Ep. 47 An O'odham Life Across Borders

This episode features author Mike Wilson (Tohono O'odham) and co-author Tony Lucero who wrote the book "What Side Are You On? A Tohono O'odham Life Across Borders." In our conversation Mike shares pieces of his life story and Tony talks about his interest in not only Mike's experiences, but also the history of the work he's been involved in overtime. Mike spent his childhood in the small town of Ajo, Arizona, which is located northwest of the Tohono O'odham Nation in Southern, AZ. Living throughout the Southern Arizona border, Mike felt a responsibility to provide water stations along the border region on the Tohono O'odham Nation to provide a drinking source for migrants passing through tribal lands to help saves lives. In our conversation he also shares stories about O'odham life during the early 1960s when he and his family lived in Tucson, they enjoyed spending time with family and friends listening to live music at the Tucson Indian Center and playing records at a friends house with other O'odham kids. The discussion covered many things from politics, to O'odham lifeways, and music. 

Co-Author Tony Lucero, is the Chair and Professor of the Comparative History of Ideas Department at the University of Washington, Seattle. He shares his thoughts about why he became interested in Mike's life story and how the work Mike was doing throughout the border was an important one to share with his own students. Many times Tony invited Mike to be a guest speaker in his classes and it was Tony who suggested to Mike about writing a book! 

Since the release of the book Mike and Tony have been on a book tour, which is where I got to meet them both in person when they presented at the Mission Garden in Tucson just this passed spring. 

Helpful Links:
The Latinx Project - Book Panel: What Side are You On? A Tohono O'odham Life Across Borders
NAU discussion explores Tohono O’odham border issues 
Global Visionaries: Tony Lucero
From Green Beret to Border Human Rights Activist: A Podcast with Mike Wilson and José Antonio Lucero
Tohono O’Odham activist plays himself in this new movie about migrants crossing the Sonoran Desert