2023 Indigenous Communities Fellowship
What Does Culture Have To Do With That?
Provide a one-line summary of your solution.
What Does Culture Have To Do With That? takes the initiative to exhibit how we might live in a better world, considering the ways of life when we walked through Indigenous America – and how we can traditionally continue to walk through this contemporary world.
What specific problem are you solving?
Across the United States, there is a great misunderstanding between indigenous and non-indigenous communities on what culture has to do with many aspects of life. Through cultural misunderstandings, we experience communication barriers that have led to many systems and policies that are harmful rather than healing to the intergenerational trauma born into our people.
We see disparities at disproportionate rates across education, health, employment, justice, and almost every part of life for those whose culture has been forcefully taken away. The world, as is, does not see that you do not need to profit from culture to benefit from it. Understanding why these substantial disparities can all be rooted in the cultural deficit our communities have endured is vital to creating effective solutions within these systems.
What is your solution?
Indigenous communities would go as far as saying culture is the solution to all. Culture is the way of life, our way of living, and our way of being. What Does Culture Have To Do With That? takes the initiative to exhibit how we might live in a better world, considering the ways of life when we walked through Indigenous America – and how we can traditionally continue to walk through this contemporary world.
To bridge the gap, answer the question(s), and move forward as good relatives in this land of many nations, a series of podcasts and community events have been created between our team of mighty, educated (&yes, young) experts who have been raised in communities that value indigenous cultural knowledge and historical significance, and have learned to navigate prestigious western environments including Brown University and Harvard University, Forest and Business School.
The end goal being an audience with further cultural sensitivity, understanding of cultural significance, and a better idea of What Culture Has To Do With That.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
What Does Culture Have To Do With That? operates across all markets. Education is a never ending opportunity, and this subject caters to all who work with indigenous people and anyone who wants to be a better relative.
Which Indigenous community(s) does your solution benefit? In what ways will your solution benefit this community?
We hope that all indigenous communities are benefitted, and that our home here on turtle island is able to flourish when our necessities and hurts are voiced. Within the history of the United States, this has been our biggest triumph. Our people have been silenced, and to the point we are afraid to speak up. What Does Culture Have To Do With That? answers not only that question, but gets down into specifics. We will discuss the truths and traumas of our education systems, our justice systems, our climate issue, and how our government officials (on all levels) could really be doing better.
How are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?
As we progress from young people in "youth" positions, and into real adults of the world we are still faced with that one factor. We are young. I do not see this as a barrier. Our ancestors and elders weep when they see us on stages, filling spaces that they prayed our people could be. Our siblings and younger cousins look up to us, knowing there is more than a bottle to pick up after high school. Our parents feel comforted knowing, that every hardship they endured was to make us into these strong leaders that can walk in two worlds: a traditional world and the western civilization.
Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?
Drive positive outcomes for Indigenous learners of any age and context through culturally grounded educational opportunities.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Nespelem, WA
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
What is your solution’s stage of development?
Prototype: A venture or organization building and testing its product, service, or business model, but which is not yet serving anyone
How many people does your solution currently serve?
500
Why are you applying to Solve?
We are applying to SOLVE because we are young, and that is a barrier within itself. We have many areas of expertise, but not in places that we need to be to continue to push our plans and ideas forward. Though we are coming to you as educators, we hope to learn from SOLVE and all or who that comes with. Grant writing and stronger business models
In which of the following areas do you most need partners or support?
Who is the Team Lead for your solution?
Sydney Matheson
Please indicate the tribal affiliation of your Team Lead.
Colville Confederated Tribes
How is your Team Lead connected to the community or communities in which your project is based?
Yes. The team lead resides within her own Tribe's reservation as well as goes to school (mostly online) through Arizona State University. She serves as Miss Washington in America's Next Miss Scholarship Pageant and as a youth ambassador for the Tribal Youth Resource Center
What makes your solution innovative?
What Does Culture Have To Do With That? will release a series of 24 podcasts that cover topics discussed by either members of our team or other respected experts on how culture and cultural values are vital to the processes of each system that caters to indigenous communities. Alongside these podcasts we would offer in person training and events such as informational sessions, system-specific training, and cultural gatherings.
Through the virtual platform of podcast broadcast we will be able to reach a larger audience, than if we were to only do in person events. The audience will also be able to listen on their own time and pace, replaying the recordings over as many times as necessary. This also allows all members of the team to live in their respective homelands and/or areas of study, and still work together. Our team itself consists of members of nations ranging from coast to coast, and from border to border with the potential to impact all spaces and subjects in between.
Where our words help the most will come further action, and you’ll find us in a community near you hosting an event and sharing our knowledge.
With a team of professionals with expertise within many fields including: traditional knowledge and practices, criminal justice, ecological justice, ecological sciences, social justice, healthcare, emergency services, business, and more, I believe we have the ability to answer all questions. In the event we are unable to answer a question, we know somebody from Indian Country that can, or we will find out.
