The Cheii Show cultivates indigenous education and representation

The Cheii Show, a Q&A web series created and run by USU Blanding student Taylor Cheii Begay, has thousands of followers who tune in to the biweekly broadcast.  

The show aims to create a safe and inspirational space for indigenous people while showcasing what correct representation looks like. 

Begay, a sophomore majoring in journalism, said his journey toward making the show began with a push from his parents when he was young. 

“I come from a very high expectation household on both sides,” Begay said. “They were always telling me how to thrive and how to live in this society.” 

With these keys to success in mind, Begay began dreaming of his future and what he wanted to do. Although he didn’t originally realize he wanted to go into journalism, he said his drive and motivation were always there. 

“I’d go to school with all these thoughts and dreams and aspirations,” Begay said.  

 According to Begay, he wanted to share his knowledge with his classmates.  

“I would tell my classmates about what my relatives told me,” Begay said. 

However, Begay said other students in his school didn’t think the same way as him.  

“They didn’t see beyond the reservation, or their school, or their town or their home,” Begay said. “They just saw right here, and so they would make fun of me.” 

Although this bullying had an effect on Begay, he said he never let it discourage him from dreaming and looking for success.  

There were others in Begay’s life that were faced with personal challenges. One of his closest friends at the time called school his escape from the negativity of his life.  

Begay said, despite them growing close, his friend eventually let the negativity consume him and turned his back on the dreams he and Begay had been forming.

“I grew up with this guy all my life, and then to see him go the other way is saddening,” Begay said.  

This began a process of him trying to figure out how to prevent negativity from taking over the lives of those around him. 

“How do I keep bringing positivity?” Begay said. “How do I keep on educating so more people can be successful — more people can be ambitious?” 

His answer to these questions came at a powwow: a social celebration of his Native American community.  

“One of the highest responsibilities with our powwows is the emcee,” Begay said. “As an emcee, you have to be a storyteller — you have to be a comedian.” 

At this particular powwow, though, Begay said the emcee was an old man who was boring and made the event drag on.  

“I told my dad, ‘I bet I can do what that old man’s doing, but I can do it ten times better,’” Begay said. “And my dad kind of looked at me and he said, ‘well, do it.’” 

This began a time of research for Begay, as he asked relatives and other members of his tribe about songs, government and how the community works. Then, he expanded and learned information about other tribes.  

“Even though I picked up all this knowledge, I forgot the most important part — how to speak in front of an audience,” Begay said. 

Begay wasn’t able to do anything with all of the information he’d received until he went on a school trip to San Diego, California for a conference with the United National Indian Tribal Youth, or UNITY. 

“It was just so cool to see all these young people from all different tribes in one location,” Begay said. 

At UNITY, one event called for a speaker from his classmates. No one volunteered to do it, but his whole group offered Begay instead.  

“They knew I was well traveled and educated,” Begay said. “But I didn’t know how to speak in front of an audience.” 

Begay said he accepted the challenge despite feeling pressure to do perfectly. He said, amongst all of his fears, his reminders that this is what he wanted to do helped him proceed.  

“This is what I’ve been chasing or building up to,” he said.  

Begay was surprised to find he wasn’t just speaking in front of a small workshop like he’d thought. Instead, he was the emcee for one of the main events: the culture night. With an in-person and virtual audience, there were thousands of people listening to him. 

“I got on that stage and spoke as best as I could on behalf of the people who asked me to speak,” Begay said. “People said it was so good that they haven’t experienced anything like that.” 

The positive feedback Begay got from this performance solidified his dream of being a public speaker and continuing to use education and positivity to represent people.  

After the UNITY conference, Begay got a phone call to emcee a pageant. After this, other schools wanted him to emcee their pageants and other events, and his reputation grew. 

“I was doing conferences, I was doing workshops, I was doing educational events,” Begay said. “Finally, I got my first chance to emcee one of our powwows.” 

Right as everything was coming together for Begay, live events began closing because of the coronavirus, so he had to look for a different way to continue speaking. 

He eventually created The Cheii Show, originally as part of the Hot N Greasy Podcast, until he broke off from the group to make it on his own. Now, The Cheii Show is on season 4, with episodes every other Tuesday at 8 p.m. 

The reason The Cheii Show isn’t a podcast is because Begay feels it’s important indigenous people are seen as well as heard. 

“We as indigenous peoples really don’t have the correct or the appropriate representation in Western media,” Begay said. “We’re not just Western stereotypes. We’re successful in many fields.” 

The Cheii Show brings a guest on each week to discuss how to be successful, how to feel inspired and how to overcome stereotypes of and discrimination against Native Americans. 

“It’s also an opportunity for our non-Native viewers to take notice of us as Native people and finally see us as people,” Begay said. “We’re dominating, we’re taking over.” 

One of the previous guests on Begay’s web series was Hal Eagletail, Northern Plains indigenous cultural consultant and emcee for powwow celebrations for 33 years. 

“I’ve traveled the world sharing my Song and dance culture and am a knowledge keeper of our spiritual and traditional medicines,” Eagletail wrote in a response.  

Eagletail worked in the film industry, collaborating with people such as Stephen Spielberg to showcase lives of Native Americans and their land. He remarked on the importance of indigenous representation.  

“I’m working very hard to see our presence in the media,” Eagletail wrote. “I’ll continue to advocate for our up and coming youth in this industry to tell our story.” 

After being on the series, Eagletail said he has remained in contact with Begay as a mentor in his life. 

“I’ve seen and continue to see a great emcee future in this very talented young man’s future,” Eagletail wrote. 

Begay said having guests on his show such as Eagletail is really important in validating the experiences of his viewers.  

“It’s important that young people such as myself can see themselves in a positive way,” Begay said. “So they can be validated into pursuing their dreams or wants no matter what field it is.” 

The Cheii Show accommodates its guests by broadcasting where they request it. It’s always available on Facebook and on Instagram Live if requested.  

To watch The Cheii Show, go to Taylor Cheii Begay on Facebook or @taylor_cheii_begay on Instagram at 8 p.m. every other Tuesday.