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Kola Shippentower
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Shippentower is named Co-Captain of the Oregon Ravens Football Team!
Kola Shippentower is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. She has co-founded and is the Director of The Wisáwca Project - Enough Iz Enough, a non-profit organization working together for change, for better communication and involvement.
Kola has developed a Safety Plan to be utilized by anyone in identifying safety methods, contacts, and procedures to keep one safe whether in an abusive relationship or a plan to track a missing person. She is a professional fighter and brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Welcome back to the show Kola!!!
And we talk women's football and MMIW . . .
Oregon Ravens
SRTN Website
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Transcript
Introduction and Episode Preview
00:00:02
Speaker
You are listening to Something Rather Than Nothing. Creator and host, Ken Valante. Editor and producer, Peter Bauer.
00:00:17
Speaker
Hey everybody, this is Ken with the Something Rather Than Nothing podcast. And I'm always super excited to talk to this episode's guest, the Kola Shippentower. Kola, it's great to see you again.
00:00:30
Speaker
Yeah, it's really good to see you too. Yeah, I think it's your third time on the show.
Kola Shippentower's Football Journey
00:00:37
Speaker
And right around this time of a year, last year, I remember in the the football league, the Oregon Ravens.
00:00:46
Speaker
And um I saw you play at Milwaukee High School, Milwaukee, Oregon. um And and that that was great. It was great to see you out there. I think you're playing linebacker on defense, Ben.
00:01:00
Speaker
Oregon Ravens this year again. It's springtime. It's WNFC. Tell us what's going on, Cola. Man, so so much has changed since last season to this season. I mean, i think we're in for one hell of a season. We had our season opener on March 29th. We played against LA Legends. And this is something that I feel like I've carried from my experience as a professional fighter is
00:01:31
Speaker
I love to win. Everybody loves to win. But if you can go out there and leave this type of energy out there, everything you've got to where people aren't so distracted by the winner and the loser, but they're like that.
00:01:49
Speaker
That is what we want. That's what we want to see. That's exactly what we did on March 29th. We're coming into ah season very much the underdog. Every single game, it's going to be a fight, and we already knew that, especially for season...
00:02:04
Speaker
this year, 2025. But what I was really hoping for the team, and a lot of us were hoping for the team, was that we were going to do exactly that. And our coaches, ah one of his favorite quotes to us is leaving an everlasting impression. And we did exactly that on March 29th.
00:02:20
Speaker
We lost, but there was a certain fight about us that we brought to that field that all of our fans are so excited to watch us. Regardless of what the the score was on the scoreboard, they were excited to see us and they were, it was amazing.
00:02:33
Speaker
on repeat for the past few days has been this is a different team love it love it you're the captain well a captain or the captain i am one of the team captains there are five of us so there are the others like whitney gifford there is chris landers there is taylor coleman that's tay tay we love to call her tay tay and then sarah cabot so there's five of us this year Lovely, lovely.
00:02:59
Speaker
ah When I saw you play linebacker last year, I was intimidated and I was up in the stands. i want I wouldn't want to be trying to run that ball run that ball past you. um ah So what what about the what about
Visibility and Growth of Women's Football
00:03:12
Speaker
the league? You know, I think last time we talked to um Rise in Women's Sports, ah greater attention to women's participation. um You know, there's obviously some big stories and in basketball.
00:03:24
Speaker
um But have have you have you noticed, you know, even amount of time, like over like the last year, um what's been the feel from the league as far as, you know, being seen, accepted, promoted? What's what's been the experience that you've been able to see in in the sport itself?
00:03:45
Speaker
So I'm starting to see a lot more visibility across the board for women's football in general, which is amazing. That's what we all want. We want to show that the girls can do what the boys do, and if not better, and make it look that much smoother.
00:03:58
Speaker
But I mean, we are starting to see more visibility and awareness to women's sports. And that is something that is super key and important to growing this organization, this league right now. And I know that each team, their organization has their own personal goals, but these goals, these standards are set by the league itself. So when they have a level of expectation for each one of the teams, each one of the organizations,
00:04:28
Speaker
And when we meet those, it is a win straight across the board. So being able to get things like free streaming with Victory Plus to be able to show all the games for all the athletes to offer that to their fans and their family so that people can see more games without having to pay extra for and another stream ah service, that is huge. And then we had just found out that the championship for the WNFC is actually going to be on yeah ESPN.
