Week 6 blog - interviewing and drafting

Hi everyone and welcome to my week 6 blog! This week, I made significant progress by securing important interviews with key Muwekma tribal members and Dr. Leventhal. I also spent time outlining my overall project goals and even drafted my very first article/episode. Each step is helping me build a more complete picture of the Muwekma’s journey toward federal recognition and the broader cultural implications behind it.

My external advisor played a huge role this week by providing me with some valuable resources to guide my reporting. One resource, in particular, was a “bingo card” from indigenousjournalists.org. Just like it sounds, each box on the bingo card lists a common trope or stereotype, like alcohol abuse, casinos, and vanishing culture, that often appears in reporting on indigenous communities. While these issues can sometimes be part of the narrative, such as  sacred horses during the Trail of Truth, my external advisor’s guidance reminded me not to rely on ideas that could unintentionally stereotype indigenous communities. This has helped me remain focused on telling a more accurate and respectful story.

In my interview with Joey Iyolopixtli, the tribe’s culture bearer, I learned a lot about the deeper cultural and spiritual aspect of federal recognition. He emphasized the importance of a profound connection to the earth and the legacy of the Muwekma people. He focused a lot on how connection to the earth is important because of how much it provides for us, how so much of our technology and development comes from the very land of the Muwekma. It is important to recognize that sovereignty, and to give the Muwekma the respect of being the original people of this land, in the Bay and Silicon Valley, for thousands of years, and for us to act as guests in their home.

Overall, this week has been a mix of interviews, research, and planning that is shaping my project in exciting ways. I’m learning to balance different perspectives and avoid common pitfalls in reporting, all while capturing the true essence of the Muwekma’s struggle and heritage. I’m looking forward to seeing how these conversations and insights will continue to influence my writing and help me tell a story that honors the past, present, and future of the Muwekma.