Challenging Colonialism

This episode includes an interview with Tony Platt, author of The Scandal of Cal: Land Grabs, White Supremacy, and Miseducation at UC Berkeley.

Dr. Platt is the author of thirteen books and 150 essays and articles on race, inequality, and social justice in American history, among them Beyond These Walls: Rethinking Crime and Punishment in the United States; Bloodlines: Recovering Hitler’s Nuremberg Laws, from Patton’s Trophy to Public Memorial; and The Child Savers: The Invention of Delinquency.

In this interview he also discusses the book he wrote prior to this one, Grave Matters: The Cont...

This episode includes an interview with Caitlin Keliiaa about her new book, Refusing Settler Domesticity: Native Women's Labor and Resistance in the Bay Area Outing Program. Dr. Keliiaa's study explores the history of young Native women’s lives and experiences as Bay Area domestic workers through the San Francisco Bay Area Outing Program, connected with the Indian Boarding Schools.

You can find more on Dr. Keliiaa's work at her website, or follow her on her instagram.

You can purchase her book online with a 40% off discount by using the following link and discount code:

...

As we resume the Challenging Colonialism podcast after a break, we will be diving into a series of book talks with Indigenous Californian scholars and allies. We are fortunate to be in a time where there are many excellent and important studies being published. We wanted to share these works with our listeners.

The first in this series is the new book Indigenizing California Mission Art and Architectur,e, by Dr. Yve Chavez. You can find her work at the following links:

Indigenizing California Mission Art and Architecture

Visualizing Genocide: Indigenous Interventions in...

Audio from the "We will protect Juristac" event at UC Santa Cruz, hosted by the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) held on 11/9/24.

SPEAKERS:

• Valentin Lopez - Chairman of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band

• Athena Hernandez, Esq. - Tribal Member & Attorney for the Amah Mutsun Land Trust

• Alexii Sigona - Tribal Member & Chair of the Lands Committee of the Amah Mutsun Land Trust, PhD Candidate @ UC Berkeley

• Julisa Lopez, PhD - Tribal Member & UC Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellow @ UCSC

Links & Resources:

https://www.protec...

The final episode of our 3 part special series explores a variety of ways to show solidarity with Palestine, with a focus on the Indigenous People's Sunrise Gathering at Alcatraz last Fall. We are publishing during escalating police and institutional repression against Palestine solidarity encampments which are spreading rapidly on college and university campuses.

Audio editing: Daniel Stonebloom

Interviews: Martin Rizzo-Martinez

Music: G. Gonzales

Sounds recorded at Alcatraz Sunrise Ceremony, Nov 2023, by Lloyd Molina IV

Speakers:

Dr. Lila Sharif

Corrina Gould

Morning...

Part 2 of 3 part series. As a podcast focused on illuminating ongoing colonialism and genocide, we recognize the need to address genocide happening right now in occupied Palestine and to stand in solidarity. Our podcast is dedicated to amplifying the voices of Indigenous communities who are left out of official discourse. As such, it is important to amplify the voices of Palestinians right now, as the mainstream media fails to do so. Part 2 explores LandBack and Right of Return as well as the ways in which alternative media is helping illuminate what is happening right now. We are grateful for...

This three part series was inspired by the outpouring of solidarity statements and gatherings by Indigenous Californian communities. As a podcast focused on illuminating ongoing colonialism and genocide, we recognize that it is crucial to address the genocide happening right now in occupied Palestine and to stand in solidarity. Our podcast is dedicated to amplifying the voices of Indigenous communities who are frequently left out of official discourse. As such, it is important to amplify the voices of Palestinians right now, as the mainstream media fails to do so. This 3 part series is intended to amplify the voices of...

Our 10th and final episode of Season 2 extends our critique on the history of colonial acquisitions and collections with a focus on the colonial legacies of the institutions of Museums. We focus on the California Indian Museum and Cultural Center, recent movements to 'decolonize' museums as with the Museum of Us in San Diego, and discuss whether it is possible to ultimately decolonize these institutions.

Speakers:

Dr. Amy Lonetree (enrolled citizen of the Ho-Chunk Nation), Dr. Alírio Karina, Dr. Samuel Redman, Gregg Castro (t'rowt'raahl Salinan / Rumsien & Ramaytush Ohlone), Dr. Cutcha Risling-Baldy (Hupa, Yurok, Karuk), N...

