Every time I record this Podcast, I think of Danny Trejo. I find myself watching all of his documentaries and movies. He is a true inspiration and has a great outlook and still pays it forward. I have heard from Chief, that he is a legend to the guys in prison. The ones that inspire to be better look up to him.

Francis Cullooyah is a spiritual leader who walks his talk. He is from the Kalispel Reservation. He radiates knowledge and runs himself ragged helping others. His social life is beyond any influencer out there. I am a better person for having met him.

Chief started programs in prison to help others. His beading program relies on donations to keep the guys busy. He learned to bead, speak his language, perform sweat lodge ceremonies and organized a yearly Pow Wow. This was all to bring those who wanted to be uplifted and inspired a place to belong. His restorative therapy group helped those unable to face their actions, to look at it, like a mirror.

His group would find people in need and send out gifts to help with auctions for those going through a tough time, as well as the elders in nursing homes that need cheering up. He found a way to make this happen.

One of the stories is Sneena Brooks and his family. I met Sneena in Spokane with a group of Chief's supporters to hear his story. He had a son dying of a childhood cancer. Trips to Children's Hospital in Seattle was a hike and expensive to maintain. Chief heard about his situation and he and his group sprang into action to provide a box of handmade items that could be auctioned off to help with those expenses.

Mike Hoover was in Walla Walla with Chief and while he isn't Native, Chief welcomed him into the group. Chief would welcome any one that wanted to learn and be better. Mike recalls his time at Walla Walla and how Chief treated him, when he heard about his clemency. Chief was in for life without at the time and celebrated Mike.

Chance Carson missing in Omak WA. Last seen on the Colville Reservation, please contact the FBI or tips.fbi.gov

Chief had his resentencing and we travelled to Yakima for his hearing. This was an extremely powerful day. I truly hope that there will be healing and that Chief is planning to achieve Reservation Redemption, as much as anyone can.

Three stories from Native men in prison. Moses, Daniel and Neil will take you on a journey into their lives. All three were in different stages of their sentences. Neil has been in prison most of his life and should be starting a new life on the outside in November. All hope to achieve something better and to be better, when they are done serving their sentences.

Chief has also been a part of their lives as they have attended his restoration therapy group. Those who have attended and have truly started to take responsibility for what got them to this place in their lives.

The cultural spiritual programs these guys have helped create include Pow Wow's, Sweat Lodge, Language and Art. Most of the men incarcerated did not know their culture before prison. This program Chief has worked so hard on at Walla Walla, has made a difference in helping these guys find themselves.

When you are lost and don't know who you are, it is easy to fall. When you have your culture and spirituality, it gives you a foundation on which to grow. Francis Cullooyah was the spiritual leader that taught Chief and now Chief is teaching others.

#SpokaneLanguageRevitalization #PreserveIndigenousLanguages #SalishLanguage #LanguageHouse #WashingtonStateTribes #IndigenousLanguagesMatter #NativeStories #Cancer #ChildhoodCancer #prison #prisonStories #Clemency #payitforward #spiritualleader #leader #beading #PowWow #Sweatlodge #Ceremony

An Untamed Network Original Podcast.

Podcast management: bfisher@untamedriver.com

Ad sales: lwestbrook@untamedriver.com

Meet Barry "Salustu" Moses, the Executive Director at Language House, a non-profit organization that's passionate about preserving and revitalizing the Spokane language. He has deep roots in the Spokane and Kalispel Tribes of Washington State, and has even met Chief through other tribal people. Did you know that Salish is the language spoken or referred to in the Spokane Tribe? Join us in learning more about this incredible language and the efforts being made to keep it alive.

#SpokaneLanguageRevitalization #PreserveIndigenousLanguages #SalishLanguage #LanguageHouse #WashingtonStateTribes #IndigenousLanguagesMatter

An Untamed Network Original Podcast.

Podcast management: bfisher@untamedriver.com

Ad sales: lwestbrook@untamedriver.com