Shuína Skó
Two-Spirit Storyteller & Poet | Author | Indigenous Rights Activist
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
UPCOMING
SPEAKING
ENGAGEMENTS
For workshop/event requests & inquiries about Shuína's 2024 availability contact Shuína via email at ShuinaSkoLLC@ShuinaSko.com
2024
Email Shuína for the culturally inspired and 2SLGBTQ friendly workshop
2024
Email Shuína for a personalized spoken-word poetry performace/presentation intended to facilitate deep thought and more intimate connection with self and others
2024
Shuína is currently in the process of writing new books "No More Missing & Murdered Indigenous Relatives: Book of Poetry", "Earth Teachings: Indigenous Poetry", and "We Survive: Indigenous Poetry for Suicide Prevention," all of which will be available on Amazon
2024
Shuína is collaborating with the Klamath Tribes to create culturally relevant and Klamath Tribes specific children's books
2024
Shuína is currently collaborating with the State of Oregon Department of Health & Human Services and The Klamath Tribes to create materials for the recruitment of Indigenous Resource Parents/Homes
2024
Shuína is currently collaborating with the State of Oregon Department of Health & Human Services and several Indigenous artists - of all mediums - on an interactive art display that will ignite all five senses and share engaging cultural aspects of the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon
2024
June 5th
Shuína participates as a panelist at annual Pride Conference
Shuína is a panelist at the annual Pride Conference to support efforts to uplift the 2sLGBTQ+ community
For more information and event link email ShuinaSkoLLC@ShuinaSko.com
Mar 28th
Shuína performs spoken word poetry for the "Raise Your Voice" series
Shuína performs spoken word poetry for the Raise Your Voice series exploring the complexities and vibrancy of the Indigenous experience and 2sLGBTQ+ community
For more information and event link email ShuinaSkoLLC@ShuinaSko.com
Mar 13th
Shuína provides a workshop and performs spoken word poetry at the "Queer Indigenous Gathering"
Shuína provides a workshop for Queer Indigenous Gathering participants and shares spoken word poetry highlighting the vibrancy of their Indigenous cultural practices and beliefs
For more information and event link email ShuinaSkoLLC@ShuinaSko.com
Mar 9th
Shuína provides the keynote at Queering as Community: Making Space in the Classroom
Shuína provides a keynote presentation for the "Queering as Community: Making Space in the Classroom" conference at University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. The keynote content covered includes exploring "how homophobic, transphobic, colonial policies impact some of our most vulnerable (and undeniably beautiful) people by increasing the risk to their immediate safety and seemingly targeting their ongoing wellness. We will also cover the intricacies of the Two-Spirit identity and how to be a bridge for the vulnerable to safety."
For information and tickets regarding the conference, click HERE!
Mar 9th
Shuína performs spoken word poetry in Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Shuína performs an evening show of spoken word poetry at a local venue within Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Feb 7th-13th
Shuína participated as a judge for Oregon's Poetry Out Loud semi-finals
Shuína participated as a judge for Oregon's Poetry Out Loud, "a contest open to all Oregon high school students... a free program that encourages young performers to dive into American poetry through memorization and competitive performance"
For information about Oregon Poetry Out Loud, click HERE!
Jan 26th
Shuína's poetry is highlighted at the "History and Poetry in Klamath" event at the Klamath County Museum
Shuína's poetry was highlighted at the "History and Poetry in Klamath" event at Klamath County Museum. This event invites people to "explore how poetry and history have intersected in our community, and learn what insight these poems can give as we look towards the past."
"The program, titled 'A Poet’s Perspective: History and Poetry in the Klamath Basin' is offered as part of the museum’s Free First Friday event... 'Many poets have lived in the Klamath Basin, and many poems have been written about the Klamath Basin,' said Katie Snow, registration technician for the museum and organizer of the program. 'This presentation will highlight some of the more historically significant poems of the area.' Examples of topics that have inspired local poets range from life in the Japanese segregation center at Tule Lake to the special brand of humor enjoyed by loggers.' Friday’s presentation will include a reading of excerpts from poems written by O.C. Applegate, Laura Chiloquin, Dorothea E. McAnulty, Winfield H. Cahill, Geffrey Davis, W.B. Shea, Charlie Hurst, Muin Otokichi Ozaki, Violet Kazue de Cristoforo, Lawson Fusao Inada, Ron Crete, Shuina Sko, Donald Zane Underwood and Teresa Rennick."
