Official Trailer Reclaiming Our Stories: Voices of Indigenous Peoples of California

Welcome to Reclaiming Our Stories: Voices of Indigenous Peoples of California, a new podcast series from California Humanities. Hosted and story-woven by the Honorable Victorio L. Shaw, Esq., this six-episode series centers on Indigenous voices, leadership, and lived experiences from across California. Through conversations with tribal leaders, artists, educators, and advocates, the series explores narrative sovereignty, cultural continuity, and the power of storytelling. As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Reclaiming Our Stories invites listeners to broaden their understanding of history by engaging perspectives that are too often absent from mainstream narratives. Featured voices in the series include Judge Abby Abinanti (Yurok), Georgiana Sanchez (Chumash, O’odham), Cristina Gonzales (Chumash), Terria Smith (Cahuilla), Cindi Alvitre (Tongva), Nicole Myers-Lim (Pomo), and Michelle Lee (Pit River, Cahuilla). 🎙️ First episode premieres May 5, 2026. Subscribe now and listen wherever you get your podcasts. Music & Cultural Credits The trailer features the song Šiy’antikič hu l-molmoloq’iwaš – The ancestors are alive, composed by Deborah L. Sanchez. This song received first place at Chumash Cultural Days and was created as a tribute to her grandmother and grandfather. The melody is rooted in a lullaby passed down through generations — originally sung by her O’odham grandmother to her mother, and later shared with her. The trailer also features drumming by the Honorable Victorio L. Shaw, Esq., whose contribution grounds the closing in rhythm, continuity, and cultural expression. 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.