Life of a Dog on the Rez: Recent Episodes
Michael Garcia
The “Life of a Dog on the Rez” podcast is a place where we share funny, cringe-worthy, and inspirational stories from our beloved Pueblo homelands. Stories that uplift the soul, provide us hope, and heal our spirits. Join me on this journey of life on the Rez, and how it has shaped who we have become.Come and share our stories!
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I'm excited to share with you another wonderful story by an amazing Indigenous educator, deep sea adventurer, self-described Rez girl, and friend. Join me on her journey of growing up in Chinle, her educational path that eventually led her to traveling halfway around the world, 4000 meters into the ocean depths, watching a deep sea fish turn to goo and returning to her beloved homelands to share her experiences, knowledge and stories with the next generation. So sit back, relax, turn up the volume, kick up your feet, and enjoy my conversation with Kim.
Instagram: @kimmyetsitty
NACA Inspired School Network
Instagram: @nisn_strongertogether
Website: www.nacainspiredschoolnetwork.org
Nautilus Live Website
www.nautiluslive.org/people/kim-etsitty
Tour de SiiHasin Bike Ride
Instagram: @siihasin_bikes
Gravel Biking Information
Website: www.adventurecycling.org/blog/the-basics-of-gravel-riding
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I'm excited to bring you another wonderful, insightful and inspirational conversation with another amazing Indigenous matriarch. Follow her story of her upbringing on the Pueblo of Isleta, her educational journey, moving off the REZ to pursue her professional career, and her eventual return home, finding her passion of serving the people through her namesake Black Corn. Sit back, relax, grab another ice cup from the freezer, pull up a chair on the porch and enjoy my conversation with Brandi.
Black Corn Remedy Massage
Instagram: @blackcornremedy
http://blackcornremedy.square.site/
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Back in October, the Life of a Dog on the Rez went on location to the 81st Annual National Congress of American Indians to capture the stories, thoughts, and opinions of the beautiful Indigenous Peoples from across Turtle Island. When asked the question, what is your definition of a Rez Dog, no wrong answers? I got a beautiful look at how the Rez Dog can unite us all in a common understanding of resilience, pride, and strength. While observing the physical reactions of the people sharing their stories, I noticed that many, let their guard down, smiled, told their stories with delight in their voice and love in their hearts. Many were also asked for their opinions of Bigfoot; if their communities, tribes, nations and peoples have stories, traditions, or understandings of this indigenous creature. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that many reflected back on the indigenous perspective of Bigfoot, as protectors, healers’ messengers and friends to the people. Please join me today for this listener contributed episode; More definitions of Rez Dogs and Bigfoots!
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Today I share a story with you of that lovable, fluffy, and oh so delicious creature, Sister Rabbit! Along with Coyote, Raven, Skunk, Gopher, and many others, Sister Rabbit is a class A trickster, using her small, cute stature to trick others for her amusement and entertainment. But as in life, there are consequences to her actions, and Sister Rabbit learns that the hard way. This story was created by me, reflecting on many indigenous and worldly views of trickster stories. So, round up the kids, get the rabbit snacks of carrots, celery, turnip greens, spring onions, wild potatoes, and a nice mango chutney ready, turn down the lights, turn up the volume, sit back, relax and enjoy my story; “The Trickery of Sister Rabbit” - Story By Ya-Schay.
For more information of my keynote, motivational, language, culture, traditions, storytelling, and shinney stick presentations, please click the link below. You will also find my biography and contact information. Thank you for considering me for your next event.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pJtskWuugc5dueFr4U5S-x-4f982fI6V
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Thank you for joining me today for another, wonderfully, powerful, and inspirational conversation with an amazing Indigenous daughter, granddaughter, auntie, sister, and role model. We journey through her life growing up in Rock Point, Arizona as a kid on the Rez, her educational journey, all the side hustles, main hustles and a wonderful opportunity that led her to Doha, Qatar in the Middle East. Pull up that lawn chair that is ducted taped together, the milk crate, you used as a foundation for your mattress, kick up your feet, sit back, relax, turn up the volume and enjoy my wonderful conversation, with Kassie John.
Please visit the links below to all the organizations, business' and hustles Kassie supports.
- @miwkassiejohn
- @nativegenerations
- @bahozhoni.design
Gathering of Nations / Miss Indian World
- www.gatheringofnations.com
Milly's Diner
- www.millysrestaurants.com
Send us a text
**The doctor is in the house! On today’s episode I bring you another wonderful conversation with a truly funny, and inspirational Pueblo individual. We talk about growing up on and off the rez, family, inspirations, educational journey, language, culture, and traditions. I’ve been in pursue of this doctor to make a house call to the Life of a Dog on the Rez Podcast studios for over a year now and after sitting in the preverbal IHS waiting room, I was finally called into my appointment. With that said, buy a cup of vending machine coffee, a bag of barbecue flavored pork skins, sit back in the blue hospital chairs, relax, and join me on this truly inspirational journey with Hathawitz
Please visit the links below to the works, organizations, and causes Joannie supports.**Corn Pollen Consulting
https://cornpollenconsulting.org/
The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition
https://boardingschoolhealing.org/
The Center for the Futures of Native Peoples
https://www.dickinson.edu/cfnp
The Indigenous Revolt: Carlisle, PA and Beyond Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1EHE8JSIY34Z4A0ijh2l1c?si=TE7qmaPFRVWjz32axFDGWQ
Send us a text
**On today’s episode, I bring you a wonderful conversation with another inspirational Indigenous Baddie that I have come to know over the months. We forged a connection though commission works I had done and it blossomed into a friendship. We talk about growing up on the Rez, life as a young child, lessons taught by parents, grandparents, and ancestors, eventually becoming a successful artist, jeweler, photographer, model, and potatoes and PA for the film industry, so ease yourself into your favorite chair, sit back, relax and enjoy my conversation with Beh-Whee.
Instagram and Facebook
@behwhee_beads**
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**On today’s episode, we take the Life of the Dog on the Rez Podcast on location to the annual Pueblo Feast Day Celebration at the Santa Fe Indian School in honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day, formally know as….mattresses and sheet sets on sale for 50% off. In 1977 the International Conference of Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas, sponsored by the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland began discussing replacing Columbus Day in the Americas with a celebration to be known as Indigenous Peoples Day. In 2021 Joe Biden formally commemorated the holiday with a presidential proclamation becoming the first US president to do so. Subsequently on October 25, of this year, President Biden also formally apologized to Native Americans, for and I quote, “One of the most horrific chapters in American history!” A government funded boarding school program that abused indigenous children and forced them to assimilate over a 150-year period. The Santa Fe Indian School Feast Day began with a student-run commemorations of the messengers who carried plans for the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, to oppose colonizing Spanish rule that was imposed on the Pueblo people of the southwest for hundreds of years. The pueblo people along with the Navajo, Ute, and Apache rose up against Spanish rule and forced them out of the area for a period of 12 years. The pueblo revolt is one of the first successful revolutions in the Americas. The Feast Day celebrations include, a schoolwide convocation on resistance and reconciliation, traditional dances by students from many indigenous groups, pueblos, and communities, a footrace, art vendors and food booths. It was an absolutely beautiful day and I was blessed and honored to not only capture the thoughts, feeling, emotions and stories of what “Indigenous Peoples' Day” means to the people. The students of Santa Ana Pueblo, brought blessings to the people through a turkey dance, which you can see on my Instagram page @lifedogrezpodcast. I am so proud of all the student groups that brought forth blessings on that day and continue to perpetuate our language, culture and traditions through the power of prayer, song and dance. With that said, sit back relax, put another pinón log on the fire, brew up a cup of tea, and enjoy my conversations with the attendees of the 2024 Santa Fe Indian School Feast Day in honor of Indigenous People Day!