For more information contact the museum at (541) 882-1000 or click HERE!
Photo taken at Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ event in Ashland Oregon
2023
Nov 26th
Shuína performed at Spork, a “culinary magic” restaurant according to The New York Times
(In Person) Shuína performed spoken word poetry at the 3-hour event, "Honoring The Roots Of Connection: Poetry & Storytelling" in Bend Oregon's Westside to wrap up the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. The content centered on Shuína's experience as an Indigenous Two-Spirit person while navigating colonized minds and land (addressing present-day acts of passive and direct harms toward Shuína and their community, along with cultural practices that are uplifting to all people). Several past and never before heard poems were shared moving the audience to tears and laughter. There was also meaningful connections being built during the Indigenous inspired meal served at the closing
For event flyer, click HERE!
For information about Spork, click HERE!
Nov 11th
Shuína performed at the Native Heritage Festival on Takelma land in Grants Pass Oregon
(In Person) Shuína performed spoken word poetry at the Native Heritage Festival presented by Native Woman's Share nonprofit. This event celebrated Indigenous peoples, provided cultural education through Indigenous Allyship Training, and offered opportunities for deeper connection between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous community via performance art, venders, workshops, and an Indigenous meal
For more information about NativeWomansShare click HERE!
Oct 21st
Shuína provided a 2-hour poetry workshop at the Grand Ronde Museum
(In Person) Shuína performed spoken word poetry and provided culturally focused training on aspects of storytelling, steps to increasing observational and internal mindfulness/awareness, and had participants engage in impromptu poetry writing. This workshop was for Field's Artist Fellowship and took place in the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Chachalu Museum and Cultural Center, which included a tour prior to the workshop
For more information about the museum, click HERE!
For more information about the museum, click HERE!
Oct 11th
Shuína provided Key Note at Allstate's "Native & Pride" annual event
(Virtual) Shuína performed spoken word poetry during their key note presentation at the annual Allstate Insurance event: "NATIVE & PRIDE Present: Two Spirit Event w/ Keynote Speaker & Poet Shuina Sko"
Sept 27th-29th
Shuína provided an "identity" workshop for the 2023 Tribal-State ICWA Conference
(In Person) Shuína provided a workshop for conference participants (details below) and performed spoken word poetry for the conference opening on the final day.
Title: Cultural identity: Who are we really?
Summary: The relationship we have with self, our awareness of culture and involvement with it, and the sense of belonging we feel with those around us all significantly contribute to both the social issues within Indigenous communities and the prevention of them. In this workshop we explore some key components needed for building a strong, healthy and harmonious cultural identity. We also cover various cultural practices, the importance of them, and why our Indigenous children require more than exposure to powwows alone. Plus, expect to hear a spoken-word poem or two!
(Virtual) Shuína is featured in the Oregon Humanities article, "Sacred Instructions: A Two-Spirit Klamath tribal member connects with her voices and visions," written by Derek DeForest
(In Person) Shuína provided a cultural workshop highlighting the positive impact of embracing our cultural identity and using our voice at the BIPOC Wellness Retreat; a rejuvenating and empowering in-person self-care event for Oregonians in the PDS Workforce, held at the Oregon Garden Resort
July 30th
Shuína performed spoken word poetry as the Featured Poet at LIVE! on Elgin
(In Person) Shuína performed spoken word poetry
To view photos of Shuína on the Pieces of Us Instagram page, click HERE!
To view a reel (aka short video), click HERE!
