>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS IS PROVIDED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

>> Nash: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, INDIGENOUSLY POSITIVE.

WE HIGHLIGHT THE SERIES OUR COLLABORATION WITH NEW MEXICO IN DEPTH TO SPOTLIGHT UPLIFTING STORIES ABOUT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

>> White Jr.:I THINK THAT THERE'S AN EASY WAY TO DEPICT NATIVES, NATIVE PEOPLE, AS STEREOTYPES AND AS PEOPLE STUCK IN THE PAST.

NATIVE CULTURES AND NATIVE PEOPLE ARE CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.

>> Nash: AND A LOOK BACK AT THE STORY THAT STARTED IT ALL, WHICH RECENTLY RECEIVED NATIONAL RECOGNITION.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M NASH JONES.

THROUGHOUT THE LAST YEAR, WE'VE BROUGHT YOU STORIES OF NATIVE JOY AND HOPE THROUGH THE INDIGENOUSLY POSITIVE SERIES.

THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN US AT NMPBS AND NONPROFIT NEWS ORGANIZATION NEW MEXICO IN DEPTH SEEKS TO CHANGE COMMON NARRATIVES SPUN ABOUT NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES IN THE NEWS MEDIA.

TOO OFTEN, NEWS STORIES ABOUT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND CULTURES RELY ON RACIST TROPES.

OVER-EMPHASIZED TRAUMA AND STRUGGLE, OR SIMPLY NOT TOLD AT ALL.

NEW MEXICO IN DEPTH INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS AND SERIES HOST BELLA DAVIS OF THE YUROK TRIBE, AND NMPBS PRODUCER BENJAMIN YAZZA, WHO IS DINÉ, HAVE TAKEN US TO POWPOWS AND MARKETS AND INTRODUCED US TO CLIMATE ORGANIZERS AND LANGUAGE PRESERVATIONISTS THROUGHOUT THE SERIES.

THIS WEEK, WE REVISIT THOSE STORIES IN A SPECIAL EPISODE OF NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, HIGHLIGHTING THE INDIGENOUSLY POSITIVE SERIES.

WE START WITH THE EPISODE THAT EXPLORED THE QUESTION AT THE HEART OF THIS PROJECT, WHY DON'T WE TALK ABOUT NATIVE JOY?

HERE'S BELLA.

>> Bella: FROM RACIST NARRATIVES TO LEAVING US OUT ENTIRELY, THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE WAY MOST OF THE NEWS MEDIA HAS REPORTED ON NATIVE AMERICANS AND OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> Ptisawquah: I WOULD JUST LIKE FOR MORE PEOPLE TO REALIZE THAT WE ACTUALLY EXIST.

BECAUSE EVEN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES ISN'T REALLY ACCURATE.

AND SOMETIMES TALK ABOUT US AS A HISTORICAL PEOPLE, BUT WE'RE STILL HERE.

AND WE'RE STILL THRIVING.

AND WE'RE DOING WONDERFUL THINGS.

PEOPLE TALK ABOUT US AND WHEN THEY DO TALK ABOUT US, IT'S USUALLY THOSE POOR INDIANS, RIGHT?

OR THOSE DRUNKS, OR ALL THE STEREOTYPES THAT GO WITH THAT.

>> White Jr.: I THINK THAT THERE'S AN EASY WAY TO DEPICT NATIVES, NATIVE PEOPLE, AS STEREOTYPES AND AS PEOPLE STUCK IN THE PAST, BUT I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT NATIVE CULTURES AND NATIVE PEOPLE ARE CONSTANTLY EVOLVING AND EXISTING IN THE MODERN WORLD AND DOING DIFFERENT THINGS RELATED TO THEIR CULTURE AND NOT RELATED TO THEIR CULTURE.

>> Eustace: IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE A LOT MORE POSITIVITY WHEN IT COMES TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

ABOUT THEM, YOU KNOW, WORKING ON THEIR FUTURE AND THEN MAYBE STARTING UP SMALL BUSINESS-OWNED BUSINESSES FOR THEMSELVES.

>> Pope-Lopez: I WOULD LOVE TO SEE PEOPLE AS MAYBE LESS AS A STEREOTYPE.

YOU KNOW, THE PERSON RUNNING AROUND WITH BEADWORK AND FEATHER IN OUR HAIR.

WE COME IN EVERY COLOR.

I'M VERY LIGHT-SKINNED, BUT I'M STILL HALF-NATIVE.

>> Johnny-Wadsworth: LESS TRAUMA PORN AND MORE CELEBRATORY STORIES.

SHARING PEOPLE'S SUCCESSES, ESPECIALLY WITH ENTREPRENEURS AND YOUNG BUSINESS OWNERS AND MORE WAYS TO INSPIRE YOUTH.

>> Burnside: JUST BEING NAVAJO AND A WOMAN, I FEEL LIKE I ALREADY HAVE A STEREOTYPE ON MY BACK.

SO, THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO SEE LESS OF.

MORE POSITIVITY.

>> Bella: THAT'S WHAT A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE FROM TRIBAL NATIONS HERE IN NEW MEXICO AND BEYOND SAID WHEN I ASKED RECENTLY WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE MORE OR LESS OF IN NEWS STORIES ABOUT NATIVE AMERICANS.

I'M BELLA DAVIS, A YUROK TRIBAL MEMBER AND INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS REPORTER AT THE NONPROFIT NEWSROOM NEW MEXICO IN DEPTH.

FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, I'VE BEEN WRITING LOTS OF STORIES ABOUT TRAGEDIES AND DISPARITIES.

LIKE INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND RELATIVES GOING MISSING AND BEING MURDERED AT HIGH RATES.

I DON'T PLAN TO STOP DOING THAT REPORTING, BUT I'VE ALSO BEEN THINKING ABOUT SOMETHING A LOT OF MY FELLOW NATIVE JOURNALISTS HAVE QUESTIONED, THAT THERE ISN'T NEARLY ENOUGH FOCUS IN OUR LINE OF WORK ON INDIGENOUS JOY, RESILIENCE, AND ACHIEVEMENTS.

THIS SERIES IS ALL ABOUT TELLING THOSE STORIES.

FOR THIS FIRST EPISODE, WE DID WANT TO ASK NATIVE PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT WORRIES THEM.

WE THINK THAT UNDERSTANDING THOSE CONCERNS IS IMPORTANT CONTEXT FOR ALL THE POSITIVITY THAT ALSO EXISTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> Moquino: I JUST HAPPEN TO LIVE IN THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT WHICH, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT CULTURES THERE.

YOU GOT LOT OF NATIVE, MAINLY NATIVES, YOU GOT LOT OF HISPANICS, YOU GOT BLACK PEOPLE.

BUT THE ONE THING ABOUT IT IS IT SEEMS TO BE ONE OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT GETS LOOKED OVER.

YOU KNOW, THE FENTANYL CRISIS REALLY HIT THE NEIGHBORHOOD REALLY BAD.

OUR CHILDREN HAVE TO SEE THAT DAY IN, DAY OUT.

WHEN WE'RE TAKING THEM TO SCHOOL, OR WHEN WE'RE TAKING THEM TO GO GET SOMETHING TO EAT, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

THESE KIDS 'GOTTA TO SEE THIS.

BUT THE ONE IN THE ABOUT IT IS THAT'S WHY I PUSH WITH MY ART TO REALLY GIVE THESE CHILDREN SOMETHING TO LOOK UP TO BECAUSE IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER WHAT YOUR ENVIRONMENT REALLY LOOKS LIKE, YOU CAN STILL THRIVE IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT'S NOT IDEAL.

>> Pope-Lopez: PEOPLE WATCHING OVER THE PLANET.

YOU KNOW, SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS THROWING AWAY YOUR TRASH, YOU KNOW, THAT REALLY WORRIES ME WHEN, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING IS GETTING WARMER, IT'S GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO FIND CLEAN WATER.

AND PEOPLE JUST, YOU KNOW, TAKE THE INITIATIVE.

IF YOU SEE TRASH ON THE STREET, PICK IT UP.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME.

>> White Jr.: I DO GET A LITTLE WORRIED SOMETIMES WHEN I SEE A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT AND UNSUSTAINABLE URBANIZATION, I GUESS.

JUST A LOT OF LIKE SUBURBS POPPING UP.

>> Ptisawquah: ALL OF THE WHITE PERVERSION WE LIVE IN EVERY DAY.

BECAUSE EVEN HAVING TO COME TO EVENTS LIKE THIS, IT'S STILL A FORM OF CAPITALISM.

EVERY DAY WE WAKE UP, WE'RE INUNDATED WITH THINGS THAT AREN'T FROM OUR CULTURE.

THEY'RE NOT PART OF WHO WE ARE.

>> M. Lonjose: YOU COULD WALK AROUND, GO PLAY.

WE USED TO GO PLAY OUTSIDE.

GO IN THE HILLS AND NOT A WORRY TO -- YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY.

MAYBE OUR PARENTS STILL DID.

>> G. Lonjose: LESS MONEY.

YOU COULD WALK AROUND WITH A DOLLAR AND EAT FOR A WEEK.

>> M. Lonjose: EXACTLY.

UH-HUH.

