Winds Of Change

Skiing as Ceremony: Connor Ryan’s Journey of Indigenous Activism & Adventure

Finding my culture and skiing came hand in hand—both taught me how to honor the land – Connor Ryan Welcome to Winds of Change: Native Voices, a podcast brought to you by Wyoming Humanities. Hosted by Emy Digrappa, we explore the rich histories, cultures, and stories of the people and places that shape Wyoming—and beyond. In this special series, we celebrate Indigenous perspectives by inviting Native American leaders, thinkers, and storytellers to share their experiences. From adventure and activism to tradition and modern challenges, these conversations honor the resilience and wisdom of Native communities. Born at the foot of the Rockies, Connor Ryan (Hunkpapa Lakota) is a professional skier, filmmaker, and activist who blends outdoor adventure with Indigenous wisdom. In this episode, Connor shares how he reclaims skiing as a sacred practice, his journey reconnecting with Lakota traditions, and the transformative power of bringing Native voices to the slopes. From duct-taped gear to award-winning films, his story is one of resilience, reciprocity, and redefining belonging in the outdoors. Listen now to explore the intersection of sport, culture, and healing. Resources: * Spirit of the Peaks [https://www.spiritofthepeaks.com/] – Connor’s award-winning documentary blending skiing, Lakota traditions, and Indigenous land stewardship. * NativesOutdoors – Connor’s collaboration with this Indigenous-led outdoor advocacy group (founded by Len Necefer). * Website: natives-outdoors.org [https://natives-outdoors.org/] * Instagram: @nativesoutdoors [https://www.instagram.com/nativesoutdoors/] * Hunkpapa Lakota – Connor’s tribal affiliation (a band of the Lakota/Dakota people). * Black Hills (Paha Sapa) – Sacred Lakota lands where Connor reconnected with his culture. "Paha Sapa" is a Lakota term that translates to "Black Hills". It refers to the mountain range located in southwestern South Dakota and extending into Wyoming. The name is derived from the Lakota language, where "paha" means hills or mountains, and "sapa" means black. Follow Us on These Channels: * https://www.linkedin.com/in/emydigrappa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emydigrappa/] * www.ThinkWY.org [https://thinkwy.org/] * https://www.facebook.com/storiesaboutwhy [https://www.facebook.com/storiesaboutwhy] * https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy [https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy] * Listen on all your favorite platforms and subscribe! As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on Instagram or visit the webpage of the Wyoming Humanities [https://thinkwy.org/]!

Carving a Path: Ellen Bradley’s Journey Through Story, Science, and Alaskan Native Roots