Shuína performed spoken word poetry and participated as a panelist for the University of Iowa Pride Panel
(Virtual) Shuína performed spoken word poetry for the National American Indian & Alaska Native Childhood Trauma TSA, University of Iowa College of Public Health
Shuína performed spoken word poetry and was a panelist at the ODHS Employee Resource Group "2023 PRIDE Conference: Pride Across The Ages"
(Virtual - Zoom) Shuína was a panelist and performed spoken word poetry at the Oregon Department of Human Services Employee Resource Group Pride Conference. The following topics were covered: Coming out and what that experience like; The societal climate when becoming a part of the LGBTQIA2s+ community and the impacts this had; Intergenerational queer friendships and their importance; How things changed/stayed the same for LGBTQIA2s+ people in our lifetime; What is unique to our generation of LGBTQIA2s+ folks and what is similar to other generations; Closing: What is one piece of advice you have for other queer folks in your generation?
Shuína performed spoken word poetry for the closing of the Western Region Tribe/State Biannual ICWA gathering
(In Person) Shuína performed spoken word poetry for the Tribal and State of Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare Western Region Tribe/State Biannual ICWA gathering, hosted by The Office of Tribal Affairs. The event was held at The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Powwow Grounds (a federally recognized Tribe that includes over 30 Tribes and bands from western Oregon, northern California, and southwest Washington).
(In Person) Shuína did the videography for Klamath Tribal Health & Family Services New Building Grand Opening and created a custom video for social media and website distribution.
To view the video, click HERE!
(In Person) Shuína performed spoken word poetry for the "Out in the Wild Festival" Two-Spirit and queer / LGBTQIA+ event held at Smith Rock State Park, Oregon. The poems performed are from Shuína's recently published book "Heart Poems for the Hopeless Romantic," an inclusive and sex-positive book of poems inspired by queer love, lust, and loss, as well as their book "Two-Spirit Journeying: Flowing In & Out of Love." Cultural teachings provided by Shuína included connection to, awareness of, and offering gratitude for our ancestors, Creation, and each other.
For more information about the festival, click HERE!
(In Person) Shuína performed spoken word poetry surrounding topics of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S), suicide prevention, education, and Indigenous identity. A special customized poem was created for the symposium participants then shared during the ending ceremony. The custom poem is available to Oregon Department of Education staff by contacting TAPP leadership.
For more information about TAPP, click HERE!
For information on the event & the Office of Indian Education within Oregon Department of Education, click HERE!
(In Person) Shuína performed spoken word from their books "Warrior Roses" and "Big Love-mo stinta", and their poem titled "Time's True Nature" during the closing of "Fatherhood Is Sacred®, Motherhood Is Sacred® Training" at Oregon Institute of Technology
For more information about the training, click HERE!
(In Person) Shuína was an honoured guest speaker at the flag ceremony held by the State of Oregon Department of Human Services in collaboration with The Klamath Tribes Tribal Council, Administration, and Social Services Department. Shuína performed poetry, reading from "She Is Matriarch," and gave teachings on aspects of The Klamath Tribes history with the State and Federal government, as well as on cultural practices/traditions regarding the ceremony activities: opening ceremonial blessing, honour hand drum song, and smudging. The Klamath Tribes flag was raised and is flown alongside the State and U.S. flags in Klamath Falls Oregon, which is the first time in history that this has occurred in the State of Oregon.
(In Person) Shuína created nine poetic affirmations for IllumiNative, "a Native woman-led racial & social justice org building power for Native people by amplifying Native voices, stories & issues," to empower Indigenous women for Women's History Month. These affirmations were added to IllumiNative Instagram and Facebook pages.
To view the affirmations on Instagram, click HERE
To view the affirmations on Facebook, click HERE
(Virtual) Shuína read from their books "Warrior Roses" and "Big Love - mo stinta" for the Lane Literary Guild & Eugene Public Library “Windfall” online reading series.
(In-Person) Shuína performed spoken word poetry from their books Warrior Roses, Heart Poems For The Hopeless Romantic, and Two-Spirit Journeying at the Southern Oregon University (SOU) Queer Indigenous Gathering event in Ashland Oregon. This event was hosted by the Queer Indigenous Studies course in the Native American Studies (NAS) program.
