Episodes
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In our final (for now) episode of our collaboration with Dr. Xiumei Pu on her project, "Mountains and Stories: Building Community Among Asian and Pacific Islander Refugee and Immigrant Families in Salt Lake Valley," We talk with Margaret Yee. The project is supported by a Whiting Public Engagement Programs Seed Grant (https://www.whiting.org/scholars/public-engagement-programs/about) and is anchored in the theme of mountains. It is our hope that these efforts will amplify the environmental voices of Asian and Pacific Islander refugee and immigrant communities, and spark more public interest in thinking about the connection between culture, identity, and the natural environment.
At the heart of the project is a podcast series featuring the life and work of twelve storytellers who come from a range of age groups, occupations, and ethnic and racial backgrounds. Some of them are born in the United States; many of them are born in another Asian country or Pacific Island and immigrated to the US at a young age. Their stories show fascinating complexities of immigration routes and histories, incredible cultural richness and resilience, and long-lasting contributions of the Asian and Asian Pacific Islander communities to the social life and cultural landscapes of Salt Lake Valley and the broader Utah. You can listen to previous episodes here (https://podcast.mountainresearch.org/) on the IMR Podcast website.
Margaret Yee https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/7wbXRe7g.jpg
Margaret Yee is an energetic life force. She has dedicated herself to serving the Asian community for over 55 years. She is the Co-founder of Chinese Railroad Worker Descendent Associations( CRWDA )and has brought the Asian community together to celebrate their culture and heritage through various events, as well as, to gain recognition for their achievements (both historical and present).
She has served on numerous boards and committees at the Federal and State level, including being the Governor’s advisor for Asian Affairs for the State of Utah 1989-1998; Utah’s Transcontinental Railroad 150th Celebration Commission 2018-2019; Advisor for Chinese American Heritage Foundation 2019-present; Advisor for Chinese New year celebration committee 2019-present; Advisor for Yee Fong Toy Benevolent Association of Utah, 2008-present; Advisor for Millcreek Seniors center 2014- 2019; One of the founding board members for the Asian Festival and served on the board for the last 45 years (which is the longest continually running festival west of Mississippi) 1976-present; Board member Multi- Ethnic Business Committee, Salt Lake City, Ut 1997-1999; Board member Salt Lake county Economic Development Loan committee,1987-1992; Board member Utah Pacific Rim Business Council 1992-1993; Oversea Chinese Affairs Commission 1988-1994; Board member International trade committee, SL Chamber of commerce 1997-1999; Board member Salt Lake Sister City serving 1993-present; President of the Chinese Seniors United Association of Utah, 2018-present at the community level.
Awards received include Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Utah Organization of Chinese Americans ( UOCA) 2011; Outstanding Business Owner Award presented by the Utah Asian Chamber of Commerce, 2009; Humanitarian Award by the Salt Lake City Police Department, 2005; Philanthropy Award by Easter Seals of Utah,2001; Governor’s Golden Service Award for 30 Years Outstanding Service by Governor Michael Leavitt, 1997; Outstanding Contribution and Community Service Award by A.A.U. Utah, 1990; Outstanding Achievement and Leadership Award by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and the Utah Minority Bar Association,1993; “Once In A Hundred Award” by Utah Centennial, Salt Lake County 1996; Raymond S. Uno Legacy Special Achievement Award 2018
In addition to her extensive community involvement, Margaret Yee is a successful business woman, conducting business internationally, as well as co-owning the iconic Jade Café for 56 years at the same location, which was the longest operating Chinese Restaurant in State of Utah and being the Co- founder/partner of the first Gourmet Chinese Restaurant in the state of Utah and being the Co-founder/partner of the first Chinese food wholesale Grocery in the state of Utah.
Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org) and our 2018-2019 Mountain Fellows are Katie Saad and Naomi Shapiro. Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com). As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.”
The Institute for Mountain Research is located on the ancestral and traditional lands of the Ute, Goshute, and Shoshone Peoples.
Header image: cross the Continent. The snow sheds on the Central Pacific Railroad in the Sierra Nevada Mountains." Originally printed in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, Vol. 29, February 6, 1870, p. 346. Special Guest: Margaret Yee. -
We continue our collaboration with Dr. Xiumei Pu in her Project, "Mountains and Stories: Building Community Among Asian and Pacific Islander Refugee and Immigrant Families in Salt Lake Valley," with the support of a Whiting Public Engagement Programs Seed Grant (https://www.whiting.org/scholars/public-engagement-programs/about) anchored in the theme of mountains. It is our hope that these efforts will amplify the environmental voices of Asian and Pacific Islander refugee and immigrant communities, and spark more public interest in thinking about the connection between culture, identity, and the natural environment.
At the heart of the project is a podcast series featuring the life and work of twelve storytellers who come from a range of age groups, occupations, and ethnic and racial backgrounds. Some of them are born in the United States; many of them are born in another Asian country or Pacific Island and immigrated to the US at a young age. Their stories show fascinating complexities of immigration routes and histories, incredible cultural richness and resilience, and long-lasting contributions of the Asian and Asian Pacific Islander communities to the social life and cultural landscapes of Salt Lake Valley and the broader Utah. You can listen to previous episodes here (https://podcast.mountainresearch.org/) on the IMR Podcast website.