What are your impact goals for the next year and the next five years, and how will you achieve them?
In the next year we hope to successfully stream all 24 episodes of our podcast, host 4 in person events, and deliver any extra training upon possible request + participate in specialized training offered to us.
Within year two, repeat all done in year one. Focus second year around specialized training taken within year one. Grow partnerships: submit grant applications, resolutions to organizations, take specialized training.
Throughout year three continue efforts that began in year one and repeated in year two. Begin further efforts and ground work to address and discuss cultural disparities at the Institutional level: education, incarceration, etc.
In year four with education, expertise, and partnerships gained we will use data collected throughout the previous years that will help us to begin work towards the law and policy changes we all hope for.
In year five we hope to have change and see results at the education, law, and policy level. The podcast from year one is continued and brought to and end after the fifth season.
Which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals does your solution address?
How are you measuring your progress toward your impact goals?
Progress will be measured initially on podcast views, and how those numbers grow. From there the numbers of people in attendance of our social gatherings and how those may fluctuate. As well as other social media account follower numbers, requests for training to be offered and a possible increasing level of importance will all be taken into consideration too.
What is your theory of change?
On numerous occasions our team has actually been asked “What does culture have to do with that?” or something very closely related. State officials have asked us for help, with little to no follow through. We are askfed questions, and we have great answers, yet are ignored. However, a change in the cycle has already started. For once in our lifetimes, through our ancestors’ prayers, are people asking questions.
The simple question of “Why?” can be so powerful, when asked by the perfect person. Why do the indigenous people not have their lands? Why do indigenous people not have full governance over the lands they do have? Why are there not more protections for our faults? Or my favorite, “What if I knew more of my culture? Would I feel like I had more of a place in this world?” These are examples of questions we have begun to hear, and we have heard all of them multiple times, by people from all walks of life.
Describe the core technology that powers your solution.
The core technology that powers our solution has been passed down for many generations, our ancestral technologies and practices.
Due to many parts of our lives being westernized or stripped due to hate crime. We are taught to walk in two worlds. However, we have learned that we can walk in one, together.
What Does Culture Have To Do With That? takes to the internet in a world where young indigenous leaders will stream podcasts to discuss how our people flourished, beautifully, prior to colonization. Our people were happy and healthy, our justice systems were viable and accountable, we understood ways to facilitate our existence and the ecosystems we inhabited. We challenge you to visualize how considerations to this prior way of life would be a solution to many disparities in modern day America.
Which of the following categories best describes your solution?
A new application of an existing technology
Please select the technologies currently used in your solution:
If your solution has a website or an app, provide the links here:
n/a
In which parts of the US and/or Canada do you currently operate?
Washington State, Arizona, Rhode Island, and Oklahoma
In which parts of the US and/or Canada will you be operating within the next year?
Washington State, Arizona, Rhode Island, and Oklahoma as well as, A mix of all parts of the US and Canada, hopefully. Market Areas Being: -Education Institutions (Universities, Colleges, Professors, and other school/education officials) -Justice Systems (From the time of contact with patrol to being before a judge.) -Government Entities, (US GOVT: OJJDP, OVC, etc.) (State Govt.: STRAD, State Dept. and Officials, etc.) (Tribal Govt. )
What type of organization is your solution team?
Not registered as any organization
How many people work on your solution team?
3
How long have you been working on your solution?
6 months
What is your approach to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into your work?
Recognizing that human beings are a manifestation of the earth's magnificence, we acknowledge our sense of belonging, our ecological responsibility, and the interdependence between ourselves and the ecosystems we inhabit. We pledge to be guided by the wisdom of our ancestors, and stay rooted in the values of our communities. Having been raised with such values, we have come to appreciate the wonder of being constituents of all creation.
