Podcasts provide an invaluable medium for sharing stories, culture, and knowledge, making them especially beneficial for celebrating Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month. Indigenous media platforms provide spaces for Native voices to be heard, allowing individuals to share their unique experiences, traditions, and perspectives that might be overlooked in mainstream media. By listening to Indigenous-led podcasts, audiences gain insights into the histories and contemporary issues Indigenous communities face, generating understanding and empathy. This accessibility can assist in bridging cultural gaps while educating about the stories that have been marginalized and left out of American history narratives.
Many of the podcasts highlighted focus on critical topics such as sovereignty, environmental stewardship, and the arts. These programs frequently feature interviews with Tribal leaders, activists, artists, and scholars, offering a deeper connection to Indigenous cultures and issues. This Indigenous Peoples Month, take the opportunity to engage with these 24 podcasts to honor and celebrate the cultures and contributions of Indigenous Peoples.
1. The Indian and Cowboy Podcast
Jared Wolf Child (Piikani Nation) and Brody Cole share their experiences living in the rugged Wild West of Shaolin Land, Alberta, Canada. United by their connection through stand-up comedy, they offer unique viewpoints on life while enjoying a strong bond of love and laughter. Their conversations reflect their friendship amidst the challenges and joys of their surroundings.
The NDN Collective Podcast illuminates Indigenous culture, activism, and community empowerment. Through discussions with Native leaders, activists, and creatives, it addresses crucial issues such as environmental justice, land rights, and cultural preservation.
The Coffee & Quaq Podcast broadcasts the experiences and perspectives of Alaska Natives, blending discussions of culture and contemporary issues. The hosts engage in conversations that celebrate Indigenous knowledge and explore relevant social, political, and environmental topics. The podcast aims to connect and foster understanding while showcasing the richness of Alaska Native heritage.
The Red Nation Podcast examines Indigenous rights, culture, and activism, emphasizing the struggles and resilience of Indigenous peoples in the Americas. It covers a variety of topics, such as history, politics, social justice, and environmental issues, often drawing connections between Indigenous challenges and wider liberation movements. The podcast seeks to amplify Indigenous voices and foster meaningful discussions on decolonization and community empowerment.
The Native Seed Pod is a podcast by the Cultural Conservancy that celebrates Native foodways, ancestral seeds, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge, which are essential for revitalizing the health of the Earth and all living beings. The podcast emphasizes the significance of protecting and restoring agrobiodiversity and food sovereignty, highlighting everything from planting songs to cultural foodscapes.
This podcast explores the lives and legacy of the Horn family, highlighting their Kanien’keha roots, activism, and contributions to art and culture, as conveyed through Ma’s personal stories and engaging discussions.
Minnesota Native News has been highlighting ideas and events important to Minnesota's Native American communities since 2014. Produced and distributed by AMPERS, MNN broadcasts on Tribal and community stations across the state, reaching over 124,000 listeners each week. The team, composed primarily of Native reporters and producers, collaboratively manages editorial and storytelling responsibilities.
8. Unreserved
Unreserved provides a valiant platform for Indigenous voices. Every Friday, Rosanna Deerchild (O-Pipon-Na-Piwan Cree Nation) engages in conversations with cousins, aunties, Elders, and heroes, guiding listeners toward a deeper understanding of their shared stories.
Indigenous Action, originally known as Indigenous Action Media, was established in 2001, to offer communications and direct action support for the defense of Indigenous sacred lands. This radical collective consists of anti-colonial and anti-capitalist Indigenous media makers, designers, artists, writers, and activists who collaborate on various projects aimed at liberating Mother Earth and all her inhabitants.
10. Native Circles
Native Circles is a podcast dedicated to amplifying Indigenous voices and experiences. Each month, it features conversations with public intellectuals who are committed to collaborating with Indigenous communities to share their stories and perspectives.
11. New Books in Native American Studies
This podcast features interviews with scholars of Native America discussing their latest books, exploring their research, insights, and the cultural significance of their work. Each episode offers a deep dive into the themes and topics that shape contemporary Native American studies.
12. Indigenous Earth Community Podcast
Step into Indigenous Earth, a podcast that celebrates the resilience and wisdom of Indigenous heroes worldwide. You’re invited to engage deeply in the mission of becoming true stewards of our planet. Through inspiring stories and cultural insights, you'll learn how to connect with and protect the beauty of our Earth.
13. Unspoken: America's Native American Boarding Schools
In this episode, delve into the dark history of Native American boarding schools, exploring the tension between assimilation and extermination during westward expansion. Focusing on the Santa Fe Indian School, this podcast examines the origins of this system, rooted in the controversial practices of Civil War Army Lieutenant Richard Henry Pratt.
14. Hoporenkv Native American Podcast
The Hoporenkv Native American Podcast offers a unique opportunity to explore topics related to Tribal housing and community development. Created by the Native Learning Center and named after the Creek word for “wisdom,” this podcast provides concise information, presenting content in shorter formats than their typical weekly webinars. Listeners are encouraged to visit the NLC website to learn more about the upcoming episodes of the Hoporenkv Native American Podcast.
Native Voice One is dedicated to educating, advocating for, and celebrating Indigenous life and culture. By producing radio programs and podcasts that present a Native perspective, the organization highlights the richness and diversity of Indigenous experiences. Through these platforms, listeners gain insight into contemporary issues, traditions, and the vibrant voices of Indigenous communities.
As the organization expands, it seeks to engage younger generations in its work. Responding to youth concerns about their lack of representation, they launched the Youth Podcast, allowing participants to preserve oral traditions while discussing relevant topics. This initiative also established a Youth Advisory Council to guide future developments and strengthen the youth's connection to the organization.
Join hosts Leah-Simone Bowen and Falen Johnson (Mohawk and Tuscarora) as they explore the beautiful, terrible, and bizarre histories of this land. Discover the country you think you know and the untold stories behind it. New episodes are released every second Thursday.
18. The Henceforward
The Henceforward podcast explores the relationships between Indigenous and Black Peoples on Turtle Island. This series examines how these connections can transcend the narratives shaped by settler colonialism and anti-Blackness, examining our shared responsibilities and potential for collaboration.
19. Warrior Life
Join Pam Palmater, Mi’kmaw lawyer, author, and activist, as she highlights the stories of Indigenous warriors and activists dedicated to safeguarding Indigenous lands, peoples, and cultures.
20. Kuper Island
This series shares the experiences of four students—three who survived and one who didn’t—at one of Canada's most infamous residential schools, a place marked by unresolved deaths, abuse, and enduring trauma. The stories reveal the lasting impact on the community and the survivors. Hosted by Duncan McCue (Anishinaabe), this is a great listen for true crime enthusiasts.
Tune in to the voices of Indigenous radio producers at Cultural Survival, where you’ll discover the latest updates on Indigenous Peoples' rights and their global implementation. Enjoy our programs—available for free to listen, download, and share! From insightful interviews and public service announcements to reports on international rights and the innovative strategies Indigenous communities are employing to turn their rights into reality, our content is designed to inform and inspire.
Hosted by Andi Murphy, a Navajo journalist, “Toasted Sister” takes us along on Murphy's journey to discover her culinary roots. This award-winning podcast documents the Native American Food Movement.
23. Missing & Murdered: Finding Cleo
Connie Walker (Cree), an award-winning CBC News investigative reporter, hosts two seasons of the “Missing & Murdered” podcast.
24. Media Indigena
Media Indigena provides a rarely-heard set of perspectives from American Indian communities on everything from sexuality and marriage to natural disasters to education.