Santa Fe Indian School
www.sfis.k12.nm.us
Instagram @_sfis
Rez Hunters
Instagram @rezhunters
Facebook** https://www.facebook.com/groups/79026661841/
**Ryan J. Vallo, Jeweler
Instagram @ryanjvallojewelry
www.ryanjvallojewelry.com
Devery Suina
Instagram @deveryyy2speddd**
**On today’s episode, I bring you some lighthearted, fun and interesting listener contributions to the show. I took the Life of a Dog on the Rez Podcast on location to the 2024 Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival at the Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino, on the lands of the Pojoaque People in Northern New Mexico. I opened up the mic to all my wonderful, families, friends and confessed fellow rezdogs, for their thoughts, ideas, opinions and feelings about the question, what is your definition of a Rez Dog do you believe in Bigfoot? So, please sit back, relax, order up some Wing Stop, classic hot, lemon pepper, and garlic parmesan with blue cheese dressing, extra veggie sticks, and enjoy this episode of the definitions of Rez Dogs and thoughts of Bigfoot. Please check out the following links below to these four individuals who have contributed to this podcast.
Alysia Coriz**https://www.instagram.com/alysiacorizzz?igsh=MXFsMTA3cTEyZnVqeg==
https://www.instagram.com/nativevoters?igsh=MTlnYTlkYXZtczBzMg==
G Precioushttp://www.therealgprecious.com
https://www.instagram.com/indigenousmagicc?igsh=YzU1bDVtdnZuMHZt
http://www.ntvgainz.com
https://www.instagram.com/ntvgainz?igsh=MWFwZTk2YjZmdXhoaA==
**Here on the Life of a Dog on the Rez Podcast, we share our beautiful culture, language, stories and traditions of the Pueblo people and things that shape our world. Even before our emergence of the people from the third world of Shipap, the people used the power of music and song to pass on ancient knowledge, understandings, history and teachings that healed the mind, body, spirit and soul. Central to our spiritual life is the belief that everything in the universe is interconnected—people, animals, plants, and even the elements. This interconnectedness is expressed through our songs, and serves as a direct connection to our mothers that gave the people life in the under world. In our Pueblo understanding, songs are not just a form of artistic expression; but are sacred tools for healing and balance. Every song is intentional, whether it's to bring rain, ensure a successful hunt, or heal the body, mind and soul. These songs are passed down through the generations, each carrying the wisdom and prayers of our ancestors, so sit back, open your heart and join me on this journey of the healing power of song.
Please support the contributors to this episode by following the links below:**Devery Suinahttps://www.instagram.com/deveryyy2speddd?igsh=N2x6bXhoaW1icTRx
Kevin Lewis
https://www.instagram.com/illestn8vs?igsh=MTFkbzVibGJzZDJsZg==
Alysia Coriz
https://www.instagram.com/nativevoters?igsh=MTlnYTlkYXZtczBzMg==
Kenzi Bowekaty
https://www.zyep.org
https://youtube.com/@kenzibowekaty1566?si=NJc_tGP_NNzmpcMl
On today’s episode, we venture back to the lands of the Jicarilla Apache people up in northern New Mexico and speak with a young Indigenous role model and aspiring nurse. We talk about her upbringing on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation, her love for family, powwows, all things Apache and her journey to becoming the 55th Miss Indian New Mexico. If you’re interested in learning more about the history, past winners, or the legacy of the wonderful Miss Indian New Mexico organization, please visit their website at, www.missindiannewmexicoinc.org
**On today’s episode, I would like to share a story with you about our beloved, trickster, and fellow brother, Coyote. As we all know, Coyote is a tricky, sly, mischievous, envious, and vain creature that gets himself into situations to fulfill his simple desire of being the envy of the animal world. Often driven by vanity, greed, jealousy and hunger, brother coyote embarks on adventures, involving trickery and outright deceit to get his way. But more often than not, coyote is humbled and taught very hard lessons of choosing right over wrong, good over bad, kindness and care over selfishness and envy. I share a coyote story with you, written by me, that is an adaptation of traditional coyote stories that are told within our beloved Pueblo culture and traditions. So gather the grandkids around the Bluetooth speaker, sit back, relax, and enjoy the story of “Brother Coyote Flies to the Sun!”
If you are interested in Coyote Stories, The Healing Power of Song, or The History and Traditions of Shinney Stick, presentations, please DM me on Instagram at lifedogrezpodcast, on Facebook at lifedogrezpodcast or via email at, lifedogrez@gmail.com**
On March 17th 2024, the Life of a Dog on the Rez turned 2! Over the past 2 years, I released episodes of funny, cringeworthy, and inspirational stories from our beloved Pueblo homelands and Turtle Island, with truly amazing, funny, and inspirational individuals that I have had the absolute pleasure having a conversation with. Many share their, upbringings on and off the REZ, their educational journey’s, struggles, heartaches, life work, causes and organizations that they support, with words of encouragement, wisdom, all with funny and cringeworthy moments. A few share haikus and definitions of what a Rez Dog means to them. I truly appreciate their willingness to share their stories with the world. Some of the episodes are scripted accounts of my experiences, thoughts, struggles, and realizations of my life as a Pueblo man, father, language teacher, and song stitcher, as well as the beauty of our Pueblo way of life, though, language, culture, traditions, stories and song. Today, I would like to recap the past two years of this podcast with inspirational, funny and cringeworthy snippets from each of my episodes.