Episode 9 explores the ways in which colonialism and colonial collections have impacted the development of archives, and the restrictions of these spaces. We follow the stories of Indigenous scholars who have worked to reclaim Indigenous knowledge, songs, and documents from archival collections. We also explore questions of data sovereignty, digital sovereignty, and intellectual property rights.

As discussed throughout Season 2, colonial extraction and collections have resulted in the theft of Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous bodies, and so much more. Previous episodes have explored issues of 'salvage anthropology' and repatriation. This episode shifts the focus to efforts to reclaim Indigenous...

Episode 8 features an interview with Marion Martinez and her daughter, Veronica, both of whom are members of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. They will be speaking about Marion’s great grandmother, Ascencion Solorsano de Cervantes, and mother, Martha Herrerra. Ascencion, who passed away in 1930, was the last fluent Mutsun speaker and one of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band’s beloved ancestors.

In 1929, Ascencion spent three months with Ethnographer and linguist John Peabody Harrington, who recorded thousands of pages of notes on Mutsun language, culture and history. Today, Marion, Veronica, and many other Amah Mutsun Tribal members draw on t...

Episode 7 [1:37:47] explores the complexities of what is known as Federal Recognition, and the Federal Recognition Process, which relate to Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination. This is an extremely complex topic, especially in relation to Native Californian Tribes. Our guests, Dr. Olivia Chilcote (a member of the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians), and Dr. Vanessa Esquivido (an enrolled member of the Nor Rel Muk Wintu Nation, who is also Hupa & Xicana), both have expertise in the process as it relates to their Tribes' attempts to achieve Federal Recognition. And yet, this conversation just scratches the surface of this complex...

The final part in this 3-episode series continues our focus on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), where we focus on CalNAGPRA, California’s effort to strengthen NAGPRA, as well as other steps taken to improve and refine this difficult process. But we will also hear about resistance to following through on the promises of NAGPRA as well, and hear a few longer personal narratives than in previous episodes, including all-too-rare success stories of repatriation.

As always, thank you to the guests who gave their time and shared their stories:

Dr. Brittani Or...

Part 2 in this 3-episode series continues our broad focus on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). As always, thank you to the guests who gave their time and shared their stories. This episode includes significant discussion of how ancestral remains, funerary objects, sacred items, and objects of cultural patrimony have been collected in the past, continue to be disturbed in the present, as well as the process of repatriation and reburial. This is an extremely sensitive topic, but a very important one that deals with basic human rights and respect, or the lack thereof, and we...

Part 1 in this 3-episode series focuses on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). As always, thank you to the guests who gave their time and shared their stories. This episode includes significant discussion of how ancestral remains, funerary objects, sacred items, and objects of cultural patrimony have been collected in the past, continue to be disturbed in the present, as well as the process of repatriation and reburial. This is an extremely sensitive topic, but a very important one that deals with basic human rights and respect, or the lack thereof, and we want to make...

Episode 3 continues and deepens our critique of academia's extractive and complex relationship with Native California by examining the history of one of California’s most renowned and celebrated anthropologists, Alfred L. Kroeber. Kroeber helped establish the school of Anthropology at UC Berkeley, and, up until 2021, his name adorned UC Berkeley’s Kroeber Hall. This episode examines Kroeber & his legacy, the life of a Native man known as Ishi, and the renaming of Kroeber hall, from the perspectives of Indigenous Californians.

Speakers:

Dr. Cutcha Risling-Baldy (Hupa, Yurok, Karuk)

Dr. Brittani Orona (Hoopa Valley Tribe)

Episode 2 follows the introductory episode with a deeper dive into Salvage Anthropology and its origins. Academic study of Indigenous cultures in California trace back to scholars such as Franz Boas and Aleš Hrdlička. They were both proponents of what was called ‘Salvage Anthropology’ - the belief that Indigenous communities were dying and making way for modern society. These beliefs were built upon problematic eurocentric ideas of culture and value. And, at the same time, the recordings and interviews of these early scholars are today helping some Indigenous communities reconnect with ancestral knowledge and insights. This episode delves into this c...

There is a long legacy of extractive and exploitative relationships in academic study of Indigenous California, seen clearly in the origins of the fields of anthropology, ethnography, & archaeology. These unethical relationships have resulted in colonial collections of Indigenous ancestral remains, funerary objects, songs and ceremonies, and Indigenous knowledge and wisdom, much which still has not been returned to Indigenous communities. This opening episode of Season 2 of Challenging Colonialism offers an overview of this history, helping shed light on why many Native Californians have understandable concerns about working with academics.