WE ALWAYS HAD SANDWICHES, SOMETHING TO DRINK, HUNG AROUND WITH OUR COUSINS AND PLAYED ALL DAY.

NOWADAYS, WE'RE LIKE WHERE IS SHE?

WHERE DID THEY GO?

>> Burnside: I WORRY ABOUT THE HOMELESS A LOT.

I THINK JUST GROWING UP IN GALLUP I SEE IT ALL THE TIME.

I'VE ALWAYS WISHED THERE WAS A PLACE THAT I COULD MAKE FOR THEM TO GO THAT THEY KNOW THEY HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO.

SOMEWHERE SAFE, SOMEWHERE TO LAY THEIR HEADS AT NIGHT, SOMEWHERE TO EAT.

BESIDES EVERYTHING THEY'RE GOING THROUGH, THERE'S A REASON WHY THEY'RE OUT THERE.

SO, I WORRY ABOUT THE HOMELESS A LOT.

>> Nez: DEFINITELY GRAB HIS TOMATOES HERE.

AND THEY ARE FIVE DOLLARS A BAG.

I DO BELIEVE SO.

SO DEFINITELY GRAB YOUR TOMATOES HERE, FOLKS.

WELL, THE MAIN THING THAT WORRIES ME MOST IS, YOU KNOW, BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY.

MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD.

THAT THEY ARE SAFE IN THAT WAY, YOU KNOW?

JUST MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE, YOU KNOW, FINANCIAL SECURITY.

>> Johnny-Wadsworth: A LOT OF THINGS.

I AM A GREEN CARD HOLDER.

I'M HERE ON A J-TRAINING STATUS.

SO, YOU KNOW, THE ENVIRONMENT OF POLITICS WORRIES ME A LITTLE BIT.

I'M ALSO A QUEER WOMAN, SO MY SAFETY IS ALWAYS A WORRY.

AND I TOOK CARE OF MYSELF IN A REALLY GOOD WAY AND I HAVE REALLY GOOD TEACHINGS AND GOOD MEDICINE BEHIND ME.

BUT THERE'S STILL ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, A THREAT TO WHO I AM JUST FOR EXISTING.

BUT OTHER THAN THAT, YEAH, I MOSTLY JUST WORRY ABOUT MY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES AS WELL WHO IDENTIFY THE SAME WAY.

QUEER FEMMES, MOSTLY.

>> Bella: OUR IDEA FOR THIS SERIES ISN'T TO IGNORE OR GLOSS OVER ANY OF WHAT YOU JUST HEARD.

IT'S ABOUT CELEBRATING, THAT DESPITE CENTURIES-LONG EFFORTS TO ERASE US AND ONGOING INJUSTICES WE'RE STILL HERE.

WITH THAT, IT WAS IMPORTANT TO US TO ASK EVERYONE WE TALKED WITH ABOUT WHAT BRINGS THEM JOY.

>> M. Lonjose: WE TRY TO SPEND OUR TIMES TOGETHER, DURING THE WEEKEND AND STUFF.

>> G. Lonjose: IN GENERAL, LAST NIGHT, THE BALLOON GLOW, OR THE CASINO IF WE CAN.

JUST KIDDING.

>> M. Lonjose: YEAH.

CASINO.

AND WE'LL GO TO HER HOUSE FOR LUNCH OR DINNER, YOU KNOW, WE MOSTLY DO THAT SOMETIMES.

NOT ALL THE TIME, BUT WE ALWAYS TRY TO.

>> Nez: ANOTHER $500 TO A LUCKY WINNER LATER ON HERE TODAY.

>> Nez: THE THING THAT BRINGS ME JOY IS BEING AROUND THE PEOPLE THAT I LOVE AND CARE ABOUT.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW, HAVING CATTLE, BEING AROUND LIVESTOCK, BEING AROUND ANIMALS.

BECAUSE, BASICALLY, I GREW UP WITH A FAMILY BACKGROUND OF CATTLE PEOPLE.

>> Burnside: JUST BEING AROUND KIDS KNOWING THAT I TAUGHT THEM SOMETHING NEW.

THEY HAVE NO FILTER.

IF YOU WORK WITH KIDS, YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I MEAN.

I DON'T HAVE ANY OF MY OWN.

I LOVE MY NIECES AND MY NEPHEWS.

WHEN I WORK HERE, THEY ARE KIDS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH A LOT.

AND IT'S SO AMAZING HOW THEY CAN PUT ALL THAT STUFF ASIDE AND KIND OF FIND THEIR JOY AND THEIR LAUGHTER.

AND STILL CRACK JOKES.

THEY STILL FIND THAT HUMOR IN THEMSELVES, AND I'M ABLE TO BRING THAT OUT WITH THEM.

>> Pope-Lopez: I JUST LOVE SHOWING UP TO INDIGENOUS EVENTS, SEEING THE ART, TALKING WITH THE PEOPLE.

MY FAVORITE THING IS JUST SEEING OTHER ARTISTS, YOU KNOW, DO THEIR WORK.

A LOT OF US HERE, THIS IS HOW WE MAKE A LIVING.

>> White Jr.: MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS, AND THE LAND.

I LIKE TO BE OUTSIDE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

AND JUST CONNECT WITH NATURE.

JUST BE AN EXPLORER, GO HIKING WITH MY DOG, AND YEAH, JUST BE IN MY COMMUNITY.

JUST BE OUT AND AT EVENTS AND DOING THINGS, MEETING PEOPLE, TALKING TO PEOPLE.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES ME MOST FULFILLED.

>> Ptisawquah: WHAT BRINGS ME JOY?

BEING AROUND MY PEOPLE.

100 PERCENT.

GETTING TO HEAR INDIGENOUS ARTISTS PLAY, RIGHT, AND LIKE SEE THEM SHINE IN ALL OF THEIR GREATNESS AND SHARING THEIR GIFTS WITH THE WORLD, IT MEANS A LOT TO ME.

I TRAVEL AROUND THE FOUR CORNERS A LOT TO WATCH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE PLAY MUSIC.

>> Johnny-Wadsworth: I WORK WITH TRADITIONAL PLANT MEDICINE IN MY TERRITORY.

SO, BEING ON THE LAND HARVESTING.

IF I GET TO BE A PART OF CANOE JOURNEY WHERE I COME FROM, BE OUT ON THE WATER, JUST LAND-BASED ACTIVITIES AND JUST GROUNDING MYSELF WITH PEOPLE AND THINGS THAT ARE JUST LIKE SO COMFORTING TO ME.

I ALSO HAVE A PUPPY, A DOG.

AND HE'S LIKE REALLY REMINDS ME TO BE THERE FOR HIM.

BECAUSE HE'S SO NEEDY.

SO, I DON'T HAVE CHILDREN, I DON'T HAVE A PARTNER, BUT HE KEEPS ME IN A REALLY GOOD HEAD SPACE.

>> Moquino: SO, THE MAIN THING THAT BRINGS JOY TO MY LIFE THAT ACTUALLY TURNED IT AROUND WAS MY ART.

BECAUSE BEFORE THEN, ALL I DID WAS -- I WAS A PROFESSIONAL DRINKER, YOU COULD SAY.

I LIVED A TROUBLED LIFE.

CHILDHOOD, I WAS HOMELESS.

STARTED DRINKING AROUND THE AGE OF 8.

I JUST QUIT DRINKING ABOUT -- GOING ON SIX YEARS AGO.

SO, WHEN I PUT DOWN THE BOTTLE, I PICKED UP THE PAINTBRUSH.

THAT'S WHERE THIS COMES IN, RIGHT HERE.

PUT DOWN THE BOTTLE, PICKED UP THE PAINTBRUSH.

>> Jeff: BELLA AND BEN, WELCOME.

>> Bella: THANKS.

>> Jeff: SO, LET'S TALK FOR A SECOND ABOUT WHAT FOLKS JUST SAW.

BELLA, WHAT ANIMATED SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALL WERE ASKING PEOPLE OUT IN THE FIELD?

>> Bella: YEAH, I REALLY STARTED THINKING ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR.

YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN AT NEW MEXICO IN DEPTH REALLY FOCUSED ON INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS FOR OVER TWO YEARS.

AND I KIND OF JUST STARTED THINKING -- IT'S SOMETHING I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT, I GUESS, ALL ALONG THE WAY.

BUT SO MUCH OF WHAT I'VE BEEN WRITING ABOUT IS DISPARITIES AND TRAGEDIES AND RECENTLY IT'S BEEN LOT OF REPORTING ABOUT THE MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND RELATIVES CRISIS.

WHICH I THINK IS, OBVIOUSLY, INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT WORK.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN UNDERREPORTED FOR DECADES, BUT I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'VE HEARD OTHER INDIGENOUS JOURNALISTS WITH MORE EXPERIENCE TALK ABOUT, TOO, OF HOW HARMFUL THAT HAS BEEN TO OUR COMMUNITIES FOR SUCH A LONG TIME.

THAT FOCUS ON THE NEGATIVE AND I GUESS, HISTORICALLY, REALLY FOCUSING ON THE STEREOTYPES ON VIOLENCE, ALCOHOLISM.

SO I KIND OF STARTED THINKING ABOUT WHAT COULD WE DO DIFFERENTLY.

