Indigenous People & Racism

Joining the co-hosts for the fourth episode of THE Conversation are guest panelists Talia Landry, Julianne Vanderhoop, and Jerry Lassos. Matt Lilles and Andre Price also appear on the program.
This edition of THE Conversation focuses on two topics: “Do you see racism in the celebration of Columbus Day and Thanksgiving?” and “How should we locally in the Commonwealth and across the nation best acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of indigenous people?”

Talia Landry grew up in Mashpee and is a 2010 graduate of Mashpee High School. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Communications at Quinnipiac University, Talia took on different roles for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and is currently President of the Tribe's Community and Development Corporation Board of Directors. Talia is presently the Productions Manager for MashpeeTV and has created the tribal news segment, First Light News. She is one of the filmmakers of the documentary Mashpee Nine.

Julianne Vanderhoop is a member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). A mother of two and former pilot and flight instructor, Julianne serves on the Town of Aquinnah Select Board and the Wampanoag Tribal Education Committee. An accomplished baker, Julianne founded the Orange Peel Bakery in 2008 by constructing a traditional outdoor, wood-fired oven.

Jerry Lassos is from Venice, California, and is a member of the Tongva indigenous people of Los Angeles. After graduating from California State Northridge as an education major, he served in the Air Force, then attended the University of Colorado and earned his Master’s Degree. After a career as an educator in Colorado’s Jefferson County Schools, he became a founding board member and chairman of the West Denver Prep Charter School. He co-created a service for students called Indigenous Students Leap Ahead.