**“Welcome to the "Life of a Dog on the Rez”, Podcast a place where we share funny, cringe-worthy, and inspirational stories from our beloved Pueblo homelands. Stories that uplift the soul, provide us hope, and heal our spirits, I’m your host Michael and I am so happy that you joined me today. I'm back, your friendly neighborhood Rez Dog. First off, I want to thank all of you, my wonderful and amazing listeners for your understanding, patience, and support of this podcast. It been over two months since I released a new episode and I’m sure some of you were wondering if the Life of a Dog on the Rez was headed for the preverbal pound aka pod fade. But like any self-respecting Rez Dog, I laid in the corner, licked my wounds and rose again like the mighty rain storm, announcing my return with the clap of my thunderous boom and flashes of my powerful lightning to bring life giving moisture to all the land, just kidding, I was just busy with life as a Pueblo man and father. Being that this is the first episode of the new year, I want to extend my congratulations and blessing to all the new tribal officials across Pueblo lands. May your sacrifices, prayers and blessing continue to move the people forward in happiness, health, and prosperity. With that said, I am excited to bring you my wonderful conversation with another amazing, accomplished and inspirational individual from the Pueblo of Zuni. She will regale us with heroic and epic adventures from the dental world and saving people's smiles one tooth at a time, so sit back, relax and enjoy my conversation with Dr. LeBeaux.
Society of American Indian Dentists (SAID)
www.thesaidonline.org**
**On today’s episode, I speak with another inspirational Indigenous runner, mother, coach and veteran of the armed services. We journey through her life as a young child growing up on the rez, going into the military, experiencing things that changed the world, all the while holding on to her core values taught by her parents, grandparents and community. She reflects back on how running from an early age has played a pivotal role in her journey through life and the connections it has to our emergence, So sit back, relax, pour another cup of your favorite fall time beverage, and enjoy my interview with Tammy.
Team Red White and Blue weblink
www.teamrwb.org**
**Today we journey outside the Pueblo realm and head to Oklahoma by way of Tualatin, Oregon. I had the pleasure of having a wonderful conversation with another funny and inspirational Indigenous runner, mother, adventurer, and all-around amazing person; Birdie. Come journey with me through her upbringing in the Pacific Northwest, growing up, as she puts it “an urban Indian”, her college athletic career, family, struggle, loss, and finally finding her purpose through running. Sit back, relax, make another spam and roasted green chili on fresh tortilla sandwich with a yellow hot on the side, for good measure and enjoy my conversation with Birdie.
Below are links to the organizations that are dear to Birdie's heart.
Native Women Running
www.nativewomenrunning.com
Providence Health and Services Hood to Coast Relay
www.hoodtocoast.com
Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board
www.npaihb.org**
**Thank you for joining me today and listening to part 2 of my wonderful conversation, with my sister, Shayai. In part one, we journeyed with Shayai through the Miss Indian World competition, becoming the eventual titleholder in 1997. If you haven’t listened to episode 26 “My sister” MIW, my interview with Shayai Lucero, please take a listen to get context to this episode. In this episode, we find out about Shayai’s life post Miss Indian World, the life path that has been laid out for her and the wonderful and important organizations that she supports and promotes. So sit back, relax, and enjoy my conversation with Shayai Lucero.
Below you will find links to the organizations Shayai represents, along with her TedX Talk, and business, Earth & Sky Floral Designs.
All Pueblo Council of Governors https://www.apcg.org/ Changing Women Inititive https://cwi-health.org/ American Heart Association of New Mexico*https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/new-mexico/new-mexico* TedX Talk ABQ*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmUPlCRdXzI&t=6s* Earth & Sky Floral Designs**http://www.earthskyfloral.com/
**On today's episode, I bring you part one of my conversation with my good friend and sister, the former Miss Indian World 1997, Shayai Lucero. It must be pageant month, the current Miss Indian New Mexico graced the Rez Dog studios with her story on Episode 25. For my next interview, I have lined up, the Miss United States contestant Miss Rhode Island, to share her thoughts and feelings of a perfect date. Joking aside, come share with me, Shayai’s journey, her early years growing up in the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna, her educational path and eventual run for Miss Indian World. So sit back, relax with a bowl of pumpkin spiced atole, pumpkin spiced oven bread and pumpkin spiced dried deer meat and enjoy my conversation with Shayai.
To learn more about the Gathering of Nations Powwow and the Miss Indian World Competition, please click on the link below.
www.gatheringofnations.com
The intro and outro music in this episode is the Gathering of Nations grand entry song, composed by Arlee Neskahi of the White Eagle Singers, sung by the Rio Grande Singers and invited drums from across Turtle Island.**
**On today’s episode, I am honored and blessed to bring you my wonderful conversation with the 2022-23 Miss Indian New Mexico, Alysia Coriz. This interview was a long time coming, ever since I became a supporter of her cause and the advocacy work she does, bringing awareness and understanding of our beautiful pueblo way of life. Alysia shares her story about her upbringing, family, friends, school bullies and her eventual journey as Miss Indian New Mexico. Sit back, relax, boil up pot of Indian tea, grab a hand full of piñons and join me on this wonderful journey with Miss Indian New Mexico, Alysia Coriz.
If you are interested in finding out more about the programs and organizations Alysia supports, please click on the links below.
Coalition to STOP Violence Against Native Womenhttps://www.csvanw.org/
Miss Indian New Mexico Inc.https://missindiannewmexicoinc.org/
Pueblo Action Alliance
https://www.puebloactionalliance.org/
Indigenous Youth Council
https://www.iad.state.nm.us/from-the-office/indigenous-youth-council/
Kewa TRUTH Youth Council**https://www.facebook.com/kewatruth
**On today’s episode, I mix up my line up and bring you my conversation with a fellow Pueblo singer, shoemaker, language keeper, Dungeness crab loving brother, and all round nice guy from the Pueblo of Laguna in New Mexico. Phillip and I have know one another for quite sometime now, we share many of the same mutual family and friends. Phillip is a fan of Life of the Dog on the Rez, who has provided intro and outro music for a previous episode, contributed to the Rez Dog Haiku's on eposide 18, “Grandpa tell us a story”, and wanted to share his story of growing up on the REZ, his journey as a Pueblo man, dad, partner and keeper of the language, culture and traditions of his people. Enjoy my conversation with Phillip.
If your interested in purchasing some Pueblo style moccasin from Phillip, please click on the link below for more information.**https://linktr.ee/dyaami
**On today’s episode, I am super excited to bring you my first official interview request. One day, as I was minding my own business, I got a DM from a fan who gave the show a score of 10 war cries. Side note; the war cry scale is based on a 1 to 10 rating. 1 representing, a noble but mousy war cry and 10 representing, a war cry heard after a Northern Cree intertribal. The fan told me she had a cousin who is a hiphop artist, from the Pueblo of Okay Owenghe, a great inspiration to her people and has the best Rez stories. Well, I didn’t need any more convincing, I got her contact info, did the interview, and today, I am blessed and honored to bring you, my conversation with G Precious. I'll let G fill you in on her upbringing, educational journey, passions, and love for music. Sit back, relax, order up Uber Eats, aka your cousin selling Indian tacos and Piccadillies out her kitchen window and will deliver for free if you help her bake bread for the next Pueblo feast. Enjoy my conversation with G Precious.
