Wai? Indigenous Words and Ideas
Arcia Tecun
Publishing Details
About This Podcast
Hosted by an urban and mobile Wīnak (Mayan) with roots in Iximulew (Guatemala), an upbringing in Soonkahni (Salt Lake Valley, Utah), and in relation with Tonga, Aotearoa (New Zealand), and Te Moana Nui a Kiwa (The Great Pacific Ocean). Wai? [pronounced why] (W.A.I.: Words and Ideas) is a podcast based on various issues, topics, and perspectives including critical analysis, reflection, dialogue, and commentary on culture, society, education, history, Indigeneity, and more. The purpose of this project is to share words and ideas that are locally meaningful, globally relevant, and critically conscious.
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Recent Episodes
Ep. 59: Indigenous Time and Space Part 2 – Neo/Niu/Knew Tā-Vā
This episode engages with both the thought and practice of interconnectivity and collective consciousness in Indigenous theory. Niu/Knew/Neo Tā-Vā is framed as a talanoa/tzijonïk/storying…
Ep. 58: Indigenous Time and Space Part 1 – A Review of the Tā-Vā Theory
This episode dives into some of the background and context that influenced 20th century transformational thinking in critical Oceanic thought. Palofesa I. Futa Helu’s intellectual background is…
Ep. 57: Indigenous Archives with Floridalma Boj Lopez
Dr. Boj Lopez is a Maya-K’iche’ Assistant Professor of Chicanx and Central American Studies at UCLA. We discuss her academic journey and early interests in the project of ethnic studies, as well as…
Ep. 56: Talking Kava with 'Ulise Funaki
Dr. ‘Ulise Funaki (Kakai Tonga, Kanaka Maoli) is featured in this episode and shares a breadth of insights having recently completed a doctorate in anthropology at the University of Hawai‘i and as an…
Ep. 55: Reflections on Culture and Place with Isiah and Samoana
Isiah Cambridge (Ute/Núuch and Diné/Navajo) and Samoana Matagi (Tagata Sāmoa and Papalagi) join this episode to discuss culture, language, and relationships to place. We reflect on work we have done…
Ep. 54: Thoughts on Religion and Indigeneity
This episode begins by attempting to tackle some bigger questions about religion, belief, and spirituality. I share some different approaches to analysing religion using thinkers like Talal Asad and…
Ep. 53: Saints and Sinners with Moana 'Ulu'ave-Hafoka
This episode features poet, author, and intellectual Moana ‘Ulu‘ave-Hafoka. The catalyst for this discussion was a recently released YouTube video by former Mormon author and YouTuber Alyssa…
Ep. 52: Madau-Moana Relational Ethics with Kehau Fagatele-Folau
Dr. Kehaulani Fagatele-Folau joins this episode to introduce her doctoral research. We begin with Indigenous concepts and methods she used from the Madau-Moana to make sense of some of the colonial…
Ep.51: Undercurrents with 'Inoke Hafoka
This episode introduces an idea Dr. Hafoka and I have been working through and developing, inspired by and extending out of the undercommons. We reflect on intellectuals that remain connected to home…
Ep.50: Post-Apocalyptic Indigeneities
This episode begins with a reflection on this podcast project reaching its 50th episode. I share some additional background and future plans, including some of the symbolism behind the WAI logo. This…
Ep.49: Coloniality and the Matrix Trilogy
This episode seeks to share an understanding of coloniality as a global system by engaging with the Matrix film series franchise, focusing on the initial trilogy. The Matrix trilogy is applied as a…
Ep.48: Warning - These Ideas Will Eat Your Pets!
This episode focuses on ideas about critical thinking in systems of power. Topics include critical pedagogy, critical consciousness, belief, agnotology (study of ignorance), and aesthetics as ethics.…
Ep. 47: Reflections from across Oceania and Indigenous Feminism with Lana Lopesi
Lana Lopesi is an Assistant Professor at the University of Oregon interested in Indigenous and Women of Colour Feminisms, Contemporary Art, and Global Indigeneities. We begin this episode by…
Ep. 46: Remembering Mate Ma‘a Tonga with Tēvita Ka‘ili and ‘Inoke Hafoka
Indigenous Tongan scholars Dr. Ka‘ili and Dr. Hafoka join this episode of remembering the 2017 Rugby League World Cup and the impact of Mate Ma‘a Tonga. We reflect on the background to doing research…
Ep. 45: Diversity and Institutions with Kehau Folau and Tino Diaz
Kehaulani Folau is a Madau-Moana (Oceanian) scholar and doctoral student of education, and Tino is a critical educator and activist. We discuss ‘diversity’ in the context of dominant schooling…
Ep. 44: Returning Home and Indigenous Art with Moana Palelei Iose
This episode features Moana Iose who is an artist and Indigenous art policy consultant, as well as the founder of Salt Lake City’s Pasifika First Fridays and the Lost Eden Gallery. We begin with a…
Ep. 43: Critical Tongan Studies with Ata - Part 2
Building on an earlier episode about Critical Tongan Studies, Ata and I revisit this idea and discuss the various waves that make up a rich intellectual tradition based in the regions associated with…
Ep.42: Thinking about living in and relating better to this place
This episode begins with some reflections on my experience and relations to people of place and to being mindful of where one lives, especially if one’s immediate ancestral ties lie elsewhere. I…
Ep. 41: Intro and Background to Tongan Coloniality with Ata
Ata and I have just published a paper on Tongan Coloniality which this episode provides a brief introduction to as well as a bit of background behind this research project. Prior to successfully…
Ep. 40: Family Culture Shock
This episode takes a sneak peak into one of our whānau hui (family meetings/gatherings) where we reflect on a recent move we have made. The tamariki (children) share some insights and observations of…
Frequently Asked Questions
Wai? Indigenous Words and Ideas has published 59 episodes since December 2019, covering topics in Education, Society & Culture.
Wai? Indigenous Words and Ideas is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 months. Average episode length is 46m.
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