Language isn’t just about words—it’s about a worldview. It holds a whole way of understanding the world, relationships with land, and with each other. - Ellen Bradley Welcome to Winds of Change, hosted by Emy Digrappa and brought to you by Wyoming Humanities. In this episode, we celebrate Native Voices with our special guest, Ellen Bradley, a skier, scientist, and filmmaker of Lingít heritage. From the snow-covered slopes of Southeast Alaska’s coastal mountains to the shimmering waters of the Salish Sea, Ellen blends traditional ecological knowledge with modern science to amplify Indigenous voices. Join us as Ellen shares her journey of self-determination and resilience, exploring the depth of her connection to Lingít land, her family’s story, and her efforts to revitalize language and culture. From the challenges of assimilation to the hope sparked by language learning and cultural resurgence, this conversation illuminates how honoring tradition and science can shape visions for the future. #WindsOfChange #IndigenousVoices #EllenBradley #Lingít #Podcast #TraditionalKnowledge #Storytelling #CulturalRevitalization Resources from Ellen Bradley’s Interview * TCLL (Lingít Culture, Language, and Literacy) [https://sealaskaheritage.org/shi-for-students-and-youth/shi-tlingit-culture-language-and-literacy/]A program in Juneau, Alaska, that immerses youth in Lingít language and culture. (Check local Juneau school district or Sealaska Heritage Institute for information.) * Sealaska Heritage Institute [https://sealaskaheritage.org/]Supports Indigenous language revitalization, cultural education, and artistic expression in Lingít, Haida, and Tsimshian communities. * Alaska Native Language Center [http://ankn.uaf.edu/]A hub for language revitalization for Alaska Native languages. * Tongass National Forest [https://www.fs.usda.gov/r10/tongass]The largest temperate rainforest in the U.S., located in Lingít territory in Southeast Alaska. * Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) Ahttp://ienearth.org/ [http://ienearth.org/] network dedicated to protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples and our Mother Earth through action and education. * https://www.mountainfilm.org/films/let-my-people-go-skiing/ [https://www.mountainfilm.org/films/let-my-people-go-skiing/] Ellen Bradley” Let My People Go Skiing: Tlingit skier and scientist Ellen Bradley (Tlingit) returns to her traditional homelands in Southeast Alaska. Weaving ancestral knowledge, scientific understanding and passion for her sport, Let My People Go Skiing follows Bradley’s journey to help her community reclaim its place at the forefront of the stories told about their homelands Follow Us on These Channels: * https://www.linkedin.com/in/emydigrappa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emydigrappa/] * www.ThinkWY.org [https://thinkwy.org/] * https://www.facebook.com/storiesaboutwhy [https://www.facebook.com/storiesaboutwhy] * https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy [https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy] * Listen on all your favorite platforms and subscribe! As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on Instagram or visit the webpage of the Wyoming Humanities [https://thinkwy.org/]!

Speaking from the Heart: Lynette St. Clair on Language, Legacy, and the Shoshone Way

🗣️ "I grew up in a household where Shoshone was spoken. That language shaped my world—now I’m working to make sure it shapes the future too." – Lynette St. Clair On this episode of Winds of Change, host Emy DiGrappa welcomes Lynette St. Clair—Shoshone linguist, educator, and cultural preservationist from Fort Washakie, Wyoming. Recently honored as one of USA Today’s Women of the Year, Lynette shares her journey growing up on the Wind River Reservation, preserving the Shoshone language, and bringing it to screens through major media platforms. We explored the deep roots of the Shoshone language, the challenges of representation in education, and the importance of listening to and honoring elders. Lynette also reflects on building community-based language resources like the Newe Daygwap app to teach and learn the Eastern Shoshone language. And why cultural identity is essential for healing and resilience in Native youth. This is a conversation about inspiration, connection, and carrying stories forward in a fast-changing world. 📚 Shoshone Language & Cultural Resources 1. Newe Daygwap [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.languagepal.shoshoneandroid&hl=en_US] app (Shoshone Language App) A mobile app developed by the Eastern Shoshone Tribe to teach and preserve the Shoshone language using local voices. 2. Shoshone Dictionary Compiled by Reba Teran and others, this is a foundational resource used by educators and learners: https://www.hcn.org/issues/issue-303/she-builds-new-words-in-an-ancient-tongue/ [https://www.hcn.org/issues/issue-303/she-builds-new-words-in-an-ancient-tongue/] 3. Indigenous Language Institute (ILI) Supports tribes in documenting, revitalizing, and promoting Native languages across the U.S. 🌐 www.ilinative.org [https://www.ilinative.org] 4. Endangered Languages Project A collaborative platform where you can explore language data, recordings, and revitalization efforts worldwide. 🌐 www.endangeredlanguages.com [https://www.endangeredlanguages.com] 5. Language Conservancy – Shoshone Projects Works with tribes to create language apps, dictionaries, and curriculum. 🌐 www.languageconservancy.org [https://languageconservancy.org] Follow Us on These Channels: * https://www.linkedin.com/in/emydigrappa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emydigrappa/] * www.ThinkWY.org [https://thinkwy.org/] * https://www.facebook.com/storiesaboutwhy [https://www.facebook.com/storiesaboutwhy] * https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy [https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy] * Listen on all your favorite platforms and subscribe! As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on Instagram or visit the webpage of the Wyoming Humanities [https://thinkwy.org/]!

