"On this episode of Indigenous in the News, we dive into the world of Indigenous hip-hop with special guest Christopher Mike-Bidtah, also known as Def-i. As a Diné MC, educator, and organizer, Def-i is at the forefront of Gathering of the MC’s, a powerful event that brings together Indigenous and underground hip-hop artists to celebrate culture, community, and creativity. We’ll discuss the origins of the event, its impact on Native artists, and how hip-hop continues to serve as a platform for storytelling and empowerment. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on the beats and voices shaping Indigenous hip-hop today!"

ABOUT CHRISTOPHER

Christopher Mike-Bidtah, also known as Def-i, is a Diné (Navajo) hip-hop artist, poet, and educator from Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is known for blending conscious lyricism with dynamic beats, incorporating elements of boom-bap, trap, and Indigenous music influences. Def-i has gained recognition for his impressive freestyle skills, live performances, and advocacy for Indigenous culture and youth empowerment. He often collaborates with other Indigenous artists and has been involved in projects that use hip-hop as a tool for education, healing, and cultural expression.

Some of his notable works include albums like Shield of the Rez and Into the Unowned, and he has performed on platforms such as TEDx and NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest. He is also a member of the group Southwest Underground and works to uplift Indigenous youth through workshops and mentorship programs.

GATHERING OF THE MC’S

Is a hip-hop event that celebrates Indigenous and underground hip-hop culture, featuring artists, DJs, beatboxers, and freestyle rappers from across North America. The event provides a platform for Indigenous MCs to showcase their talents, connect with the community, and promote hip-hop as a tool for storytelling, activism, and cultural expression.

The event typically includes live performances, rap battles, cyphers, workshops, and panel discussions focused on hip-hop’s role in Indigenous identity, youth empowerment, and social justice movements. Def-i has been actively involved in the Gathering of the MC’s, both as a performer and an organizer, helping to create a space for Indigenous voices in the hip-hop scene.

Today we welcome Sasha Wortzel—filmmaker, artist, and storyteller whose work explores the intersections of memory, land, and identity. Her latest film, Rivers of Grass, takes us deep into the Florida Everglades, where ecology, history, and Indigenous resistance converge. With a poetic lens and powerful collaborations, Sasha brings forward stories that connect us to place, purpose, and preservation.

About Sasha:

Sasha Wortzel's upcoming film Rivers of Grass is a poetic and immersive exploration of the Florida Everglades, blending environmental history, personal memory, and queer identity. The film draws inspiration from the writings of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, the environmentalist who famously dubbed the Everglades a "river of grass," and incorporates contemporary voices of those who call the region home.

Wortzel, a Florida native and 2017 AIRIE (Artists in Residence in Everglades) fellow, is known for her multidisciplinary work that delves into the intersections of ecology, memory, and marginalized histories. Her approach often involves a blend of documentary and experimental techniques, aiming to illuminate the layered narratives embedded in landscapes.

In 2024, an installation featuring film stills from Rivers of Grass was showcased at Oregon State University’s PRAx Lightboxes, in conjunction with the exhibition How to Carry Water. This installation offered audiences a glimpse into the film's visual and thematic elements, highlighting Wortzel's focus on the Everglades' past and present.

While a specific release date for the full film has not been announced, the ongoing exhibitions and Wortzel's active engagement with environmental and artistic communities suggest that Rivers of Grass will continue to be presented in various formats. For updates on screenings or related events, following Wortzel's official channels or institutions like AIRIE and PRAx would be beneficial.

Contact:
Email: ⁠https://www.riverofgrassfilm.com
Publicist: marija@silkstrategy.com
Website: https://www.riverofgrassfilm.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riverofgrassdoc

Indigenous in the News
Join us every week from Two Buffalo Studios in Bradenton, Florida, as we bring you the latest updates on issues that matter to us all, from the Shakers to the Makers across Indian Country. Hosted by Larry K. from the Ho-Chunk Nation and his co-host Gary Wilcox from the Powatan Nation. Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Reach out to me at larry@indigenousinmusic.com or visit www.indigenousinmusicandarts.org/category/ln-the-news for all the details. If you have a story and would like to share it, contact us.

Breaking Ground: A First Generation Native American Journey to Home Ownership with Tess Sage-Robertson

Joining us today Is Tess Sage-Robinson, a dedicated mortgage advisor and proud member of the Navajo Nation. With over two decades of experience in the lending industry, Tess specializes in helping Native American home buyers navigate the path to home ownership, including utilizing the Section 184 loan program for tribal lands. Known as the #OFFGRIDLENDER, she’s also passionate about sustainable, off-grid living. We’re excited to have her here to share her expertise and insights—welcome. This and more along with National Native News and Antonia Gonazles.

ABOUT TESS:
Yá’át’ééh (It is good)

Shik’éí dóó shidine’é (my family and my people, friends) Shí éí Tess Robinson yinishyé (I am called Tess Robinson) Dibéłzhíní nishłį́ Kinlichii’nii bashishchiin (I am Blacksheep born for Red House). Todích’íí’nii dashicheii Tábaahá dashinalí (Bitter Water is my maternal grandfather and Edgewater is my paternal grandfather) Ákót’éego diné asdzáán nishłį́ (In this way, I am a Navajo woman). Ahéhee’ (I am grateful!)
With 24 years as a mortgage lender, I specialize in the HUD 184 Native American Loan, helping Native Americans achieve homeownership. I am a mother of three adult children, two of whom are real estate agents in Maricopa and Pinal counties. We enjoy working together as a family team.

Originally from the Navajo reservation, LeChee Chapter, I have lived in Phoenix and Glendale for 21 years and now own land in New Mexico, where I plan to build a self-sustaining home. I have also appeared in films, TV shows, and modeled with Native American casts. Currently, I enjoy traveling, working remotely, and meeting new people.

CONTACT:
EMAIL: tsagerobinson@guildmortgage.net
WEBSITE: https://branches.guildmortgage.com/az/scottsdale/tess-sage-robinson-689-chtro.html?teresasagerobinson
BOOK A MEETIN WITH TESS: https://calendly.com/sage-robinson-team/