Fahina https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/Qfk7T5cW.jpeg
In this episode, we talk with Otolose Fahina Tavake-Pasi. Fahina has been the Executive Director of the National Tongan American Society (NTAS) since 2003 where she developed programs that help thousands of Pacific Islanders in Utah to healthier lifestyles, increased civic engagement, obtain citizenship, access higher education, address social justice issues and cultural preservation Before joining NTAS, Fahina worked for 9 years for the University of Utah (UofU) as an Academic Advisor. Her degrees include: Degrees include AA in Aeronautics from the College of San Mateo, CA, BA in Sociology, MS in Health Promotion and Education, both from the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT. She has received many leadership awards and have served on international, national, state and local board of directors and advisory committees.
Fahina was born in Tatakamotonga, Tonga, grew up in San Mateo, California, and now resides in Salt Lake City, Utah with her family.
The poeple of Tonga are on our minds this week following the recent volcano eruption and the subsequent tsunami. We've included some links below, including an interview with Fahina about the tragedy, an article about how it has impacted people here in the Salt Lake Valley, and a way to make a donation to support the people of Tonga.
Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org) and our 2018-2019 Mountain Fellows are Katie Saad and Naomi Shapiro. Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com). As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.”
The Institute for Mountain Research is located on the ancestral and traditional lands of the Ute, Goshute, and Shoshone Peoples. Special Guest: Otolose Fahina Tavake-Pasi. -
Missing episodes?
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We continue our collaboration with Dr. Xiumei Pu in her Project, "Mountains and Stories: Building Community Among Asian and Pacific Islander Refugee and Immigrant Families in Salt Lake Valley," with the support of a Whiting Public Engagement Programs Seed Grant (https://www.whiting.org/scholars/public-engagement-programs/about) anchored in the theme of mountains. It is our hope that these efforts will amplify the environmental voices of Asian and Pacific Islander refugee and immigrant communities, and spark more public interest in thinking about the connection between culture, identity, and the natural environment.
At the heart of the project is a podcast series featuring the life and work of twelve storytellers who come from a range of age groups, occupations, and ethnic and racial backgrounds. Some of them are born in the United States; many of them are born in another Asian country or Pacific Island and immigrated to the US at a young age. Their stories show fascinating complexities of immigration routes and histories, incredible cultural richness and resilience, and long-lasting contributions of the Asian and Asian Pacific Islander communities to the social life and cultural landscapes of Salt Lake Valley and the broader Utah. You can listen to previous episodes here (https://podcast.mountainresearch.org/) on the IMR Podcast website.
Catherine 2 https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/W9trpPez.jpeg
In this episode, we talk with Catherine Elizabeth Seali'itualemalietoa To'omalatai Figiel. Catherine is a Samoan, Polish, and a Park Cook Islander. She was born in Samoa and moved to Utah in 2012. She is interested in international studies, linguistics, and communication, and hopes to participate in community activities and cultivate and inspire change in our Asian Pacific Islander communities.
Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org) and our 2018-2019 Mountain Fellows are Katie Saad and Naomi Shapiro. Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com). As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.”
The Institute for Mountain Research is located on the ancestral and traditional lands of the Ute, Goshute, and Shoshone Peoples. Special Guest: Catherine Elizabeth Seali'itualemalietoa To'omalatai Figiel. -
This summer we are collaborating with Dr. Xiumei Pu in her Project, "Mountains and Stories: Building Community Among Asian and Pacific Islander Refugee and Immigrant Families in Salt Lake Valley," with the support of a Whiting Public Engagement Programs Seed Grant (https://www.whiting.org/scholars/public-engagement-programs/about). Anchored in the theme of mountains, the project consists of a twelve-part podcast, a documentary, and a series of story tellling events, the next of which will be a group hike in the Wasatch Mountains (October 23, 2021). It is our hope that these efforts will amplify the environmental voices of Asian and Pacific Islander refugee and immigrant communities, and spark more public interest in thinking about the connection between culture, identity, and the natural environment. You can listen to previous episodes here (https://podcast.mountainresearch.org/) on the IMR Podcast website.
At the heart of the project is a podcast series featuring the life and work of twelve storytellers who come from a range of age groups, occupations, and ethnic and racial backgrounds. Some of them are born in the United States; many of them are born in another Asian country or Pacific Island and immigrated to the US at a young age. Their stories show fascinating complexities of immigration routes and histories, incredible cultural richness and resilience, and long-lasting contributions of the Asian and Asian Pacific Islander communities to the social life and cultural landscapes of Salt Lake Valley and the broader Utah.
