An Indigenously Positive Special
This week on New Mexico in Focus, we look back at some of our favorite stories from Indigenously Positive, our collaborative series with nonprofit newsroom New Mexico in Depth.
In a conversation from February, Indigenous Affairs Reporter Bella Davis and Director Benjamin Yazza sit down with Executive Producer Jeff Proctor to discuss the process and thinking behind the Indigenously Positive series.
Over a dozen states, including New Mexico, recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second Monday of October, as an alternative to Columbus Day. Bella talks with folks celebrating in Albuquerque about what the day means to them, and why a proclamation from President Trump that makes no mention of Indigenous people doesn’t hold much weight. She also reflects on some of the joyful stories from Native communities we’ve told throughout the year.
Saad K’idilyé is a Diné language nest in Albuquerque where children are fully immersed in the language. Bella speaks with Warlance Chee (Diné), the program’s director, and two educators at the facility about their work and the importance of Indigenous language revitalization.
Bella visits Shiprock and speaks with two organizations and a Navajo entrepreneur about the importance of Native-owned businesses on the reservation.
The Indigenous Farm Hub sits in a small patch of land north of Albuquerque, where red onions, carrots, blue corn and more are rising from the ground. Bella stops by the hub to highlight the deeply rooted significance of food sovereignty.
Correspondent Antonia Gonzales takes us north to the Alaska Federation of Natives’ Convention, where Indigenous artisans connect over jewelry and fashion.
Host: Benjamin Yazza
Segments:
Reflecting on Native Joy
Correspondent: Jeff Proctor
Guests: Bella Davis (Yurok) & Benjamin Yazza (Diné)
Why Indigenous Peoples’ Day Is Every Day
Producer/Host: Bella Davis (Yurok)
Producer/Director: Benjamin Yazza (Diné)
Guests: Benjamin Shendo (Jemez and Cochiti Pueblos)
Ryan Gonzales (Jemez and San Ildefonso Pueblos)
Naleen Naanee (Laguna Pueblo)
Shannon Trujillo (Navajo/Washoe)
State Rep. Derrick Lente, D-Sandia Pueblo
Planting of the Navajo Language Seed
Correspondent: Bella Davis (Yurok)
Director: Benjamin Yazza (Diné)
Editor: Joey Dunn (Diné)
Guests: Warlance Chee (Diné)
Tiffany Lee Ph.D. (Diné / Lakota)
Melvatha Chee Ph.D. (Diné)
Native Entrepreneurs are Changing Rez Life
Producers: Bella Davis (Yurok) & Benjamin Yazza (Diné)
Photojournalist: Joey Dunn (Diné)
Guests: Roddell Denetso (Navajo), Black Streak Apparel Owner
Heather Fleming (Diné), Change Labs Co-Founder & Executive Director
Jessica Stago (Diné / Apache), Change Labs Co-Founder
Racquel Black (Diné), Entrepreneurship Hub Manager
How Indigenous Food Sovereignty Actually Works?
Host/Producer: Bella Davis (Yurok)
Director/Producer: Benjamin Yazza (Diné)
Camera: Joey Dunn (Diné) & RJ Torres
Guests: Kara Bobroff (Navajo/Lakota), Co-Founder & Executive Director
Maximo Lopez, Farm Director
Kevin Mahkee (Zuni Pueblo)
Mali Nichols
Alan Brauer, Co-Founder & Senior Director
Maya Kwon (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate), Native American Community Academy Liaison
Orenda Martine (Navajo & Laguna/Zuni/Santo Domingo Pueblos), Native American Community Academy Alum
Jewelry and Fashion Connect Native Artists at Alaskan Convention
Producer: Antonia Gonzales (Navajo)
Photographer/Editor: Aaron Weaver
Guests: Jackie Qataliña Schaeffer, Iñupiaq artist and fashion designer
Trina Landlord, Yup’ik, Far North Fashion Show coordinator
Mary Kelsay, owner of MEKA, Unangax̂ fashion designer
Jeremiah James, Tlingit fashion designer
Merna Lomack Wharton, Yup’ik fashion designer