Real Native Roots: Untold Stories Podcast

What does it mean to reclaim who we are while creating space for others to do the same?
In this episode of Real Native Roots: Untold Stories, Vickie reconnects with longtime friend and fellow Window Rock High School alum Elton Naswood, a Diné advocate, storyteller, leader, and Executive Director of the Two-Spirit and Native LGBTQ+ Center for Equity.
Nearly four decades after their school days on the Navajo Nation, Elton shares the people and experiences that shaped him, from the love and teachings of his grandparents and mother to the loss of his brother and the unexpected path that led him into decades of advocacy.
Together, Vickie and Elton explore Two-Spirit identity and responsibility, the sacredness of Indigenous language, resilience, belonging, and the importance of reclaiming our place in the circle. And, of course, we meet Eartha Quake, Elton’s fabulous drag persona who brings culture, storytelling, advocacy, and plenty of laughter to another stage. 💃🏽
At its heart, this is a conversation between two old friends about who shaped us, who we’re becoming, and how we use our lived experiences to help others.
Because our stories carry lessons. Our stories carry medicine.
Poem featured in this episode: “Ownership” by Great-Grandmother Mary Lyons, from Wisdom Lessons.
#RealNativeRoots #EltonNaswood #TwoSpiritCenter #NativeLGBTQ #IndigenousVoices

In this episode of Real Native Roots: Untold Stories, I sit down with Delano Saluskin (Shii) of the Yakama Nation, a respected leader whose nearly 80 years of life and more than five decades of service have been dedicated to his people, culture, and community. Together, we explore his journey from a childhood shaped by hardship and resilience to becoming a bridge builder, Tribal Chairman, advocate for economic sovereignty, and protector of land, water, and language. Along the way, Delano shares lessons on leadership, sobriety, family, faith, and what it means to think beyond ourselves to the generations yet unborn.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that leadership does not have to be loud. Sometimes it looks like listening deeply, staying grounded in your values, and remaining open to change while honoring where you come from.
If this episode resonates with you, please follow, subscribe, and share it with your relatives, friends, and communities so we can continue uplifting Indigenous stories, wisdom, and voices.
#RealNativeRootsPodcast #RealNativeRootsUntoldStories #DelanoSaluskin #YakamaNation #IndigenousLeadership#GenerationsYetUnborn #LanguageIsMedicine #IndigenousStories

In this deeply heartfelt episode of Real Native Roots: Untold Stories, Vickie sits down with her dear friend, business partner, and “sister soul,” Barbara Roloff, for a conversation about identity, belonging, flowers, healing, and what it means to truly bloom later in life. 🌻
Barbara shares her journey growing up in a beautifully multicultural adoptive family, reconnecting with her Native Hawaiian roots, meeting her birth family as an adult, and discovering the many places that became “home” throughout her life. Together, Vickie and Barbara reflect on love, resilience, slowing down, community care, aging with intention, and the powerful lessons flowers can teach us about patience, purpose, and growth.
You’ll also hear stories about Barbara’s flower farm journey, the parallels between tending gardens and tending communities, and why the world desperately needs more flowers…and more people willing to lead with love.
This episode is for anyone navigating healing, identity, reinvention, grief, purpose, or simply trying to remember what truly matters in this short and sacred life.
✨ If this episode touched your heart, please share it with someone who needs these words today.✨ Follow Real Native Roots: Untold Stories wherever you listen to podcasts.✨ Leave a review, subscribe, and help us continue amplifying Native stories, wisdom, healing, and community conversations.
Ahéhee’ for walking with us. 
#RealNativeRoots#UntoldStories#IndigenousWisdom#TheWorldNeedsMoreFlowers#KuuleiFlowerFarm

In this episode of Real Native Roots: Untold Stories, Vickie sits down with Ameerah Suina Thomas, a 27-year-old Afro-Indigenous woman of Laguna Pueblo and West African descent whose voice carries both clarity and fire.
Together, they explore what it means to be fully present in your body, how culture lives through everyday practices, and why food, music, language, and movement are not just traditions—they are medicine.
Ameerah shares how her mother and Pueblo upbringing shaped her humility and strength, while her father instilled voice, joy, and the courage to live fully. She speaks honestly about navigating identity, solidarity, capitalism, and the emotional weight of being awake in today’s world.
This episode dives into somatic healing, the sacredness of rage, and the importance of returning to the body in a time that constantly pulls us into the mind.
Through laughter, reflection, and truth-telling, this conversation reminds us:
You are not separate from the land—you are part of it.
Your body holds wisdom.
Your presence is medicine.
And most importantly…You are needed.
This is an episode for anyone seeking grounding, clarity, and a deeper connection to themselves, their community, and the world around them.
Ahé'hee (Thank you) for being here and walking with us <3 if this story moved you, please share it, and don’t forget you can listen on all platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.
#RealNativeRoots #IndigenousVoices #AfroIndigenous #HealingThroughStory #NextGenWisdom