Speakers:

Dr. Cutcha Risling Baldy (Hupa...

Episode 1 will provide an overview of the themes we’ll cover in Season 2. We’re excited to share what we’ve been learning about anthropology, museum collections, archeology, intellectual property, rematriation, and more. You’ll hear about extractive colonial collections from Native Californians who are Challenging Colonialism in California and beyond.

Challenging Colonialism returns with Season 2 in January 2023. Stay tuned for the release date.

This preview includes the voices of:

Dr. Brittani Orona (Hupa, Hoopa Valley Tribe)

Steven Pratt (Amah Mutsun)

Annie Danis

Corrina Gould (Lisjan Ohlone)

Dr. Cutcha Risling Baldy (Hupa, Yurok, Karuk)

Gregg Castro (t’rowt’raahl Salinan/Rusein-Ramaytush Ohlone)

Alexii Sigona (Amah Mutsun)

Kanyon Sayers-Roods (Mutsun Ohlone)

Dr. Robin Gray (Ts’msyen)

Produced by Martin Rizzo-Martinez & Daniel Stonebloom

Music by G. Gonzales, Supported by Cal...

Amah Mutsun Tribal Band member Carolyn Rodriguez and Green Foothills Policy and Advocacy Director Alice Kaufman speak about the urgent need to protect Juristac--and how you can contribute.

Challenging Colonialism is produced by myself, Daniel Stonebloom & Martin Rizzo-Martinez. For this episode, Daniel conducted both interviews as well as the audio engineering and editing. All music by G. Gonzales. Introductory framing by Brittini Orona.

Follow us on twitter, subscribe, rate and review, and please share and promote this podcast, but this episode in particular, on any of the platforms you use. We want people to participate...

Nichelle Garcia (Winnemem Wintu) talks about the Run 4 Salmon, the 2022 run, its goals and its history. She also discussed inter-tribal solidarity in water and salmon protection, as well as the curriculum and mini-lessons she's contributed to and taught in schools to raise awareness of what's at stake.

Challenging Colonialism is produced by Daniel Stonebloom & Martin Rizzo-Martinez. This interview was conducted by Martin, with all audio engineering and editing by Daniel. Introductory framing by Brittini Orona.

All music by G. Gonzales.

For more information & to get involved: http://run4salmon.org/

https...

This recording is from the second half of a panel entitled “Telling the Truth of the California Missions,” which was part of the Telling and Teaching the Truth of the California Missions event, held on August 27, 2021, preceding the Mission Bell removal.

Moderator Merri Lopez- Keifer (San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians) introduced the speakers. She is Senior Advisor to the Tribal Council San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians, and introduced Dr. Lee Panich and his talk titled “Centering Ohlone Presence at Mission Santa Clara and Santa Clara University." Dr. Panich is the co-editor with Tsim Schnei...

Beginning in the 1880s, Indian Boarding Schools across the country operated with the stated goal to “kill the Indian and save the man.” These institutions were key to U.S. policies that aimed to assimilate native children by removing ties to their own cultures. This episode examines the history of the Boarding Schools that impacted thousands of Indigenous Californian children, specifically focusing on Sherman Indian High School in Riverside, Stewart Indian School in Reno, and Saint Boniface Indian School in Banning.

Speakers:

Tara Baugas (Diné), Dr. Kevin Whalen, Amanda Wixon (Chickasaw/Choctaw), Dr. Daisy Ocampo (Caz’...

This recording is from the first half of a panel entitled “Telling the Truth of the California Missions,” which was part of the Telling and Teaching the Truth of the California Missions event, held on August 27, 2021, preceding the Mission Bell removal.

Moderator Merri Lopez- Keifer (San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians) introduced the speakers. She is Senior Advisor to the Tribal Council San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians. Dr. Stanley Rodriguez and Dr. Bernard Gordillo follow:

“Impact of Missions on Language, Culture, Land Claims, and Spirituality,” Dr. Stanley Rodriguez (Kumeyaay) Director and President Kumeyaay...

In the final part of a four-part episode, we continue to examine the negative environmental and cultural impact of dams, and the Indigenous-led movement to remove them. These dams, deemed as Weapons of Mass Destruction by Chief Caleen Sisk, have devastated Salmon populations and the communities whose histories have been in relationship with Salmon since time immemorial.

