Rematriation is an Indigenous women-led nonprofit based in Syracuse, New York, founded in 2016 by Michelle Schenandoah, a member of the Onʌyota’:aka (Oneida) Nation Wolf Clan of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. The organization uplifts Indigenous women’s voices and advances the rematriation movement, fostering community gatherings and applying traditional Indigenous knowledge to areas such as environmental stewardship, governance, policy, and justice practices. Through these efforts, Rematriation empowers Indigenous communities and allies to build equitable, sustainable, and culturally grounded solutions. Michelle Schenandoah carries her ancestors’ passion to rematriate her people’s lands and share the Haudenosaunee’s global influence on modern democracy and civic rights.
This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Rematriation is launching Rematriated Voices, a five-episode web-based talk show exploring rematriation as an approach to truth, democracy, and balance with Mother Earth. This is a first-of-its-kind five-part talk show premiering on New York PBS affiliate WCNY on October 13, 2025, at 9 pm. Following the debut episode, weekly episodes will air on WCNY at 8pm every Saturday beginning November 8 through November 29, 2025. The series will include a companion podcast released through Syracuse University’s ‘Cuse Conversations, which will also be distributed by Cultural Survival's Indigenous Rights Radio.
The series brings together some of the most influential Indigenous voices of our time to share knowledge, values, and solutions urgently needed in a world grappling with division, ecological crisis, and social upheaval. Each episode highlights how Haudenosaunee principles, rooted in matrilineal culture, ecological balance, and collective responsibility, offer powerful frameworks for addressing issues such as democracy, land justice, food sovereignty, and the societal obligations to future generations.
“Indigenous Peoples’ Day is not only a time to honor our past and celebrate our people of today, but also to listen to Indigenous knowledge keepers who carry wisdom for navigating our future,” said Schenandoah. “Rematriated Voices uplifts these teachings as essential tools for healing divides, rematriating democracy, and restoring balance with Mother Earth.”
Photo L-R: Episode 5, "Matrilineal Men." Michelle Schenandoah, host of Rematriated Voices and founder of Rematriation; Neal Powless, 2025 American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame inductee and Haudenosaunee Nationals former player; Chief Spencer Lyons, Onondaga Nation Hawk Clan; Chief Brennen Ferguson Tuscarora Nation Turtle Clan.
Featured Guests
The series convenes a distinguished lineup of Indigenous leaders, knowledge keepers, and change-makers, including:
- Robin Wall Kimmerer – MacArthur Fellow, author of Braiding Sweetgrass
- Dr. Beverley Jacobs – Mohawk attorney and Associate Professor of Law, University of Windsor
- Louise McDonald Herne (“Mommabear”) – Mohawk Bear Clan Mother
- Neal Powless – 2025 American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame inductee and Haudenosaunee Nationals former player
- Chief Spencer Lyons – Onondaga Nation Hawk Clan
- Chief Brennen Ferguson – Tuscarora Nation Turtle Clan
- Katsi Cook – Celebrated Mohawk midwife and activist
- Sandra Fox – Akwesasne Mohawk Faithkeeper
- Sarah Bradley and Brittany Koteles – Land Justice Futures
- The late Dr. Sally Roesch Wagner – Historian and leader in women’s studies
Photo L-R: Episode 2, "First Environment." Michelle Schenandoah, host of Rematriated Voices and founder of Rematriation. Katsi Cook, a Mohawk midwife, activist, and creator of the Woman is the First Environment Collaborative, a program that uplifts community-based projects and empowers Native women across generations. Robin Wall Kimmerer, a MacArthur Fellow and author of the New York Times best-seller Braiding Sweetgrass.
Produced in collaboration with Access Audio, a storytelling initiative from the Special Collections Research Center at Syracuse University Libraries, the series will also be available through public radio programming and companion podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and all major podcast platforms.
All episodes will be available for streaming here.
For more information, contact: Lindsay Lodis lindsay@fullswingpr.com
Top photo L-R: Episode 4, "Eve Meets Sky Woman." Michelle Schenandoah; Louise McDonald Herne (“Mommabear”), Mohawk Bear Clan Mother; the late Dr. Sally Roesch Wagner – Historian and leader in women’s studies