Today's intro and outro music comes off the Eclectic CD, by G Precious. With unmatched lyrics, and deep connections to her people, G spins her beautiful Tewa language with modern hiphop.
Please visit her website, https://www.therealgprecious.com/ for a complete listing of all her amazing, rez rocking music.
You can also find her on most music platforms.**https://www.reverbnation.com/gprecious
https://www.facebook.com/people/G-Precious/100063298626550/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
https://soundcloud.com/gprecious?ref=clipboard&p=i&c=0&si=E94E28F5D4B5407399FBCC9D897E9D2E&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
https://www.youtube.com/@GPrecious
https://www.instagram.com/brenatenciosjp/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D
On today’s episode, I bring you my conversation with a self-confessed superfan of the show. Amore started listening to the show at the beginning of the year, after hearing it mentioned on KUNM 89.9 FM, The Singing Wire radio program. She has helped me with some editing, scripting and even did a guest reading of the Rezdog haikus on episode 18, “Grandpa, tell us a story”. Recently she was promoted to President of the Life of a Dog n the Rez Podcast Fan Club, just like Yolanda Saldivar. In our conversations and episode pitches, I asked her if she would be interested in recording an episode and she told me, “But, I have nothing interesting to say!” Well, that was even more motivation for me to get her on the show, and guess what, she had plenty to say. We all have a story, come share it with us. Sit back, relax, split open a couple of Coronado hotdog wieners, give them a quick sear, place on a tortilla, add your favorite condiment, top with a handful of "Indian lettuce" (potato chips) and enjoy my interview with Amoré.
**I am excited to bring you my conversation with Daphne Coriz from Kewa. (Santo Domingo Pueblo) Join Daphne on her journey of growing up on the reservation, her traditional upbringing, life's struggles, redemption and eventual creation of an amazing Indigenous owned business, but I will let her fill you in on all the details, so sit back, relax, get the "Rezzy" charcuterie tray ready; Spam slices, commodity cheese wedges, oven bread, Slim Jims, and prunes, because that’s the only fruit you have in the house and enjoy my interview with this amazing Pueblo Baddie!
For more information about Dye, Dye My Darling Hair Studio, please visit Daphne's Instagram page and website.
Instagram: dyedyemydarling_abq
Website: www.dyedyemydarlingabq.com**
**On today’s episode, I am excited to bring you my interview with another amazing, inspirational and funny Indigenous Pueblo woman. We talk about her years growing up on the reservation, her educational journey, career path, CrossFit and finally her amazing SFX content creation, but I’ll let her fill you in on all her amazingness. So sit back, relax, serve yourself another bowl of garbanzo and enjoy my interview with Briana.
If you would like to see Briana's SFX content creations, please follow her on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.*https://instagram.com/indigenousbriii?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=https://www.facebook.com/indigenousbri?mibextid=LQQJ4d*https://www.tiktok.com/discover/indigenous-bri?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=mobile
If you are interested in finding out more about CrossFit Rio Rancho, please visit their website at:
https://crossfitriorancho.com/
Today, I bring you my interview with a young, beautiful, talented, and self-confessed "Little Monster" from the Jicarilla Apache Nation. I've known Nicole ever since she was a baby and watched her grow into a strong, confident and independent Indigenous woman. She shares with us her journey of growing up on the reservation in Dulce, New Mexico, going to the Santa Fe Indian School, being selected valedictorian, receiving a Gates Millennium Scholarship, attending Stanford, becoming an accomplished potter, and being the biggest "Little Monster" out there. Sit back, relax, grab a handful of choke cherries, pour another cup of Tiswin, turn it up, and enjoy my interview with Nicola. If you are interested in viewing Nicola's Jicarilla Apache Micaceous pottery, please follow her on Instagram at nicolav_001
The Life of a Dog on the Rez podcast is a place where we share funny, cringe-worthy, and inspirational stories from our beloved Pueblo homelands. Stories that uplift the soul, provide us hope, and heal our spirits, I’m your host Michael, and I'm so happy that you are all my amazing and wonderful listeners from around the world. This podcast of mine was born out of trying to find a way to heal from life events that put me in a place of questioning my worth. I always loved the spoken word, I would immerse myself into people’s stories of struggle, heartache, acceptance and eventual peace, I wanted to do the same, and eventually came up with this podcast for all to share our beautiful Indigenous way of life. Thank you for all your support in getting the "Life of a Dog on the Rez" Podcast to where it is today. Many blessings to you all. "Sho-simp, Hopah!"
**On today’s episode, I am excited to bring you several different styles of storytelling. Since our emergence, storytelling was always used to pass on cultural knowledge, ceremony, history, language, a form of entertainment and a guide for how the people were to exist in the upper world. We start off with the re-telling of two stories from the book "Coyote Stories", authored by Christine Quintasket who wrote under the pen name, Mourning Dove (Humishuma). Christine was Okanagan from the Colville Reservation in north-central Washington. Her novel was first published in 1933 and was a collection of coyote stories, folklore and legends handed down to her by her people. Next, I will bring you an interview my cousin and brother Emmett “Scheme” Garcia, an accomplished storyteller and children’s book author. He will share with you, my wonderful listening audience, two Tamayame stories “Coyote and the Sky: How the Sun, Moon, and Stars Began", and "Sister Rabbit's Tricks". Then we jump into something that I am really excited to feature, Rez Dog Haikus! Lastly, we wrap up our storytelling episode with my favorite upcoming storyteller and podcaster, my son Louis. He will recite the story of "The Gruffalo’s Child", a follow up to his telling of "The Gruffalo", on episode 5, titled “The moral of the story is”. So sit back, get all the snacks you need, and find a comfortable spot to enjoy today's episode, “Grandpa, Tell Us A Story!” Coyote Stories, Interviews and Haikus from an Indigenous Perspective.
To contact Emmett Garcia for purchase of his children's books or to book him for an upcoming event, please email him at emergenceinfo@gmail.com**
I am honored and blessed to share with you a wonderful conversation I had with Janice Lucero from Isleta Pueblo. Janice is the owner and operator of Cotton Blossom Gardens, a namesake of her Tiwa name "Tah-Khee-Pauff", meaning Cotton Blossom in the Tiwa language. I came to know of Janice through our mutual friend, he told me about several ideas and projects he was working on and suggested an interview with Janice. I did a little research, and came across the Cotton Blossom Gardens website. After reading her bio, I was compelled to reach out and ask for an interview. I appreciate Janice’s honesty and willingness to share her troubles, struggles, and hardships, finally finding love, purpose and peace from the land that has connected her and her people to it, since our emergence. I find Janice’s journey inspiring and hope that some of her words, actions and outlook will inspire others to find that purpose, love and peace we all seek. Sit back, relax, and enjoy my interview with Janice Lucero.