SO, YEAH, I THINK TO START I JUST WANTED TO GET A SENSE OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT DO -- WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS WITH THE WAY THAT NEWS COVERAGE HAS WORKED?

AND, YEAH, WHAT ARE PEOPLE'S IDEAS FOR WHAT WE CAN DO DIFFERENTLY?

WHAT DO PEOPLE WANT TO SEE?

I THINK THAT WAS THE STARTING POINT.

>> Jeff: BEN, WHAT FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE GOT YOU INTERESTED ONCE THIS IDEA SORT OF FLASHED ACROSS YOUR RADAR SCREEN?

WHAT HELPED YOU, SORT OF, THINK ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE ASKED?

>> Ben: I THINK, SIMILAR TO BELLA, IT WAS KIND OF LIKE WHEN YOU, AS A NATIVE PERSON, ARE LOOKING AT THE NEWS, THERE'S VERY TRAUMATIC STORIES GOING ON.

AND I THINK HOW WE WERE WANTING -- I WAS WORKING ON ANOTHER SERIES PRIOR TO THIS, MEETING SOME OF THOSE AS A PRODUCER.

A LOT OF THEM CAME TO ME SAYING, "OH, YOU REMIND ME OF MY SON."

"YOU REMIND ME OF A RELATIVE I HAVE."

AND I THINK A LOT OF IT CAME WITH SOME WHOLESOMENESS TO IT.

AND JUST GOING THROUGH THAT, AND THEN ALSO JUST BEING LIKE WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT TRAUMA AS MUCH BECAUSE THAT'S JUST NOT WHAT IS NEEDED AT THE TIME.

I THINK WHEN BELLA CAME TO ME WITH THIS IDEA, IT WAS LIKE HOW CAN WE TELL A STORY WITHOUT INFORMING TRAUMA AT THE BEGINNING, AND HOW CAN WE CENTER JOY IN THAT?

AND I THINK WHEN I HEARD THAT, I WAS JUST LIKE THIS IS LITERALLY SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS AS NATIVE JOURNALISTS, WEEKLY.

HOW CAN WE ANALYZE MORE JOYFUL STORIES IN THE NEWSROOM?

>> Jeff: I WANT TO GET BACK TO JOY IN JUST A MOMENT.

ANOTHER THING I WANT TO ASK, OBVIOUSLY, THE THREE OF US KIND OF WORKED TOGETHER ON WHAT QUESTIONS DO WE WANT TO ASK PEOPLE.

WE REALLY DISTILLED THOSE AND THOUGHT ABOUT WAYS TO SIMPLIFY THE QUESTIONS, AND ASK THEM IN A SUPER OPEN-ENDED FASHION.

IN TERMS OF THE RESPONSES YOU GOT BACK IN THIS FIELD REPORTING YOU DID, WHAT WERE SOME OF THE BIG THEMES THAT EMERGED AS FOLKS THOUGHT THROUGH THOSE QUESTIONS?

>> Bella: YEAH, I THINK A LOT OF WHAT WE HEARD REALLY AFFIRMED I THINK WHAT BEN AND I HAD BEEN TALKING ABOUT AND LIKE BEN SAID WITH ANOTHER NATIVE JOURNALISTS, THIS IS AN ONGOING CONVERSATION.

YEAH, JUST REALLY EVERYONE WE TALKED TO, THE RESPONSE WAS THE NEWS IS SO NEGATIVE.

PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT -- YEAH, AGAIN JUST THESE STEREOTYPES.

IT'S ALCOHOLISM.

IT'S VIOLENCE.

IT'S EDUCATIONAL DISPARITIES, MAYBE.

AND A COUPLE OF THE PEOPLE I TALKED TO SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED THE CRISIS OF MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND RELATIVES, WHICH REALLY RESONATED WITH ME.

SO, YEAH, THAT WAS NOT NECESSARILY A SURPRISE.

BUT PART OF THAT QUESTION, TOO, WAS WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OF?

AND A LOT OF THAT WAS PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT WANTING TO SEE MORE COVERAGE OF EVENTS GOING ON IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, OF LANGUAGE, AND CULTURE, NATIVE ARTISTS.

SO, I THINK THAT WAS REALLY HELPFUL FOR US IN KIND OF FIGURING OUT HOW WE WANT TO MOVE THIS FORWARD.

YEAH, I THINK THAT WAS ONE OF THE BIG PIECES THAT STOOD OUT TO ME WAS, YEAH, THE NEWS IS SO NEGATIVE.

WHICH I THINK IS A FEELING A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE.

BUT I THINK IN NATIVE COMMUNITIES THAT COMES WITH SOME REALLY SPECIFIC, YEAH, CONTEXT, HISTORICAL CONTEXT.

>> Jeff: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STRUCK ME WHEN I WAS WATCHING THE PIECE, ONCE YOU GOT BACK FROM THE FIELD AND ALL OF THAT.

WHEN YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION OF WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OF IN COVERAGE, SO MANY OF THE PEOPLE YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION STARTED WITH THE IDEA OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.

IT SEEMED SO BASIC AND FUNDAMENTAL.

I WONDER HOW THAT STRUCK YOU WHEN YOU WERE IN THAT MOMENT TALKING TO PEOPLE?

>> Bella: YEAH, I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I'VE HEARD BEFORE, BUT I THINK IT WAS KIND OF A GOOD -- ALMOST A REMINDER, IN A WAY, TO ME BECAUSE I WAS COMING AT IT FROM A PLACE OF INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS IS WHAT I FOCUS ON AS A REPORTER.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT WHAT CAN WE DO DIFFERENTLY, WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS WITH COVERAGE.

BUT FOR PEOPLE TO POINT OUT TOO THERE JUST ISN'T SIMPLY ENOUGH TO BEGIN WITH, AND THE COVERAGE THAT WE DO GET IS BASED ON STEREOTYPES AND TRAUMA.

>> Jeff: BEN, LET'S GET BACK TO JOY.

YOU SAID THE WORD A COUPLE TIMES ALREADY.

I THINK YOU'VE SORT OF ANSWERED THE QUESTION ALREADY, BUT I WANT TO ASK AGAIN.

FOR YOU, WHAT WAS SO IMPORTANT?

WHAT IS SO IMPORTANT ABOUT PLACING THAT IDEA OF JOY IN THE MIDDLE OF A REPORTING PROJECT LIKE THIS?

>> Ben: I JUST THINK A LOT OF THE TIMES WE TALK ABOUT NATIVES, AND IN THE NEWSROOMS IT'S ALWAYS COMING FROM A TRAUMATIC POINT.

I THINK CENTERING JOY WAS REALLY IMPORTANT WITH OUR NEWS COVERAGE BECAUSE IT CHANGES OR MAYBE FLIPS THE SCRIPT ON WHAT IS A PRIORITY OUR ORGANIZATION.

BECAUSE IT'S ME, IT'S BELLA, IT'S JOEY, IT'S YOU.

AND I THINK THAT IF YOU GO INTO A SUBJECT JUST ASKING THAT BASIC QUESTION, IT CHANGES HOW THE RELATION BETWEEN JOURNALIST AND PATRON, JOURNALIST AND GUEST.

IT CHANGES HOW YOU MIGHT WANT TO TALK ABOUT A SUBJECT.

BECAUSE IF YOU'RE JUST GOING TO HELICOPTER JOURNALISM, OR GOING INTO THESE UNKNOWN PLACES AND JUST BEING, LIKE, "SO WHAT'S THE MOST TRAUMATIC THING YOU JUST EXPERIENCED TODAY?"

IT'S A TOTALLY DIFFERENT SHIFT IN MIND.

BUT IF YOU WENT IN JUST SAYING, "WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?"

IT CHANGES THAT.

AND I THINK THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR COVERAGE.

>> Jeff: BELLA, I WANT TO ASK.

I'VE GOT MY OWN COUPLE OF PERSONAL ANSWERS TO THIS QUESTION AS I WATCHED THE ANSWERS FROM FOLKS THAT YOU GATHERED IN THE FIELD ONE YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION: "WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?"

WERE THERE ONE OR TWO THAT SURPRISED YOU OR ARE STILL SITTING WITH YOU A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER YOU DID THOSE INTERVIEWS IN THE FIELD?

>> Bella: YEAH.

I THINK A LOT OF WHAT REALLY STOOD OUT TO ME WAS -- I MEAN, PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE WE TALKED TO SAID WHAT BRINGS ME JOY IS BEING WITH MY PEOPLE.

IT'S BEING WITH FAMILY AND CHOSEN FAMILY.

AND, ALSO, I THINK CREATING IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT.

AND I THINK THOSE ARE BOTH THINGS FOR MYSELF THAT I'VE BEEN TRYING TO MAKE MORE TIME FOR IN MY OWN LIFE.

SO, MAYBE THAT'S WHY THEY REALLY STOOD OUT TO ME.

PEOPLE ALSO TALKED ABOUT PETS WHICH, AGAIN, YEAH.

VERY MUCH RESONATED.

I DID ALSO WANT TO GO BACK TO WHAT BEN SAID.

