Introduction to Reclaiming Our Stories

Welcome to Reclaiming Our Stories: Voices of Indigenous Peoples of California. In this opening episode, Story Weaver Victorio Shaw invites you to arrive—not just to listen, but to enter into a relationship with story, land, and truth. As conversations around the United States Semiquincentennial begin to take shape, this series asks a different question: Whose stories are being told—and whose have been left out? This is not a traditional history podcast. This is an invitation into narrative sovereignty—where California Native voices speak on their own terms, grounded in lived experience, cultural continuity, and self-determination. In this episode, you’ll explore: Why this podcast exists—and why now What it means to reclaim narrative authority How storytelling functions as responsibility, not content The role of art as a living form of knowledge and memory The richness and diversity of Native communities across California What it truly means to listen—deeply and with intention This series is for: Native listeners seeking reflection and recognition Non-Native listeners ready to engage with humility Future generations who will inherit these stories You’ll also experience an artistic interlude, reminding us that story is not only spoken—it is felt, embodied, and carried through sound, rhythm, and memory. A Question to Carry With You Before you move on to the next episode, we invite you to sit with this: Why are you here? What brought you to this story, in this moment? About the Series Reclaiming Our Stories centers the voices of Indigenous peoples across California—past, present, and future. This is a living archive, shaped by those who continue to carry culture, community, and connection forward. About the Music S’aximay hi sulkuw – Black is the night. Composed by Deborah L. Sanchez In this song, we sing one round in Šmuwič, another round in English, and then cap it with another round in Šmuwič. It’s about the beauty of the natural world. Stay Connected Follow, subscribe, and share to continue the journey. Next episode: Whose history have we been given—and whose has been buried? Acknowledgments This series is made possible with support from The 11th Hour Project and Weingart Foundation. Reclaiming Our Stories is a part of By the People: Conversations beyond 250. By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.