It’s not a farewell… It’s A Suva Nik.
By Tori McConnell
Saying farewell is never easy… nor is it always necessary. That’s why in most Indigenous languages we don’t say it often. So, with the ending of my position, I don’t feel like saying goodbye. I feel like I’ll be back in another way on another day because of what this internship has given me: experiences, new lasting connections, greater awareness, mobility, freedom, skill development, financial support, a new writing portfolio, and a reinvigorated sense of direction. Thanks to the supportive Roundhouse Program headed by Terria Smith, I’ve made it through a full year of growth. As much as I’d like to say that I flourished to the capacity I had dreamed of going into the gig, personal challenges staged at the beginning of my internship opened my time with a period of isolation and uncertainty. One of the primary challenges was a situation in which my local superior court granted a domestic violence restraining order with myself as the protected party. This experience as a whole had unfortunately affected my overall health, confidence, performance, and creativity. While follow-through on my situation demanded excess time and resources, I rarely met my work expectations for myself because I also have a second job. But work was also a source of solace and hope as I reconnected with myself and my passions. As the year slowly evolved, my mentor Terria continued to help me make the most of my time in the Roundhouse Program. By the end of my internship I can report to you that I: made a small collection of blog posts, created larger works for multiple magazine issues, wrote multiple film reviews, sold Heyday books at Cal Poly Humboldt Big Time and Indigenous Foods Festival, traveled, served as guest editor for our Fall 2026 issue of Native News, started the process of writing a children’s book for future publication, and, of course, added countless events to the News from Native California online events calendar.
My first article for the magazine was published in the Winter 2025-26 issue – my introduction as the 2025-26 intern. My first story submission was for the Spring 2026 issue and featured Lisa Sundberg (Yurok) with her work on hempcrete as a source of sustainable Indigenous housing futures in Humboldt County and beyond. For the Summer 2026 issue, I wrote a review of the film Firelighters: Fire Is Medicine, an in-depth narrative around cultural fire featuring treasured northern California elders and community members like Margo Robbins (Yurok), Elizabeth Azzuz (Yurok/Karuk), Bertha Peters (Yurok), and Dawn Blake-McQuillen (Hupa/Yurok). I also got the chance to collaborate with Roundhouse Fellow shaylynn martos reporting on the Klamath River youth who spoke at the prestigious Bioneers conference in Berkeley, Calif. shaylynn hosted me in Oakland, which I’ll always remember as one of the most enjoyable trips I’ve taken because of the good company and food. Together, we attended the conference and built off that moment to honor California and Oregon tribal youth who have made strides to connect the struggle of Klamath River peoples across colonial state borders. Finally, in Fall 2026 I got to serve as guest editor on our “California Excellence and Resistance” issue of the magazine, which housed my extended review of the People of the West series nestled among diverse stories from outstanding community members across Native California. Interestingly enough, one of the most memorable parts of my internship responsibilities was keeping our online calendar updated. This part of the job was more behind-the-scenes, but it opened my eyes to new communities and events that I hadn’t heard of even during my time traveling throughout the state at Miss Indian World. I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting to say this, but I will miss the tedious work of uploading flyers and manually adding as many details as possible for each calendar event. Maybe this upcoming year, I’ll get to attend more of them!
Beyond the internship, my life this year has been dynamic and beautiful. Burgeoning love and family connections continue to enrich my wellbeing and provide me true grounding and encouragement. I’ve been able to make it to several prescribed burns, which I do because of my culture and identity, and I’ve begun prepping to get back into my traditional weaving. I’ve helped teach some cultural workshops, chaperoned the Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival (AICLS) summer youth camp, and spoke on visibility for Indigenous peoples before singing the national anthem at a local semi-pro baseball game on Fourth of July weekend. I dyed my hair red and I got braces put on, which I usually try to hide in my photos by not smiling, but sometimes I forget. My summer season was filled with travel and ceremonies including Hupa Flower Dance, Dakota/Assiniboine Sundance, Yurok brush dance, and Karuk World Renewal. I’ve spent days with friends making memories and finding peace amongst the chaos of our busy lives, and I’ve talked for countless hours on the phone with my mom, I’ve had another birthday, and I’ve been gathering fall acorns. When I really think about it, completion of this internship is due to the richness of this life which I am so privileged to have. Without the foundation of home, love, and community, I wouldn’t be here writing to you.
This internship year would not be complete without expressing my exceeding gratitude for everyone who made this opportunity possible, first and foremost the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria for funding this position and Terria Smith for being a kind and understanding mentor. Thank you Heyday Books staff for showing me what a successful independent publishing company looks like; especially California Local News Fellow shaylynn martos for hosting me, Gayle Wattawa for staying on top of our administrative tasks, and Emmerich Anklam for being a great book development mentor. I also want to thank former Roundhouse intern Muriel Ammon for continued friendship, inspiration and support as I made my own journey on a path paved with her footsteps. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all my friends and loved ones who provided safe spaces and comfort during some really tough times – you kept me going when I needed it most. And to my family and parents for uplifting all my endeavors with love, encouragement, and everyday support, thank you forever. Ultimately, I am grateful to you – the collective California Native community and our readers – for providing such a beautifully colorful community to report on and write for. I hope to make you all, including my friends, family, and our grandparents and ancestors, proud of the way that I choose to use my writing.
Even though my one-year internship is over, my work as a creative and as a writer is far from done. That’s why instead of saying farewell I say suva nik – listen a little, so long, see you again soon.