Cotton Blossom Gardens website:
www.cottonblossomgardens.com
Email: cottonbgardens@gmail.com
Instragam: cottonblossomgardens
I am honored to have a young, strong, respectful, and humble Tamayame woman, Janiece Garcia come on my show today to share her life story of growing up on and off the reservation with you. Coming from three different tribal communities, Janiece explains how that has shaped who she has become and her journey of starting up a cookie company. The title of this episode, “Don’t be afraid, you will always find your purpose”, is perfect fit for the wonderful conversation I had with Janiece her, upbringing, journey, and outlook on life. Sit back, relax and enjoy my interview with Janiece Garcia. If your interested in purchasing some delicious cookies, you can DM Janiece on Instagram @nieceyrizzo Thank you all for your support of my podcast, have great and wonderful New Year!!!
**Today, I bring you my interview with my friend and brother Korey Herrera from the Pueblo of Cochiti, one of the 19 Pueblo tribes in the state of New Mexico. Korey and I go back a few years working with the youth from the surrounding communities. We collaborated on many projects bringing experiential learning to the students. Korey was the first person to reach out to the Life of a Dog on the Rez Podcast for an interview, but of course, life got it in the way. Eventually the stars aligned, and we had this great conversation. Korey shares his truth in a refreshingly honest way, the struggles that many of us face trying to uphold our language, culture, and traditions all at the same time trying to live in the modern world. Korey's professional life has taken many different directions over the years, and in his current situation, it has given him an outlet to speak of our beautiful and sometimes backwards way of Pueblo life. Just a warning, a few unsavory words escape our conversation, so if you have young ones listening or are sensitive to language like that, well this is your warning.
I would like to wish everyone many blessings in the new year, also to those individuals that have been elected and appointed tribal leaders, may you serve your people with honor, dignity, and humility.
If you would like to connect with Korey, you will find links to his social media and Spotify comedy album below. Enjoy the show!
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/p/Cm8TOClu5a0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@chcomedian?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Spotify**https://open.spotify.com/episode/0imOtYLBu2XH4OWiVBoMUH?si=8aff9c97d07e49aa
**Today I'm honored to bring you my interview with Mrs. Alberta Lente of Isleta Pueblo. Alberta just celebrated her 100th year on mother earth back in July and is still going strong. I came to know Alberta through her grandson David who I became friends with after meeting him down in Phoenix at the Heard Museum Indian Market back in March of this year. David invited me down to Isleta for a visit. We made moccasins sang pueblo songs, talked about our lives growing up on the reservation and David mentioned to me about his grandmother and all the stories she has about growing up in Isleta Pueblo. The stars aligned and the spirits blessed me with the opportunity to visit Alberta at her home and do this amazing interview. I humble myself to the life that Alberta lived and continues to live. She is an absolute treasure to her family, her people and to the world. Alberta truly seen the old ways and expressed to me that it's bittersweet because she was able to see it with her own eyes but is sadden that her great grandchildren will never get the opportunity to see it the way it was. With the deep cultural knowledge and understanding, Alberta parted me with this insight, "We can never go backwards, only continue forward with what we still have and do all we can to insure that the people know that it’s because of love for everything we hold dear that our way of life will continue forever." Sit back, relax and let the spirit of Alberta’s words bless you with life, happiness, and joy.
The music for today's episode was provided by my friend and gifted singer Kensi Bowekaty accompanied by her brother John Niiha from the Pueblo of Zuni. Kensi blessed me with this beautiful song about the Shumak’olo:wa (Dragonflies). Kensi provided me with this description of her work with the Zuni Youth Enrichment Program (ZYEP). "During the 2022 ZYEP summer camp, our food sovereignty team met with campers at the Zuni Pueblo School District green house where they learned about agriculture connected to cultural traditions. One activity was making shumak'olo:wa (dragonflies). Campers learned about the significance of shumak'olo:wa and its purpose in bringing rain to our fields for the blessing of abundance in food. We also had powerful conversations about life lessons that shumak'olo:wa teaches us. Sometimes we hear stories or songs that teach very powerful lessons or tell great messages from our ancestors. We remind our children that just because these stories, prayers, songs and words were created long ago by our elders, does not mean that they can’t bring all the same greatness into our world today. During this lesson, campers paired up with one another and brought shumak'olo:wa to life. Followed by garden care, they tended to their plants and shared good energy amongst one another. We explained to our children that if we are lucky, our ancestors will see their efforts and reward us with the blessings we ask for; rain and clouds. We want our children who took part in the summer camp to know that , it may not happen in the snap of a finger, it takes patience and time to see the blessings they asked for. This year we have been blessed with so much rain, which leaves us with happy hearts to see our fields flourishing with life. It shows that our ancestors granted our children with the blessings they asked for and they had a part in bringing greatness into this planting season, just as it was done long ago in story, prayer and song."
Posted below is a link to a YouTube video created that captures this amazing event that took place and shows what the Zuni children are capable of.
Credits: Song inspired by the teachings from our ancestors. Song sung by Kenzi Bowekaty and John Niiha. Video by Kenzi Bowekaty
https://youtu.be/4nKvJWjdeLQ**
**Today I bring you a bonus episode as a follow up to my interview with my friend and fellow content creator Aisha Smith on her wonderful Podcast, "You’re on Mute with Aisha." As you know, I’m from the Pueblo of Tamaya born and raised, I explained to Aisha what I know about growing up on the reservation, the life path I have chosen and the inspiration behind starting the Life of a Dog on the Rez Podcast. I also touched on the history of my people, my place in this world and how I see myself as a Pueblo man, Father and Educator. I made some statements that resonated with her. She felt compelled to elaborate on her bonus episode, titled, "Time is Irrelevant with Mike Garcia." With every new full episode, Aisha releases, a segment called "The Letter", a reflection of the conversation she has had with her guest. In Aisha’s words, “Things don’t usually end up the way we first envision them, and that is how "The Letter" came to be. It started with a newsletter on LinkedIn, then a VLOG then a podcast and finally the newsletter morphed into just "The Letter”. I am excited to share with you Aisha’s insight of our discussion, so with that said, sit back, relax and enjoy “Time is Irrelevant with Mike Garcia”
Below is a link to Aisha's Podcast, "You're on Mute with Aisha". Go check out her wonderful podcast.