Crafting Legacy: Jhane Myers on Film, Fashion, and Comanche Tradition

In this episode of Winds of Change, host Emy Digrappa speaks with Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, artist, and cultural advocate Jhane Myers—an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation with Blackfeet heritage. Jhane shares her journey from a childhood shaped by traditional arts to a career spanning marketing, fashion, Native regalia making, and film production. Listeners will hear how Jhane’s deep connection to her roots influences her artistic vision and fuels her mission to preserve Native languages and cultural heritage. From her acclaimed work on Prey and the Free Leonard Peltier documentary to her handcrafted dolls and powwow dance championships, Jhane embodies the strength, creativity, and resilience of Native communities. Join us for an inspiring conversation about identity, artistry, and the power of storytelling across generations. About Jhane Myers * Jhane Myers IMDb [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0616700/] (filmography and credits) * Known for her work on Prey (2022), Free Leonard Peltier, and 1883 📚 Cultural & Language Preservation * Comanche Language Program – Includes classes, dictionaries, and new speaker training: https://comancheacademy.com/350188_2 [https://comancheacademy.com/350188_2] * Comanche Nation Charter School – Immersion-based education and language preservation Website [https://www.comanchenation.com/] (navigate to Education or Language Program) 🤝 Community & Connection * Shoshone Comanche Reunion – Annual cultural exchange between sister tribes * Mentors & Collaborators * Kaaren Ochoa – Producer and mentor to Jhane * Lynette St. Clair – Shoshone linguist working in film language translation Follow Us on These Channels: * https://www.linkedin.com/in/emydigrappa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emydigrappa/] * www.ThinkWY.org [https://thinkwy.org/] * https://www.facebook.com/storiesaboutwhy [https://www.facebook.com/storiesaboutwhy] * https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy [https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy] * Listen on all your favorite platforms and subscribe! As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on Instagram or visit the webpage of the Wyoming Humanities [https://thinkwy.org/]!

The Healing Power of Quilting: A Northern Arapaho Story: Miracle Seminole and Cherokee Brown

🧵 “Quilting isn’t just for old people—it’s for anyone with a creative spirit and a story to tell.” — Miracle Seminole ✨ “Each quilt carries prayers, patience, and the love of our ancestors.” — Cherokee Brown In this heartfelt episode of Winds of Change, host Emy DiGrappa sits down with Cherokee Brown and her daughter, Miracle Seminole—both enrolled members of the Northern Arapaho Tribe—to explore how quilting, creativity, and cultural tradition serve as powerful tools for healing, self-expression, and community revitalization. Cherokee shares her personal journey into star quilt making, inspired by her grandmother’s love for arts and crafts and guided by a deep spiritual connection to her ancestors. As a mother, she passed down not just the skill but the soul of quilting to Miracle, who found strength and purpose in the tradition after surviving a life-altering experience. Together, they speak openly about grief, recovery, intergenerational trauma, and the importance of reclaiming cultural identity through Indigenous art. Miracle, now a rising quilt artist herself, envisions a future where quilting isn't just a family legacy but a way to uplift her community—one stitch at a time. From smudging rituals to chakra designs and bold aspirations of launching a community sewing space, this conversation is full of inspiration, resilience, and hope. Whether you're Native or non-Native, an artist or admirer, this episode offers a powerful reminder: creativity can be medicine, and tradition can be revolutionary. Follow Us on These Channels: * https://www.linkedin.com/in/emydigrappa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emydigrappa/] * www.ThinkWY.org [https://thinkwy.org/] * https://www.facebook.com/storiesaboutwhy [https://www.facebook.com/storiesaboutwhy] * https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy [https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy] * Listen on all your favorite platforms and subscribe! As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on Instagram or visit the webpage of the Wyoming Humanities [https://thinkwy.org/]!