I THINK I'M REALLY GLAD THAT WAS ONE OF OUR QUESTIONS BECAUSE I THINK, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT GOING TO THESE EVENTS AND TALKING TO PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS WITH NEWS COVERAGE AND ALSO IN YOUR OWN LIFE OR IN THE WORLD WHAT WORRIES YOU, THAT FELT LIKE -- YEAH, IT'S SORT OF LIKE WE TALK ABOUT EXTRACTION.

LIKE JOURNALISM BEING EXTRACTIVE AND ESPECIALLY IN NATIVE COMMUNITIES.

SO, IT FELT LIKE SORT OF LIKE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR TO HAVE THAT QUESTION IN THERE.

I THINK IT ALMOST CAUGHT PEOPLE OFF GUARD.

>> Jeff: IT DID SEEM TO.

IT SEEMED TO SURPRISE FOLKS WHEN YOU ASKED THAT.

>> Bella: YEAH, AND I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE FELT THE SAME WAY.

YEAH, I THINK -- YEAH, I THINK MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE ASKED KIND OF, LIKE, TOOK A MINUTE TO REALLY THINK ABOUT IT.

SO, THAT FELT REALLY SPECIAL.

>> Jeff: LET'S LOOK AHEAD, JUST A BIT.

WHAT CAN FOLKS EXPECT TO SEE NEXT FROM THIS PROJECT THAT WE'RE STANDING UP FOR THE NEXT YEAR?

>> Bella: WE HAVE A LOT OF IDEAS.

BUT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF WHAT WE HEARD WHEN WE TALKED WITH FOLKS IS A LOT OF WHAT WE WANT TO FOCUS ON OVER THE NEXT YEAR.

SOME OF THAT IS LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION, FOOD SOVEREIGNTY, YEAH.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE BIG AREAS.

>> Jeff: GOTCHA.

IN TERMS OF FORMAT, BEN, YOU BEING THAT DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER OF THIS, WHAT CAN FOLKS EXPECT TO SEE THAT IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THEY'RE USED TO SEEING ON YOUTUBE OR ON A BROADCAST TELEVISION SHOW?

>> Ben: I THINK GOING MORE TOWARDS YOUTUBE, GOING MORE TOWARDS COMMENTARY BECAUSE THAT SEEMS TO BE WHERE A LOT OF NATIVE COMMUNITIES ARE RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION AFTER THEY'VE SEEN SOMETHING.

I THINK THAT'S REALLY INTERTWINED INTO WHAT WE WANT TO DO AS JOURNALISTS, WHICH IS KIND OF LIKE HOW CAN WE BRIDGE THE GAP OF BEING TOLD A STORY, BUT ALSO WHAT'S THE NEXT STORY?

I THINK WITH THIS FIRST VIDEO THAT WE'RE RELEASING NOW, IT'S KIND OF LIKE STARTING FRESH.

ASKING GUESTS, ASKING VIEWERS, ASKING AUDIENCES WHAT DO THEY WANT TO SEE.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO OVER THE NEXT YEAR, WHICH IS KIND OF LIKE THESE ARE THE SUBJECTS WERE GIVEN TO US, AND THESE ARE THE SUBJECTS THAT WE WANT TO RELEASE.

AND I HOPE THE VIEWERS ENJOY THAT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE ALSO WANTING TO CONTINUOUSLY LEARN BECAUSE THIS IS ALSO, IN SOME WAYS, FEELS LIKE AN UNTAPPED SPACE.

WHERE IT'S OPEN FOR NEW LIFE, NEW VIDEOS, NEW BROADCASTS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> Jeff: WELL, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT IT'S A PLEASURE TO GET TO WORK WITH BOTH OF YOU ON THIS.

I THANK YOU BOTH FOR LETTING ME A PART OF IT.

AND I'M EXCITED FOR OUR AUDIENCE TO GET TO SEE MORE AS THE YEAR GOES ALONG.

THANKS A LOT.

>> Niko: POWWOW IS A WAY OF RESISTANCE, RECLAIMING OUR CULTURE.

WHEN YOU'RE URBAN, YOU'RE DISCONNECTED.

AND WE'RE BOMBARDED CONSTANTLY WITH OUR JOB, SCHOOL, HAVING TO STUDY.

OF COURSE, TECHNOLOGY ALL THE TIME.

>> Juanita: THEY NEEDED THIS FOR THESE YOUTH AND THESE LITTLE YOUNG PEOPLE.

TO GIVE THEM THIS SPACE WHERE THEY CAN COME AND LEARN THESE THINGS AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE EMBARRASSED.

THEY CAN JUST BE THEMSELVES AND BE HAPPY AND BE OPEN.

>> Nash: WE'LL LEARN ABOUT THAT POWWOW DANCE CLASS IN DOWNTOWN ALBUQUERQUE IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES.

BUT FIRST, WE REVISIT EFFORTS TO PRESERVE AND REVITALIZE LANGUAGES NATIVE TO THIS AREA.

INDIGENOUSLY POSITIVE HOST BELLA DAVIS TAKES US TO WHAT'S CALLED A LANGUAGE NEST, A DINÉ BIZAAD IMMERSION PROGRAM THAT'S PLANTING THE SEEDS OF THE NAVAJO LANGUAGE WITH ITS YOUNG STUDENTS.

>> Bella: THERE ARE EIGHT LANGUAGES INDIGENOUS TO NEW MEXICO.

AFTER A LONG HISTORY OF GENOCIDAL POLICIES, THERE'S BEEN A DRAMATIC DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF SPEAKERS.

IN THIS EPISODE OF INDIGENOUSLY POSITIVE, WE'RE EXPLORING SOME OF THE WORK HAPPENING TO PUSH BACK AGAINST THAT LOSS AND CREATE MORE SPEAKERS OF THE NAVAJO LANGUAGE DINÉ BIZAAD.

THAT BROUGHT US TO A DINÉ LANGUAGE NEST IN ALBUQUERQUE WHERE CHILDREN ARE FULLY IMMERSED IN THE LANGUAGE.

[PERSON SPEAKING IN DINÉ] [CHILDREN SPEAKING IN DINÉ] >> W. Chee: BIZAAD K'IDISHL, I TRANSLATE IT TO THE PLANTING OF LANGUAGE.

SOME PEOPLE WILL CALL IT THE PLANTING OF THE LANGUAGE SEED.

BIZAAD IS A LANGUAGE.

K'IDISHL IS THE ACT OF PLANTING.

WE'RE TRYING TO PRODUCE FIRST LANGUAGE SPEAKERS.

THAT'S OUR MAIN GOAL.

OUR MAIN PRIORITY IS TO HAVE THESE FAMILIES THAT COME IN, AND THEN THE INFANTS, YOU KNOW, BETWEEN 2 AND 3 MONTHS.

SIX, SEVEN YEARS AGO, WE STARTED THIS WORK THROUGH DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN MYSELF AND MY OLDER SISTER MARY WHITEHAIR-FRAZIER.

WE ADDED ON DR. CHEE AND DR. LEE FORMED OUR CORE GROUP.

>> Bella: DR. LEE AND DR. CHEE ARE ON THE LANGUAGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THEY'RE ALSO PART OF A TEAM OF DINÉ PROFESSORS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO FOCUSED ON LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION.

ONE OF THE THINGS THEY'RE STUDYING IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN LEARNING THE LANGUAGE AND OVERALL WELL BEING.

>> Lee: [SPEAKING IN DINÉ] >> M. Chee: [SPEAKING IN DINÉ] >> W. Chee: WE WANT NAVAJO TO BE THEIR FIRST LANGUAGE.

ENGLISH IS GOING TO COME EITHER WAY.

WE DON'T GOT NO SAY OVER THAT.

AND I'M KIND OF PRIORITIZE OUR LANGUAGE AND OUR CULTURE SO THAT THESE LITTLE ONES GET A CHANCE TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE AND THE CULTURE THEIR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS DIDN'T LEARN.

SO, WE LIMIT ENGLISH IN THERE.

SO, NO ENGLISH.

YOU CAN SPEAK SPANISH.

YOU CAN SPEAK KERES.

YOU CAN SPEAK FILIPINO.

YOU CAN SPEAK ANY OTHER LANGUAGE IN THERE EXCEPT ENGLISH.

>> Lee: I'VE ALWAYS BEEN IN SUPPORT OF, LIKE, KIND OF GROW SLOWER.

GROW SLOWER.

FEWER BABIES, AND THEN TO MOVE THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS AND BRING THEM IN WHEN THEY'RE INFANTS.

HEARING MY MOTHER AND SOME OF MY AUNTS LATER ON IN LIFE TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY WISHED THEY HAD TAUGHT THEIR CHILDREN MORE NAVAJO.

I NEVER BLAME THEM BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY INFLUENCES ON WHY A CHILD PICKS UP A CERTAIN LANGUAGE IN A COLONIAL ENVIRONMENT.

IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT'S ALWAYS OPPRESSED OUR LANGUAGE.

>> M. Chee: MY RESEARCH INTEREST IS PRIMARILY ON CHILD LANGUAGE ACQUISITION OF NAVAJO.

SO, WE WANT TO LEARN THINGS ABOUT HOW DO CHILDREN BEGIN TO LEARN NAVAJO?

HOW DO THEY ACCESS THE LANGUAGE?

LIKE WHAT DID THEY PAY ATTENTION TO?