Obaid https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/g3IsJvpf.jpeg
This week we're sharing Obaid Barakzai's story. Obaid Barakzai is originally from Kabul, Afghanistan. He is Afghan by nationality, Pashtun by ethnicity, and a mountaineer by heart. He has a special profound connection with the mountains in Utah because they remind him of home. He is now a rising senior studying International Political Economy (IPE) with Honors at Westminster College. He has been passionately involved on campus, including as Student Body President for the 2020-2021 school academic year. He is passionate about equity and inclusion efforts on campus and beyond and loves mountaineering, learning languages, and making all kinds of tea.
Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org) and our 2018-2019 Mountain Fellows are Katie Saad and Naomi Shapiro. Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com). As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.”
The Institute for Mountain Research is located on the ancestral and traditional lands of the Ute, Goshute, and Shoshone Peoples. Special Guest: Obaid Barakzai. -
This summer we are collaborating with Dr. Xiumei Pu in her Project, "Mountains and Stories: Building Community Among Asian and Pacific Islander Refugee and Immigrant Families in Salt Lake Valley," with the support of a Whiting Public Engagement Programs Seed Grant (https://www.whiting.org/scholars/public-engagement-programs/about). Anchored in the theme of mountains, the project consists of a twelve-part podcast, a documentary, and a series of story tellling events, the next of which will be a group hike in the Wasatch Mountains (October 23, 2021). It is our hope that these efforts will amplify the environmental voices of Asian and Pacific Islander refugee and immigrant communities, and spark more public interest in thinking about the connection between culture, identity, and the natural environment. You can listen to previous episodes here (https://podcast.mountainresearch.org/) on the IMR Podcast website.
At the heart of the project is a podcast series featuring the life and work of twelve storytellers who come from a range of age groups, occupations, and ethnic and racial backgrounds. Some of them are born in the United States; many of them are born in another Asian country or Pacific Island and immigrated to the US at a young age. Their stories show fascinating complexities of immigration routes and histories, incredible cultural richness and resilience, and long-lasting contributions of the Asian and Asian Pacific Islander communities to the social life and cultural landscapes of Salt Lake Valley and the broader Utah.
Anda https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/qdyx5Zp9.jpeg
This week we're sharing Anda Xie's story. Anda is a 7th grade student at West High School. He enjoyed acting and doing improv before COVID, and now he enjoys hiking in the mountains and playing WarThunder. He is Chinese American. He loves celebrating his heritage in many ways, especially Chinese food. He is an aspiring entrepreneur and has made quite a sum ($50) by dabbing the food and stock market (selling Kit-Kats and buying one stock of Activision since he likes Call of Duty). He hopes you enjoy his episode of the podcast.
Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org) and our 2018-2019 Mountain Fellows are Katie Saad and Naomi Shapiro. Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com). As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.”
The Institute for Mountain Research is located on the ancestral and traditional lands of the Ute, Goshute, and Shoshone Peoples. Special Guest: Anda Xie. -
This summer we are collaborating with Dr. Xiumei Pu in her Project, "Mountains and Stories: Building Community Among Asian and Pacific Islander Refugee and Immigrant Families in Salt Lake Valley," with the support of a Whiting Public Engagement Programs Seed Grant (https://www.whiting.org/scholars/public-engagement-programs/about). Anchored in the theme of mountains, the project consists of a twelve-part podcast, a documentary, and a series of story tellling events, the next of which will be a group hike in the Wasatch Mountains (October 23, 2021). It is our hope that these efforts will amplify the environmental voices of Asian and Pacific Islander refugee and immigrant communities, and spark more public interest in thinking about the connection between culture, identity, and the natural environment. You can listen to previous episodes here (https://podcast.mountainresearch.org/) on the IMR Podcast website.
At the heart of the project is a podcast series featuring the life and work of twelve storytellers who come from a range of age groups, occupations, and ethnic and racial backgrounds. Some of them are born in the United States; many of them are born in another Asian country or Pacific Island and immigrated to the US at a young age. Their stories show fascinating complexities of immigration routes and histories, incredible cultural richness and resilience, and long-lasting contributions of the Asian and Asian Pacific Islander communities to the social life and cultural landscapes of Salt Lake Valley and the broader Utah.
Prashanti https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/Lxu4OFTn.jpg
This week we're sharing Prashanti Limbu's story. Prashanti describes herself like this:
I am from Nepal and currently an international student at Westminster College. I like to learn more about people, cultures, and places to broaden my knowledge and understanding of the world we live in. I want to work towards protecting the environment and reversing climate change. In order to bring change, I believe that we can work both individually and collectively towards changing the world for the better. Being an international student and pursuing my undergraduate research, I believe in working with harmony and peace and being open to advice and different opinions. When working with others collectively, I want to make sure everyone is heard and respected. I think that education is important and like someone said no one can steal our education or knowledge from us I want to relearn and remember Indigenous knowledge and local knowledge that's spread and apply that outside of academia. Believing this I am studying abroad away from home and that is why I conducted the research “Mountain Time and Beyond” under the supervision of Dr Xiumei Pu . I want to advocate for clean energy use and recycling and was fortunate enough to conduct the first thrift store on campus in my freshman year. Fun fact: I have a twin sister.
Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org) and our 2018-2019 Mountain Fellows are Katie Saad and Naomi Shapiro. Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com). As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.”
The Institute for Mountain Research is located on the ancestral and traditional lands of the Ute, Goshute, and Shoshone Peoples. Special Guest: Prashanti Limbu. -
This summer we are collaborating with Dr. Xiumei Pu in her Project, "Mountains and Stories: Building Community Among Asian and Pacific Islander Refugee and Immigrant Families in Salt Lake Valley," with the support of a Whiting Public Engagement Programs Seed Grant (https://www.whiting.org/scholars/public-engagement-programs/about). Anchored in the theme of mountains, the project consists of a twelve-part podcast and a documentary, a storytelling-conversation cultural event (June 26, 2021), and a group hike in the Wasatch Mountains (October 23, 2021). It is our hope that these efforts will amplify the environmental voices of Asian and Pacific Islander refugee and immigrant communities, and spark more public interest in thinking about the connection between culture, identity, and the natural environment. You can listen to previous episodes here (https://podcast.mountainresearch.org/) on the IMR Podcast website.
At the heart of the project is a podcast series featuring the life and work of twelve storytellers who come from a range of age groups, occupations, and ethnic and racial backgrounds. Some of them are born in the United States; many of them are born in another Asian country or Pacific Island and immigrated to the US at a young age. Their stories show fascinating complexities of immigration routes and histories, incredible cultural richness and resilience, and long-lasting contributions of the Asian and Asian Pacific Islander communities to the social life and cultural landscapes of Salt Lake Valley and the broader Utah.
Nikki Navio https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/eF1bHq7H.jpeg
Nikki Navio (she/her) was born on Panay Island in the Philippines. At seven years old she immigrated to the United States and settled on Dena'ina Lands of Anchorage, Alaska with her family. Water and mountains have been an important fixture growing up in the Philippines and Alaska. Nikki finds healing, joy, and freedom in the mountains while also remembering the cultural importance of respecting the weather and landscapes she visits. She is currently a Transportation Planner at the Wasatch Front Regional Council, where her days are dedicated to working with communities and alongside partners to plan for better regional transportation mobility in the Wasatch Front. Nikki holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Alaska Fairbanks and a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Clemson University. She currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org) and our 2018-2019 Mountain Fellows are Katie Saad and Naomi Shapiro. Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com). As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.”
The Institute for Mountain Research is located on the ancestral and traditional lands of the Ute, Goshute, and Shoshone Peoples. Special Guest: Nikki Navio. -
This summer we are collaborating with Dr. Xiumei Pu in her Project, "Mountains and Stories: Building Community Among Asian and Pacific Islander Refugee and Immigrant Families in Salt Lake Valley," with the support of a Whiting Public Engagement Programs Seed Grant (https://www.whiting.org/scholars/public-engagement-programs/about). Anchored in the theme of mountains, the project consists of a twelve-part podcast and a documentary, a storytelling-conversation cultural event (June 26, 2021), and a group hike in the Wasatch Mountains (October 23, 2021). It is our hope that these efforts will amplify the environmental voices of Asian and Pacific Islander refugee and immigrant communities, and spark more public interest in thinking about the connection between culture, identity, and the natural environment. You can listen to previous episodes here (https://podcast.mountainresearch.org/) on the IMR Podcast website.
At the heart of the project is a podcast series featuring the life and work of twelve storytellers who come from a range of age groups, occupations, and ethnic and racial backgrounds. Some of them are born in the United States; many of them are born in another Asian country or Pacific Island and immigrated to the US at a young age. Their stories show fascinating complexities of immigration routes and histories, incredible cultural richness and resilience, and long-lasting contributions of the Asian and Asian Pacific Islander communities to the social life and cultural landscapes of Salt Lake Valley and the broader Utah.
https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/OTyc50-U.jpeg
Kripa Thapa recently graduated from the Master's program in geography and Geographic Information Science master's student from the University of Utah (UofU). Over the two-year run, she worked under the supervision of Dr. Summer Rupper. During my first year, she was recognized as a Graduate Fellow under the Global Change and Sustainability Center (GCSC) at the UofU. In her second year, I was engaged as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for Geography Department. Currently, she is working as a Research Assistant (RA) at the Snow and Ice Lab, UofU.
Besides these engagements over the past two years, she conducted my research titled "Assessment of mountain water supply and storage at sub-basin scale in Nepal". The study aims to elucidate the primary drivers of water vulnerability in the mountain ecosystems of Nepal and provide a framework to help combat potential water scarcity that will be of interest to policymakers and researchers in the long run.
In August, Kripa will be pursuing an internship – with the Software Products Team at ESRI, one of the world's leading GIS software companies
Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org) and our 2018-2019 Mountain Fellows are Katie Saad and Naomi Shapiro. Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com). As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.”
