In today’s episode, we speak with Pono Asuncion, an interdisciplinary artist, storyteller, illustrator, and culture bearer. Drawing inspiration from childhood memories and ancestral roots, Pono’s art explores themes of alternate worlds, the extension of family lineage beyond this sphere, and the significance of recovering and honoring one’s history and identity.
Pulling on inspiration from systemic barriers around us and how the disruption of colonialism affects the passage of knowledge, Pono takes us on a journey through their creative process. We learn how they build rich, layered visual experiments using an eclectic mix of materials from watercolors, acrylic, ink, markers, highlighters, to tape, cardboard, and even black and white pieces.
Through their unique approach to color and texture, Pono invites us to imagine what other realms and narratives might emerge if we reconnect with our past. Join us in this powerful conversation about the intersections of art, identity, and alternate worlds.
Subscribe to Native Lights wherever you get your podcasts
More from Native Lights
- Indigenous lifeways as solutions: Wakinyan LaPointe on staying grounded in the cultural teachings of song and the intelligence of Indigenous youth activists
In this episode, we chat with human rights advocate, singer, storyteller, and University of Minnesota-Twin Cities American Studies doctoral student Wakinyan LaPointe. Wakinyan, a Sicangu (Burnt Thigh) Lakota citizen of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, focuses his studies on Indigenous rights, human rights, and youth organizing. He describes how his work with Indigenous young people, Indigenous … - Building bridges through story: Ajuawak Kapashesit on playing with genre, the power of story, and making action figure movies as a kid
In this episode, we sit down with Minneapolis-based actor, writer, and director Ajuawak Kapashesit. Ajuawak, who is Ojibwe, Cree, and Jewish, grew up in Ontario and on the White Earth Reservation. His acting credits include Indian Horse (2017), Once Upon a River (2019), Indian Road Trip (2020), Bad Blood (CityTV/Netflix), and Outlander (Starz/Sony). Ajuawak’s short … - Making Books Accessible: Talia Miracle and Little Free Library
In this episode, we’re joined by Talia Miracle, an enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Tribe of Winnebago and Program Manager at the Little Free Library. She opens up about her impactful work leading the Indigenous Library Program, which increases access to Indigenous literature and fosters stronger, more inspired communities across the U.S. and Canada. Talia …
Empowering Educators: The Midwest Indigenous Immersion Network