00:04:55
Speaker
And that is monumental to have women's football, professional tackle football being streamed on TV. I mean, for everybody to see within their homes, it's going to be a mainstream ordeal soon Absolutely. That's incredible. um I didn't know that. ah Yeah. ah it's it's it's It's exciting. it's It's exciting to hear um in in and to see. And, ah you know, a lot of folks who've been in the know, yeah maybe at least college ah women's sports or women's sports in general, that that there's a long history here. You know, the weirdness is recent. But, you know, while I even read, um you know,
00:05:34
Speaker
there was the major league, the women's major league league in the forties, you know, made famous in the movie, a league of their own. And next year ah that league is restarting, I think what maybe four or six baseball teams. And I'm like, heck yeah, of course.
00:05:50
Speaker
And just, just, just to see that. And again, lost history, you know, women played were the major league players, like essentially, um you know, for years a while back.
00:06:03
Speaker
um ah So very excited to hear about ah the league. What do you see the difference last year's Ravens to this year? You said at the beginning, and you know, you saw some certain things, the way that you played at the beginning.
00:06:17
Speaker
What feels different? What are seeing that's different between last year's team and and early on ah this year? Yeah. I mean, like how much time do we have? Because I could rant and rave about all the positive. I love my sports. I love my, we can drop down a little bit more. We've done all the philosophy questions in the past.
00:06:35
Speaker
um We can, you know, drill down on some football. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. So one major thing that the Oregon Ravens organization itself has changed is the coaching staff. We have a brand new head coach, John LaRosa,
00:06:53
Speaker
who he has selected for his position coaches has been huge for us as athletes and as players. So ah something that felt like it was kind of missing was...
00:07:03
Speaker
this certain level of coaching and critiquing and just the mesh and feel between athletes and coaches. We are definitely being coached on every single aspect of the game. Now I came in just already athletic into the sport last season and just already having that body awareness, but I didn't know the technique. I didn't know the terminology. I didn't know vocab. I didn't, there were so many different things like football, one-on-one things that I didn't know. And I was kind of just winging it And being asked questions. And it was really difficult because as a female athlete in a male-dominant sport, you kind of get the looks of like, you should already know this.
00:07:38
Speaker
And it really was... discouraging because it was like, I should, but I don't. So how, how are you going to teach me that? how are you going to coach me that? And it really felt so disconnected last season. This season is, is not like that.
00:07:53
Speaker
We have a head coach who is critiquing us in such a positive and good way, every step of the way that it is just this monumental difference. And then we have position coaches and there's a huge diversity amongst the coaching staff.
00:08:09
Speaker
We have ah very much individuals who have already coached women's sports before. So they have a very kind and gentle approach, which is crazy. Our defensive coordinator Andrew Jensen is one of those. He's very soft spoken, but he's very knowledgeable.
00:08:21
Speaker
And his approach is going to help some of the ladies feel really comfortable and safe in that space to be able to learn such a violent game. And then we do have others that will scream and shout and tell you when it looks like you're running like dog shit. Like maybe you should fix this. Maybe you should work on that.
00:08:35
Speaker
And there's some us that really respond well to that because I'm like, tell me exactly where I'm messing up. And then tell me exactly what it is that you want me to do. And one of my favorite coaches for that is our running back coach, Trevor.
00:08:48
Speaker
And he is, mean... i mean he will see it and he'll immediately call it out and then tell you exactly what it is that you need to do to fix it. And that's what I respond really well to. ah What's really important for athletes in general is just be coachable and be able to adapt to who you have coaching you and then be able to figure it out from there. But I mean, to have all different aspects and everything in between that spectrum covered.
00:09:11
Speaker
And we have coaches who have played the game. They played high school ball, they played college ball. And so now they're just trying to get their feet wet and coaching and they're starting to learn it along the way with us. But I really feel like we have top-notch coaching staff.
00:09:25
Speaker
John LaRosa and all of his, ah you know, his idea and his culture that he wanted to build within the team, I felt was really in perfect alignment with what I was wanting to do this year personally for the team. I came in at the beginning of the season and I had told, first and foremost, the most important, I told my my parents this and then I told my husband and then my boys this, like, I want to be a team captain. I want to be a starter this year.
00:09:47
Speaker
Like that's my goal for myself. And that's how I feel like I could best contribute to the team and be the best version of an athlete for the team to start bringing home some dubs. Like that's what I want to do.
00:09:58
Speaker
And so next step was telling our general manager and then telling our head coach, like I will do absolutely everything that you need me to do in order to meet this criteria for myself. And then hopefully contribute to the team in such a way that it'll be felt this year.
Team Dynamics and Player Motivations
00:10:11
Speaker
And so one major thing that I had in the back of my mind was cohesiveness. Like when you're going out with a team, you want to know that the team has your back, especially in such a violent sport. You want to know if shit goes south, you got your teammates right there to back you up.