https://open.spotify.com/show/1c3WjcdqX5W7Dmtyj7nxZH?si=5a238924584d4ad0
DM on Instagram at, lifedogrez.podcast or email me at, lifedogrez@gmail.com for animage of the t-shirt design.**
**This week I’m playing for you an episode from another podcast i think you’d really like. The show is called You’re on Mute with Aisha, I had the opportunity to be interviewed by my friend and fellow content creator Aisha smith. In her words, Aisha was born at home in upstate New York in a very small town. She recently learned that the town got its first stop light and has yet to see it in person. As Aisha proclaims, her father dropped her immediately after she was born, and this has resulted in many jokes throughout her life. Aisha laughs easily and cries to infrequently, in her opinion. She is a self-described intuitive empathic, which she says is exhausting and, also the greatest gift in her life. She loves connecting with others and hearing each person’s journey. This is where I come into the picture, I met Aisha through a mutual friend, Alina, the three of us had breakfast on sunny May morning a spot that served bread and coffee. After having some great bread and conversation, as Aisha describes it, we took an appropriately awkward photo, Aisha asked if she could interview me for her show, I agreed, and this collaborative was formed. I call it the Red Thunder, White Lightning Podcast collective. It Just a fancy way of saying three friends meeting together on a monthly basis to have breakfast and discuss ways to promote our platforms. This episode was released in July and according to Aisha was her highest downloaded episode to date. Among podcast content creator, it is common to do episode swaps. I plan on returning the favor and interviewing Aisha and Alina for an episode titled, "From the outside looking in." A perspective of life on the rez from a different angle. I highly recommend you listen to You’re on Mute with Aisha, where each month Aisha is honored to have a new co-creator, share their stories, honest vibes, and lenses through unscripted dialogue and letters. The topics are as varied as we are as human. Aisha’s focus is always empathy, growth, relationship, equity, anti-racism, humanity and how we can do better. Below, I posted a link to her show, or you can find her show on all major podcast platforms. So, stir the beans, flip the tortillas, sit back relax and enjoy the show.
You're on Mute with Aisha Podcast link:
https://www.podbean.com/pu/pbblog-mju7v-d3113f**
**I continue my interview with my brother Faron. We talk about covid, becoming grown ass men, language, culture, traditions, and of course powwow. Faron loves to sing and in this episode he shares several songs with us, some that he composed, and some that were given to the Rio Grande Singers. I truly appreciate his gift and his willingness to share. The seven Keres speaking villages of New Mexico are, Santa Ana, Cochiti, Zia, San Felipe, Santo Domingo, and Laguna. The Tewa language is spoken by Nambe, Pojoaque, San Illdefonso, Ohkay Owingeh, Santa Clara and Tesuque Pueblos . The Tiwa language is spoken by the Taos, Picuris, Isleta and the Sandia People. The language of Towa is spoken only by the Jemez people and Shiwi-ma is spoken by the Zuni. All these villages make up the 19 Pueblo tribes of New Mexico. The Navajo and Apache nations are also located in New Mexico and have their own language, culture, and traditions. As Faron says, “Language is our identity, its what makes us who we are.”
In previous episodes, I explained who "Bosco" is. I want to give a special shout out to “Bosco”, we never learned his real name but I'm sure his ears are ringing. Know that we truly send you our blessing and thank you for coming into our lives to bring us happiness and joy. Sometimes I imagine "Bosco" being this bad ass, lead singer for a well know drum group, having a voice that is smooth as silk and stays crisp even after his drum has been whistled by 4 different traditional dancers. Shout out and big up’s to you "Bosco", wherever you are. If you have an inspirational "Bosco" in your life and would like to share with the world, you can DM me on Instagram or shoot me an email. I truly believe, everyone has a story, come share it with us. I would love to connect with you and find out if you ever stayed out all night, were caught by your parents, unable to go to sleep and had to chop weeds all the next day.**
One more thing, I would like to ask for your help for an upcoming episode I am working on. I’m looking for Rez Dog haiku to share with the world. For those unfamiliar, a haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry, that consist of three phrases that contains no more than 17 syllables. The rules of writing a haiku are as follows:
- No more than 17 syllables in the entire poem.
-
Haiku is composed of only three lines.
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Every first line of haiku has 5 syllables, the second line has 7 syllables, and the third line has 5 syllables.
An example of a haiku goes like this:
“Standing on three legs,
I mark my territory,
On rez car tires.”
I don’t doubt that you, my wonderful listeners are poets and and don’t event know it.. To find inspiration, just walk around and observe the beauty of the rez! You can DM on Instagram at, lifedogrez.podcast or email me your submissions to lifedogrez@gmail.com They will be used in an upcoming episode and who knows, you might get an incentive for the most creative haiku.
This episode is dedicated to the late Parnell "Bahje" Mali from the village of Tewa, First Mesa. Thank you brother for the opportunity to get to know you. The Rio Grande Singers will never forget you, and your love and dedication to the language, culture and traditions of the Hopi people. You are truly missed by all! Rest in peace brother, until we meet again!
**I bring you part one of my interview with my good friend and brother Faron. I've known Faron for many, many years, and our connection goes back to our grandmothers.
They met at Santa Fe Indian School and became close friends. I remember going to Acoma Feast with my grandma and she telling me, we were going to visit her friend. Little did I know, that would lay the foundation to my friendship with Faron, his family, and eventually the Rio Grande Singers.
Join me on this journey with my brother, as we talk about growing up on the REZ, doing things REZ kids do, traveling, powwows, and learning about life.
I hope you find this episode funny, inspirational, and hopefully not too cringe-worthy. Pour a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage, make that Spam sandwich with potato chips, because REZ people use chips as a substitute for lettuce, sit back and enjoy my interview with my brother.
As a side note, the Rio Grande Singers is composed of, Tony, Lloyd, Myron, the late Robert, Faron, and Floyd Tortalita. As well as, Issac Lujan, Joseph Lujan Jr., Charles Trujillo, Darrell Felipe, Mike Garcia, Emmett Garcia, Jay Garcia, Auddie Pino and James C. I want to extend our deepest appreciation, gratitude and thanks to all the singers from across Turtle Island that sat with us at the drum and sang for the people, bringing, joy, happiness, love and blessings to the world!
The intro music is a Jingle Dress song by the Rio Grande Singers and the extro music is a round dance song composed by Stan Whiteman of the Star Society Singers from the Blackfeet Nation and sung by Faron and Floyd Tortalita.**
**I am excited to bring you my first podcast interview with my daughter Taneya. After months of asking, scheduling and rescheduling, the stars finally aligned and, the rest is history. Taneya is the oldest of my three children and pretty much the only girl in our family of many, many boys. In her words, “I wouldn’t trade those hooligans for anything”, but I'll let her tell the story of growing up on a Pueblo reservation; as a young Indigenous woman, her life, educational path and fitness journey . I hope you find my conversation with Taneya, funny, cringe-worthy and inspirational.
I also want to apologize to my friend and fellow content creator, Aisha Smith. I had the opportunity to be interviewed by Aisha on her amazing podcast, “You’re on Mute with Aisha." In my last podcast episode, I mentioned our interview, “Appropriately Awkward with Mike Garcia” and her podcast title several times but kept mispronouncing her name. I do apologize Aisha, but like you said, “no harm, no foul”. If you would like to catch my interview with Aisha, you can find her podcast at the link below.