2025 Story Recap with Tara Denetsosie-Lovato. In our first episode of 2026, Tara joins me to reflect on the voices, lessons, and medicine shared by our 2025 guests — from sovereignty and leadership to land, language, and coming home.
We revisit the wisdom of artists, activists, aunties, and culture bearers who reminded us that culture is living, leadership is relational, and hope is a practice.
Tara also shares something deeply personal: her lifelong relationship with horses.
She reminds us that horses are medicine.That they mirror our truth.That if we rush, they rush. If we’re grounded, they settle.
“Whatever you’re feeling, they’re going to reflect that 100 percent.”
From barrel racing to ranch life, we explore preparation, foundation, accountability, and gratitude — lessons that echo everything our 2025 guests taught us.
This episode is about sovereignty.It’s about coming home.It’s about remembering that our ancestors are listening.
🎙️ Tune in now.
#RealNativeRootsUntoldStories #NativeWomenLead #HorseMedicine #IndigenousSovereignty #StoriesThatHeal

In this powerful episode of Real Native Roots: Untold Stories, Vickie welcomes her longtime sister and truth-teller Dar “Diamond D” for a wide-ranging, deeply human conversation about identity, land, governance, media, healing, and courage.
Dar is Mohawk, a border-tribe woman raised between matriarchs, ironworkers, longhouses, cities, and ceremony. Her life story moves from the St. Lawrence River to Los Angeles, Arizona, and finally Alaska, where land, water, and community helped her gather the many threads of her life into clarity.
Together, Vickie and Dar explore what it means to grow into your name, to survive trauma without losing humor, to tell Indigenous truth even when it’s dangerous, and to reclaim traditional governance rooted in consensus rather than colonial crumbs. Dar shares stories from investigative journalism, surviving a death threat, working in MMIP and victim services, running Native media spaces, mentoring youth, and holding community with both sharp honesty and deep love.
This episode is about remembering who we are, refusing fear, lifting one another instead of pulling each other down, and returning to the waters that once gathered us.
#RealNativeRoots #IndigenousVoices #NativeStorytelling #IndigenousTruth #DecolonizeEverything #IndigenousWisdom #NativePodcast #StoryAsMedicine #RealNativeRootsPodcast

In this powerful and intimate episode of Real Native Roots: Untold Stories, Vickie sits with Ojibwe leader, culture-bearer, and newly appointed President & CEO of First Peoples Fund, Tina Kuckkahn.
Together, they explore the teachings that shaped her: her grandparents’ wisdom, the Seven Teachings, the prayerful reminder of “tobacco first,” and the deep spiritual ties to land, water, and ancestry.
Tina shares the story of the Seventh Fire Jiimaan (Canoe) Journey, a multi-year effort to retrace the Anishinaabe migration by water—a journey of courage, prophecy, relational leadership, and reconnection.
They speak about motherhood, ceremony, free will, and navigating life with faith.
And, in true auntie fashion, Tina brings joy and humor as she talks about rediscovering freedom on her Harley and remembering the dreams we sometimes defer.
This conversation is medicine—gentle, wise, grounded—and an invitation to listen inward, honor your place, and walk your path with intention.
#RealNativeRoots #UntoldStories #NativePodcast #IndigenousPodcast #NativeVoices #IndigenousKnowledge #HarleyWomen #TwoWheelFreedom #NativeRiders #TobaccoFirst #AllCreationStoriesAreTrue #TinaKuckkahn

In this heartfelt and laughter-filled episode, host Vickie Oldman welcomes the magnetic and wise Jack Soto — a Navajo and Cocopah relative whose life journey weaves through wind, forest, and laughter. Together they explore what it means to find healing through pause, place, and presence.
Jack shares stories of his roots — from his parents’ “Beans of Destiny” love story to his own evolution through faith, grief, and grace. He reflects on the medicine of laughter, food as a pathway to healing, and how mentoring young Native leaders continues to renew his hope.
With vulnerability and humor, Jack reminds us that healing isn’t a straight road — it’s a dance between light and shadow, good and bad, joy and ache. Through laughter, love, and the gentle wisdom of land, he teaches us to be present with all that we are.
This episode is a reminder that our stories are our medicine, and sometimes, the most sacred act is simply learning to be gentle with ourselves.
✨ Listen and Follow: Please like, follow, and subscribe on YouTube, and tune in to Real Native Roots: Untold Stories on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or directly on our website — and on any other platform where you listen to your favorite podcasts.
#RealNativeRoots #UntoldStories #NativePodcasts #IndigenousWisdom #JackSoto #LaughterIsMedicine #GraceAndHealing #NativeVoices #CulturalHealing #BeGentleToYourself #StoryMedicine #SacredPause #NavajoAndCocopah #FoodIsMedicine #NativeStorytelling #SpiritualRoots #IndigenousJoy #HealingThroughLaughter #NativeMenHealing

