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What’s Next?

How Storytelling Connects Community and Academia

Published March 23, 2026 at 11:00 AM EDT
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Red background with a thick black stripe in the middle. In the top corner is "EPISODE 333" in white text. then, centered from top to bottom, is: What's Next? logo, "How Storytelling Connects Community and Academia", then photos of Mishuana Goeman and Aaron VanEvery with their names underneath.

The University at Buffalo’s Indigenous Studies Department is preparing for its annual Storytellers Conference, centered on the theme Life, Breath, Justice for Our Future. On this episode of What’s Next?, Mishuana Goeman and Aaron VanEvery discuss the purpose and impact of the conference, highlighting the importance of storytelling, language, and intergenerational dialogue in Indigenous communities. They also reflect on the role of storytelling in bridging academia and community, while shaping identity and preserving culture.

What's Next? 2026
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