Le damos la bienvenida a una nueva temporada de historias

Autumn serves as an important time of year as we recently celebrated Indigenous Peoples’ Day (October 9 this year) and look forward to Native American Heritage Month in November. October, or Gháájí’ in the Diné language, represents the “separation of seasons” and also marks the Navajo New Year.

I’ve always loved that harvest time in Native communities coincides with the best time of year in the sport I love. It’s a time of reflection and reset for me, particularly in relation to running (it’ll always be cross-country season to me too!). What better time to connect and share in some of the lessons I’ve taken away from the past year.

Reflecting and Resetting

As some of you know, I quietly put Grounded Podcast with Dinée Dorame on hiatus in the winter of 2022-23, which was a much-needed change. I had become so wrapped up in show production (as well as an intensive schedule that included a full-time job on top of podcasting/creative work) that I hadn’t realized how much it had damaged my relationship to running and even halted my own injury rehabilitation.

As much as I loved having conversations with runners from all walks of life on a weekly basis, it was wearing me down slowly. Putting my podcast on the back burner may have seemed like a small decision to some, but the podcast was truly my attempt at following a lifelong passion so in many ways, and it felt like I was giving up on those things.

Last year at this time, I didn't realize that my body was signaling to me, "Hey, you need a massive break! Two days, two weeks, even two months isn't enough anymore!" I would get frustrated going out for a run because an old pain would pop up and I knew I wasn’t doing enough strength work.

Producing and editing a show became more stressful, too, as I felt disconnected from the very sport that brought us all together in the first place. In the podcasting and digital content industry, we are held to impossible standards of production, and I felt shameful about taking time away. There is always worry that you might lose momentum or worse, lose your audience.

The experience was multi-layered for me, though. In addition to regular industry pressures, it can be exhausting to carry the stories and historical trauma of my own community in real-time. While I see it as an immense privilege that Grounded Podcast guests trust me with their stories, it meant there was an urgency to this work–to preserve the words and experiences of BIPOC athletes who are often underrepresented and whose voices may not go recorded otherwise.

Sharing Lessons Learned

I take this role seriously and I knew I needed to reflect on how to continue doing this work. This year, I’ve made a lot of changes to how I approach creative projects and storytelling. I want to center and honor other Indigenous creatives, so I’m sharing some important lessons I’ve learned in the past year that may be helpful if you’re an Indigenous person with a new project or idea. (Even if you’re non-Native, you may find these same pieces of advice helpful too!)

1. Remember that you are a valued part of your community, so it’s okay to rest as much as you need. As Native people, we’re often taught that we must think about reciprocity and giving back to the land, our people, and our community in any task. While these values can be at the forefront of our work, I want to remind you and give you permission to be kind to yourself! You are part of the very community you’re serving, meaning you deserve the same care, rest and time in this work. Reciprocity includes yourself.

2. Focus your idea. When I first started the Grounded Podcast, I wanted to interview everyone about everything! It’s enticing and fun to jump into a new idea and see where it takes you, but keep sharpening it. I have found that the most successful and meaningful projects have a clear thesis or question. I’ve struggled with this in the past, as I always want to showcase the amazing work happening in tribal communities, but spend some time thinking about your overarching goal/vision. For example, in this current iteration of my work, I’ve realized that I’m asking “how do our cultural histories intersect with sport?”

3. Find your team. I started the podcast with a small creative fellowship that provided some funding, but ultimately the production, editing, and show was up to me otherwise. This got overwhelming fast! I encourage new creatives to find people you trust that you can call and bounce ideas off. Even if you can’t currently afford an editor or web/media consultant, it’s ok. I still haven’t been able to incorporate a lot of outside professional help, but I know who to call when I need some advice or guidance. Mentors, friends, colleagues, are all cheering you on!

4. Remember to honor your original reasons for becoming a storyteller. Whether you’re telling your own story or helping to share the stories of others, circle back to your grounding force daily. Storytelling has many forms and serves to connect us, educate us, and empower us as Indigenous people. As a Diné woman, I remind myself why I do this work daily through movement, time with family, or writing. Even though my creative medium is podcasting, spending time away from that to think about who I’m connecting, educating, and/or empowering in this work helps shape me as a storyteller.

I hope these pieces of advice are helpful in your storytelling journey. I’m excited to say that my podcast will be returning with new episodes and a fresh vision later this season, so keep an eye out. Nizhónígo Nináánááhai Dooleeł! (Happy New Year!) to all!

Dinée Dorame is a member of NYRR Contributors Circle. Read more content from Contributors Circle members here.