In this powerful episode of Real Native Roots: Untold Stories, Vickie sits down with Shoshoni Hostler—a Yurok regalia maker, therapist, mother of five, and fashion designer whose viral shell dress stunned the world and sparked powerful conversations about cultural reclamation, representation, and resistance.
From her Northern California homelands, Shoshoni shares what it means to create wearable memory and how every shell, stitch, and silhouette becomes ceremony. With 26 traditional dresses to her name, she is one of the most prolific dressmakers of her tribe. But her work goes far beyond the runway—Shoshoni leads multimillion-dollar behavioral health initiatives, mentors Native youth through her “Dragonfly People” project, and walks boldly in two worlds with both humility and fire.
Together, Vickie and Shoshoni explore:
The medicine of regalia and the spirit of the dress
The unlearning of shame and reclaiming of Indigenous beauty
Navigating lateral violence in Native spaces
Why “not everyone can wear it, but everyone can feel it”
And how brushing it off—literally—is ancestral wellness
This episode is a love letter to Native women’s power, creativity, and unapologetic presence in every space—from the ceremony to the spotlight.
#RealNativeRoots #UntoldStories #ShoshoniHostler #IndigenousFashion #RegaliaMaker #YurokStrong #NativeCreatives #WearableMedicine #ShellDress #CulturalReclamation #NativeFashionWeek #IndigenousBeauty #MatriarchMagic #SnakeEaterStrength #BeadworkAndHealing #NARA #DragonflyPeople #NativeVoices #IndigenousArtistry #HealingIsBeautiful #RepresentationMatters

Real Native Roots: Untold Stories Podcast is honored to welcome Jacqualine Qataliña Schaeffer — a visionary Alaska Native leader, artist, and grandmother whose wisdom runs as deep as the Arctic waters she grew up near. In this episode, Jackie opens a window into her ancestral teachings, climate advocacy, traditional healing, and the living heartbeat of her community’s food systems.
From seal skin boats to salmon leather, from language revitalization to runway fashion infused with story, Jackie bridges the ancient and the modern with grace and grit. We explore how her upbringing—rooted in harvesting from air, land, and sea—continues to shape her work in climate health and cultural preservation today.
She reminds us that our ancestors’ wisdom lives in our DNA, that laughter is our second medicine, and that awareness—true awareness—can reconnect us to the land and to ourselves.
We also reflect on the stories behind the designs, and the future of Indigenous fashion, identity, and planetary healing.
Don’t miss this episode — like, follow, and share the podcast! We’re on all major platforms including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google, and more.
#RealNativeRootsUntoldStories #RealNativeRootsPodcast #JackieSchaeffer #InupiaqWisdom #IndigenousFashion #ClimateJusticeVoices #NativeWomenRise #SealSkinAndSalmon #LanguageIsMedicine #LaughterIsHealing #AlaskaNativeVoices #FashionWithMeaning #IndigenousFuturism #NativeGrandmothersSpeak #WeAreTheStory

Real Native Roots: Untold Stories Podcast is honored to feature Claudia Oldman—a grounded and wise Navajo matriarch, storyteller, and beloved auntie. In this tender, laughter-filled episode, Claudia joins her niece and host Vickie Oldman to reflect on healing, kinship, forgiveness, and what it means to show up fully as ourselves. From boarding school memories to Bee Gees ballads, Claudia offers deep wisdom (don’t hold a grudge!), infectious humor, and heartfelt lessons passed down from her father, the late Jim Oldman.
This special episode also features a recap of all the 2024 podcast guests, where Claudia and Vickie reflect on what they learned from each person:
From @Ka_naatamakayt, we’re reminded of the sacredness of petroglyphs, land protection, and being “free on the land.”
@LorenAnthony1 shows us what community service, humor, and metal music can look like in harmony.
@ahasteengrapgics - Jack Ahasteen brings powerful storytelling through cartoon art and cultural critique, wrapped in oral tradition and visual satire.
@_juan_2_tree and @ burn_the_wagon -- Juan Dominguez lights a path for Native men to decolonize, heal from toxicity, and rise in truth.
@wisdomofwillow -- Willow Blythe Carroll teaches us to retrain our minds, embrace our light, and bravely confront the fear of being seen.
Like, follow, and share this podcast with your relatives, community, and kindreds!
We’re streaming on all major platforms: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
#RealNativeRootsUntoldStories #RealNativeRootsPodcast #Ka_naatamakayt #LorenAnthony #JackAhasteen #JuanDominguez #WillowBlytheCarroll #IndigenousVoices #NativeStorytelling #HealingThroughStory #MatriarchWisdom #CyclesOfHealing

