Singer-songwriter Sierra Spirit joins KGNU’s DJ Jules to talk about the power of Indigenous storytelling through music and the importance of creating spaces where Native youth can see themselves reflected on stage. She shares how songs like “Devil’s Tower” draw from traditional stories passed down by her family and discusses the role music plays in carrying forward oral history.
Sierra also previews her appearance at the All My Relations Celebration in Denver, a community event supporting Rock the Rez, a music camp for Indigenous youth. The conversation explores the growing visibility of Native artists, the importance of community, and how cultural traditions continue to inspire a new generation of musicians. (Air Date 7/21/26).
Listen to the interview here:
Transcript:
DJ Jules: Sierra Spirit. Sierra, are you there?
Sierra Spirit: Hello.
DJ Jules: Hey, girl. How’s it going today?
Sierra Spirit: So good. How are you doing?
DJ Jules: We’re good. Thanks for your patience. I played two of your songs, “Lift a Finger” and “Devil’s Tower.” In a perfect world, the interview would have been between those two songs, but we were having phone troubles. Thank goodness for Evan Perkins, our station everything, who got us all set up. Thank you, Evan, for everything. Now we can chat with you. Sierra, it’s a pleasure to have you on today. I’m so excited. Thanks for having me.
We’ve got some exciting things on your calendar. What’s coming up that you can share with our KGNU listeners?
Sierra Spirit: I’m so excited. I’ll be at the All My Relations Celebration in Denver in just a couple of weeks. It’s open to the community, and I’m so excited to be there.
DJ Jules: This is going to be a great event. It’s a KGNU Presents show featuring Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Sierra Spirit, and so many great artists. Can you tell listeners what this event is like and what it’s for?
Sierra Spirit: It’s going to be a really awesome community event for the Indigenous community in Denver. It’s also partnering with Rock the Rez, an amazing music camp for Indigenous youth. It’s going to be such a great communal space for art and music, and it’s something I wish I had growing up. It would have given me so much joy and guidance to see other Native artists performing in this way. I think that’s going to be a really exciting experience.
DJ Jules: I love that idea of giving young people a mirror of who they are—their relatives, their connections—and showing them that this is their space too. The Rock the Rez camp has created such a beautiful space for Indigenous children and for transgender, nonbinary, and Two-Spirit youth. What a wonderful service for young people.
Sierra Spirit: Absolutely. It’s a space where people have often felt their voices were quiet, but events like this make those voices loud and wonderful. It’s something I would have loved to have growing up. There weren’t many Indigenous musician role models when I was younger. Now there are so many incredible Native artists using music as a platform to tell our stories and continue our oral history. That’s such an amazing thing, and I think this event is going to bring everyone together in a really meaningful way.
DJ Jules: That’s such a powerful way to put it—telling our stories. This isn’t just about your experience; it’s a shared platform for so many stories. Hearing you describe it that way really resonates.
Sierra Spirit: Our history and traditions are an oral history. One of the things I always loved about my elders was listening to the stories they learned from their parents and grandparents. It’s really special for Native youth to realize that writing music is also storytelling. It’s another way to carry our oral traditions forward.
DJ Jules: I love that. When you’re creating, writing, and performing, are there ways you intentionally connect those stories to your own work?
Sierra Spirit: Absolutely. The song “Devil’s Tower” that you played earlier is based on a story from the tribes in Wyoming surrounding Devil’s Tower, a Native historical site. I wrote it about the story of the bear and the two village girls, which was one of my favorite stories my grandma told me. I also included traditional tribal drums in the recording.
DJ Jules: I love that. It’s such a beautiful way to honor who you are, where you’ve come from, and where you’re going. Many of us don’t know these stories, and now you’re able to share them.
We have Rock the Rez Camp taking place August 6 through 9, and if I remember correctly, the All My Relations Celebration at Levitt Pavilion will help raise funds for Rock the Rez. Is that right?
Sierra Spirit: Absolutely.
DJ Jules: How can people attending the All My Relations Celebration support Rock the Rez?
Sierra Spirit: Show up. Be there and support the community. There will be opportunities to learn more about the organization and ways to help. It’s going to be an amazing communal event, and everyone is there to support one another.
DJ Jules: That’s beautiful. Is it true there will also be Native-owned food vendors and artisans?
Sierra Spirit: Yes, absolutely. It’s going to be an incredible space for Native artists in every field. People are bringing their hearts into the traditional foods, artwork, and everything they’re sharing. Everyone contributes something unique, and that’s what makes it such a wonderful community event.
DJ Jules: I love that. KGNU listeners can find more information at levittdenver.org. This is a KGNU Presents show on Sunday, August 9.
If you’re just tuning in, we’re talking with Sierra Spirit. Sierra, do you have any other upcoming shows or news you’d like to share before we wrap up?
Sierra Spirit: If you’re going to Indian Market in Santa Fe, I can’t say exactly where I’ll be playing yet, but you might see me there.
DJ Jules: Exciting! Where can listeners stay connected and keep up with your music and tour dates?
Sierra Spirit: You can find me as Sierra Spirit on all streaming platforms and social media. Instagram is probably the best place to keep up with upcoming shows and new music. You can also listen on Spotify and Apple Music.
DJ Jules: Perfect. KGNU listeners, I have two VIP tickets to give away for the All My Relations Celebration on Sunday, August 9. The event begins at 5:00 p.m. It’s open to the public, and the VIP tickets include a complimentary beverage and access to a special seating area. It’s all ages, rain or shine. Call 303-442-4242 for your chance to win.
Sierra, thank you so much for sharing your music and your story with us at KGNU. We’re so grateful to have you as part of our community.
Sierra Spirit: Thank you so much for having me. I hope to see some familiar faces in a couple of weeks.
DJ Jules: That would be wonderful. Thank you, Sierra. Enjoy your day.
Sierra Spirit: Thank you. Bye-bye.