Part IV ends this extended episode with a story of hope, sharing a ceremony for the return of salmon to Amah Mutsun waters after the removal of a small dam in Northern Santa Cruz County.

Speakers: Carolyn Rodriguez...

s01e03 Weapons of Mass Destruction: Removing Dams and Restoring Salmon

Dams, deemed Weapons of Mass Destruction by Chief Caleen Sisk, have devastated Salmon populations and the communities whose histories have been in relationship with Salmon since time immemorial. Compiled into one full episode examining the negative environmental and cultural impact of dams, Challenging Colonialism highlights the Indigenous-led movement to remove them.

Part I: Dams and Colonization explores the Indigenous-led movement to restore Salmon in California rivers through dam removal.

Part II: A History of Resistance defines dams as a colonial project, and...

Part III gives context to the larger California water system--and its boosters, defenders, and profiteers.

Interviewees for Part III:

Brittani Orona (Hoopa Valley Tribe)

Ron Reed (Karuk)

Dr. Beth Rose Middleton Manning

Sheridan Enomoto

Tina Calderon (Gabrieliño-Tongva and Chumash)

Joe Calderon (Tongva/Chumash

Credits: Audio engineering and editing by Daniel Stonebloom; All interviews conducted and recorded by Martin Rizzo-Martinez; Music written, performed, and recorded by G. Gonzales & Hilson Parker. Water flow audio recorded by Ariel Stonebloom.

Follow us on Twitter: @C...

Part two of a four-part episode outlines dams as a colonial project, and centers Indigenous science in the historical and ongoing indigenous resistance to eco-genocide.

Interviewees for s01e03 p. II:

Chief Caleen Sisk (Winnemem Wintu)

Brittani Orona (Hoopa Valley Tribe)

Ron Reed (Karuk)

Dr. Beth Rose Middleton Manning

Sheridan Enomoto

Marc Dadigan

& Craig Tucker

Credits:

Audio engineering and editing by Daniel Stonebloom

All interviews conducted and recorded by Martin Rizzo-Martinez

Ambient sounds recorded by...

In part one of a four part episode, we examine the negative environmental and cultural impact of hydroelectric dams, and the Indigenous-led movement to remove them. This episode explores the Indigenous-led movement to restore salmon in California rivers through dam removal. These dams, deemed Weapons of Mass Destruction by Winnemem Wintu Chief Caleen Sisk, have devastated salmon populations--and the communities whose histories have been in relationship with salmon since time immemorial.

Interviewees for s01e03 p.I:

Ron Reed (Karuk)

Brittani Orona (Hoopa Valley Tribe)

Dr. Beth Rose Middleton Manning

This episode examines the San Francisco Bay Area mounded monuments known today as the Shellmounds. These sacred sites have long histories stretching back thousands of years, but are under threat by ongoing development projects. This episode explores the history and significance of these monuments, as well as the Indigenous-led fight to protect them.

Challenging Colonialism in California is produced by Martin Rizzo-Martinez, Historian, & Daniel Stonebloom, a Public School Administrator. It is not our intention to further colonize the narrative, or to misrepresent stories that are not our own. It is our intention to create an educational resource...

This recording is the opening conversation entitled “Uncovering Difficult Histories at Santa Cruz Mission,” which was part of the Telling and Teaching the Truth of the California Missions event, held on August 27, 2021, preceding the Mission Bell removal.

This opening conversation started with comments by Amah Mutsun Tribal Chair, Valentin Lopez, followed by Dr. Martin Rizzo-Martinez, State Park Historian for the Santa Cruz District. Martin is also the co-producer of this podcast.

Music by G. Gonzales

Video of this talk can also be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxS2NYQRTNI

Te...

Episode 1 of a new podcast amplifying indigenous voices and providing context for contemporary events in California. This episode discusses the El Camino Real bells & Mission bells, their impact and legacy, and the movement for their removal. 30 minutes.

Please leave your feedback, suggestions, reviews, and include ideas for future episodes. Please share and promote the podcast in your networks.

For more information: https://removethebells.org/

Interviews were recorded by Martin Rizzo-Martinez & Alexii Sigona

Audio engineering and editing by Daniel Stonebloom

Music in this episode was created by Bernard Gordillo & Hilson...