Our Team Members Bio’s are found below:
Kaitlin Shadiin Martinez: Skeg tas ani an ab cegig Juki Mad, miligan cegig Kaitlin Martinez. I am Akimel O’odham and Dine from the Gila River Indian Community in southern Arizona. I’m a sixth generation O’odham rancher, and also an entrepreneur - the owner of The Ranch Mobile Eatery. A food truck that specializes in my ancestral nutrient dense food, incorporating these food in my menu when our cultural protocols and the seasons permit. We highlight the simplicity of our food and use our dishes as a way to bring light to climate change in our region. Our food is a real source of medicine and we are here to share it with those who need it. There is also accountability that comes from working with such foods. You harvest these foods with respect and that deep understanding that we are all equal on this earth. I also serve as a mentor for the Tribal Youth Resource Center where I get the privilege of working alongside intelligent forward driven yet deeply rooted in culture people from all over turtle island. I am also a learner / speaker of my language - O’odham niok. I’ve had the opportunity to work with cultural resources and offer classes around language and healing for our youth and community members. I am an advocate for victims and survivors in my community, a co-founder of a grassroots organization called Kekiwan Hemu! Stand Up Now! That focuses on community healing and wellbeing with culture all while staying forward driven. Encouraging our community to advance in this contemporary world all while being true to our himdag (way of life)
Shace Anagali Duncan:
Sydney Lynn Matheson: Way xast sxalxalt! Hello and good day! My name is Sydney Matheson, I am 24 years old and an enrolled member of the Colville Confederated Tribes from North Central Washington State. I am a certified nursing assistant, an emergency medical technician, and hold a degree in criminal justice with a certificate in corrections. I serve as a youth ambassador for the tribal youth resource center, provided by the office of juvenile justice and delinquency prevention, as well as being student and traditional knowledge holder/learner. My resume also highlights careers in modeling, pageantry, and background work for Marvel Studios. I spend my free time crafting and exploring and learning and loving. I enjoy basketweaving, sewing, beading, hiking, kayaking, and pretty much anything anybody wants to teach me especially if it’s in the sun.
As indigenous people, we possess ancestral knowledge that holds the key to saving the world. It is our responsibility to share this knowledge in order to protect the land that has provided us so much for so long.
What is your business model?
What Does Culture Have To Do With That? will release a series of 24 biweekly podcasts that cover topics and questions, listed below, and to be discussed by either members of our team or other respected experts on how culture and cultural values are vital to the processes of each system that caters to indigenous communities. Alongside these podcasts we would offer in person training and events such as informational sessions, system-specific training, and cultural gatherings. With space to have discussion on current events.
Through the virtual platform of podcast broadcast we will be able to reach a larger audience, than if we were to only do in person events. The audience will also be able to listen on their own time and pace, replaying the recordings over as many times as necessary. This also allows all members of the team to live in their respective homelands and/or areas of study, and still work together. Our team itself consists of members of nations ranging from coast to coast, and from border to border with the potential to impact all spaces and subjects in between.
In the next year we hope to successfully stream all 24 episodes of our podcast, host 4 in person events, and deliver any extra training upon possible request + participate in specialized training offered to us.
Within year two, repeat all done in year one. Focus second year around specialized training taken within year one. Grow partnerships: submit grant applications, resolutions to organizations, take specialized training.
Throughout year three continue efforts that began in year one and repeated in year two. Begin further efforts and ground work to address and discuss cultural disparities at the Institutional level: education, incarceration, etc.
In year four with education, expertise, and partnerships gained we will use data collected throughout the previous years that will help us to begin work towards the law and policy changes we all hope for.
In year five we hope to have change and see results at the education, law, and policy level. The podcast from year one is continued and brought to and end after the fifth season
Podcast Questions and Topics:
Educators/Institutions of Education - Question to be answered:What does culture have to do with education?
-Tribal history and traditions to be truthfully included in textbooks
-What does cultural/traditional knowledge have to offer to PWI Education?
Health Professionals - Questions to be answered: What does culture have to do with our health systems?
- How can we incorporate indigenous healing in our healthcare systems?
Justice Systems - Questions to be answered: What does culture have to do with our justice systems?
-Tribal nations have separate justice systems than the rest of our state, that may include cultural healing to wellness.
-Tribal nations have different needs compared to more populated areas
- Government Entities - Questions to be answered: What does culture have to do with government entities?
-how our elected officials can lead with integrity and uphold that leadership role as sacred
-Leadership is a sacred role, how our tribal leaders can lead us into the contemporary world equipped with the teaching of our ancestors
Land Protectors - Questions to be answered: How can land protectors continue to protect culture while being products of indigenous culture
-Traditional ecological knowledge
-Environmental Justice
-Traditional ways of self care and how its attuned to the environment
-Understanding that leadership is a sacred role, so when taking a group of people to stand up for injustices.
-The respect for our land and animals just as much as respect for ourselves. Nothing is superior we are all equal
Language Revitalizers - Question to be answered: What does language revitalization have to do with our way of life?
Language has a deeper meaning, you cannot directly translate your indigenous language to English and get the same concept with out a understanding of the culture it comes from
Our indigenous cultures have the healing aspect from our ancestors that understood the importance. Language is the bridge to bring that healing to our people today.
Indigenous Language teaching is not just about the number of people you reach but knowing that there is healing with every person that is learning and speaking their language
Do you primarily provide products or services directly to individuals, to other organizations, or to the government?
Individual consumers or stakeholders (B2C)What is your plan for becoming financially sustainable?
We plan to apply for grant funding and will always accept donations, sustaining them as necessary. We will also do our own grass-roots fundraising.
None of our team members feel comfortable selling traditional knowledge for profit, but we would accept a program providing room, board, transportation, meals for in-person training, as well as donations to our cause.
Solution Team
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What is the name of your solution?
What Does Culture Have To Do With That?