Monday, July 25, 2022 — Fair play: Jim Thorpe’s legacy
The International Olympic Committee recently restored the gold medals Sac and Fox athlete Jim Thorpe won at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm. The decision comes after decades of work by advocates who considered stripping the medals an injustice. Thorpe was the first Native American to win gold medals for the United States. He was an athletic pioneer, playing professional baseball, football, and even basketball. Monday on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce celebrates Thorpe’s legacy and discusses his influence in American sports with Nedra Darling (Cherokee and Potawatomi), co-founder of Bright Path Strong and producer for the film Bright Path; Teresa Thorpe, (Sac and Fox, Potawatomi, and Kickapoo), Jim Thorpe’s granddaughter; and Bob Wheeler, honorary board member of Bright Path Strong, Jim Thorpe biographer, and founder of the Jim Thorpe Foundation.
Tuesday, July 26, 2022 — Rethinking blood quantum
The Sealaska Corporation just dropped their blood quantum requirement for shareholder enrollment. Members of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe voted to end their requirements in an advisory referendum. Advocates for eliminating the blood quantum hurdle say it’s necessary to ensure future generations of thriving tribal culture. Tuesday on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce hears from Joe Nelson (Tlingit), board chair of Sealaska, and Dr. Jill Doerfler (Anishinaabe), professor and department head of American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Plus, Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), publisher and editor of Native News Online and Tribal Business News, remembers the life and work of Tim Giago, who passed away Sunday at age 88.
Wednesday, July 27, 2022 — Through the Decades: the 1990s
The U.S. Congress passed both the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and the Indian Arts And Crafts Act in 1990—two pieces of legislation with significant power to protect culture. On the international front, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation in Mexico rose up in an effort to reclaim their land and resist globalization. Dances With Wolves captured audiences’ attention with a Native cast and a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for Graham Greene. Meanwhile a new generation of Native writers and directors made their voices heard. Wednesday on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce remembers the Native ’90s, as part of our series Through The Decades.
Thursday, July 28, 2022 — Honoring a forgotten civil rights pioneer: Miguel Trujillo
The son of a single mother on Isleta Pueblo, Miguel Trujillo became an important figure in civil rights history. After serving as a Marine in World War II, Trujillo came home to find he could not vote in his home state of New Mexico. The state constitution barred Native Americans under the pretense that they paid no property taxes. Trujillo filed suit after he was turned away at his polling place. He won his suit, opening the door for voting rights for all New Mexico tribal members. Thursday on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce honors Trujillo’s legacy.
Friday, July 29, 2022 — The Menu with Andi Murphy
Andi Murphy, host of the award-winning podcast Toasted Sister, is cooking up another edition of our regular feature The Menu this Friday. Stay tuned to our social channels or sign-up to our daily newsletter for more details.