00:10:24
Speaker
And unfortunately last year, I just didn't feel that. I really felt, uh, it's, it's difficult in women's sports because you do get a lot of cattiness. You do get a lot of kind of that mean girl, ah syndrome. You get a little bit that clickiness and it's really unfortunate because women,
00:10:40
Speaker
We are powerhouses. We are fierce. We can be just as good ah as the guys, if not better. But if it wasn't for this dang weird mentality of just acceptance and just wanting to be in control of every little situation. I think that's what makes it really difficult to have that cohesiveness as a team.
00:11:03
Speaker
And i really made it my, my sole purpose at the beginning of the season to let every player know, regardless of how many years they've been playing the sport, regardless of how many years they've been playing for the Oregon Ravens organization. And regardless of if they've ever even played football or a sport ever in their life. I mean, we have a huge,
00:11:22
Speaker
diverse group of people coming into this this league i won't even say for the ravens like we have all across like wnfc so many different people and to try to figure out how you're going to you know incorporate all these different personalities and make sure everybody feels like they're heard and that they know that they're valued and trying to lift them up in a good way ah It was definitely a challenge, but I had definitely set out the beginning of the season, like, I want to make sure that our team has this sense of, you know, sisterhood amongst amongst us so that we go out into the team, we're going to be able to pack a punch. It's not going to be individual players doing their own individual little jobs. It's going to be, yes, people having their own responsibilities, but being able to do it as a collective and as a unit to where people are going to feel it and it's going to be massive.
00:12:12
Speaker
um So that is another thing that is really huge on this team this year. And I think it really does have a lot to say about the the ownership and the administration and the staff for the Oregon Ravens to really allow many of us on the team to bring our own personal strengths because we have so many people. We have doctors, we have moms, we have teachers, so many teachers. I can't tell you how many teachers we have on the team. But for To have the freedom and the flexibility to let each one of the players bring what they're really good at to the team has been so amazing this year because everybody feels that they're contributing, even if they're injured or if they're not playing or if they're not a starter, they're able to put something into the the family and be able to say, like hey, whatever I can do like just to make us better, that's been really pivotal this year for our team a group.
00:13:02
Speaker
as a group Yeah, I could I could feel it when you're talking about it. You know, I think about like collective and the unity and a team. It's kind of like the thing, like like the attitude where it's like you got to run through us. Right. It's not like you just got to beat that one person like you got to get past all of us. And, um you know, the.
00:13:23
Speaker
I could really connect in, you know, ah when you were talking about that. I am ah one of the things I wanted to just note or ask. i remember we talked last spring about the league and i learned a lot, but also learned like,
00:13:38
Speaker
It's tough to do what you're doing and in in and the other athletes, um both, you know, resources, training. And then hearing you talk about last year where, you know, there's some aspects where it's like, oh, I'm not going to teach you that or nobody's like volunteering. Let me show you how or that type of thing.
00:13:58
Speaker
So, it you know, it makes experience. I didn't live at you, but like that experience, like there's adversity within that. Yeah. how How big... ah I guess what I want to ask and is just...
00:14:15
Speaker
How do you do it? Like, how do you do How do the how do the athletes do it? Right. With the with the resources and having the job. And you said doctors and teachers. I represented teachers in my day job for over 20 years.
00:14:28
Speaker
That does not shock me. ah yeah The teachers need to be out there. um But what you know, what's it like to to do the season? What's it like to do the season as an athlete?
00:14:41
Speaker
So I know that each person on the Ravens, their story is going to be different, but something that we definitely will talk about a lot is your why. Everybody has their own story, their own background, their own upbringing that brought them to the field.
00:14:57
Speaker
And regardless of who they're playing for, I mean, I think that's something we run into in every sport. I ran into it with MMA. Like I could train at five different gyms, but everybody is as a collective has a why that gets them to that point.
00:15:10
Speaker
And hearing so many different stories this year... I mean, last year I felt like I got to wear the little pin of like ah travel player because i I felt like I was the one that was traveling the furthest three and a half hours one way um across the state of Oregon and then back home getting home at like 1.30 in the morning, two o'clock every single practice.
00:15:29
Speaker
And i kind of I kind of lost that pin this year. We have some other travel players now who are coming way north of the Seattle area. We actually have a player that's coming from Las Vegas. So we have people who are having to fly to practice And really make a trip of it to be able to be there for the team. But ultimately, when it comes down to it because, you know, people have their work schedules. They've we got kids that are also doing sports and music and school and doing all the things.
00:15:55
Speaker
We all have a why We all have something that's ultimately driving us as a person, as a human being, not just to play the the game of football. it's what's driving us in life.
00:16:06
Speaker
And I've heard so many different stories of, I have a niece who's really sick, so I play for her. I want her to know that I'm out here fighting in a way that I hope will help her feel better.
00:16:17
Speaker
I had a brother who I lost a long time ago, and he used to play football, and I do this for him. And My sister also plays too, and she pick plays for a team across the country.