(Virtual - Zoom) Shuína provided ICWA training to Oregon Wraparound Portland State University (PSU) staff for their equity meeting. The training covered: How ICWA came to be, the importance of ICWA, why there are efforts being made to dismantle ICWA, and how PSU educators can be supportive of ICWA in their work training those who serve Indigenous communities.
(In-Person) Shuína provided training to Morrison Child & Family Services Parent Mentors and other staff in Portland, OR. The training covered: Rapport building through using culturally specific interactions that foster more meaningful connections; Providing trauma-informed care while being sensitive to culture; Understanding the origin of present social issues experienced by the Indigenous community. Throughout the training Shuína performed spoken word poetry, sharing poems from their books "Warrior Roses", "Big Love-mo stinta", "She is Matriarch", and upcoming book "No More Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives" (scheduled release date: May 5th).
This is a shame-free, inclusive, and sex-positive book containing 28 short stories inspired by queer love, lust, and loss
(In Person) Shuína shared poetry from their book "Big Love - mo stinta" in California's State Capital
View Sacramento LGBT Community Center HERE!
(Virtual - Facebook Live) Shuína was a guest on “The Cheíí Show” spotlight Season 3 Episode 11.
Information for The Cheíí Show HERE!
(Virtual) Canvasback Books highlighted Shuína on their Facebook and Instagram social media pages for being an author whose books they carry onsite. Books carried at Canvasback Books: She Is Matriarch, Two-Spirit Journeying, Big Love-mo stinta, and Warrior Roses.
Photo taken at the Native Heritage Festival on Takelma land
2022
(Virtual) Shuína was invited to share their expertise through an interview with Gemic, a strategy and innovation consultancy, for a project focusing on "how to address the harm and improve LGBTQIA+ experiences on social media, in the US, with a focus on vulnerable and stressed communities and individuals."
(In Person) Shuína performed spoken word poetry at Urban Legends Poetry Collective during the open mic at Origin Arts & Community Centre in Ottawa Ontario and featuring headlining poet Sydellia Ndiaye
Event Information HERE!
(In Person) Shuína performed spoken word poetry in downtown Ottawa during the open mic Riverbed Reads event, a special collaboration between Riverbed and Qu’ART. This event is purposed to "heighten LGBTQ2S+/queer artistic activity and broaden intersectional discourse in the Capital Region" and hosted literary performances from Elaina Martin and Rhiannon Ng Cheng Hin, and the musical stylings of Gretchen Phillips
Event Information HERE!
(In Person) Shuína performed spoken word poetry during the open mic at the Riverbed Reading Series alongside Toronto's Rasiqra Revulva, Montreal's Cloud Circuit and Ottawa's Khaleefa "Apollo the Child" Hamdan, hosted at Club Saw Art Gallery in Ottawa Canada
Event Information HERE!
(Virtual - ZOOM) Shuína presented spoken word poetry and an overview of the custom design/logo they created for the 2022 Tribal-State ICWA Conference. Shuína gave teachings on the beauty of culture that ended on a highly inspirational note! The conference theme is from the quote found on the logo, “We are not the ripples, we are the drop” and per an excerpt from the logo description, it "speaks to the importance of each of us taking personal responsibility for our actions – or lack of action – and how we affect others now and for generations to come... Be curious about the beauty of tribal culture and supportive of that which supports the continuation of it." Conference hosted by State of Oregon Department of Human Services Tribal Affairs unit and provided to Tribal and State employees throughout Oregon.
Event Information HERE!
(In Person) Shuína is performed spoken word and covered "contemporary issues faced by tribal communities, understanding their origin, and exploring cultural practices rooted in healing," provided to Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare Clackamas office
(In Person) Shuína was a honored guest participant at The Klamath Tribes "First Foods Roundtable" community event at goos ogli gowa cultural center. This roundtable is a facilitated discussion on Klamath First Foods and the importance of future management and restoration. The Klamath Tribes, in partnership with Tahoma Peak Solutions and funding support from the Catena Foundation, initiated the First Foods Roundtable for the Klamath Basin. The primary goal is elevating the importance of, and encouraging the incorporation and protection of First Foods of the Klamath Basin and its tribes
(In Person) Shuína performed spoken word for the closing of the Suicide Prevention Town Hall presented by You Matter to Klamath. Klamath County's Multi-Agency Suicide Prevention Coalition hosted a Town Hall event featuring an inspiring keynote presentation by Arnold Thomas, MSW, Chaplain, and Survivor. Following the keynote, attendees learned about community suicide prevention efforts, watched prevention videos created by local youth, and attended the Question and Answer Panel with behavioral health providers, Tribal representatives, and other community experts. Shuína closed the event with spoken word poetry and one original piece created specifically for this community event!
