Monday, April 19, 2021 – Will the Biden Administration act on DAPL?
Tribal leaders and climate activists are at odds with the Biden Administration after a missed opportunity to shut off the flow of oil in the Dakota Access Pipeline. Since the end of the DAPL-supporting Trump Administration, opponents of the pipeline saw a recent federal court hearing as a key chance for Biden to set a new course for the future of the project. Instead, the U.S. Department of Justice neglected to weigh in one way or the other. Biden has already nixed the controversial Keystone XL pipeline expansion and temporarily halted new oil and gas leases on federal land. What does the next four years hold for the direction of the controversial DAPL project?

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 – Holding police accountable
Just north of the courtroom where a police officer is on trial in the death of George Floyd, another officer shot and killed Daunte Wright, an unarmed black man. The Brooklyn Center Police Department acknowledges the shooting was accidental, and charged the officer with manslaughter. Such incidents are gaining higher scrutiny and continue to raise alarm among people of color. At least one analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data finds Native Americans die at the hands of police three times the rate of their white counterparts. We’ll look at what is changing and what still needs to change to prevent the high rates of deaths of Native people and other people of color.

Wednesday, April 21, 2021 – COVID-19 south of the border
Mexico and some Central and South American countries are struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic much more than most of the rest of the world. Mexico’s Health Department estimates the death toll could be as high as 330,000 people in a country with a population a 126 million. Global health organizations blame the country’s lack of investment in testing, treatment and education when it comes to the virus. Making matters worse is a disjointed vaccination effort. Some Indigenous populations are also refusing vaccinations because of mistrust and misinformation. We’ll get perspective on how the pandemic is affecting Indigenous peoples south of the U.S. border.

Thursday, April 22, 2021 – Grieving ecological loss
Native people are traditionally closely associated with the land. Ecological destruction and the loss of land from the effects of climate change can affect Native people’s sense of identity. A pair of researchers gathered stories from Inuit people who suffered grief for the loss of ice and animals they rely on. Tribes continue fights on many fronts to stop further loss of land important to them to mineral extraction, development or flawed government management. On Earth Day we’ll zero in on the link between the land and identity and mental well-being.

Friday, April 23, 2021 – Cultural traditions of spear fishing
Ojibwe fishermen launch their boats in shallow water in the Great Lakes at dusk. They shine flashlights into the water looking for the iridescent shimmer of walleye eyes. In an age-old tradition, they take their catch with a spear. The tradition and tribes’ right to spearfish is affirmed in past treaties and legal decisions. Still, Native fishers face occasional confrontations by uninformed non-Native fishermen. We’ll hear about the cultural significance of spearfishing as well as some history of past political tensions of subsistence fishing.

Monday, April 12, 2021 – Mixed decision for the Indian Child Welfare Act
A federal appeals court struck down some previsions of the Indian Child Welfare Act while upholding others in a complex and sometimes divided 325 page ruling. ICWA advocates express concern about far-reaching implications of the decision by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. At the same time, they find some things to cheer. Those working against ICWA are calling it a partial victory. At issue is the long-standing ability of tribes to keep Native children in Native families. We’ll learn more about the most recent decision and what it means for the future of ICWA.

Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – Elevated alcohol sales concerns health and safety experts
The research firm NielsenIQ noted alcohol sales dipped some in March after a significant surge since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. But sales remain much higher than they were before the pandemic. On top of that, in a study by Iowa State University, women reported drinking more and more often during the pandemic. We’ll look into what’s behind the statistics, and concerns about what they mean for issues like drunk driving and alcohol related health problems that already affect Native Americans disproportionately.

Wednesday, April 14, 2021 – Music Maker: Joy Harjo
With a mix of spoken word and jazzy soul sounds, Muscogee Creek Nation musician Joy Harjo might make listeners want to dance to her new album “I Pray for My Enemies”. But her creations are also meant to make people think and feel. Harjo, the nation’s first Native American Poet Laureate, features words in her Muscogee language layered with graceful jazz. And listeners are treated to her inviting saxophone sounds. Our April Music Maker is a celebration of the music and poetry of Joy Harjo.

Thursday, April 15, 2021 – Correcting the record with inclusion and accuracy
There are plenty of warnings about the accuracy of information on publicly-edited online sources like Wikipedia, but those are one of the first places people go to research a topic. The National Museum of the American Indian is hosting a Wikipedia Edit-a-thon. They want to add entries to the public online encyclopedia, specifically on Native women. Organizers maintain entries are often inaccurate, one-sided or missing. We’ll talk about the state of accurate representation and inclusion in online educational and research resources.

Monday, April 5, 2021 – Getting past fears over the COVID-19 vaccine
Many tribes are leading the effort to vaccinate residents against COVID-19. The Navajo Nation boasts a vaccination rate exceeding 50 percent of its citizens. At the same time, some tribal vaccination efforts are operating below capacity because their citizens remain wary. Even after watching their relatives and neighbors die of the virus at nearly twice the rate of their white counterparts, some Native Americans are leery of the vaccine. We’ll look into the source of vaccination misgivings and hear what health officials are doing to overcome them.

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 – Small-scale Native gardening
It’s that time of year when people are planning and planting gardens with traditional vegetables. But many Native people don’t have the space or time for elaborate cultivated plots. Given the surge of interest in gardening since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, several organizations are offering guidance on small gardens in containers, pots, and on patios and even window sills.

