Origin Stories

Elder Wisdom for the Future

Kainai Elder Shane Little Bear shares teachings rooted in love, ceremony, and the living knowledge passed down by his grandparents. Raised in a close-knit Blackfoot community, he reflects on the healing power of horses, the sacred role of buffalo, and the everyday practices that restore balance. Through stories of land, kinship, and cultural continuity, Shane calls on youth to reclaim language, connect with elders, and carry forward the teachings that sustain our collective future. Music: * Documenting Wildlife - Descript * Alright - Supaman - YouTube * Dancing in the Redwoods - Miracle Spotted Bear - YouTube * Eagles Journey - Tory “Good Medicine” De Roche and Manu Josiah - YouTube Thank you to our sponsors and Wild Foundation. www.indigenousled.org INDIGENOUS LED Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/indigenous_led/?hl=en] Producer Lailani Upham at www.ironshieldcreative.com [https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/] and co-producers Josh Adler at Ecologica [https://ecologica.info/] and José Giovanni with Four Winds Productions [https://www.instagram.com/fourwinds.productions/] / IL Storytelling & Communications

Empowering Indigenous Youth

At Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Youth Programs Manager Sarah Little Bear shares how seasonal camps are cultivating the next generation of land stewards. Designed to deepen Native youth’s ecological and cultural knowledge, these gatherings foster belonging, ceremony, and intergenerational connection. Youth voices—including Ethan Running Crane—reflect on the role of culture, mentorship, and collective memory in shaping a future rooted in responsibility. This episode honors youth as vital carriers of rematriation, renewal, and relational power. Music: * Documenting Wildlife - Descript * Equilibrium - Descript * Hard Sell - Ketsa -  - Free Music Archives * Siksika Youth Conference SFX - IL * Space Exploration Future Technology - Descript * Blackfoot youth drummers  Ochapowace powwow 2024 - Big juicy_19 - YouTube * Warriors Song - Theodore Last Star,  * ℗ 2004 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings / 1979 Folkways Records - YouTube * Tribal Drums with Windchimes - Descript * Thunderous - Descript Thank you to our sponsors and Wild Foundation. www.indigenousled.org INDIGENOUS LED Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/indigenous_led/?hl=en] Producer Lailani Upham at www.ironshieldcreative.com [https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/] and co-producers Josh Adler at Ecologica [https://ecologica.info/] and José Giovanni with Four Winds Productions [https://www.instagram.com/fourwinds.productions/] / IL Storytelling & Communications

Braided Science

Ecologist Stephanie Barron reflects on her journey bridging Western science with Indigenous knowledge systems rooted in relational stewardship. With a background in botany, wildlife, and environmental education, she reflects on how Indigenous mentorship guided her toward a more holistic, land-based approach. From carnivore stories to lessons from beavers and bison, this episode uplifts the power of decolonial science and storytelling to restore balance, renew kinship, and heal relationships with our more-than-human relatives. Music: * Documenting Wildlife - Descript * Wolf SFX -Descript * Tribal Rain Dance (live Percussion) - Descript * The Three Little Pigs - Silly Symphony - - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl5rvGmwBfk&t=202s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl5rvGmwBfk&t=202s]  * Wolf Song - Reuben Black Boy - ℗ 2004 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings / 1979 Folkways Records - YouTube * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xYMbPA8GUU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xYMbPA8GUU] * Creepy Distant Wolves - Descript * Flow of Nature - Descript * Beaver Medicine Song - James White Calf * ℗ 2004 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings / 1979 - YouTube * Mist - Ketsa - Free Music Archives Thank you to our sponsors and Wild Foundation. www.indigenousled.org INDIGENOUS LED Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/indigenous_led/?hl=en] Producer Lailani Upham at www.ironshieldcreative.com [https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/] and co-producers Josh Adler at Ecologica [https://ecologica.info/] and José Giovanni with Four Winds Productions [https://www.instagram.com/fourwinds.productions/] / IL Storytelling & Communications

Origin Stories

Cristina Mormorunni and Ervin Carlson join story producer Lailani Upham to share the beginnings of INDIGENOUS LED and the movement to restore free-roaming buffalo across Blackfoot territory and beyond. Through personal stories and deep reflections, they explore how buffalo rematriation is rooted in cultural responsibility, ecological balance, and spiritual connection. This episode highlights the power of Indigenous storytelling to heal relationships—with land, community, and our more-than-human relatives. Music: * Documenting Wildlife - Descript * ES Bison, Prairie Dogs, Birds, Crickets - IL * Blackfeet release wild Buffalo - Missoulian Video - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUkex7X6Zks [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUkex7X6Zks]  * Between Cloud and Land - Ketsa - Free Music Archive * 2011-13 - Ketsa - Free Music Archive * Whiter Skies - Ketsa - Free Music Archive Thank you to our sponsors and Wild Foundation. www.indigenousled.org INDIGENOUS LED Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/indigenous_led/?hl=en] Producer Lailani Upham at www.ironshieldcreative.com [https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/] and co-producers Josh Adler at Ecologica [https://ecologica.info/] and José Giovanni with Four Winds Productions [https://www.instagram.com/fourwinds.productions/] / IL Storytelling & Communications