00:16:28
Speaker
And we just hear all these different stories that are so unique and beautiful in their own way, but it somehow connects each of us in some sort of... just amazing way as well. So it's like this huge web between each of the players that we're able to connect with at least one other person on the team to be like, you know what?
00:16:49
Speaker
Me too. I see you. That is tough. Yeah, me too. I teach middle schoolers and it's the most difficult thing to do. So I need this to be able to come out on this field and hit some people not get in trouble for it.
00:17:02
Speaker
So I mean, ultimately, for every single player out in that field, there is a deeper why that is motivating all of us. So when we have that in the back of our mind, constantly pushing us constantly keeping the wheels moving, there is nothing that's going to get in the way of us doing what it is that we ultimately want to do. So there's not going be any sort of money There's not going to be any sort of miles that's going to keep us from getting to that field to play with our team.
00:17:28
Speaker
There's not going to be any sort of obstacle, challenge, or anything that we're not going be able to overcome. Because, I mean, especially with this year, there have been times where some of our players are like, I can't make it because of this. And immediately we're all following up like, hey, do you need me? Or I can come get you.
00:17:42
Speaker
i can Venmo you what do you. What do you need? And so ah it's really... our wives that are making this all possible. And to answer that question, it's, that's how we do it.
00:17:54
Speaker
It's our wives. That's how you do it. I mean, talking about those stories, I was thinking about another competitive environment. I only went to the Boston Marathon once, but it was like, was so overwhelmed, like kind of with emotion and celebration. you know, it's a, you know, it's a holiday. a state holiday out there, but I've never been to a marathon. And then like, people would like be so super deliberate about why they were running, who they were running for and hearing all those stories and like, you're like,
00:18:23
Speaker
It's like I'm running the marathon. I tell you, I'll never forget that experience. It was is very powerful and hearing about the stories. um So, ah Cola, as you know, I'm a big fan of yours. um And I really learned ah one of the pieces I really I've learned a lot from you. And and and ah in the past, I talked on the podcast about.
00:18:47
Speaker
um on my show, being in a ah learning process, whether it's art, whether it's indigenous activism, whether it's ah issues of safety, i um I've learned so much and i've but I've learned it from you and others.
MMIP Awareness and Advocacy
00:19:03
Speaker
um And ah one of the one of the one of the issues ah and And I had focused, maybe focused the podcast early on as I was learning more about MMIP, Murder, Missing and Indigenous Persons, MMIW also referred to women, two spirits.
00:19:23
Speaker
And um when I first talked to i you, know just um your your defense, your strength, and your teaching about this issue, since I started learning about about it, I've listened a lot of podcasts. I studied the issue. i've tried to do ah I did a ah a so a small seminar where I was trying to talk about the labor movement's role or labor's role within this issue, particularly around the man camps, um you know, concentrations of labor.
00:19:54
Speaker
And um
00:19:59
Speaker
I'm still in shock ah about about what I hear. And it's it's a very complicated issue. I mean, ah talking about it, you know, jurisdictionally, legally and things like that. But the fact is, it is absolutely horrifying that in indigenous women and persons and disappear. And there isn't what most people assume to be the next step of investigation, finding out, or even the effort thereof.
00:20:30
Speaker
And it still shocks me and shocks my my conscience. So and I really wanted to bring out like how much how much I've learned from you and and about this issue that you've been a staunch advocate for. And I just wanted to kind of um like open up and give you the opportunity to like to talk about ah your work in that space if you're comfortable with that.
00:20:55
Speaker
Yeah, absolutely. And since the last time we we got to talk on this and have a conversation, i feel like there's been so many different developments and so many different things in the works. And for any of the listeners that aren't too familiar with the issue, if you're just now starting to hear about it, this isn't a new issue, especially with an Indian country. This has been happening since 1491. And and This isn't something so far-fetched that it's like the generation before me or two generations before me.
00:21:22
Speaker
i had a cousin who was actually killed in Pendleton ah just about... 14, 15 months ago. So this is something that is still happening and very prevalent today. We have our brothers, our sisters, aunts and uncles who are going missing, who are being killed for no reason at all.
00:21:39
Speaker
ah We're starting to see more of a pattern with it, though. I believe that the research and development on that side is ah something that is definitely being prioritized on many different levels, whether it be with grassroots efforts, nonprofits, ah even on the federal level. I feel pretty privy to some conversations in rooms that some people don't even know exist.
00:22:01
Speaker
ah But we're really starting to hammer down on getting together data collection and what we're going to do with that as far as like federal funding goes, as far as the government levels and what are the policies and procedures going to look like for state law enforcement, tribal law enforcement, and so many different things are in the works.