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-yctcg-125cbc4
Aisha, our good friend Alina, and I, meet on occasion to have breakfast. We talk about our collective works, and how we can support one another and our platforms. We met at “The Shop Breakfast and Lunch" just right off Central Boulevard, in the Nob Hill area of Albuquerque. It’s a little breakfast spot, perfect for what the two call, “peopling”. I think that means, "scoping people out" in Rez terms. It's small, crowded but the food makes up for the wait. Aisha has a history with the place and always raves about it. In her words, "Tasty, fresh, in season, comfortable environment. Chef Izz cares about his ingredients and food. Impossible to choose poorly! Local, and partners with other local businesses, also super community driven." I had Huevos Rancheros with red and green chile, because Christmas is not a flavor. Alina had the duck hash, and Aisha had the Lemon Cornmeal Pancakes. It's four blue corn pancakes resting on lemon curd, topped with berry jam, fresh berries, whipped butter, and maple syrup. Aisha let us have a taste before she dug in, and yes, it was delicious. If you're in the area, check it out, you won't be disappointed. Below is the link to their website for more information and photos to drool over.
https://www.theshopabq.com/
With that, I bring you this episode, “Brush your Teeth and Say your Prayers!" My interview with Taneya Garcia. Thank you for listening and enjoy the show!**
Back in May of this year, I was asked by the Notah Begay Foundation NB3, to be part of their team at the 2022 Ragnar Zion Trail Relay located just outside of Zion National Park at the Zion Ponderosa Resort located in Orderville, Utah. Up until that point I had no clue as to what Ragnar was. A couple if their teammates got injured while training and were not able to run. Too late to cancel, NB3 asked me and another runner if we were interested in joining the team. Of course, I said yes without knowing all the details but the opportunity to travel and run got the best of me. In this episode I chronicle my journey from the Rez to Ragnar and home again.
**Also, I want to apologize to you my great listeners for not releasing a new episode in a couple of months. After my last episode, quite frankly, I wasn’t in a good head space during that time. As I mentioned in an earlier episode, life got in the way. I sincerely apologize and thank you for your continued loyalty to the show. I am in a better space now and my creative juices are flowing again. I truly appreciate your love and support and hope that you are all blessed with long, healthy and peaceful lives. With that said, join me on this journey to Ragnar. Also, something exciting has happened, I was interviewed by my now friend, Aisha Smith on her podcast, “You're on mute with Aisha”. A fellow content creator, Aisha and I were introduced to one another by a mutual friend. One Sunday in May, we all met for breakfast and a friendship was formed. I'm so thankful for Aisha because, we both got into podcasting not knowing anything, and her experiences mirrored mine. It's the motivation I need to make my podcast better. I truly appreciate all the help Aisha, Thank You! Catch my interview with Aisha, titled, “Appropriately Awkward with Mike Garcia” and learn more of what makes "Ya-Shay" tick. You can find her podcast on all the major platforms. Please leave a rating and review, for our podcasts, it truly helps expand our listening audience.
Enjoy the shows!*Links: "You're on Mute with Aisha" Podcast*https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youre-on-mute-with-aisha/id1615581265?i=1000568231085
Google Photos "From the Rez to Ragnar and Home Again" album.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/EiLV48StyC6HCLcP6
“An Indian reservation is an area land held and governed by a federally recognized Native American tribal nation whose government is accountable to the US Bureau of Indian Affairs and not to the state government which it is located. **Some of the country’s 574 federally recognized tribes govern more than one of the 326 Indian reservations in the United States, while some share reservations, and others have no reservations at all. Historical piecemeal land allocations under the Dawes Act facilitated sale to non-native Americans, resulting in some reservations becoming severely fragmented, with pieces of tribal and privately held land being treated as separate enclaves. This jumble of private and public real estate creates significant administrative, political, and legal difficulties."
On today's show, we will bring you some insight of the Pueblo perspective of a reservation, the Pueblo Revolt and its outcome that ultimately helped solidify our sovereignty and President Lincoln presenting the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico silver-headed ebony canes, engraved with his name and the year 1863, in recognition of pueblo sovereignty and respect. So sit back, relax and enjoy the show. Below are the links for the website to reggae band Native Roots, who are featured in the bumper music of the show. Also provided is a link to the PBS documentary, "The Cane of Power". I highly recommend watching it for an in-depth examination of the history of the Pueblo Canes.
Native Roots Website:
http://www.nativeroots.net**
**PBS Documentary "Canes of Power"
https://portal.knme.org/video/canes-of-power-lhtc9v/
SpeakPipe voice message app. To leave a voice message comment for the show.
https://www.speakpipe.com/LifeDogRez**
Well, it has happened, life got in the way. Let me explain, I usually release a full new episode every Thursday, but I had a very busy week, plus a change in my daily routine threw me off my game. But don’t fret, like any Rez Dog, I got up, dusted myself off and continued to live my best life. Also, the episode I am working on for next Thursdays release, requires a bit more thought and information, so I can truly express the full beauty of the places we call home. In the meantime, I would like to ask for your help. My first episode, “Definitions of a Rez Dog” was a popular one and was suggested that I do a part two, but this time cast my net beyond Pueblo lands to include all of Indian country and quite frankly, the world. So here's your chance to contribute to the show. I now have a SpeakPipe voice message app embedded into my www.lifedogrez.buzzsprout.com website. You can go there, click on the link, and leave me your definition of a Rez Dog. You can also click on the SpeakPipe app link in the show notes below. It’s quite simple and easy, and you can totally be anonymous if you choose, without being in fear of getting attacked by a pack of Rez Dogs for your comments. You can also send me an email at lifedogrez@gmail.com**. I truly appreciate your input into figuring out these wonderful creatures. If you have a funny, cringeworthy or inspirational story you would like to share with the people, you can connect with me on Instagram at lifedogrez.podcast or shoot me an email. If you like the show, please, like, follow, subscribe, and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcast, it will truly help spread the word to our families, friends and fellow rez dogs. Until next time, talk to you later -Bye!
SpeakPipe Link
https://www.speakpipe.com/LifeDogRez**
"The moral of the story is…" We’ve all heard that saying, but what does it really mean? The dictionary defines the word, moral, as a noun to mean, a lesson, especially one concerning what is right or just, that can be derived from a story, a piece of information, or an experience.
