Top 10 Indigenous Podcasts
The current renaissance in Indigenous-authored podcasts is part of a global movement for Indigenous peoples to not only share their stories but to also have agency over the representation of their stories.
‘Indigenous podcasts have emerged as a tool to ‘decolonize the airwaves.’ — Taylor Mitchell, The Grassroots Journal
At RAVEN, we’re excited to share the work of friends and movement leaders who are breaking boundaries in podcasting.
Here are some of their great podcasts to check out. Have a listen while shoveling snow, tending to the fire, making a fresh pot of tea or going for a walk!
What better way to nurture a deeper, intersectional understanding of current events than with the perspective of Indigenous news hosts on the podcast, ‘Native Opinion’ Without critical historical context and diversity of perspectives, it can be difficult to grasp the entirety of current events as they relate to Indigenous peoples, decolonization and culture. Check out this podcast for a refreshing way to inform and equip yourself with deeper political analysis and cultural offerings.
From the show notes: “Native Opinion is a unique education, entertainment and informational radio show and podcast. Hosts, Michael Kickingbear, of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, and, David GreyOwl, a member of the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama, present an Indigenous view on American history, politics and culture, and how those things impact and shape Native American lives.”
Via Native Opinion
In 2020 RAVEN launched a podcast aimed at unpacking the stories and champions behind the legal challenges we support. Season One featured luminaries like Dr. John Borrows, Bruce McIvor, and Sarain Fox along with music by Cris Derksen, Serena Ryder, Chantal Kreviazuk and Jeremy Dutcher. Check out the podcast and subscribe to get Season 2 – starting January 2021.
From the show notes: “The Red Nation is a coalition of Native and non-Native activists, educators, students, and community organizers advocating Native liberation. Formed to address the marginalization and invisibility of Native struggles within mainstream social justice organizing, and to foreground the targeted destruction and violence towards Native life and land. The Red Nation Podcast features discussions on Indigenous history, politics, and culture from a left perspective. Hosted by Nick Estes.”
Via The Red Nation
Storytelling is one of the most effective and age-old ways to learn, remember and nurture relations. Many of us recall fond memories of gathering over cups of coffee, crowded around small tables with family and friends, relishing in gripping tales and teachings. The podcast, “Coffee with My Ma” evokes a similar sentiment; plus, the host’s mother is an inspiring warrior herself with a life full of powerful stories.
From the show notes: ““Coffee with my Ma is a podcast created by actress Kaniehtiio Horn that places the audience at the kitchen table with her and her mom, Kahn-Tineta Horn. Kahn-Tineta Horn has always told great stories about her life as a model in the 1960s, and as a fierce advocate for Mohawk rights.”
Via CBC Radio
Ryan McMahon is one funny guy, but his wit is backed by serious journalistic smarts and a storyteller’s instincts. RAVEN has been collaborating with Ryan for the past year to develop “At Home on Native Land,” a video series that aims to bring a light touch to deadly serious issues around decolonizing the law.
From the show notes: “Red Man Laughing, created, written and hosted by Anishinaabe comedian, Ryan McMahon, is an Indigenous arts and culture podcast rooted squarely at the intersection between the good, the bad and the ugly between Indian Country and the mainstream.”
Via Red Man Laughing
Community and relationality is one of the most important ways to repair the harms of individualism. We are stronger together and will protect the places we feel connected to. This podcast dives deep into the multitude of ways we can connect and nurture relations, with one another, and with the land and all beings.
From the show notes: “All My Relations is a podcast hosted by Matika Wilbur (Swinomish and Tulalip) and Adrienne Keene (Cherokee Nation) to explore our relationships— relationships to land, to our creatural relatives, and to one another. Each episode invites guests to delve into a different topic facing Native American peoples today.”
Via All My Relations
Popular, mainstream cultural mediums — from news and television to science fiction — can perpetuate subconscious biases and harmful stereotypes. In this podcast, these brilliant hosts challenge listeners to deconstruct the genre of sci-fi, and provide a compelling, decolonial lens to understand the popular cultural mediums we so readily consume.
From the show notes: “What happens when two Métis women, who happen to be sci-fi nerds, drink wine and deconstruct the science fiction genre from a decolonial lense? Molly Swain & Chelsea Vowel break down tropes, themes & the hidden meanings behind the whitest genre of film & television we’ve ever known.”
Via Metis in Space
The journey of decolonization is full of continuous learning and unlearning. For many this begins with reconciling the gaps in an early education that failed to adequately represent the history of Canada that displaced and dispossessed Indigenous peoples. Equip yourself with knowledge and feel empowered to continue on this learning journey with the podcast, ‘The Secret Life of Canada.’ It’s a great and essential show that unpacks the complexities of Canada’s tarnished history.
From the show notes: “The Secret Life of Canada highlights the people, places and stories that probably didn’t make it into your high school textbook. Join hosts Leah and Falen as they explore the unauthorized history of a complicated country.”
Via CBC Radio
This podcast covers all of the important bases for decolonized media: from Indigenous journalistic representation with an incredible host, Rebecca Nagle, to its deep dive into investigating the justice system with the assassination of a Cherokee leader. The questions of justice, Indigenous leadership and treaty rights are still important to understand today. With this historic investigation, witness the parallels present today and how understanding historic truth can restore justice today.
From the show notes: “An 1839 assassination of a Cherokee leader. A 1999 small town murder. Two crimes collide in a Supreme Court case that will decide the fate of one man and nearly half of the land in Oklahoma. Hosted by Rebecca Nagle, Oklahoma journalist and citizen of Cherokee Nation, This Land traces how a cut and dry homicide opened up an investigation into the treaty rights of five Native American tribes. Tune in to Crooked Media’s 8-episode series to find out how this unique case could result in the largest restoration of tribal land in U.S. history.”
Via This Land
Too often, cases of missing Indigenous Peoples are left unresolved and minimally investigated. It’s important for settlers to begin to understand the shortcomings of the justice system and racial stereotypes that minimize the well-being of Indigenous children. Youth are the promise of the future: this podcast underscores the importance of justice by investigating what has gone terribly wrong in the past.
From the show notes: “Where is Cleo? Taken by child welfare workers in the 1970’s and adopted in the U.S., the young Cree girl’s family believes she was raped and murdered while hitchhiking back home to Saskatchewan. CBC news investigative reporter Connie Walker joins the search to find out what really happened to Cleo.”
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