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\u201cThe most important thing is to be open minded to allow forgiveness...some of the horrible things that were done to us, we know our story. We know the horrible things. We don\u2019t let that define who we are. Those horrible things that were done to Kashia are not who Kashia are. We\u2019ll never forget it. We\u2019ll always remember it. We\u2019ll honor those that was done to, but we won\u2019t let that define us. And we will be open to forgiveness....I would challenge everyone to find it.\u201d

Reno Franklin is Chairman of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians. This episode is a bit different because i) I usually do not have tribal leaders on the show. This is not for negative reasons, but instead I want to highlight the work of others not in leadership positions to show how much amazing work is being done in Indian Country.

It\u2019s also different because while we discuss Reno\u2019s life, we also discuss his work as a tribal leader, projects he\u2019s working on, approaches to being a leader. It\u2019s definitely a fun conversation, and that\u2019s before we even get to his story.

Reno\u2019s story:

I first met Reno through the National Indian Health Board. I worked there and Reno was Chairman of the the organization. He also chaired the California Rural Indian Health Board, and the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers. This is not to mention the work he\u2019s done with other associations and working groups. Although his resume reads like one of grand ambition, his beginnings in tribal leadership tell a different story. It tells a story of service.

Reno moved back to the reservation after he was asked to help with some wildfire work for the tribe. Reno was a firefighter and EMT at the time. Reno said that since he was asked, he moved home. He wasn\u2019t far away, but this was his time to come home. His firefighting work led him to historic preservation work. Like other NextGen Natives, one project led to another, which eventually opened new doors and challenges.

His work in healthcare started with a personal story he shared. To hear it, you\u2019re going to have to listen to the show. But suffice it to say, when he started, he didn\u2019t have any experience in the field. He learned through service and eventually his work rose to the national level.

We discussed what it was like for him to be a tribal leader at a young age, in particular one at the national level where politics is intense. He shared stories about how he earned the respect of his colleagues and peers. Over time, they looked to him more and more for leadership.

I shared Reno\u2019s challenge to NextGen Natives above, and I think it is some of the most powerful words I\u2019ve heard in awhile. It reminds me of Wab Kinew\u2019s book The Reason You Walk and the theme of forgiveness. It\u2019s not an easy discussion, but I think we need to be vulnerable and open to the idea of forgiveness. \xa0Thanks for sharing, Reno!