For time immemorial, climbing has been a traditional activity for Kanaka Maoli. While history shows Native Hawaiians climbed over mountains and scrambled rocks to trade goods and information with their neighbors, today few Indigenous members of the tropical islands practice climbing actively. For Skye Kolealani Razon-Olds, climbing is a way to connect with her ancestors. With few “official” outdoor climbing spaces on the island of Hawaii, Skye and her friends make due by visiting local State and National Parks to climb. It is here that the discovery of various petroglyphs left by her ancestors ignited her to protect and advocate for these sacred lands for her own sons and generations to come.
The ocean has been a source of spiritual connection, traditional knowledge and cultural practices for the Makah people for generations. After learning to surf through a local non-profit nearly half a decade ago, 13-year-old Ava now uses her sport as a way to connect with the land, ocean, and her elders. Alongside her five siblings and her own mother, Ava and her family surf the well known swell of Neah Bay on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, one of the most ecologically diverse areas of the United States. Ava’s story highlights the critical role Indigenous youth play in the preservation of language, culture, and knowledge.
As one of only 20 remaining fluent Squamish language speakers, which is barely 2% of her community, Myia invites viewers to explore the intersectionality of land, language and cultural preservation. From utilizing mountain biking to more deeply connect with her land, to harvesting traditional plants and herbs for medicines and teas, and passing her knowledge on to her community through language instruction and her non-profit work, Myia’s episode hopes to weave complex conversations through nuanced layers. Yet at its core, our aim is to uplift viewers in a positive, fun-loving light. Myia’s bright smile and passion for her culture are infectious, and our goal is to highlight Indigenous joy as a vital element for the path forward.
For time immemorial, climbing has been a traditional activity for Kanaka Maoli. While history shows Native Hawaiians climbed over mountains and scrambled rocks to trade goods and information with their neighbors, today few Indigenous members of the tropical islands practice climbing actively. For Skye Kolealani Razon-Olds, climbing is a way to connect with her ancestors. With few “official” outdoor climbing spaces on the island of Hawaii, Skye and her friends make due by visiting local State and National Parks to climb. It is here that the discovery of various petroglyphs left by her ancestors ignited her to protect and advocate for these sacred lands for her own sons and generations to come.
The ocean has been a source of spiritual connection, traditional knowledge and cultural practices for the Makah people for generations. After learning to surf through a local non-profit nearly half a decade ago, 13-year-old Ava now uses her sport as a way to connect with the land, ocean, and her elders. Alongside her five siblings and her own mother, Ava and her family surf the well known swell of Neah Bay on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, one of the most ecologically diverse areas of the United States. Ava’s story highlights the critical role Indigenous youth play in the preservation of language, culture, and knowledge.
As one of only 20 remaining fluent Squamish language speakers, which is barely 2% of her community, Myia invites viewers to explore the intersectionality of land, language and cultural preservation. From utilizing mountain biking to more deeply connect with her land, to harvesting traditional plants and herbs for medicines and teas, and passing her knowledge on to her community through language instruction and her non-profit work, Myia’s episode hopes to weave complex conversations through nuanced layers. Yet at its core, our aim is to uplift viewers in a positive, fun-loving light. Myia’s bright smile and passion for her culture are infectious, and our goal is to highlight Indigenous joy as a vital element for the path forward.