Wednesday, April 7, 2021 – Equitable health care during the pandemic and beyond
Native Americans are suffering a disproportionate toll from COVID-19. That’s in addition to long-standing health disparities when it comes to diabetes, heart disease, addiction and many other health threats. Some Native health organizations are taking on the huge task of closing the health equity gap and ensuring Native people encounter no disadvantages when it comes to access. For World Health Day, we’ll take a look at how historical health disparities inform current and future efforts to achieve health equity.

Thursday, April 8, 2021 – The Native tourism outlook
The pandemic has taken a toll on one of Native America’s leading economic development sources. But that doesn’t mean cultural tourism and gaming are finished. The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association lists a number of destinations and experiences that remain viable despite the lingering worries about COVID-19. And despite the slow pace of reopened businesses and public spaces, AIANTA and tribal tourism officials are also looking ahead with optimism about the prospects for 2021.

Friday, April 9, 2021 – Another pandemic powwow season
For the second year in a row the Denver March Powwow was cancelled because of the pandemic. The Gathering of Nations will hold a virtual powwow this month. Still, some arenas are open for in-person powwows. Dancers and spectators gathered in February for the Thunder on the Beach powwow in Florida. And the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe is scheduled to resume the Schemitzun powwow this August. We’ll take the hour to discuss how organizers are responding to the pent-up demand for live, in-person powwows and what the 2021 powwow season looks like.

Monday, March 29, 2021 – Groundbreaking Native women artists
Mary Thompson “Te Ata” Fisher (Chickasaw) was an actor and storyteller and one of the very first ambassadors of Native culture on stages throughout the world from the 1920s until her death in 1995. Maria Tallchief (Osage) broke barriers as a ballerina, becoming prima ballerina of the New City Ballet, all while remaining outspoken for Native rights. They are among the Native women who create memorable art and provide inspiration for artists who come after them. During March, we’re celebrating historic Native women.

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 – Traditional regard for bears
The Southern Ute tribe holds annual spring bear dances which show respect for the bear spirit. Oneida, Ojibwe and Hopi are among the many tribes that have bear clans. As spring begins, bears begin waking up from hibernation. We’ll awaken your interest in the traditional significance of bears with conversations with elders, culture bearers and biologists.

Thursday, April 1, 2021 – Repairing and reaffirming Trump’s legacy with tribes
The U.S. Department of Interior reversed a Trump Administration decision that removed the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Tribe’s control over Missouri River mineral rights. The recent action returns tribal control that had been in place for decades. Dozens of other decisions that affected tribes during the Trump years are awaiting scrutiny, including the reduction of Bears Ears National Monument, rolling back key provisions in the National Environmental Policy Act, and worked to disestablish the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s reservation lands. We’ll look at some of the policies from the Trump Administration that tribes are working to reverse, and those they want to continue.

Friday, April 2, 2021 – Tik Tok’s Native stars
A young Navajo woman skateboards in traditional clothing. An Inupiaq woman demonstrates cutting up bowhead whale meat. A Cree man hoop dances in regalia. These are among the videos by Native people that are gaining attention on the Tik Tok app. #NativeTikTok also includes history lessons and information about missing and murdered Indigenous people. We’ll talk with Tik Tok creators about getting noticed on the popular video platform and other social media.

Monday, March 22, 2021 – Native women leaders make history fighting for the people
There are a several exceptional Native women who’ve spoken out, broken barriers and improved the lives of Native Americans. Elizabeth Peratrovich (Tlingit) is a civil rights activist who helped end discrimination against Alaska Natives in Alaska. Elouise Cobell (Blackfeet) went toe-to-toe in court with the U.S. government over its mismanagement of Indian land. And Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) is the first Native American U.S. Interior secretary. We’re continuing our celebration of historic Native women with a program about warrior women who shook things up to improve people’s lives.

Tuesday, March 23, 2021 – “You’re cancelled!” Cancel culture in Native America
Among the recently retracted books by Dr. Seuss is one that includes a stereotypical drawing of an ‘Eskimo’. The company handling publication of the beloved children’s author/illustrator discontinued the books because of problematic portrayals that don’t stand the test of time. The action earned praise from some and backlash from others who say it’s cancel culture run amok. Individuals, institutions, public monuments and works of art and literature are all facing new accountability over current or past actions and statements that don’t align with modern sensitivities. But is the accountability fair? Who decides what the standard is?

Wednesday, March 24, 2021 – Vaccine availability: it depends on where you are
The Navajo Nation says it’s vaccinated more than 20% of enrolled citizens. That’s compared to just 12% of the United States population. Despite successful vaccine rollouts by many tribes, some Native people living in urban areas are finding access to the vaccine elusive. Some travel thousands of miles to get the shot on their home reservations. Others have to wait it out. The National Indian Health Board is asking the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to prioritize vaccine distribution to the estimated 4,000 Native Americans in Washington, D.C. because the Indian Health Service cannot adequately tend to them. We’ll get an update on where vaccine distribution is working and where it’s not.

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations

Thursday, March 25, 2021 – What’s the best use or your stimulus check
If you’re one of the nearly 160 million Americans getting a $1,400 stimulus payment from the federal government you should put some thought into what to do with it. The best use of the money depends what your immediate needs are, whether you have a lot of credit card debt, and whether you face more reduced income down the road. In this hour we’ll talk with financial experts about how to manage money through tough economic times.

Friday, March 26, 2021 – March in the News
Debra Haaland continues to make history and in the process reaches out to Native media. Also the Native American Journalist Association is standing in solidarity with Asian journalists calling for more responsible reporting on the rise in anti-Asian violence and the spa shooting in Atlanta. And the Violence Against Women Act advances in Congress. We’ll get updates on recent news important to Native people

https://aaja.org/2021/03/17/aaja-guidance-on-atlanta-shootings/