AND IF WE CAN ANSWER SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS, AND DOCUMENT THAT, THAT INFORMATION DOWN THE ROAD COULD THEN BE, I THINK, IT COULD BE FED BACK INTO THE SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION CLASSROOM.

>> W. Chee: [SPEAKING DINÉ] >> Lee: BECAUSE WE'RE INVOLVING YOUNG CHILDREN, SO IT INVOLVES THEIR PARENTS, WE'RE REALLY SEEING THE IMPACT OF THEIR CHILDREN LEARNING NAVAJO HAS ON THE WHOLE FAMILY, PARTICULARLY THEIR PARENTS.

AND JUST THE CONNECTION THAT THEY FEEL AS WELL.

THEY'RE LEARNING NAVAJO ALONGSIDE IN A WAY, BUT THEIR CHILDREN MIGHT PROGRESS FURTHER THAN THEY WILL, AND THEY'RE REALLY PROUD OF THAT.

>> M. Chee: RELATED TO LANGUAGE AND BIZAAD, YOU KNOW, CHILDREN LEARNING TO SPEAK, TRAINING TEACHERS IS ANOTHER ONE.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT THINGS LIKE WHY IS IT GOOD FOR LANGUAGE AN WELLNESS.

YEAH, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN IN DINÉ BIZAAD.

>> W. Chee: WE REQUIRE OUR PARENTS ANYWHERE FROM 80 TO 100 HOURS A YEAR.

SO, WE'VE BEEN AT IT FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS.

I THINK THERE'S SOME PARENTS THOUGHT GOT INTO THEIR THIRD YEAR OF LANGUAGE CLASSES NOW.

WHAT WE EXPECT, WHAT WE WANT, IS 85% ATTENDANCE, LANGUAGE CLASS HOURS, BEING PART OF THE COMMUNITY, HAVING A GOOD BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDE.

AND THEN HAVING A COMMUNITY-BUILDING MINDSET.

AND ATTENDING WORKSHOPS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

WE'RE JUST TRYING TO FIND AN EFFICIENT AND SUCCESSFUL WAY TO ALSO PRODUCE SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNERS, SECOND LANGUAGE SPEAKERS.

WHETHER IT'S PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS.

WHETHER IT'S OUR CARETAKERS.

WE'VE GOT SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNERS ALL THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM TOO THAT ARE LEARNING THE LANGUAGE AND BECOMING PROFICIENT IN IT.

>> Lee: A LOT OF RESEARCH IN THE PAST HAS BEEN VERY NEGATIVE TOWARD NATIVE PEOPLE.

IT'S DONE A LOT OF HARM IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

NOW, THIS RESEARCH IS NOT EXTRACTIVE.

WE'RE NOT TRYING TO TAKE KNOWLEDGE AND BECOME FAMOUS ON IT.

NO, WE'RE TRYING TO DO RESEARCH WE ARE DINE, AND WE KNOW THIS IS OF VALUE TO OUR OWN PEOPLE.

LANGUAGE IS VERY HIGHLY RESPECTED AND VALUED.

AND THIS IS A WAY TO REALLY PUT SOME OF THOSE IDEAS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF LANGUAGE INTO PRACTICE AND SCHOOLING.

YOU KNOW, WE UNDERSTAND THAT SCHOOL ISN'T THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN LEARN NAVAJO AND SHOULDN'T BE THE ONLY PLACE YOU LEARN NAVAJO, BUT RIGHT NOW IT'S A DOMAIN WHERE CHILDREN ARE THERE MOST OF THE DAY AND WE HAVE THESE GOOD PROGRAMS THAT CAN REALLY HELP.

WE WANT TO EXPAND THAT TO OUTSIDE SCHOOL SETTINGS AND INTO FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES AND OTHER KINDS OF PROGRAMS.

>> Chee: [SPEAKING DINÉ] >> M. Chee: EVEN THOUGH NAVAJO IS DESCRIBED AS A HIGH NUMBER OF SPEAKERS, THERE'S A LOT OF FLUENT SPEAKERS, IT STILL REQUIRES A LOT OF WORK, A LOT OF SUPPORT AND TO CONTINUE TO LIKE, FOR ME, CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE SO THE LANGUAGE IS SPOKEN BY FUTURE GENERATIONS DOWN THE WAY.

GREAT GRANDCHILDREN STATUS, KIND OF THING, YOU KNOW.

LIKE WHAT CAN WE DO?

WHAT CAN WE LEAVE FOR THEM?

AND HOW CAN WE DO THAT?

EDUCATION IS A TOOL TO DO THAT.

RESEARCH IS A TOOL TO DO THAT.

[KIDS SINGING IN DINÉ] >> Nash: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR OUR INDIGENOUSLY POSITIVE SPECIAL HERE ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, HIGHLIGHTING THE MONTHLY SERIES FROM NMPBS IN COLLABORATION WITH NEW MEXICO IN DEPTH.

A FEW MONTHS BACK, SERIES HOST, NEW MEXICO IN DEPTH REPORTER BELLA DAVIS, ALONG WITH NMPBS'S BENJAMIN YAZZA AND JOEY DUNN, MET UP WITH TWO INDIGENOUS CLIMATE ORGANIZERS.

THIS WEEK, WE HEAR AGAIN ABOUT THE ROLE THAT TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND COMMUNITY PLAY IN THEIR WORK.

>> Bella: WITH SO MANY BLEAK HEADLINES, HOW DO YOU WORK THROUGH FEELINGS OF HOPELESSNESS?

WE ASKED TWO INDIGENOUS CLIMATE ORGANIZERS THAT QUESTION.

AND, SPOILER ALERT, PART OF THE ANSWER IS BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITY TIES AND FINDING STRENGTH IN THEIR ANCESTOR'S RESISTANCE.

>> Devore: I WOULD FIRST TELL THEM THAT THEIR FEELINGS ARE VALID.

AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE REALISTIC IN THAT WAY OF FEELING, MAYBE, THE SENSE OF HOPELESSNESS, EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT A GOOD FEELING.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE TRANSPARENT AND BRING AWARENESS AS TO WHAT THIS CURRENT ADMINISTRATION IS DOING, NOT JUST TO THE LIVELIHOOD OF SO MANY PEOPLE, BUT ALSO THE MENTAL STATE AND WELL-BEING OF ALL OF US.

I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DO THAT.

TO CREATE COMMUNITY WITH THE PEOPLE THAT THEY'RE A PART OF.

WHETHER THAT'S IN THEIR SCHOOLS, OR WHETHER THAT IS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD OR THE PUEBLO COMMUNITIES OR THEIR TRIBES THAT THEY COME FROM BECAUSE THE LAST THING THAT WE SHOULD BE DOING IS JUST TO CONTINUE TO FEEL HOPELESS, AS WE TALKED ABOUT.

BECAUSE THAT IS NOT GOING TO GET US ANYWHERE.

BUT WITH THAT, TOO, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR BODIES.

LISTEN TO THEIR BODIES.

AND TO LEAN INTO WHAT IS SUPPORTING US TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> Antonio: I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE A PART OF THE ECOSYSTEM.

THERE ARE MORE THINGS THAN CAPITALISM, CAPITAL AND DEFINITELY MAKING SACRIFICES IN ORDER TO FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE THAT WE WANT.

WHETHER IT BE CLEAN WATER, CLEAN AIR.

THESE THINGS THAT ARE SO -- THESE THINGS THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED EVERY DAY ARE THE VERY THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO STAND UP AND RISE UP FOR.

I BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE EVERYONE.

I FEEL LIKE DURING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WE'VE BECOME SO COMFORTABLE AND SO SEPARATE.

NOW THAT WE HAVE A VERY MUCH -- VERY FASCIST ADMINISTRATION NOW, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REALLY WORK COLLECTIVELY AND NOT WORK IN SILOS.

SO, I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE PRIVILEGES, I WOULD HAVE TO SAY, THAT WE HAVE TO REALLY LOOK AT.

BUT, ALSO, THE AMOUNT OF TECHNOLOGY WE HAVE RIGHT NOW GETTING COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.

NOT PURCHASING MORE.

REALLY BOYCOTTING A LOT OF THESE SYSTEMS THAT ARE VERY MUCH PUTTING US IN THESE VULNERABLE PLACES.

>> Bella: REYES AND CHEYENNE BOTH WORK FOR INDIGENOUS-LED GROUPS FOCUSED ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AFFECTING THEIR COMMUNITIES.

AND THEIR WORK IS VERY MUCH GUIDED BY TRADITIONAL TEACHINGS.

AT THE CORE OF MANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT RECIPROCITY.

YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY WITH PUEBLO PEOPLE, WHAT WE TAKE WE ALWAYS GIVE BACK.

AND WHEN I SAY WHAT WE TAKE, THAT MEANS LIKE WHEN WE'RE HUNTING OR WHEN WE'RE GATHERING FOOD OR GATHERING WATER, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING GIVEN BACK.

WHETHER THAT'S A PRAYER, WHETHER THAT'S A SONG, THERE'S JUST THIS ACT OF RECIPROCITY THAT HAS BEEN PRACTICED FOR CENTURIES.

AND THAT MODEL HAS SERVED INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES UP UNTIL LIKE WE BEGAN TO SEE COLONIALISM REALLY TAKE INDIGENOUS LAND BASES AND COMMODIFY THOSE RESOURCES.