00:22:20
Speaker
ah But I think that's something the listeners need to really understand is that It's not historical. It's not something new to us. It's something very present, very much happening today.
00:22:33
Speaker
i feel like every single day on social media, I'm seeing a brand new missing persons flyer or a brand new post about remains being found or a brand new John Doe where there's been dna testing to prove that they are an indigenous person.
00:22:48
Speaker
And it's just continually happening every single day. um And it really is heartbreaking because it makes you wonder, like, why has it got to be my people? like Why has it got to be us? And I think that's the biggest question I usually get asked is, why do you think Native American people or indigenous people are more like highly susceptible to these types of cases? And it's because many of these cases do not get as much media attention as other other people do.
00:23:12
Speaker
And I mean, people can Google like Gabby Petito, and that's one issue.
00:23:19
Speaker
Lesson right there was that during a time where a blonde haired, blue eyed, white woman had gone missing, five other people from Navajo Nation had gone missing. And we didn't look at that, but we were following this one.
00:23:32
Speaker
It got national, international news and media attention. And so that's that's just one prime example of that. But... um So many different developments have been happening and I feel pretty honored and privileged to say that I actually now serve on two different boards.
00:23:48
Speaker
I'm a board member for the Women's Foundation of Oregon. And there are two of us that are Indigenous on the on the board. Another one actually had started her own organization, the Pendleton Coalition, in our local town. It's it's funny because we're both from the same exact reservation. So it's like, that's pretty cool. I'm kind of like patting us on the back. I'm like, look at us, like out here. I see Matilda is just really showing up in this space and doing the work all the way crossover into Portland. But I really love this foundation. The idea is providing resources, support um to all these different nonprofit organizations in Oregon that are serving women.
00:24:26
Speaker
And that is something that, I mean, in a nutshell, is the work that I've been doing, which is advocating for MMIW. It's just that for this particular foundation, what's been missing is the information, the representation for Indian country, because, you know, we have nine tribes in the state of Oregon.
00:24:45
Speaker
And not very many feel like it's possible to start their own nonprofit. Not many have the resources or the tools or the information on how to do that to be able to get funding to start advocating for their loved ones that have gone missing or or who have been killed. So that is something that I really felt ah was my calling, was to be able to provide space and a voice for these people, these family members and advocates, and and start showing this foundation. Like there is a huge population in the state of Oregon that we really need to be paying attention to and whatever I can do in those areas. So Women's Foundation of Oregon has all different subcommittees to it as well.
00:25:21
Speaker
One of which I feel really happy to be able to serve on, which is the grants committee. And we're able to filters through the many applications that we get. And i i mean, i don't i don't want to say it like it's a bad thing, but unfortunately, many of the 501c3 applications that we're seeing are serving primarily the Portland metro area.
00:25:41
Speaker
And that's because that's who knows about the grant program. And so my my job and my ah position is how do we push this out to reservations, other communities, rural communities like Eastern Oregon, Southern Oregon, how do we get this out there? And so that's one big role that I've been playing for the past.
00:25:59
Speaker
on there back in August, July. So I've been doing that work there. And then I'm also the co-chair of Umpqua Advocacy, which is based out of Grand Ronde. My good friend, Amanda Freeman, that I had met over a year ago, we started and established this nonprofit. And ah what we really are pushing is the advocacy and awareness portion. We're going into rooms and having the conversations to have legislation be pushed and written and ah have and Indian people's voices in those documents. And I think that's something that's been missing a lot. Obviously, we have a lot of ah attorneys, lawyers, law enforcement that will try to voice their opinions on the issues. But when you're lacking the native voice in those rooms, then that's a big problem because we are the ones that are experiencing the issues. so
00:26:45
Speaker
um And then we're also able to like host different events throughout the year. We had a dinner that was really successful. And this was really um to raise awareness, but also provide some space for ah families and advocates to come into the same room as some of these legislators, some of these representatives like Tana Sanchez, so that we can kind of get on the same playing field and saying, hey, we can meet each other eye to eye. doesn't It shouldn't ever have to feel like we're looking up to you or you're looking down at us and we should be kind of really...
00:27:18
Speaker
begging for resolutions or answers or help. And yeah it was nice to see everybody in the same space and being able to also provide opportunity for fundraising for people who feel like, what can I do to help? And the big thing for Indian country that we have always been saying is that these organizations need money.
00:27:37
Speaker
to be able to work and function, to be able to help support families who might be going through search efforts. um what One thing I am really proud of is that we are truly advocating for the partnership and collaboration with other 501c3 organizations. There are many now in the state of Oregon that are starting to pop up more here and there, and some specialize in search efforts. Some specialize in that boots to ground effort work where they're not afraid to get up at 10 o'clock at night and say, hey, we got to go walk the streets of Portland to see if we could find this elder that's been missing from the Siletz reservation or from Warm Springs. Like, oh, wait, maybe we got to shoot up to Seattle because that's where they were seen. So we have people like that are running organizations like that. We have other individuals who are providing space for their communities for self-defense and safety training.
