Birds, Belonging, and Becoming with Jamison Schulz-Franco

MESSAGE ME HERE!What does it mean to reconnect with your ancestry when the journey doesn't come with a roadmap? In this episode of *Our True Colors*, Dr. Shawna Gann sits down with storyteller, community organizer, and anti oppression facilitator Jamison Schulz-Franco for a thoughtful conversation about identity, belonging, and the courage to remain curious. Together, they explore what it means to hold multiple cultural identities, reconnect with family history, and embrace the complexities that shape who we are. Rather than searching for simple answers, Jamison shares how listening to family stories, returning to ancestral homelands, and building relationships with people and the natural world have transformed the way they understand themselves.Jamison also shares the inspiring story behind Special Bird Service, a community centered on creating welcoming outdoor spaces for Black, Brown, Indigenous, and queer communities through bird watching and connection to the land. From conversations about migration, oral history, and ancestral memory to reflections on cricket, community, and healing, this episode is an invitation to embrace the richness of our own stories while making space for the stories of others. If you've ever wondered where you belong or how to honor every part of your identity, this conversation offers both encouragement and hope.Jamison Schulz-Franco is a storyteller, community organizer, and anti oppression facilitator whose work centers on community connection and embodied approaches to social justice. Born and raised on the ancestral territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən speaking Peoples in what is now known as Victoria, British Columbia, Jamison's perspective is shaped by their South Indian, German, and Scottish ancestry. They currently work with a local land trust supporting Indigenous led stewardship on Southern Vancouver Island and co founded Special Bird Service, a bird watching community that brings people together through nature, belonging, and care for one another.In this episode, you'll hear about:• Why curiosity can be more powerful than certainty in understanding identity• Reconnecting with ancestry through family stories and lived experience• Creating community through bird watching and relationships with the land• Navigating multiracial identity without forcing it into either or categories• The importance of oral history, belonging, and intergenerational learningIf this conversation resonated with you, we'd love to hear what stood out. Leave a review, share this episode with someone who would enjoy it, or connect with us on Instagram and LinkedIn at Our True Colors Podcast.Dr. Shawna Gann's upcoming book, *Mixed Signals: The Multiracial Case for Civility and Belonging at Work*, will be released in early Fall. Visit the website to sign up for updates about the book release and other exciting news.Check out some more stuff!The Christian Cooper ChroniclesExtraordinary Birder with Christian CooperThe Blackfoot Wisdom that Inspired Maslow’s HierarchyIf this is your first time with OTC, check out  EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram!Our True Colors is powered by The Culture Crucible. Go to THE HUB to learn more!Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!