The Institute for Mountain Research is located on the ancestral and traditional lands of the Ute, Goshute, and Shoshone Peoples. Special Guest: Kripa Thapa. -
This summer we are collaborating with Dr. Xiumei Pu in her Project, "Mountains and Stories: Building Community Among Asian and Pacific Islander Refugee and Immigrant Families in Salt Lake Valley," with the support of a Whiting Public Engagement Programs Seed Grant (https://www.whiting.org/scholars/public-engagement-programs/about). Anchored in the theme of mountains, the project consists of a twelve-part podcast and a documentary, a storytelling-conversation cultural event (June 26, 2021), and a group hike in the Wasatch Mountains (October 23, 2021). It is our hope that these efforts will amplify the environmental voices of Asian and Pacific Islander refugee and immigrant communities, and spark more public interest in thinking about the connection between culture, identity, and the natural environment. You can listen to previous episodes here (https://podcast.mountainresearch.org/) on the IMR Podcast website.
At the heart of the project is a podcast series featuring the life and work of twelve storytellers who come from a range of age groups, occupations, and ethnic and racial backgrounds. Some of them are born in the United States; many of them are born in another Asian country or Pacific Island and immigrated to the US at a young age. Their stories show fascinating complexities of immigration routes and histories, incredible cultural richness and resilience, and long-lasting contributions of the Asian and Asian Pacific Islander communities to the social life and cultural landscapes of Salt Lake Valley and the broader Utah.
https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/4wr7RNNt.jpeg
Kevin Nguyen (he/him) is a resident of West Valley, child of an immigrant family, community advocate, and avid outdoorsman. He was born and raised here in Salt Lake City, where he attended the University of Utah for both his graduate and undergraduate degree in Public Health and Exercise Science. Kevin believes that everyone has such a potential to change the lives of others for the better and works to serve his community wherever possible. Growing up through the “struggles”, he personally knows the challenges and understands how the power of community when everyone comes together to help one another. When he isn’t involved in his work, he spends his time exploring our wonderful mountains on his mountain bike or on foot during rescue operations as a Squad Leader with Salt Lake County’s Search and Rescue team.
Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org) and our 2018-2019 Mountain Fellows are Katie Saad and Naomi Shapiro. Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com). As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.”
The Institute for Mountain Research is located on the ancestral and traditional lands of the Ute, Goshute, and Shoshone Peoples. Special Guest: Kevin Nguyen. -
This summer we are collaborating with Dr. Xiumei Pu in her Project, "Mountains and Stories: Building Community Among Asian and Pacific Islander Refugee and Immigrant Families in Salt Lake Valley," with the support of a Whiting Public Engagement Programs Seed Grant (https://www.whiting.org/scholars/public-engagement-programs/about). Anchored in the theme of mountains, the project consists of a twelve-part podcast and a documentary, a storytelling-conversation cultural event (June 26, 2021), and a group hike in the Wasatch Mountains (October 23, 2021). It is our hope that these efforts will amplify the environmental voices of Asian and Pacific Islander refugee and immigrant communities, and spark more public interest in thinking about the connection between culture, identity, and the natural environment. You can listen to previous episodes here (https://podcast.mountainresearch.org/) on the IMR Podcast website.At the heart of the project is a podcast series featuring the life and work of twelve storytellers who come from a range of age groups, occupations, and ethnic and racial backgrounds. Some of them are born in the United States; many of them are born in another Asian country or Pacific Island and immigrated to the US at a young age. Their stories show fascinating complexities of immigration routes and histories, incredible cultural richness and resilience, and long-lasting contributions of the Asian and Asian Pacific Islander communities to the social life and cultural landscapes of Salt Lake Valley and the broader Utah.You can register for the June 26th event via this google form. (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffwZVbOiadlNt2SLV9uO_IEkRNWtBBAse43izlirDqCPCesQ/viewform) Mountains and Stories Flyer https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/f0vvpoP5.pnghttps://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/aYAHYzy_.JPGJake Fitisemanu was born in New Zealand/Aotearoa to Karen Dang (Kaimukī, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi) and Jacob Fitisemanu Sr. (Falefā, ʻUpolu, Sāmoa) and raised in Hawaiʻi and Utah. Jake holds a master's degree in Public Health from Westminster College (Salt Lake City, UT) and has led public health programs in the Utah Department of Health for nine years. He was appointed by President Obama to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders (https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/05/08/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts) in 2015 and was also appointed to the US Census National Advisory Committee (https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=58492966&itype=CMSID) for two terms. Jake has chaired the Utah Pacific Islander Health Coalition (https://www.upihc.org/) since 2011 and is currently a director of the national Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (https://www.apiahf.org/board-member/jake-fitisemanu-jr/) and a member of the Huntsman Cancer Institute Community Advisory Board (https://healthcare.utah.edu/huntsmancancerinstitute/about-us/directors-and-leadership/community-advisory-board.php). He lives with his wife and two daughters in West Valley City where he serves as a member of the City Council (https://www.wvc-ut.gov/104/Jake-Fitisemanu) and chair of the Healthy West Valley initiative. Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org) and our 2018-2019 Mountain Fellows are Katie Saad and Naomi Shapiro. Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com). As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.”The Institute for Mountain Research is located on the ancestral and traditional lands of the Ute, Goshute, and Shoshone Peoples. Special Guest: Jake Fitisemanu.