00:28:23
Speaker
So having this partnership and this work with Umpqua Advocacy has been really good. um It also provides a really unique approach that you might be really interested in.
Advocacy through Art and Community Engagement
00:28:32
Speaker
Amanda is actually a photographer. And so her main route for advocacy has been through her photography in such an artistic way. And it's been so beautiful because she's able to highlight different family members in different ways in such a beautiful way.
00:28:48
Speaker
um I'll just briefly cover one one example. is I've talked about it many times in the past, but I had a cousin who was found in the Umatilla River, and it was in connection to the case itself, domestic violence and abuse and substance abuse, and it was really difficult um to fathom having one family member be pulled from that river, but then in doing more research for my family, find that I've had two other family members pulled from that same exact river. And hearing those stories, it's heartbreaking, and but it's a harsh reality that I'm really trying to address.
00:29:25
Speaker
And I had the opportunity which I did make my debut this past year as a professional runway model. It's crazy. I'm like, okay, this is wild that my life has turned this way. But um as we were doing this fashion show in Grand Ronde, Amanda provided a space for all the models to partake in a photo shoot.
00:29:45
Speaker
And what had made it really moving for many of us is that, and I mean, i think that's a beautiful thing about Indian country is that many of these cases that we're facing, when we tell the story, There are many other families that are almost telling the exact same story. Like, yeah, my cousin was being abused by her boyfriend.
00:30:02
Speaker
Yeah, she decided to fall into alcohol. Yeah, she was found in a river. Or yeah, the police didn't respond to it quickly enough. Or yeah, the police said it was an accident or said it was a suicide. And so we're starting to see those connections between individuals. And so when we showed up to that photo shoot, there was couple other individuals that had said that they had lost a family member and that they too were found in a river.
00:30:24
Speaker
So when we're doing this photo shoot, we were actually all of us models getting in the water. And it was so wow just intense and beautiful in a way that provided healing for some of us family members to not really replicate, but just to kind of feel it. And there was a ah moment where one of the models, she was actually the fashion show director.
00:30:49
Speaker
She said, I want you guys to think about this. Like, this is... representative of your family member. Like if you had a family member who was pulled from that river, could you imagine that this was possibly something like their last moments? And how do you want to portray that?
00:31:03
Speaker
And some of us, you know, there was there was many models that got, you know, pretty emotional and they decided to cry. But in and my thought and when Amanda pulled me up, she's like, I know we've been in the water for three hours, but Cole, I'm keeping you for longer. I'm like, okay.
00:31:18
Speaker
But I told her, I said, I want to portray something that it's not the river that took my cousin. It definitely wasn't because water is life. Water is sacred.
00:31:29
Speaker
um it was just the place where she happened to be found. And I know she had a deep respect for our rivers because they provide so much to our people as far as our first foods and everything. but um She was strong and she was beautiful. And I truly feel that ah when I get to see her on the other side, that it's going to be a different story that she would have wanted told.
00:31:50
Speaker
And so some of us took that angle of using it as a point of power and reflection on the on what we're trying to represent.
00:32:01
Speaker
So that was something that was really amazing and beautiful to see that Amanda took something that some might see is so scary and intimate and dangerous, but we could revert it into something beautiful and unique and healing and powerful.
00:32:16
Speaker
And she got some amazing images. And I mean, we had some of those on display at our dinner and some people were able to actually purchase some of the canvases. And so this is one aspect that she's wanting to create ah different, almost framework for artistry for MMIW. Yeah.
00:32:32
Speaker
And bringing about different um exhibits. And it's been, I think, really beautiful for some of the many of the models that she's taking pictures of because they're able to represent their family in in a different way rather than saying, oh, this is what took them, but saying they may have been taken, but now I'm going to show beautiful.
00:32:52
Speaker
much of an impact they had on me, how beautiful that they were. So it's just another aspect of that healing. But yeah, that's, I mean, but long version everything that's been going on this past year, as far as the movement and the work that's been going on. and That's, that's what I've been having happen.
00:33:07
Speaker
Wow. Um, the, uh, was striking your description, the water and the photography, you know, and talking about art and the the images. I mean, it was a singular image of of the, the red hand on a face just for awareness that, that, you know, that shook me. What is that?
00:33:27
Speaker
Right. And, and, and, and, and seeing that. So that's necessary. I'm like, i I like to work in agitation and activism. So it's like, yeah, what's going on like this?