SO, WHEN THERE'S THAT IMBALANCE OF THAT HAPPENING, WHAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING IS THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

SO, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT INDIGENOUS SOLUTIONS ARE UPLIFTED AND IT'S NOT JUST A PERSPECTIVE.

IT IS OUR LIVED EXPERIENCES.

>> Antonio: THE LAND CARE IS MORE THAN A JOB BECAUSE IT'S MORE OF A CULTURAL OBLIGATION.

IT'S A SACRED DUTY.

I'M JUST GRATEFUL THAT IN THIS TIME AND SPACE RIGHT NOW -- THAT IN THE TIME WE'RE IN WE'RE HERE TO DEFEND DINÉ PEOPLE.

WE'RE HERE TO DEFEND DINÉ SACRED SPACES.

OUR WATER, OUR AIR, OUR PLANTS, OUR ANIMALS, THAT WE'RE NOT ALONE.

>> Bella: THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY AND THE LEGACY OF URANIUM EXTRACTION ARE SOME OF WHAT CHEYENNE'S WORK IS CENTERED ON.

>> Devore: WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR PUEBLO LIFEWAYS AND A LOT OF OTHER INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES, WE OPERATE IN MATRILINEAL SYSTEMS.

YOU KNOW, WE PRAY TO MOTHERS.

WE PRAY TO OUR EARTH MOTHER TOO, AND THEN I ALSO THINK ABOUT ALL THE MOTHERS THAT EXIST, YOU KNOW, IN OUR COMMUNITIES TODAY.

AND THAT INCLUDES MYSELF.

I THINK ABOUT HOW WOMEN AND MOTHERS LIKE THEY ALWAYS SAY WE'RE THE BACKBONE OF OUR FAMILIES, AND WE TRULY ARE.

>> Bella: FOR REYES AND CHEYENNE, ONE OF THE FIRST STEPS OF BUILDING A BETTER WORLD, ONE WHERE ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES THRIVE AND WE'RE NOT ACTIVELY DESTROYING THE PLANET, IS BUILDING COMMUNITY.

BUT WHAT DOES THAT ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?

>> Devore: THERE'S THAT SAYING THAT SELF-CARE IS COMMUNITY CARE.

COMMUNITY CARE IS SELF-CARE TOO.

>> Bella: EVERY YEAR, PUEBLO ACTION ALLIANCE HOSTS A COMMUNITY EVENT CALLED THE HEALING CIRCLE.

THE FIRST ONE WAS HELD IN 2017 TO WELCOME BACK WATER PROTECTORS TO NEW MEXICO FROM THE STANDING ROCK PROTESTS.

>> Devore: IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE, ESPECIALLY NOW WITH THIS CURRENT ADMINISTRATION AND WHAT WE'RE FACING AS A PEOPLE, THAT WE LEAN INTO STRENGTHENING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE HOLD OR CULTIVATE NEW ONES WHERE PEOPLE CAN FEEL WELCOME AND ALSO OFFER RESOURCES TO PEOPLE, SO THAT WAY THEY ALSO ARE GETTING THEIR NEEDS MET.

AND EVEN THE MOST BASIC NEEDS, WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD OR CREATING ART OR MAKING MEALS TOGETHER.

>> Antonio: A COMMUNITY THAT GROWS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.

A COMMUNITY THAT HAULS WATER TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.

IT'S REALLY GOING BACK TO THE ROOTS AND HAVING TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

THOSE ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATIONS.

THE CONVERSATIONS WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE, BUT ALSO GIVING EVERYONE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.

GIVING EVERYONE A CHANCE.

LEARNING TO GROW TOGETHER.

LEARNING TO ORGANIZE COMMUNITY MEETINGS.

>> Devore: THIS WORK ISN'T JUST ABOUT OURSELVES.

IT'S ABOUT PROTECTING COMMUNITY.

AND IT'S ABOUT BEING GOOD DESCENDANTS OF ANCESTORS WHO FOUGHT AGAINST THE SPANIARDS FOR US TO BE HERE.

AND IT IS A REMINDER THAT WE AREN'T GOING TO CENTER ANYONE PERSON WHEN IT COMES TO THIS FIGHT.

BECAUSE WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE PUEBLO REVOLT, I THINK ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT MEETINGS AND STRATEGY THAT THEY ALL CAME TOGETHER FOR.

>> Bella: WE ALSO WANTED TO HEAR FROM REYES AND CHEYENNE WHAT BRINGS THEM JOY.

>> Devore: BEING ABLE TO GO HOME.

BEING ABLE TO GO HOME BACK TO JEMEZ TO BE A PART OF MY COMMUNITY, WHETHER THAT IS HELPING TO COOK WHEN THERE ARE THINGS HAPPENING, OR BEING ABLE TO JUST SIT WITH MY FAMILY OR MY GRANDMA, YOU KNOW, WHEN SHE'S DOING HER POTTERY.

THOSE THINGS BRING ME JOY TO HAVE THAT CULTURE TO GO BACK TO.

AND TO BE ABLE TO OFFER THAT PUEBLO CHILDHOOD TO MY SON, AND FOR HIM TO LEARN EARLY ON AS OPPOSED TO HOW I WAS MY CHILDHOOD LOOKED LIKE.

THAT DEFINITELY BRINGS JOY AND LOT OF GRATITUDE TO ME.

>> Antonio: USUALLY METAL CONCERTS, YOU SEE A BUNCH OF NATIVES EVERYWHERE.

SO, I LOVE THAT.

I LOVE IT WHEN WE THRIVE.

INDIGENOUS JOY, SEEING INDIGENOUS BRILLIANCE BEING PRACTICED, SEEING NATIVE STUDENTS GRADUATE, SEEING NATIVE FOLKS BE RECOGNIZED.

JUST SEEING INDIGENOUS PROFESSIONALS DOING THE RIGHT THING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THINGS, NOT ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THINGS.

BUT IF YOU ARE PUSHING OUR PEOPLE, AND MAKING SURE THAT WHY ARE PROTECTING OUR VALUES, I LOVE THAT.

>> Nash: A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF NATIVE AMERICANS LIVING IN NEW MEXICO ARE IN ITS URBAN CENTERS.

THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE ESTIMATES THAT ABOUT 60,000 INDIGENOUS PEOPLE FROM MORE THAN 400 TRIBAL NATIONS LIVE IN THE STATE'S LARGEST CITY.

AS WE CONTINUE TO LOOK BACK AT THE INDIGENOUSLY POSITIVE SERIES THIS WEEK, HOST BELLA DAVIS AND HER TEAM TAKE US TO A POWWOW DANCE CLASS, WHERE PARTICIPANTS SHARE KNOWLEDGE AND FIND CONNECTION IN DOWNTOWN ALBUQUERQUE.

>> Niko: THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF YEARS WE'VE BEEN HERE.

POWWOW IS A WAY OF RESISTANCE, RECLAIMING OUR CULTURE.

WHEN YOU'RE URBAN, YOU'RE DISCONNECTED.

AND WE'RE BOMBARDED CONSTANTLY WITH OUR JOB, SCHOOL, HAVING TO STUDY.

OF COURSE, TECHNOLOGY ALL THE TIME.

AND I WANTED TO PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE WHERE ADULTS AND YOUTH COULD COME AND EXPLORE THEIR CULTURE IN A POSITIVE WAY.

[DRUMS AND SINGING] >> Bella: NIKO DEROIN-SILVA IS THE OWNER OF POWWOW WELLNESS.

SHE IS TEACHING CLASSES ONCE A WEEK IN DOWNTOWN ALBUQUERQUE, WHERE FOLKS CAN CAN PRACTICE DANCING AND LEARN ABOUT ETIQUETTE AT POWWOWS, WHICH BASICALLY ARE GATHERINGS THAT FEATURE DANCING, DRUMMING, AND SINGING IN THE CELEBRATION OF INDIGENOUS CULTURES.

NIKO'S CLASS ALSO GIVES COMMUNITY MEMBERS THE CHANCE TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE WITH EACH OTHER LIKE MAKING REGALIA.

>> Juanita: THEY NEEDED THIS FOR THESE YOUTH AND THESE YOUNG PEOPLE TO GIVE THEM THE SPACE WHERE THEY CAN COME AND LEARN THESE THINGS.

AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE EMBARRASSED.

THEY CAN JUST BE THEMSELVES AND BE HAPPY AND BE OPEN AND LEARN TO DANCE AND LEARN WHAT THE SONGS ARE ABOUT AND WHAT THE DIFFERENT DANCE STYLES ARE.

>> Niko: SO, THE WORD POWWOW, THE ORIGINAL WORD IS PAU WAU.

IT'S SPELLED A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.

IT'S ORIGINALLY AN ALGONQUIAN WORD.

[DRUMS AND SINGING] >> Bella: ONE TRANSLATION OF THAT ORIGINAL WORD IS "HE DREAMS", REFERRING TO A MEDICINE MAN.

SOME TRACE THE ROOTS OF TODAY'S POWWOWS AT LEAST A COUPLE HUNDRED YEARS BACK.