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This summer we are collaborating with Dr. Xiumei Pu in her Project, "Mountains and Stories: Building Community Among Asian and Pacific Islander Refugee and Immigrant Families in Salt Lake Valley," with the support of a Whiting Public Engagement Programs Seed Grant (https://www.whiting.org/scholars/public-engagement-programs/about). Anchored in the theme of mountains, the project consists of a twelve-part podcast and a documentary, a storytelling-conversation cultural event (June 26, 2021), and a group hike in the Wasatch Mountains (October 23, 2021). It is our hope that these efforts will amplify the environmental voices of Asian and Pacific Islander refugee and immigrant communities, and spark more public interest in thinking about the connection between culture, identity, and the natural environment. You can listen to previous episodes here on the IMR Podcast website.At the heart of the project is a podcast series featuring the life and work of twelve storytellers who come from a range of age groups, occupations, and ethnic and racial backgrounds. Some of them are born in the United States; many of them are born in another Asian country or Pacific Island and immigrated to the US at a young age. Their stories show fascinating complexities of immigration routes and histories, incredible cultural richness and resilience, and long-lasting contributions of the Asian and Asian Pacific Islander communities to the social life and cultural landscapes of Salt Lake Valley and the broader Utah.You can register for the June 26th event via this google form. (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffwZVbOiadlNt2SLV9uO_IEkRNWtBBAse43izlirDqCPCesQ/viewform) Mountains and Stories Flyer https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/f0vvpoP5.pngToday we hear from Emilio Manuel Camu. Emilio is a queer Tagalog-Bikolnon Filipino immigrant and first-generation graduate of the University of Utah, where he received both his BS Communication and Asian Pacific Islander Studies and MEd in Educational Leadership & Policy. For the past eleven years, he has served on the boards of numerous Asian Pacific Islander organizations both locally and nationally demonstrating his commitment to equity and justice. He currently serves as the National Vice President of Education & Culture for OCA National, Director and current president of OCA Asian Pacific Islander American Advocates Utah, founder and director of the Filipino American National Historical Society Utah, and the treasurer for Mana Academy Charter School. Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org) and our 2018-2019 Mountain Fellows are Katie Saad and Naomi Shapiro. Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com). As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.”The Institute for Mountain Research is located on the ancestral and traditional lands of the Ute, Goshute, and Shoshone Peoples. Special Guest: Emilio Manuel Camu.
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We are honored to collaborate with Dr. Xiumei Pu in her Project, "Mountains and Stories: Building Community Among Asian and Pacific Islander Refugee and Immigrant Families in Salt Lake Valley," with the support of a Whiting Public Engagement Programs Seed Grant (https://www.whiting.org/scholars/public-engagement-programs/about). Anchored in the theme of mountains, the project consists of a twelve-part podcast and a documentary, a storytelling-conversation cultural event (June 26, 2021), and a group hike in the Wasatch Mountains (October 23, 2021). It is our hope that these efforts will amplify the environmental voices of Asian and Pacific Islander refugee and immigrant communities, and spark more public interest in thinking about the connection between culture, identity, and the natural environment. At the heart of the project is a podcast series featuring the life and work of twelve storytellers who come from a range of age groups, occupations, and ethnic and racial backgrounds. Some of them are born in the United States; many of them are born in another Asian country or Pacific Island and immigrated to the US at a young age. Their stories show fascinating complexities of immigration routes and histories, incredible cultural richness and resilience, and long-lasting contributions of the Asian and Asian Pacific Islander communities to the social life and cultural landscapes of Salt Lake Valley and the broader Utah.You can register for the June 26th event via this google form. (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffwZVbOiadlNt2SLV9uO_IEkRNWtBBAse43izlirDqCPCesQ/viewform) Mountains and Stories Flyer https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/f0vvpoP5.pngIn today's episode we talk with Ms. Ze Min Xiao (Ze). She is passionate about helping build strong relationships that result in bringing together various partners while helping guide and build on the future. She has over 20 years of experience working in the public and government sector in advancing equity for immigration and refugees.Ze directs the newly launched Center for Economic Opportunity and Belonging at the Economic Development Corporation of Utah. The Center serves as the private sector commitment to work alongside government and communities of color to advance the principles outlined in the Utah Compact on Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. The Center will focus on advancing economic equity and strengthening community cohesiveness by fostering an environment of belonging for all Utahns.Ze holds a Master of Art in Community Leadership from Westminster College. She is a fellow of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Community Leadership Network. In her free time, she loves to garden, fishing, and spending time with her husband, two teenage boys, four dogs, and five chickens.To get yourself caught up on the mountain and stories series, we encourage you to listen to the introductory episode (https://podcast.mountainresearch.org/15) if you haven't done so already. Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org) and our 2018-2019 Mountain Fellows are Katie Saad and Naomi Shapiro. Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com). As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.”The Institute for Mountain Research is located on the ancestral and traditional lands of the Ute, Goshute, and Shoshone Peoples. Special Guest: Ze Min Xiao.