00:33:38
Speaker
Um, all right. What do you, uh, take me for example, right? Um,
00:33:47
Speaker
lobbying, participating search, volunteering search. Like, ah there's more weirdness around this issue. And I talked to others and I tried it in in ah tried to, you know, describe, like, how do you, I'm always thinking of plugging in, like plugging in and doing the thing.
00:34:05
Speaker
What could somebody like me do? Plugging in and doing the thing. Yeah, to be able to get involved and offer it expertise. You're doing exactly that, man. i say with this platform, you're you've built something amazing and being able to provide space and a platform for individuals to have a voice and to be able to tell their story, but also their unique ways and approaches and angles and pursuits of how we're fighting this really long battle. um That's an amazing thing right there.
00:34:33
Speaker
But I mean, other levels, we have all of these different nonprofits and these organizations. um I'll make sure to provide you the links to those resources there. other people can access them as well. But I mean, I know personally with UMQA advocacy, any of the events that we hold, we're always looking for volunteers. We're looking for people who want to be able to provide their energy, maybe their time and be able to offer maybe even tools or things ah into spaces because not every single event do we have all the chairs we need, all the tables we need, all the canopies we need. So there's always spaces like those. And i know there's individuals that are like, i got all like different types of tools that you need. I mean,
00:35:11
Speaker
One unique experience was that we had a woman who was a tattoo artist and she was able to do some paint work for us on one of our hides with our logo. And I mean, that's things like that is beautiful because I definitely am not going to paint something that elaborate, but um definitely connecting with different nonprofit organizations or even just groups that have already been established by fa family members and advocates and asking how you can offer that up.
00:35:35
Speaker
um I also know that as we get deeper into this work, we're starting to see a need for more Photographers, videographers is huge right now. I'm like, if you got the skills to provide ah that unique perspective, I know many events are always looking for videographers.
00:35:53
Speaker
um And then any he sort of multimedia experts, social media experts, because we do have organizations that are like, I know how to do that. actual work, but how do I get it on social media? So if people are like, I have that skillset, I know how to build a following. I know how to build ah graphics and digital content. Like, can I do that for you?
00:36:12
Speaker
um i we even had a unique experience with an accountant who was talking with our um our chair, Amanda, like, I'm really good at this. And can I help you? And we were like, yes, please, because neither of us know accounting. We're horrible with that.
00:36:27
Speaker
And she offered up for services quick. I mean, there's so many different things. So my my suggestion would be to individuals who are like, how do I get into this? Kind of look inward. Like, what is it that you are really good at and that you would love to offer to this space? Because I guarantee that any of these organizations that are running events, they're looking for unique ways to offer services to the families, to other advocates, but then also to be able to offer some sort of insight or help to law enforcement and government officials.
00:36:56
Speaker
So, I mean, I've worked with plenty of other advocates and I've had other law enforcement um like individuals or people who have experienced with law enforcement come to me and say, hey, like I have just a little bit of like, I'd like to have a conversation with you about your safety training.
00:37:10
Speaker
Things like that are even helpful because I'm not the expert. I'm not the know all about law enforcement and safety. So if I have individuals that like, I have a little bit more of a militant approach, would you like to hear that? Absolutely.
00:37:21
Speaker
um So there's organizations like ours. There's obviously organizations like the Women's Foundation. um Where we're always looking for individuals who have expertise when it comes to policy, grant writing, where it comes to volunteerism or all those different things and being able to support women in general in the state of Oregon. That's something that's really helpful.
00:37:45
Speaker
And then, of course, I have my regular organizations I've worked with through the pandemic, which are Indigenous Vision, Rising Hearts, and those take on different aspects. Indigenous Vision has a huge push in natural resources and advocating for our um like indigenous foods and for the land and air and water.
00:38:04
Speaker
And then Rising Hearts, of course, with Jordan Daniel, she is taking the approach for running and marathon running. So, I mean, almost... You think about it in any sort of angle.
00:38:15
Speaker
Indian people, we figure it out that way. So for anyone who is non-native or non-tribal who's coming into this thinking, like, how can I help? Like, what are you good at? And then offer that up.
00:38:26
Speaker
And we will always, always find somebody. who i mean I'm even thinking, like, if people know how to cook really good, man, I have an event that you can come cook for or something. Right, yeah. yeah We're creative. We'll figure it out. and I think that's what um is missing quite a bit. because I've kind of gotten tired of telling people, like you want to help?
00:38:43
Speaker
Money. You want to help? Money. It's hard because you know times are hard. The administration is making things a little difficult for a lot of us. so it's kind of I think we need to get a little more creative with our approaches. If you've got a skill set, then bring that.
00:38:58
Speaker
Yeah, like, you know, um if you so one of your top skill sets is a stack of cash to help the cause, that's totally fine. You can also come tell me how to do that for myself. Thank you.