Event information HERE!
(In Person) Shuína performed spoken word for Slamlandia, a poetry open mic and slam that "provides a creative, fun, and welcoming space for all literary communities in Portland... [striving] towards a safer space for poets to read their own poetry, witness others, and participate in community." This event is hosted by poet Julia Gaskill at Literary Arts in Portland Oregon.
(In Person) Shuína opened the "Red Shawl Dance" with a prayer to remember and honor loved ones who have transitioned from physical body into the Spirit world. The Red Shawl Dance, along with wearing the color red, also brings awareness to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) epidemic and efforts to bring justice and healing.
Restoration Celebration Information HERE!
(Virtual) A reading series intended to prioritize the safety, creativity, and stories of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color
Find event info HERE!
(In Person) hosted by Klamath Tribal Health & Family Services Youth and Family Guidance Center and open to the community at the Ross Ragland Theater
(In Person) hosted by The Klamath Tribes Social Services Department and open to the community to honor the stories of those impacted directly and provide resources
This book of poetry is focused on Indigenous resiliency and purposed to provide encouragement to the Indigenous community.
(Virtual – Zoom) for the "Breaking Barriers: Tribal Child Welfare and ODHS Child Welfare Collaboration" workshop. Conference hosted by the National Indian Child Welfare Association and open to registered attendees throughout the United States
This book of poetry is aimed to give voice to the Indigenous experience through stories involving historical trauma and present-day hurts, along with examples of incredible resiliency and strength.
(Virtual – Microsoft Teams) hosted by ODHS District 11 and open to ODHS D11 employees, covering topics related to local tribal customs, traditions, and values for the purpose of developing greater cultural competencies that will result in more effective services provided to the tribal community
Titled "Klamath language ties directly to Klamath culture" by Joe Siess, Herald and News
Indian Child Welfare Act Case Manager & Liaison between the Klamath Tribes & State of Oregon Department of Human Services
Photo taken at the "Remembrance Run" to Stewart Indian School on Yerington Paiute land during the filming of Kutoven Stevens' documentary
2021
(In Person) hosted by The Klamath Tribes
(Virtual – Zoom) hosted by ODHS District 7 and open to ODHS D7 employees
(Virtual – Zoom) hosted by The Klamath Tribes Children & Family Services program and open to the Klamath and Lake Counties Citizens Review Board (CRB)
Presenter for the ODHS District 11 Child Welfare/The Klamath Tribes Social Services Retreat
(In Person) hosted by The Klamath Tribes Children & Family Services program
(Virtual – Webex) hosted by The Klamath Tribes Children & Family Services program and open to the upcoming ICWA Tribal Court staff and stakeholders: Klamath County Judges, Attorneys, ODHS Employees, CASA, CRB, and other Court Staff
(Virtual – Zoom) hosted by The Office of Tribal Affairs and open to ODHS Child Welfare and the Child Welfare Department at all nine Federally Recognized Oregon Tribes
(Virtual – Zoom) hosted by The Office of Tribal Affairs and open to ODHS District 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11 alongside the Coquille Indian Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI), Cow Creek, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (CTWS) and The Klamath Tribes
(Virtual – Zoom) hosted by The Office of Tribal Affairs and open to ODHS Child Welfare and the Child Welfare Department at all nine Federally Recognized Oregon Tribes
I
N
D
I
G
E
N
O
U
S
C
U
L
T
U
R
A
L
C
O
N
S
U
L
T
A
N
T
Contact Shuína Skó directly via email at ShuinaSkoLLC@ShuinaSko.com
