First Voices Radio | 1/20/21 - Darryl Leroux, Max Wilbert

1/20/21 - Darryl Leroux, Max Wilbert

January 20, 2021 / 59:41/E19

In the first segment, Host Tiokasin Ghosthorse speaks with returning guest Darryl Leroux. Darryl is associate professor in the Department of Social Justice and Community Studies at Saint Mary’s University in Kjipuktuk (Halifax, Nova Scotia). His book, "Distorted Descent: White Claims to Indigenous Identity," explores the many efforts made by white Americans and Canadians to claim an “Indigenous”

identity. He and Tiokasin discuss Darryl’s most recent research demonstrating how Franco-Americans with no Abenaki ancestry have created a series of "Abenaki tribes" in Vermont and New Hampshire.

At the bottom of the hour, Tiokasin pays tribute to great friend and colleague Laura Waterman Wittstock (Seneca, Heron Clan) who recently passed away at the age of 83. Laura, a long time and extremely well regarded Native journalist, was the host and producer of "First Person Radio" on public/community radio KFAI FM in Minneapolis, MN for many years. She was also an educator and founder of the non-profit Migizi Communications in Minneapolis - giving opportunities and encouragement to young Native communicators. Over the years, Laura joined Tiokasin as a guest on “First Voices Radio” and Tiokasin also joined Laura on her show. "First Voices Radio" will miss her very much.

In the second segment, Tiokasin welcomes back Max Wilbert, a writer, organizer and wilderness guide. A third-generation dissident, Max grew up on Duwamish land in post–WTO Seattle. He is the author of two books, including the forthcoming “Bright Green Lies: How the Environmental Movement Lost Its Way and What We Can Do About It,” to be published by Monkfish this year. Max’s essays have been published in Earth Island Journal, Counterpunch and Dissident Voice, and have been translated into several languages. Max has been part of grassroots political work for nearly 20 years. He has been involved in fighting both Canadian and Utah tar sands, in resisting industrial-scale water extraction and deforestation in Nevada, in advocating for the last remaining wild buffalo in Yellowstone, in solidarity work with Indigenous communities in British Columbia, and in campaigns against sexual violence. Last Friday, a group of activists, including Max, launched an occupation of a proposed mine in northern Nevada. Lithium Americas corporation plans to rip open 5,000 acres of this land to extract lithium for consumer products. For more information on this campaign, visit https://protectthackerpass.org.

Production Credits:

Tiokasin Ghosthorse (Lakota), Host and Executive Producer

Liz Hill (Red Lake Ojibwe), Producer

Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Studio Engineer and Audio Editor, WIOX 91.3 FM, Roxbury, NY

Music Selections:

1. Song Title: Tahi Roots Mix (First Voices Radio Theme Song)

Artist: Moana and the Moa Hunters

CD: Tahi (1993)

Label: Southside Records (Australia and New Zealand)

(00:00:44)

3. Song Title: Long Time Gone

Artist: Crosby, Stills and Nash