00:39:10
Speaker
Whatever way you can. I had, um between the last time we recorded and recorded in this episode, I went to my first powwow where I saw you, Cola, in the summer and got ah got a photo. And um I did not know um that the emcees at powwows, and I haven't been to the powwow before, are fucking hilarious. Yeah.
00:39:34
Speaker
so yes I was laughing. I'm like, wait a second. Somebody could have just said, hey, Ken, and to come to the comedy show because you can laugh your ass off. yeah There was much more to that. But i remember um there was a contest and you were raising money for MMIW. And it it that the and i it was a wonderful experience. But I did appreciate that I laughed my ass off.
00:39:59
Speaker
um uh you know a lot in the the celebration in in camp there too so and it was lovely to see you uh i was definitely looking looking to run into uh run into you there so um and maybe next did this coming summer as well yeah yeah i'll be all over the place on the on the powwow trail so but yeah i think that's something beautiful about indian people is our sense of humor and our ability to squeeze in jokes wherever we can get them in And I don't think that I can ever go to any other type of conference and ever feel just comfortable because i've I've been to some dry conferences where it's like the MC is just super just straight, black and white, following the script. I'm like, man, they can add a couple jokes in here somewhere just because that's what I grew up on. Like MCs, Indian MCs, they're definitely different.
00:40:53
Speaker
ah Well, I discovered different things at different times if you're in the right spot and you're sharing that patch of earth at the same time. And no, it was it was a great experience. um I think it's it's been so great to talk to you. i mean, um you know the obviously a lot of different things that you do and how you you know you're you're active, but um just just also like ah learning about your change and like your reflection on the change that's around you. I love talking about that type of thing rather than things are like static about like, hey, what's going on? Like, what's the vibe with that? Why is that going on? And, uh,
00:41:34
Speaker
ah really like um Really love to chat with you um ah about that. um I want to make sure we get in ah like you know your
Social Media Influence and Episode Conclusion
00:41:44
Speaker
handles. I see a lot on social media. um you know Great content. um i learned Like I said, I learn a lot. um And ah of course, the fashion show that you that you talked about. um But where do folks, you know, ah find find you, you know, find you and and and find your work?
00:42:05
Speaker
Yeah, I'm on all the socials, my primary one being Instagram at Cola Ship and Tower. um also on Facebook and TikTok. I do a little bit of TikToks here and there, but Instagram is definitely the the primary source to catch everything that I'm up to.
00:42:20
Speaker
Cool, cool. how's How's it working, TikTok, for you? Everybody kind of complains of, like, ah inability to use it. haven't used it effectively. You getting the hang of it? or Yeah, I feel like I'm fairly okay with it. I do a lot of Instagram reels too. So I mean, i'm I'm pretty multifaceted in that way. I've done some videography stuff for people before. So it just takes a little bit of time with I think different apps and just getting used to them. But I'm also one of these people who are advocating for less screen time. So I've been really trying to minimize my amount of time that I've got my face on my phone and you know,
00:42:54
Speaker
I wouldn't ever deem myself as a content creator, but um i do feel like I'm a little savvy. If I put more energy into it and try to like monopolize it in some sort of way or monetize it in some so type of way, I could definitely be really good at it. But I'll leave that up to the likes of people like Che Jim or my sister, Jill Marie Gavin. they're They're good at that. They can keep their 100,000 followers they got on there. i'll I'll stick to what I've got going on.
00:43:21
Speaker
Yeah. um Great talking about the Oregon Ravens. I love Ravens. So the Oregon Ravens, i like perfect name. That's exactly Oregon Ravens.
00:43:31
Speaker
So great talking about that. I'll catch you. ah i'll I'll get out there and home game. Everybody, if you're in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon Ravens play their play their home games at Milwaukee High School and just outside of Portland, Oregon, in Milwaukee, Oregon.
00:43:49
Speaker
And that's actually a great, nice nice field. And when I went there, a great a great crowd, people with their shipping tower jerseys. i knew I knew you were around. I knew people were represented. Yeah.
00:44:03
Speaker
yeah ah Man, we talked we talked about so much. I know we can talk about ah a whole much, but I promised you there's bit of a check in here and say hello. And go Ravens. Oh, yeah.
00:44:15
Speaker
Congratulations on your role. you You know, your roles on the boards that you're saying um Captain, ah you you do a lot. You do a lot. So I'm missing a few things. But yeah ah great work and always always a pleasure to chat with you, Cole.
00:44:31
Speaker
Yeah, thank you so much, Ken. It's always good to catch up with you too. Awesome. Kola Ship and Tower, thanks for coming back on.
00:44:45
Speaker
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00:44:55
Speaker
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Speaker
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