for the colonizers — and its lasting impact on Indigenous communities.

Listeners will learn about the origins of the annual sunrise event celebration on Alcatraz Island, a tradition rooted in Indigenous resistance and activism. We’ll discuss how this gathering serves as a modern-day reminder of colonial injustices and a call for healing generational wounds.

We also highlight Native American Heritage Month as a time to amplify the voices of Indigenous storytellers like Tommy Orange, whose work sheds light on the enduring legacy of brutality against Native protestors and the resilience of Indigenous cultures.

This episode challenges listeners to rethink school Thanksgiving activities that perpetuate the “Thanksgiving Lie” and invites educators, parents, and students to confront the truth. By examining the real history of Thanksgiving, we seek to honor Indigenous communities and support ongoing efforts for justice and recognition.

Join us for an eye-opening journey into the untold stories of resistance, survival, and the ongoing fight for Indigenous rights.