Close your eyes. Imagine standing on land that your family has held for generations. The waters that trickle nearby sing your family name, and your ancestors are there with you, buried deep in the earth. Now, imagine a stranger coming along and violating this land with no regard to the lineage it carries. 

This is the story at the heart of our latest Sonic Journey. We’re sharing the story of the Fukumitsu family who is protecting their land -- their ‘āina -- through the Emmy Award-winning film “Pili Ka Moʻo” by Justyn Ah Chong with Malia Akutagawa (both Kanaka Maoli.) 

“Pili Ka Moʻo” is a part of the first season of our sibling initiative Reciprocity Project. This is also the film that inspired Seedcast producer Stina Hamlin to embark on our whole Sonic Journey Series, and we understand why: this film not only includes the strong voices of the Fukumitsu family and their ancestors, but it also includes beautiful sounds from their kalo, or taro, fields and the collective voice of a community standing up for the land and their ancestors. 

Justyn’s film is part of Reciprocity Project, a collaboration between Nia Tero and Upstander Project, in association with REI Co-op Studios. 

Host and Story Editor: Jessica Ramirez. Producer: Stina Hamlin. Story Editor and Audio Mix: Ha'aheo Auwae-Dekker.  

Learn more:  

• Watch the film and learn more here.  
• Listen to our previous episode with Justyn: Celestial Wayfinding and Pili Ka Mo’o with Justyn Ah Chong  

 Listen to previous Sonic Journey Episodes:  

• Sonic Journey One: Sonic Journey One: Diiyeghan naii Taii Tr’eedaa  
• Sonic Journey Two: Sonic Journey Two: Weckuwapok (The Approaching Dawn)  
• Sonic Journey Three: SŪKŪJULA TEI (Stories of My Mother)  
• Sonic Journey Four: Ma’s House 

Seedcast is a production of Nia Tero, a global nonprofit which supports Indigenous land guardianship around the world through policy, partnership, and storytelling initiatives.

Enjoy the Seedcast podcast on the Nia Tero website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your other favorite podcast platforms.

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