S3:E1 “It’s Beautiful to Be Indian” — Edward Horse Aubrey on Identity, Sovereignty & Healing | DCN

In this first episode of Drum Circle News season 3, I sit down with my dad, Edward “Horse” Aubrey, a Yurok man from the Klamath River, to talk openly about who we are, where we come from, and what it means to be Indigenous today.

We talk about growing up without electricity or running water, learning culture from elders, dancing and stick games, and how woodworking became his center of balance.. Horse shares how his journey led him to become a traditional casket and regalia box maker through his business Plank House Designs—building “forever homes” inspired by Yurok plank houses, meant to honor the dead and help the living heal.

This conversation also goes deep into:

What it really means to be Indian, Native, and human

Identity beyond blood quantum and gatekeeping

Tribal sovereignty vs. corporate-style governance

Why tribes struggle to work together

Construction, workforce barriers, and Indigenous self-determination

The future of the Indian movement and why unity matters now more than ever

This isn’t a scripted interview. It’s a real conversation between a father and son—about balance, responsibility, love for our people, and the work still ahead.

If you’re Native, Indigenous, or simply trying to understand this land and its people more honestly, this one’s for you.

🪶 “If you see someone on the ground, help them up.”

Written by Drum Circle News