THE GATHERINGS CONTINUE TO GROW AS MORE NATIVE AMERICANS MOVE TO CITIES AS PART OF THE INDIAN RELOCATION ACT OF 1956.

IT WAS ONE STEP IN A LONG EFFORT BY THE U.S. TO ASSIMILATE NATIVE AMERICANS AND ULTIMATELY TAKE AWAY OUR LANDS.

>> Niko: SO, YOU HAVE THIS UPRISE OF, YOU KNOW, THESE REPRESSED INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES STARTING TO SAY, HEY, WE'D LIKE TO RECLAIM THAT.

AND LET'S GO FORWARD AND BE COMMUNITY AND WE'RE IN THESE URBAN AREAS AND LET'S LEARN FROM EACH OTHER.

>> ALL RIGHT, I KNOW YOU KNOW HOW TO MAKE A CIRCLE.

LET'S MAKE A CIRCLE OVER HERE.

MAKE A CIRCLE OVER HERE.

AND THIS IS OUR LAST ACTIVITY.

>> Niko: IF I CALL OUT SOMETHING THAT RESONATES WITH YOU OR WE HAVE IN COMMON, THEN ALL THOSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SWITCH PLACES.

>> I LOVE MY RELATIVES THAT LIKE THE COLOR RED.

>> Jessa Rae: I HAVE KNOWN NIKO DEROIN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

WE HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER SINCE WE WERE JUST LIKE THESE KIDS RUNNING AROUND US.

WE GREW UP IN JUNIORS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

SO, WE GREW UP IN THE POWWOW CIRCLE TOGETHER.

FOR LONG TIME, NIKO HAS TALKED ABOUT THIS.

YOU KNOW, FOR YEARS, SHE'S TALKED ABOUT HER DREAM OF CREATING A SPACE FOR FAMILIES TO COME TOGETHER AND DANCE AND LEARN AND BE A PART OF THE POWWOW CIRCLE AND PRACTICE WELLNESS IN THAT WAY.

>> Bella: THE CLASS WE WENT TO IS HELD AT THE RESILIENCE HUB, RUN BY NEW MEXICO COMMUNITY CAPITAL, A NONPROFIT THAT SUPPORTS NATIVE ENTREPRENEURS.

NIKO STARTED THE CLASS EARLIER THIS YEAR, AFTER TEACHING HER FIRST FORMAL POWWOW LESSONS AT THE NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY ACADEMY.

>> Niko: IT WAS REALLY COOL TO SEE PEOPLE WHEN THEY CAME TO PICK UP THEIR STUDENTS.

YOU KNOW, I HAD DADS THAT SAID, "HEY, I HAVE A DRUM, DO YOU MIND IF WHERE BRING IT?"

I'M LIKE, YES, OF COURSE.

AND I HAVE PEOPLE THAT I CAN BRING AND I CAN INVITE BOYS TO THE DRUMS, SHOW THEM HOW IT'S DONE.

AND THEN ANOTHER DAD CAME AND SAID, "HEY, CAN I JAM WITH YOU?"

I SING SOUTHERN, OR I SING NORTHERN.

AND ANOTHER PARENT SAID, "HEY, I HAVE THESE SHAWLS THAT ARE JUST COLLECTING DUST, MAYBE I COULD DONATE THEM TO YOUR CLASS."

I HAD ANOTHER PARENT OFFER TO SEW PARTS OF REGALIA.

SO, COMMUNITY JUST STARTED TO FORM FROM THAT ONE CLASS.

AND IT JUST SNOWBALLED.

>> SHIELD CHIEF, TAKE IT AWAY!

SHIELD CHIEF.

IT'S A FAMILY NAME FROM MY GRANDFATHER GREAT GRANDFATHER, WHOSE NAME IS SHIELD CHIEF.

[ STATING NAME IN ORIGINAL LANGUAGE ] AND KEEPING IN MIND WITH THE PAWNEE VIBE I HAD GOING SINGING WITH MY FAMILY, OUR FAMILY GROUP WAS PUMPKIN VINE, WHICH OUR CLAN ON OUR SKIDI SIDE.

[ STATING NAME IN ORIGINAL LANGUAGE ].

THERE'S BEEN A FEW TIMES WE'VE HAD COMMUNITY MEMBERS APPROACH US AND ASK IS IT OKAY IF MY NEPHEW STARTS SINGING, OR IT'S A QUESTION OF WHAT AGE CAN THEY START?

OR IS IT APPROPRIATE?

THESE ARE QUESTIONS THAT I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT OF OR TAKEN HAVE GRANTED BECAUSE I GREW UP IN THIS.

SINCE BIRTH IS WHEN WE START.

FOR ME, BACK HOME YOU JUST ASK THE HEAD SINGER TO SING.

IF IT'S OKAY.

BUT FOR SOMEBODY THAT DOESN'T COME FROM, MAYBE, THAT BACKGROUND OR DOESN'T KNOW THE ETIQUETTE AND PROTOCOL IT COULD BE A LITTLE INTIMIDATING.

I'M DEFINITELY GLAD TO COME OUT AND ANSWER ANY OF THOSE QUESTIONS AND HELP THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS.

JUST SHOW THAT IT'S IT IS OPEN AND IT'S WELCOMING.

IT'S NOT A IT SHOULDN'T BE A SCARY THING TO TRY TO LEARN TO DANCE OR SING.

>> Bella: NIKO POINTS OUT THAT WITH 574 FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES IN THE U.S., PLUS HUNDREDS OF INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES IN CANADA, THERE'S NUANCE TO ALL OF THIS.

PLUS, NOT ALL TRIBES HOST POWWOWS.

BUT FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, THERE'S SOME BASICS TO KEEP IN MIND.

>> Niko: I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER FOR NON-NATIVES COMING INTO OUR COMMUNITIES FOR A POWWOW IS RESPECT.

SOMETIMES A CEREMONY MIGHT BE GOING ON AND THEY'LL SAY, PLEASE, NO PICTURES, NO RECORDING.

THAT'S IMPORTANT.

>> I ASK THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE CAMERAS ON YOUR PHONES, WE ASK THAT YOU REFRAIN FROM TAKING ANY KIND OF PICTURES OR VIDEO.

AGAIN, WE ASK THAT YOU REFRAIN FROM TAKING ANY KIND OF PICTURE OR VIDEO DURING THIS PORTION OF THIS INITIATION CEREMONY.

>> Niko: I, MYSELF, DON'T MIND IF YOU COME IN A GOOD WAY AND SAY I'M NOT FAMILIAR, COULD YOU EXPLAIN SOME OF THE DANCES OR THE PROTOCOL OR WHERE COULD WE SIT.

SOMETIMES, THEY'LL HAVE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR NON-NATIVES.

>> Bella: GROWING UP, NIKO DANCED IN WHAT'S CALLED THE TINY TOTS CATEGORY FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.

SOME OF HER RELATIVES STILL TALK FONDLY ABOUT NIKO BEING IN THE POWWOW ARENA AS SOON AS SHE COULD WALK.

>> Niko: WE CALL IT A COMING-OUT CEREMONY, WHERE WE GIVE SOMEONE THE RIGHT TO DANCE.

AND THE PERSON SPONSORING THE DANCER WILL SHOW THEM AROUND THE ARENA AND TEACH THEM ABOUT THE REGALIA.

I KNOW FROM MY OWN TRIBE, WE DRESS THEM IN THE ARENA.

AS A WITNESS, EVERYBODY CAN SEE THAT THEY ARE LOVED.

THEY ARE CARED FOR.

THEY ARE SUPPORTED.

AND THAT'S WHAT REALLY NEEDED TO HAPPEN IS EVERYBODY COMING TOGETHER SAYING WE SUPPORT YOU.

YOU ARE LOVED.

YES, WE HAD SOME BIG TRAUMA OVER THE YEARS, BUT WE'RE STILL HERE.

WE'VE ADAPTED.

WE OVERCAME.

WE'RE RESILIENT.

SO, POWWOW IS A BIG FORCE OF THAT.

>> Nash: THROUGHOUT THE HOUR, WE'VE BEEN REVISITING EPISODES OF INDIGENOUSLY POSITIVE, OUR COLLABORATION WITH NEW MEXICO IN DEPTH.

WE'RE GOING TO END THIS WEEK WHERE THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN OUR NEWSROOMS REALLY BEGAN, THE 2024 ELECTION.

AND WHILE THE ELECTION ITSELF HAS COME AND GONE, WE FELT IT WAS WORTH REVISITING AS NOT ONLY THE ORIGIN OF WHAT BECAME INDIGENOUSLY POSITIVE, BUT NATIONALLY AWARD-WINNING NEWS COVERAGE AT THAT.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE TEAM THAT EVENTUALLY BECAME INDIGENOUSLY POSITIVE TOOK HOME FIRST PLACE IN THE BEST MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY AT THE 2025 INDIGENOUS MEDIA AWARDS.

SO, A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO BELLA DAVIS, BENJAMIN YAZZA, JOEY DUNN, NOAH EICHSTAEDT AND JEFF PROCTOR FOR THAT WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITION.

HERE'S AN EXCERPT FROM THEIR AWARD-WINNING COVERAGE OF NATIVE VOTERS IN NEW MEXICO AHEAD OF LAST YEAR'S ELECTION.