Real Native Roots: Untold Stories Podcast is honored to introduce Jaeden Huenemann—a 25-year-old Diné (Navajo) artist of Korean and German descent who is forging his own path in the world of music.
Jaeden’s journey as a musician has been deeply shaped by his family. From an early age, he learned discipline and organization at home while witnessing the passion for music through his uncle, a professional guitarist in Minneapolis. Inspired by this legacy, Jaeden picked up the guitar at age 13, setting the stage for his lifelong calling.
Now, as a full-time professional musician and private guitar instructor, Jaeden has built a thriving small business, recently earning recognition as the Best Music School in Rio Rancho, NM (2024). Teaching and performing bring him immense joy, and he shares the power of music as healing, connection, and self-expression.
In this episode, Jaeden shares:🎸 How he’s growing his music business in phases—from a few students to a full roster🎸 The power of investing in yourself and following your passion🎸 Tips for young artists and the importance of taking risks🎸 How music has kept him grounded through major life transitions🎸 The lessons he’s learned from his family and community that shape his artistry Jaeden also reflects on overcoming fear, trusting intuition, and building a career outside of the “traditional path”, reminding us that success comes with hard work, consistency, and being open to learning from others. Plus, you’ll hear Jaeden’s music! 🎶
Want to connect with Jaeden or learn more about his music and lessons? Here’s how:
Website: Jaeden’s Music Page (Learn more about private lessons)Instagram: @jaedenhuenemann (For upcoming show dates)Facebook: Growth and Music (For upcoming show dates)YouTube: Growth and Music (Subscribe for new content)Best way to contact for lessons or gigs: Jaeden.huenemann@yahoo.com  #JaedenHuenemann #Dinémusician #RealNativeRootsUntoldStories #RealNativeRootsPodcast

Real Native Roots: Untold Stories proudly presents the multifaceted Gary Farmer—actor, singer, and artist extraordinaire. A natural storyteller, Gary shares untold stories that will move you to tears, make you laugh, and surprise you in the most unexpected ways. Describing himself as a “gentle and goofy guy,” Gary also speaks passionately about his belief in the power of hemp and his optimism for the future of Indigenous peoples.
In this episode, Gary takes us on a journey through his family heritage, travels, acting insights, and so much more. Don’t miss this captivating conversation—if you can keep up with his vibrant energy and wisdom.
Our podcast is available on your favorite platforms, including Podbean, Spotify, Apple, Google, Amazon, and more. Tune in!
Join our community and share our episodes with your network. Ahé’hee (thank you)! #GaryFarmer  #RealNativeRootsUntoldStories #RealNativeRootsPodcast

Real Native Roots: Untold Stories presents Willow Blythe Carroll, a tribally enrolled citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribe. An award-winning Indigenous storyteller encourages us to have grace, get to know our real version of ourselves, recommit to our roots, and tell our own stories. Raised by a single mother and inspired by her late grandfather, Willow continues to light the path for future generations by inspiring and uplifting leaders of Indigenous and diverse communities.
You can follow Willow at the following handles:Website: www.willowblythe.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/wisdomofwillow/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/willowblythe  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Wisdomofwillow 
Our podcast is readily available on various platforms, including Podbean, Spotify, Apple, etc....Join our community and share our episodes with your lovepods. friends, and network. Ahé’hee (thank you)!
#RealNativeRootsUntoldStories #RealNativeRootsPodcast

Real Native Roots: Untold Stories presents Juan Dominguez, the Burn the Wagon podcast host. Juan was adopted by a full-blooded Pomo Whapo woman who raised him on the Manchester-Point Arena Rancheria Reservation in California. Juan shares his journey on the reservation, growing up fast, embracing his feminine side, writing poetry, healing, embracing his spiritual practice, and so much more. Join us as he shares his journey and advocates for sobriety.
Our podcast is readily available on various platforms, including Podbean, Spotify, Apple, Google, Amazon, etc....
Join our community and share our episodes with your network.
Ahé’hee (thank you)!
#BurnTheWagonPodcast #JuanDominguez #RealNativeRootsUntoldStoriesPodcast