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We are honored to collaborate with Dr. Xiumei Pu in her Project, "Mountains and Stories: Building Community Among Asian and Pacific Islander Refugee and Immigrant Families in Salt Lake Valley," with the support of a Whiting Public Engagement Programs Seed Grant (https://www.whiting.org/scholars/public-engagement-programs/about). Anchored in the theme of mountains, the project consists of a twelve-part podcast and a documentary, a storytelling-conversation cultural event (June 26, 2021), and a group hike in the Wasatch Mountains (October 23, 2021). It is our hope that these efforts will amplify the environmental voices of Asian and Pacific Islander refugee and immigrant communities, and spark more public interest in thinking about the connection between culture, identity, and the natural environment.
At the heart of the project is a podcast series featuring the life and work of twelve storytellers who come from a range of age groups, occupations, and ethnic and racial backgrounds. Some of them are born in the United States; many of them are born in another Asian country or Pacific Island and immigrated to the US at a young age. Their stories show fascinating complexities of immigration routes and histories, incredible cultural richness and resilience, and long-lasting contributions of the Asian and Asian Pacific Islander communities to the social life and cultural landscapes of Salt Lake Valley and the broader Utah.
You can register for the June 26th event via this google form. (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffwZVbOiadlNt2SLV9uO_IEkRNWtBBAse43izlirDqCPCesQ/viewform)
Mountains and Stories Flyer https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/f0vvpoP5.png
Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org). The Institute for Mountain Research provides a hub to coordinate and support interdisciplinary research and learning related to the cultural, economic, scientific and political facets of mountain landscapes and the people who live in them. We aim to encourage deep and abiding interests in the mountains, the people who live in and near them, and the connections between the two. The Institute supports thinking across disciplinary and political boundaries in order to foster conversations about the landscapes that are part of our lives. We strive to serve as a home for exploration, a refuge for reflection and thought, and a forum for community conversation.
Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com) As our former Mountain Fellow, Naomi used to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.” -
In a flashback to winter and the beginning of the pandemic, Jeff Nichols sits down with members of Westminster College's backcountry skiing community to talk about what getting out into the mountains means to them. Back in April, Jeff spoke over Zoom with Westminster Professors Russ Costa, David Baddley, and Will Deutchman, and alum Sally Miller about skiing, the mountains, risk, and how the mountains were helping them get through the lockdown.
Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org). Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com). As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.” -
Late last February, Westminster's Student Honors Council invited Hikmet Loe and Russ Costa to lead a discussion around issues of nature and mental health. They called the discussion "Embodied Landscapes, Embodied Minds, and Restorative Nature" and asked Hikmet and Russ to talk about their experiences in nature and links to mental health. Respecting Honors College tradition, Russ and Hikmet grounded this concept in texts, art and photography from around the world. You can see the images Hikmet and Russ discussed below.
Image Information/Credits
https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/-m2dBrJz.jpgAnsel Adams: The Tetons and the Snake River
Stock photo of the moon from Getty Images (https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/moon?family=creative&license=rf&phrase=moon&sort=mostpopular#license)
https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/NF3vJjw_.jpgTropical Paradise Beach by Belle Deese on WallpaperUp
https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/4-JqmaZq.jpgJoseph Turner, Rough Sea With Wreckage at the Tate Gallery
https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/_SsOyV8r.jpg
Kandinsky: Bavarian Mountains With Village
https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/Hnal2rkc.jpg
Sunflower: Luca-Postpischii
https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/n-s6y_Ui.jpgDenali (20,310') in the Alaska Range. [Photo] Bradford Washburn Collection, Museum of Science
https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/x0m2g8GB.pngAndy Goldsworthy, Pebbles around a hole, Kinagashima-Cho, Japan (1987)
https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/QI7NfqYr.jpgFrederick Church: Cotopaxi
https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1fa521c0-f451-41ad-b95a-11b649737210/KlbxQZ67.jpgHikmet Loe: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, west of Las Vegas, Nevada, January 2020
Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org) and our 2018-2019 Mountain Fellows are Katie Saad and Naomi Shapiro. Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com) As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.” Special Guests: Hikmet Loe and Russ Costa. -
As we head into Winter Break here in Salt Lake City, I invited Ranjan Adiga, a professor of English to share a story that he's written about the mountains. Today, Ranjan shares a reflection about growing up in Nepal, his move to Utah, and how that move has reframed his relationship to the mountains nearby.
Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org) and our 2018-2019 Mountain Fellows are Katie Saad and Naomi Shapiro. Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com). As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.” -
Round River Conservation Studies (https://www.roundriver.org) works to acheive large scale wildlife conservation around the world. In this episode we focus on their as one of Westminster's study abroad partners. Their student programs (https://www.roundriver.org/student-programs/) give young people from colleges across the US a chance to serve as field assistants in critical wildlife habitat and conservation areas in Mongolia, Patagonia, Botswana, Belize, and Canada. Round River field-based study abroad programs provide small groups of students opportunities to contribute to and learn from wildlife conservation efforts in big, wild landscapes. While earning college credit, students from diverse backgrounds study and immerse themselves in the ecology and culture of unique wild places. View this post on Instagram
Count the infinite stars in the night sky after spending your days counting and monitoring wildlife in the remote landscapes of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. . Applications for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 open now - click the link in bio to apply! . Photo credit: Fall 2019 Botswana Assistant Instructor, @thebigszydlowski . #roundriver #studyabroaddifferently #studyabroad #explore #travel #conservation #getoutside #naturalhistory #natureseekers #wildness #wildlifephotography #naturelovers #wilderness #adventuretravel #science #conservationscience #nature #mongolia #darhadvalley #darhad #asia
A post shared by Round River Conserv. Studies (@round.river) on Oct 16, 2019 at 10:08am PDT
I spoke with Elizabeth Brunner (a Round River instructor), Kelsey Barber and Rain Keating (2 students recently returned from Round River Programs), and Frank Black (a Westminster Professor who spent part of his sabbatical with Round River in Patagonia) about their experiences with Round River, what they learned in the work they are doing, and advice they have for students considering a Round River experience.For can follow Round River on instagram @round.river (https://www.instagram.com/round.river) or check out the blog (http://roundriver-blog.org/). Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org) and our 2018-2019 Mountain Fellows are Katie Saad and Naomi Shapiro. Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com). As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.” -
During the 2017 Fall Semester, 14 students, two professors, and a program coordinator loaded a bunch of books and some camping gear into a trailer, piled into a couple of vans, and took off on a 10,000 mile, 84 day academic adventure around the American West. The trip was designed as an exploration into the issues at the heart of the contemporary West. Students earned 16 credits in environmental studies and history as they study Environmental Cooperation and Conflict, Landscape and Meaning, the History of Public Lands, and the Native West.This prolonged journey into the field gave us a chance to learn directly from the landscapes and ecosystems of the west. More importantly, we had a chance to talk with the people who live, work, and study in those places. In this weeks podcast, we remember some of the places we visited and people we met. We also take a moment to look forward to the next Expedition, when we'll hit the road with a new cohort of students in the fall of 2020.Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org) and our 2018-2019 Mountain Fellows are Katie Saad and Naomi Shapiro. Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com). As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.”
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Brenden Rensink, BYU historian and assistant director of the Charles Redd Center, talks about how his trail-running hobby influences his scholarship.
Brenden W. Rensink (Ph.D., 2010) is the Assistant Director of the Charles Redd Center for Western Studies and an Assistant Professor of History at Brigham Young University. Rensink recently published the monograph book, Native but Foreign: Indigenous Immigrants and Refugees in the North American Borderlands (https://amzn.to/2llJTxJ) (Connecting the Greater West Series, Texas A&M University Press, 2018), co-editor of the forthcoming anthology, Essays on American Indian and Mormon History (University of Utah Press, 2019), co-editor of Documents Vol. 4, (https://amzn.to/2JZ3v6q) and Documents Vol. 6 (https://amzn.to/2DBhgrB) of the award-winning Joseph Smith Papers (https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/articles/awards) projects (Church Historians Press, 2016, 2017), co-author of the Historical Dictionary of the American Frontier (https://amzn.to/2FjmN83) (Rowman & Littlefield, 2015), and author multiple articles, book chapters, and reviews. (http://www.bwrensink.org/scholarship-publications/) Rensink helps manage events, programming, awards, and research at the BYU Redd Center. He also created and directs two ongoing public history initiatives for the Redd Center: serving as the Project Manager and General Editor of the Intermountain Histories (http://www.intermountainhistories.org/) digital public history project and as the Host and Producer of the Writing Westward Podcast. (http://reddcenter.byu.edu/pages/writing-westward-podcast) His current research projects include consulting with the Native American Rights Fund, editing a collection of essays on 21st Century West History, and a writing new cultural and environmental history monograph tracing experience in, perception of, and recreation in Western American wilderness landscapes.
Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org) and our 2018-2019 Mountain Fellows are Katie Saad and Naomi Shapiro. Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com). As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.” Special Guest: Brenden Rensink. -
In this episode, Westminster College Environmental Studies Professor Xiumei Pu sends us into winter with a reading of a poem by Tao Chien (translated by David Hinton). The episode is, perhaps, best enjoyed with a glass of wine.
Jeff Nichols and Brent Olson co-direct the Institute for Mountain Research (http://mountainresearch.org) and our 2018-2019 Mountain Fellows are Katie Saad and Naomi Shapiro. Our theme song is “Home” by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. (https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com). As Naomi likes to say, “They are awesome and you should check them out.” Special Guest: Xiumei Pu. - Show more