>> Bella: ALL TOO OFTEN, NATIVE PEOPLE ARE IGNORED BY CANDIDATES AND OVERLOOKED BY NEWSROOMS IN ELECTION COVERAGE.

I'M BELLA DAVIS, A YUROK TRIBAL MEMBER, AND INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS REPORTER FOR NEW MEXICO IN DEPTH.

I WAS CURIOUS WHAT NATIVE PEOPLE IN NEW MEXICO ARE THINKING ABOUT THE ELECTION.

AND THAT TURNED INTO A COLLABORATION BETWEEN MY ORGANIZATION AND NMPBS.

I STARTED WITH THE QUESTION DO YOU PLAN TO VOTE.

>> Pelt: OH, 100%.

I'VE HEARD OF PROJECT 2025 AND THE THINGS THAT ARE COMING UP WITH THAT.

SO, IT'S JUST VERY SCARY TO THINK OF WHAT A FUTURE COULD LOOK LIKE UNDER TRUMP'S PRESIDENCY, YET AGAIN, BECAUSE IT DIDN'T GO WELL THE FIRST TIME, IN MY OPINION.

[ CHANTING: FREE, FREE PALESTINE] >> Gallegos: I DO NOT PLAN TO VOTE BECAUSE, AS A YOUNG INDIGENOUS PERSON, I HONESTLY NEVER HAD FAITH IN THESE ELECTORAL POLITICS IN THE UNITED STATES, OR THE SO-CALLED DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES.

[ MEGAPHONE: OUT OF THE CLASSES AND INTO THE STREETS] >> Barthelemy: I'M GOING TO BE VOTING THIRD PARTY.

THAT'S AS MUCH DETAIL AS I CAN GIVE YOU RIGHT NOW.

BUT, THE TWO MAIN PARTIES HAVE NOT IMPRESSED ME.

SPECIFICALLY, OVER THIS ISSUE.

I'LL ADMIT THAT I GENERALLY VOTED DEMOCRAT IN THE PAST.

AND THAT WAS WITH THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE DEMOCRATS WOULD TAKE A MORE PROGRESSIVE STANCE.

[ CHANTING: NO MORE MONEY FOR VIOLENT CRIME ] >> Yazzie: I'M A DEMOCRAT, SO I'M VOTING FOR KAMALA HARRIS.

THAT'S HOW I'M VOTING THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

BUT, AGAIN, DON'T DO SO LIGHTLY.

[ MEGAPHONE: WE HAVE A NUMBER OF GREAT SPEAKERS FOR Y'ALL ] >> Ajijak: I DO NOT, THAT'S MAINLY BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE FAITH IN EITHER OF THE CANDIDATES.

I DON'T HAVE FAITH IN DONALD TRUMP.

I DON'T HAVE FAITH IN KAMALA HARRIS.

IT FEELS LIKE EITHER WAY, UNLESS ONE OF THEM CHANGES THEIR MIND, CHANGES THEIR PERSPECTIVE, IT'S ALL GOING TO BE THE SAME STUFF OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

LIKE THAT STEREOTYPICAL PHRASE, IT'S LEFT-WING, RIGHT-WING, BUT IT'S THE SAME BIRD.

>> Bella: AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS WHY NATIVE PEOPLE ARE OR AREN'T PLANNING TO VOTE.

AND OF COURSE THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER PERSPECTIVES OUT THERE.

YOU'LL HEAR MORE FROM THOSE CONVERSATIONS LATER ON.

WE ALSO SAT DOWN WITH AHTZA DAWN CHAVEZ, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NM NATIVE VOTE, A NONPROFIT THAT'S FOCUSED IN PART ON INCREASING NATIVE TURNOUT AT THE POLLS.

>> Chavez: I HAVE COME FROM A FAMILY THAT HAS ALWAYS PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO GETTING OUT THE VOTE IN COMMUNITIES.

MY FATHER BEHIND ME, HIS NAME WAS EVERETT CHAVEZ.

HE WAS A THREE-TIME GOVERNOR OF OUR COMMUNITY IN KEWA PUEBLO.

AND HE WAS THE CHAIR OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S NATIVE AMERICAN VOTING TASK FORCE.

SO, HE AND MY OTHER PARENT, MY MOTHER, REALLY EXEMPLIFIED THE NEED FOR VOTERSHIP IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

SO, IT'S VERY CLEAR FOR ME, NOT ONLY FOR MY PARENTS GENERATION, BUT THE PRIOR GENERATION, OF HOW MUCH POWER WE LEAVE ON THE TABLE BY NOT UTILIZING OUR VOICES AND OUR VOTES.

WE HEARD THE STORY OF MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER WHO ACTUALLY STOOD IN LINE FOR A NUMBER OF DAYS IN FRONT OF OUR TRIBAL COUNCIL AND OUR GOVERNORS AT THE TIME, SO THAT HE COULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN THE COMMUNITY.

THAT WAS AROUND STATEHOOD, WHEN THE MESSAGING WAS BASICALLY NATIVE AMERICANS SHOULDN'T VOTE BECAUSE YOU RISK LOSING YOUR LAND OR YOUR TRIBAL CITIZENSHIP.

ALL OF THESE INCORRECT MESSAGES WERE OUT IN THE PUBLIC.

SO, A LOT OF TRIBES AND PUEBLOS, IN PARTICULAR, DIDN'T UTILIZE THEIR ABILITY TO VOTE BECAUSE OF THAT.

AND SO, THERE WAS A STIGMA IN OUR PUEBLO COMMUNITY ABOUT VOTERSHIP.

AND MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER CHALLENGED THAT AND THE COUNCIL AND SAID, YOU KNOW, I HAVE SERVED IN THE ARMY, I'VE DONE A LOT OF THOSE DIFFERENT THINGS FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND I REALLY THINK WE SHOULD BE VOTING.

SO, SINCE THEN, IN OUR COMMUNITIES, IN OUR FAMILIES, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN LIKE CALLING EVERYBODY, MAKING SURE PEOPLE ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE, DRIVING OUR ELDERS AND RELATIVES WHO DIDN'T HAVE A RIDE TO THE POLLS.

FOR ME, THAT'S KIND OF HOW I GREW UP.

AND THE FIRST ELECTION I WORKED ON WAS THE CLINTON ELECTION, AND I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

I COULDN'T EVEN VOTE, BUT I WAS HAPPY TO GET OUT THE VOTE FOR HIM IN THAT SITUATION.

>> Bella: I ASKED AHTZA WHAT ARE SOME OF HER BIGGEST CONCERNS AROUND THIS YEAR'S ELECTION.

>> Chavez: WE SEE, STATE BY STATE, HOW DEMOCRACY IS REALLY ON THE BALLOT RIGHT NOW.

BECAUSE WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, VOTER LAWS.

NOW WE HAVE SOME STATES THAT ARE WANTING TO DO CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS ON THE IDs, OR HAVING PHYSICAL ADDRESSES, OR MAKING THINGS A LOT MORE CHALLENGING FOR VOTERS THAT JUST WANT TO GO OUT AND REGISTER TO BE ABLE TO CAST THEIR BALLOT.

SO, YOU'RE JUST STARTING TO SEE THE CARDS SHIFT A LITTLE BIT IN TERMS OF WHICH PARTY IS HAS GREATER POWER AND WHAT STATE.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF RIGHTS THAT ARE BEING CHALLENGED RIGHT NOW, WHETHER THAT'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, WHETHER THAT'S THE RIGHT TO BE LGBTQ IN A STATE AND LEGALLY MARRY A PERSON.

A LOT OF THINGS ARE BEING CHALLENGED RIGHT NOW, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE LIKE TO TELL OUR YOUTH A LOT OF THE TIME IS THAT POWERLESSNESS THAT YOU FEEL, YOU KNOW, YOU GET A LITTLE BIT OF THAT BACK WHEN YOU'RE ABLE TO CAST A BALLOT.

BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY ELECTIONS, IN PARTICULAR IN NEW MEXICO, THAT ARE WON BY AS FEW AS EIGHT VOTES.

LESS THAN A HUNDRED.

IN NEW MEXICO, A LOT OF OUR ELECTIONS ARE SO CLOSE THAT PEOPLE'S VOTES TRULY COUNT.

>> Nash: YOU CAN WATCH THAT FULL AWARD-WINNING STORY, ALONG WITH THE FULL INDIGENOUSLY POSITIVE SERIES, RIGHT NOW ON THE NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS YOUTUBE PAGE.

AND ANOTHER HUGE THANK YOU TO NEW MEXICO IN DEPTH'S BELLA DAVIS, AND NMPBS'S BENJAMIN YAZZA AND JOEY DUNN FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS SERIES.

AND THANKS TO EVERYONE ELSE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS WEEK'S SHOW.

AND JOIN US NEXT WEEK FOR WHAT IS BECOME KIND OF AN ANNUAL TRADITION ON THE WEEK OF JULY 4th HERE ON IN FOCUS, WHEN WE CHECK IN ON THE STATE OF THE LOCAL NEWS INDUSTRY ACROSS NEW MEXICO.

FOR NEW MEXICO PBS, I'M NASH JONES.

UNTIL NEXT WEEK, STAY FOCUSED.

>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS IS PROVIDED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.