MISSION STATEMENT
The Tohono O'odham Young Voices Podcast exists to uplift, empower, and amplify the voices of all O'odham Hemajkam by sharing our stories, perspectives, culture, and creativity. Through authentic conversations and storytelling, we aim to preserve our heritage, inspire future generations, and create a platform of identity, and community connection.
ABOUT THE HOST
Executive Producer/Host - Valentina Andrew (Tohono O'odham)
Valentina, also known as Tina was raised on the Tohono O'odham Nation and in Tucson Arizona. She graduated from Tohono O'odham Community College where she received an Associates of Science in Life Sciences and an Arizona General Education Curriculum - Science (AGEC-S) certificate. For many years Tina enjoyed working in the STEM field, before shifting careers where she transitioned into podcasting, and broadcasting, to which she now works in the radio industry. Over the years Tina has worked in tribal radio as an on-air announcer/board operator for Wa:k Ceksan, San Xavier's radio station KWAK-LP 102.5 FM and KOHN 91.9 FM, O'odham Hewel Niok Network. From DIY podcaster to professional audio editor, Tina is now the Production Coordinator at KXCI Community Radio 91.3 FM in Tucson, Arizona, where she is also the host and producer of Cultivating Indigenous Voices, as well as an on-air DJ known as Lady T host of The Dinner Party playing funk and soul. Aside from radio and podcasting, Tina is currently a musician playing sol accordion alongside family members in the waila band called the Vavages Family Band.
PODCAST HISTORY
The podcast was launched in the summer of 2016 as a passion project to create a space for O'odham to share their narratives about current events, personal and professional experiences, and to highlight O'odham himdag (our way of life), that explores where our traditions meet our today. Using the term "young" in the name Tohono O'odham Young Voices, doesn’t just mean voices of youth — it reflects the energy of emergence, growth, and discovery. While the podcast centers young storytellers, we also interview elders, culture keepers, and community members to bridge generations and preserve the knowledge that shapes who we are.
Overtime the podcast has brought in team members and volunteers to help carry the workload in creating all aspects of the podcast such as booking guests, creating media content, researching topics, attending community events, editing audio, capturing video and photos, etc. The podcast also offers youth workshops to introduce the idea of podcasting and giving youth a hands-on experience utilizing recording equipment and learning all about the "behind the scenes" of podcasting.
Photo of various collaborations over the years created by T. Andrew
THE STORY BEHIND THE PODCAST LOGO
When Tina decided to launch a podcast, she also thought about other components that are involved in creating a podcast such the title/theme, equipment, host website, and of course a logo. She decided to connect with a local artist who she shared a rough drawing of the type of logo she envisioned, which included a basket design to honor her Ñ-je’e (mother) Amelia Chiago-Martinez (baḍ) and her grandmother Isabel Chiago (baḍ), who both made traditional Tohono O'odham baskets. Tina also wanted the Sonoran desert higlighted in the background to represent where she is traditionally rooted and then finally the vintage microphone that showcased a brownskinned had with red nail polish to represent all matriarchs. She was able to share her ideas with O'odham artist Erin Greg, who brought the design to life in what is now the iconic logo for the podcast.
This is the original sketch/draft of the logo created by Erin Greg (Tohono O'odham)