"For the next seven generations" · In this episode, photographer and visual storyteller Lee Gavin, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, shares how his work weaves together culture, grit and resilience. Based in Pendleton, Oregon, Lee uses photography to document Native life across Turtle Island (North American continent) capturing honest human moments grounded in everyday lived experience. He and Molly reflect on Cayuse and Native Hawaiian connections to land and the ancestral values that shape both his creative practice and his worldview, offering insight into what it means to be Indigenous in the modern day. The conversation dives deep into human-oriented storytelling, the power of representation, and living in alignment with our purpose. Lee and Molly first met through NPR’s Next Generation Radio Indigenous program in Albuquerque in 2024,. This conversation builds on their shared commitment to telling stories that reflect the many ways to be Native in the 21st century. Follow Lee's work on Instagram: @miyoxet.arts Episode Highlights 00:00 — Introducing Lee Gavin 01:31 — Growing up in Portland and life on the Umatilla Indian Reservation 02:42 — Our relationship with land 05:50 — Modern Indigenous identity 09:47 — Finding joy through photography 13:13 — Resisting stereotypes of Native life and identity 17:58 — Art, documentation, and showing community from the inside 22:15 — Holding stories 26:30 — Resilience, hardship, and staying grounded in daily life 29:53 — Following inspiration 35:21 — Purpose, risk, and showing up
"For the next seven generations" · In this episode, photographer and visual storyteller Lee Gavin, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, shares how his work weaves together culture, grit and resilience. Based in Pendleton, Oregon, Lee uses photography to document Native life across Turtle Island (North American continent) capturing honest human moments grounded in everyday lived experience.
He and Molly reflect on Cayuse and Native Hawaiian connections to land and the ancestral values that shape both his creative practice and his worldview, offering insight into what it means to be Indigenous in the modern day. The conversation dives deep into human-oriented storytelling, the power of representation, and living in alignment with our purpose.
Lee and Molly first met through NPR’s Next Generation Radio Indigenous program in Albuquerque in 2024,. This conversation builds on their shared commitment to telling stories that reflect the many ways to be Native in the 21st century.
Follow Lee's work on Instagram: @miyoxet.arts
Episode Highlights
00:00 — Introducing Lee Gavin
01:31 — Growing up in Portland and life on the Umatilla Indian Reservation
02:42 — Our relationship with land
05:50 — Modern Indigenous identity
09:47 — Finding joy through photography
13:13 — Resisting stereotypes of Native life and identity
17:58 — Art, documentation, and showing community from the inside
22:15 — Holding stories
26:30 — Resilience, hardship, and staying grounded in daily life
29:53 — Following inspiration
35:21 — Purpose, risk, and showing up