Quakers and Jiwasa: Moving from I to We

In this episode, special co-host Diana Yáñez and Sweet Miche explore the concept of belonging, not just to each other, but to all of existence. From the linguistic wisdom of the Aymara people to the radical call of liberation theology and the hard work of healing Quaker involvement in Indian Boarding Schools, we're asking what might happen to our faith if we start living from the "We" instead of the "I"?

Jiwasa: The Communal We with Rubén Hilari Quispe

Rubén, an Aymara Quaker and linguist, introduces us to jiwasa – a concept of "we-ness" that includes humans, the environment, and even the objects around us. He invites us to sit with the unsettled feeling of language that doesn't center the individual. Read Rubén’s article, "Jiwasa, the Communal We" in the January 2026 issue of Friends Journal or at FriendsJournal.org. You can hear an extended interview in Spanish with English subtitles at the Friends Journal YouTube page.

Liberation Theology and the Inner Light with Renzo Carranza

Guatemalan Friend Renzo Carranza explores how the Quaker Inner Light intersects with the radical tradition of liberation theology. Together, they form a call to action: to reinterpret the gospels from the perspective of the marginalized and transform society. Watch the full QuakerSpeak video, “Transforming the SPIRIT: Liberation Theology and the Inner Light” at QuakerSpeak.com.

Collective Relationship and Boarding Schools with Rachel Overstreet

Rachel Overstreet (Choctaw Nation) discusses the history of Quaker Indian boarding schools. She suggests that the way forward isn't through individual guilt, but through collective relationship. Read Rachel’s article, “Speaking with Friends About Indian Boarding Schools” in the January 2026 issue of Friends Journal or at FriendsJournal.org. Rachel writes the Native American Legislative Update, a monthly newsletter on the most important developments on Capitol Hill related to Indian Country. You can also write your Congressperson to cosponsor and pass the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act. Find out more at fcnl.org/issues/native-americans.

Book Review: Chooch Helped

Katie Green reviews a charming children’s book by Andrea L. Rogers and Rebecca Lee Koons (Cherokee Nation) that celebrates present-day Cherokee family life and love. Read Katie’s review of Chooch Helped in the January 2026 issue or at FriendsJournal.org.

Recommended Resources by Indigenous Creators

• Jonny Appleseed (Novel)
  • By Joshua Whitehead (they/them)
  • A beautifully fragmented story about a Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer person navigating life in Winnipeg. The title ironically reclaims a settler-colonial myth to tell a raw story of modern Indigenous identity.
• Coyote & Crow (Tabletop Role-Playing Game)
  • Created by a team of over 30 Indigenous creators
  • Set in an "Indigenous Futurism" world where the Americas were never colonized. This RPG focuses on community, advanced technology, and spirits in a world where history took a different path.

Drama & Performance

• The Thanksgiving Play (Play)
  • By Larissa FastHorse (Sicangu Lakota Nation)
  • A biting, hilarious satire that made history as the first play by a Native American woman on Broadway. It follows four well-meaning white people trying to create a "politically correct" Thanksgiving play for a school.
• The Rez Sisters (Play)
  • By Tomson Highway (Cree)
  • A modern classic of Indigenous drama. It tells the story of seven women on a reserve who dream of winning "the biggest bingo game in the world." It’s a powerful blend of humor, tragedy, and the supernatural.
• Mary Kathryn Nagle: Land Sovereignty and Indigenous Women’s Rights (Podcast/Interview)
  • Produced by Peterson Toscano for Citizens Climate Radio
  • A deep-dive conversation with Cherokee playwright and attorney Mary Kathryn Nagle. She discusses how her plays, like Sovereignty and Manahatta, serve as "living law," using the stage to advocate for tribal jurisdiction and the safety of Indigenous women.

Music & Audio

• Come and Get Your Love (Song)
  • By Redbone
  • The 1974 hit that made Redbone the first Native American band to reach the top five on the Billboard Hot 100.
• Forged (Podcast)
  • CBC Listen / Host: Adrian Stimson
  • A gripping series exploring a massive art fraud ring involving the works of Norval Morrisseau, the "Picasso of the North."

Literature & Thought

• Sacred Instructions (Book)
  • By Sherri Mitchell (Weh’na Ha’mu Kwasset)
  • A roadmap for "spirit-based change" drawing on Penobscot ancestral wisdom to address modern crises.
• Dr. Lyla June Johnston (Scholar & Musician)
  • A Diné (Navajo) and Cheyenne artist whose work blends hip-hop with traditional acoustics and ecological activism.

Digital Culture & Media

• Trixie Mattel: Root Maintenance (Video/Q&A)
  • The world-famous drag queen discusses her biracial Ojibwe heritage and navigating identity in the public eye.
• Rez Ball (Film)
  • Produced by LeBron James and Sterlin Harjo
  • A 2024 film following a Navajo high school basketball team, capturing the unique, fast-paced style of "Rezball."

Next Month’s Question

A central part of Quakerism is our commitment to peace. But that doesn't mean we should avoid conflict. In fact, it means we have a specific responsibility to it. What is a small practice that brings you a measure of peace or stability in the midst of conflict and turmoil?

• Leave a voice memo at 317-QUAKERS (317-782-5377)
• Email us at podcast@friendsjournal.org

Sponsors

Quakers Today is a project of Friends Publishing Corporation. This season is sponsored by:

• Friends Fiduciary: Ethical investing through a Quaker lens. Learn more at FriendsFiduciary.org.
• American Friends Service Committee (AFSC): Challenging injustice and building peace. Visit afsc.org.

For a full transcript, visit QuakersToday.org.