**We as natives use storytelling to teach these principals, to bring greater meaning to our world and a direction of how we as the people should conduct ourselves. Many indigenous cultures have stories of a trickster in their legends. None more tricky than coyote! He is forever into mischief and trickery but is also considered a hero in his own right. He is often described as witty, clever, obscene, vulgar, and a thieving individual. Coyote is often breaking the rules and bringing teachings through his adventurous mishaps. These teachings have strong ties to core values, traditional knowledge, cultural understanding, spirituality, and the greater world that we all live in. Today, I bring to you two stories of coyote and his adventures, along with another form of storytelling; song, and a fourth story, by a young inspiring storyteller. I ask humbly to open your hearts, minds and imaginations to the telling of these stories. I hope these stories will bring a smile to your face, make you laugh and inspire you to do good things. So, sit back, get comfortable, turn it up, and let us take you to on a journey to when the world was a beautiful place. If you like the show, please like, follow, subscribe, and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcast. It will truly help spread the word to our families, friends and fellow Rez Dogs. You can reach me on Instagram @lifedogrez.podcast or by email at, lifedogrez@gmail.com. Thank you for listening to the Life of a Dog on the Rez Podcast. I wish you happiness, joy, and blessings we all deserve! Below is the translation of the story I sing in this episode. Enjoy!
"Today, it's going to rain, and the waters will flow. A butterfly and a hummingbird fly over the fertile lands, singing of the emergence of the clouds and the fog that will provide moisture to the land. They sing of the coming of the rains and the female corn plants and vines are filled with happiness. They dance to the song of the butterfly and the hummingbird, for this is how all the fruits and plants of the world are created!"**
I am Tamayame! I was born and raised for the people of Tamaya. My identity goes back to the beginning of our emergence. Almost all cultures of the world have an origin story, a telling of our collective journeys, and our purpose on this earth. This knowledge and understanding is told to us through our elders, ceremonies and songs. It connects us to the land, the people, and the way of life that we hold dear. Our emergence story into this world is a not legend, fable, or fantasy, but an actual living account of our migration southward and the destiny of the people. Although, there are many similarities to our collective Pueblo emergence stories, each story is unique. The telling of our emergence and migration to our place of readiness is not measured by years or numbers, but by the passing of knowledge from generation to generation, this is what connects us to the beginning. I ask you to open your hearts and minds to our story, for this is who we are, Tamayame! If you like the show, please subscribe, follow, and leave a review on Apple Podcast, I truly appreciate it. You can now find me on Instagram @lifedogrez.podcast to connect with me and share all your funny, cringe-worthy, and inspirational stories with the world. If you like to reach me "old school", you can email me at, lifedogrez@gmail.com. Thank you for listening to the Life of a Dog on the Rez Podcast and I wish you all the blessings, happiness, and joy we deserve!
The pueblo people have a deep connection to running. When we emerged from the third world into this fourth world, we were instructed to find our place of readiness. The people migrated from the north, walking southward in search of places they would call home. On their migration, they ran to pass on urgent information, they ran to catch food to feed the people, and ran away from danger to insure the continuation of the people. Running is innate in all us natives. We honor the ancestor that walked this earth to find a better place for us, through running. To this day, we still maintain that connection, through action, ceremony and song. In this episode, please join me on my running journey and how it has shaped who I have become. For all those who run and walk, you are honoring our ancestors and continuing what they started.
"Sayings, Story, and Song" are the three things I find myself always looking towards when I need direction, motivation, and inspiration. Sayings, are the little things that are told to us by our families, and friends, whether it’s in Indian or English, words that give us the motivation to not give up. Story, is expressing cultural knowledge and oral traditions of the people. It was and still is used to pass on the knowledge and understanding to continue our beautiful way of life. These stories are funny, full of adventure, struggle, tragedy, heartache, hope, love, and redemption. They’re our guides to the journey path southward which Pueblo people believe we all walk, which began with our emergence into this upper world. Song is universal, it makes us happy, it fills our hearts with joy, it soothes our worries, it takes away our pain, and brings back happy memories and helps us forgive and forget the painful ones. It breathes life back into our spirits and gives us a way forward, it heals actual wounds and connects us to the past and gives us direction to our future. It’s our love medicine, and our breakup songs, it's our last hope to getting something back that we lost and a chance to start anew. I hope this episode finds you happy, healthy and in good spirits. If you have, a saying, story, or song you would like to share with the world, please email me at, lifedogrez@gmail.com I would love to connect with you and learn if you save all your paper bags for when you make fry bread.
The Life of a Dog on the Rez Podcast went live on Thursday, March 17, 2022, St. Patrick’s Day. It was a year and two days from the point, that my life changed forever, and I felt it fitting that I release my podcast on that day, also to hopefully garner some of the luck of the Irish. This podcast has been a long time coming. I was always fond of the spoken word. I love listening to National Public Radio, This American life, a Prairie Home Companion, Fresh Air, Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me, Sasquatch Chronicles The History of Rome and many other news programs, audio documentaries, and podcasts. I love to learn about the greater world and try and find a connection back to our people and our way of life. I felt the need to acknowledge all the people that this podcast has brought forth. I truly appreciate all the love, support and encouragement from family, friends, and the people. I wish you all of you the happiness and joy that we all deserve. Please listen on and enjoy this bonus "Acknowledgment" episode. I will try my best to release an episode on a regular basis, but please forgive me if life gets in the way, but I will most definitely let you know if that happens. I truly appreciate all the love, support and encouragement. Also on a side note, the drawing of the dog on my podcast cover art has a tortilla in his mouth. Some people told me it looks like a cookie, I can’t draw tortillas, but in all fairness, only on the rez you would see a dog carrying a cookie, so I guess it works. You can now find my podcast on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast or any of your favorite podcast apps. If you like the show, please subscribe, follow, and leave a review on Apple Podcast. If you have a story you would like to share with the world, please shoot me an email at lifedogrez@gmail.com. I would love to connect with you and find out if you ever, went to prom and wore the tuxedo to a Pueblo feast or ceremony the next day?
What is a Rez Dog? How does the spirit of a Rez Dog inspire us as Native People? In this inaugural episode, meet "Yah-Schay", (Mike Garcia) and hear his story about how the life on the reservation, inspires him as a storyteller and pod-caster. Life of a Dog on the Rez, is a place for funny, cringe-worthy and inspirational stories from the rez, that uplift the soul, provide us hope, and heal our spirits.
Ever wonder what Rez Dogs truly are? We go straight the source and ask the people that have intimate knowledge of these creatures - In this episode, we are going to talk about Rez Dogs. There is no exact definition of what Rez Dogs are, I guess that’s what makes them almost mystical. I asked many of my family and friends this question, “In your own words, what is your definition of a Rez Dog, no wrong answers.” The responses were eye-opening, funny and unexpected, some descriptions were actually a little cringe-worthy. So, listen on and enjoy the comments. If you would like to contribute to a future show of what exactly these amazing canines are, please email me your definition to, lifedogrez@gmail.com I look forward to hearing from you and knowing if you ever drove to a feast or powwow on a "donut" tire,
“Life of a Dog on the Rez!" A place where we share funny, cringe-worthy, and inspirational stories from our beloved Pueblo homelands. Stories that uplift the soul, provide us hope, and heal our spirits. Join me on this journey of life on the rez, and how it has shaped who we have become. This is the, "Life of a Dog on the Rez" podcast, and these are our stories.