Episode 5: “Dance Our Dances” with L. Frank
Episode Description
In this week’s episode of Youspeak Radio 2024, Jasper (he/him) speaks to L. Frank (pó, he/she/they) about the revitalization and reclamation of Indigenous arts, culture, and language, including Two-Spirit traditions. L. Frank reflects on the influence of pó grandfather, early connections with their Indigeneity and Two-Spirit identity, his work in traditional artforms and revitalization of California Indian languages to fight extinction, and her advice to LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit youth for preserving their pride and culture.
Trailblazer – L. Frank
Frank (pó, he/she/they) is a Two-Spirit artist, activist, scholar, and writer of Tongva, Ajachmem, Rarámuri, and Spanish heritage. L. Frank started pó journey as an activist in high school by attempting to join Native activists reclaiming Alcatraz Island in San Francisco. Though stopped by parents, she later participated in other Native sovereignty protests, including Dakota Access Pipeline demonstrations at Standing Rock. In the 1990s, L. Frank co-founded Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival, which continues to lead language revitalization efforts with several California tribes. Pó began writing and illustrating the column “Acorn Soup” for News from Native California in the 1990s, challenging stereotypes through whimsical cartoons, later compiled into a book of the same name. He also collaborated on the photography book First Families, which uplifts histories of California Indians families and elders. L. Frank practices traditional artforms of stone carving, canoe construction, and song; he has been exhibited in local to international institutions. L. Frank has taught courses in Native Studies and served on the boards of the California Indian Basketweavers Association, Cultural Conservancy, Neshkanukat, and Tongva Tarazat Paxaavxa Conservancy. In 2021, pó performed an original Tongva song as a singing crow in Netflix’s City of Ghosts, a children’s show on Los Angeles histories. L. Frank was born in Santa Monica, CA, in 1952, and came of age around the Los Angeles basin. Pó studied art and photography at the Otis Parsons Institute of Art Design, among other institutions, and is a veteran of the Air National Guard.
Youspeak Fellow – Jasper
Jasper (he/him), 16, is a rising high school senior from Northeast Los Angeles. A trans, queer guy of Chinese heritage, Jasper is the president of his school’s GSA, through which he instituted an annual queer dance. Jasper also serves on Community Action Network’s Youth Leadership Team at the Los Angeles LGBT Center and has worked on trans-inclusive bathroom policies. Jasper finds joy in Sherlock Holmes, drag performances, reading, and creative writing.
This Youspeak Radio project is made possible with generous support from the Dwight Stuart Youth Fund.
Music: “Living Life” and “Think BIG” by Scott Holmes, Creative Commons licensed (CC BY-NC 4.0) on FreeMusicArchives.
