Monday, August 17, 2020 – Sovereignty and the death penalty
The Navajo Nation is asking President Trump to halt the execution of Lezmond Mitchell, scheduled for Aug. 26. He is the only enrolled citizen on federal death row. The federal government resumed executions in July after an almost two-decade suspension. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez issued a statement, saying the request is based on “religious and traditional beliefs, the Navajo Nation’s long-standing position on the death penalty for Native Americans, and our respect for the decision of the victim’s family.” Ignoring the Navajo Nation’s request could set a precedent that undermines the long-standing ability for tribes to weigh in on crimes that warrant the death penalty committed by tribal citizens on tribal land.

Tuesday, August 18, 2020 – Does “Eskimo” still hold up?
Edmonton’s (Canada) professional football team dropped the word “Eskimo” as their team name. The makers of Eskimo Pie ice cream are also retiring the brand. Inuit people and organizations have campaigned for years to get rid of the Eskimo name. They have new momentum during a wave of reassessments by sports teams, corporations and elected leaders of names, logos and monuments that don’t hold up under modern scrutiny. The word ‘Eskimo’ comes from a non-Indigenous interpretation of one or more Indigenous words. Some Inuit and Yupik people identify themselves as Eskimo while others see it as a slur.

Wednesday, August 19, 2020 – Politics and the pandemic raise voting uncertainty
Most states allow some type of mail-in voting. Health officials and elected leaders are recommending expanded vote-by-mail options to limit the spread of the coronavirus at in-person polling places. But President Trump continues to rail against the mailed ballots, warning—without evidence—that it increases the risk of fraud. He’s also withholding emergency funds for the U.S. Postal Service to accommodate an expected increase in mail volume. That’s all on top of local safety restrictions some tribes have in place that can also limit access to polling places. Voting advocates worry these and other factors might hinder Native voters who already face disproportionate barriers during elections.

Thursday, August 20, 2020 – Tools for teaching kids at home
Many Native parents welcome the opportunity to have their children learning at home until the COVID-19 threat subsides. Some might be adept at homeschooling. Others are struggling to find the time and resources to get the most out of home learning. And still others won’t have adequate technology in the form of computers and internet connectivity. We’ll present some tips on how to get through the school year whether you are homeschooling or online learning. We’ll also hear about free curricula on Native American history and culture that are helpful for instruction anywhere.

Friday, August 21, 2020 – Pandemic fatigue
It’s been months since businesses, restaurants, entertainment venues and schools closed down because of the pandemic. There are no accurate predictions when they will safely reopen. With no end in sight, it can be difficult to stay optimistic and maintain the stamina needed and find positive alternatives to simple tasks and interactions we all once took for granted. We’d like to hear how you are enduring the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll also have some advice on how to address pandemic fatigue in a way that is healthy and hopeful.

Monday, August 10, 2020 – Weighing education against COVID-19 risks
Schools across the country are struggling to come up with plans to adequately educate students while also protect them from the coronavirus. As the first day of class nears, there’s a growing list of K-12 schools that are at least starting with online-only education. But that plan leaves a lot of Native students at a disadvantage since they are statistically less likely to have adequate tools and connectivity than other students. Some schools remained committed to providing in-person instruction with increased precautions. We’ll get an update on what school administrators and students are facing.

Tuesday, August 11, 2020 – Telehealth goes mainstream
Telemedicine has been a big help for rural patients who would otherwise have to travel long distances to see a doctor in person. Now, urban residents are getting into the act as both medical professionals and patients seek to cut down on COVID-19 risks. The Indian Health Service announced a telehealth expansion in March, and President Trump signed an executive order this month increasing telehealth services for some parts of the country. Still a lot of barriers remain as patients and doctors adjust to new technology and tribal areas contend with a lack of connectivity.

Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – How one organization is taking on COVID-19
When the coronavirus struck, it became clear to the staff at the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation that they would have to use their expertise in community-building to help the Pine Ridge Reservation adjust. The non-profit usually tackles a broad range of issues, ranging from language revitalization to housing to education, to help the Oglala Lakota people thrive. Now Thunder Valley is drawing on their skills and connections to find resources for the reservation that is disproportionately affected by health and economic setbacks in South Dakota.

Thursday, August 13, 2020 – Can salmon and dams coexist in the Pacific Northwest?
The Trump Administration dealt a severe blow to tribes in Washington State that have been fighting for decades to remove dams to improve salmon populations. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says there’s no need to remove four dams along the Snake River, but instead will continue a mix of measures that have so far had little effect on helping salmon in the more than 40 years since the dams were built. Some lawmakers, though, praise the decision since the dams help manage the water resource and provide low-cost electricity for industry and residents.

Friday, August 14, 2020 – Music Maker: Angel Baribeau
First Nations Cree recording artist Angel Baribeau brings us their debut solo album, “For Those I Love(d).” After years of growing their voice they are pushing forward with a powerful pop sound. Using this art form to create more space for their thoughts and emotions has helped them understand their path as an Indigenous, queer, non-binary, singer-songwriter. We sample their album and learn what went into creating it.

Monday, August 3, 2020 – Understanding health care for elders
Native Americans who receive health care through the Indian Health Service might think signing up for federal Medicare programs is redundant and costly. But for many elders over 65, it could add up to a significant cost savings and improve care in the long run. Medicare, for instance, can help cover the cost of prescriptions that IHS might not. The program has a reputation as being complicated, but elder advocates say it’s usually worth the effort and there are lots of resources to help.

Tuesday, August 4, 2020 – Gut check
Digestion is hard work that requires several internal organs functioning together. It also requires a complex balance of microorganisms that thrive in the gastrointestinal tract. Maintaining these systems takes some attention to how you treat your body and what you eat. When something’s off, a person might experience mild symptoms most of us have encountered like bloating, cramps or indigestion. There are other serious potential problems like irritable bowel syndrome, gallstones or acid reflux. We’re talking with experts about what it takes to maintain good gut health and how it’s connected to overall wellbeing.

Wednesday, August 5, 2020 – Is that true?
A video promoted by President Trump and viewed by millions of people touts a cure for the coronavirus that is disputed by every reputable medical establishment. Social media outlets are now flagging the president’s messages and other sources that pass on false information. But that doesn’t stop a large number of people from accepting false and unproven information as fact, especially when it reinforces existing beliefs. Social media is awash in misinformation, conspiracy theories and memes that contradict established evidence. As we do periodically, we’re checking in with media literacy experts about how to recognize reliable—and unreliable—sources in the constant stream of available information.

Thursday, August 6, 2020 – Indian Market online
Normally this week, thousands of Native artists would be setting up for the annual Santa Fe Indian Market by the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts. Instead, the event—in its 99th year—is taking place only online. Organizers are appealing to potential market buyers with virtual tours of artists’ studios, concerts, panel discussions, films, fashion shows and auctions. We’ll hear from artists and organizers about moving this popular event to a virtual space.

Friday, August 7, 2020 – Modern and traditional interpretations of ribbon shirts
From powwows to boardrooms, ribbon shirts are a visual symbol of Native pride. They can be subtle or showy, but ribbon shirts almost always have a hint of personal expression and tribal tradition. They are usually made from cotton or linen, often with long sleeves but not always, with colorful ribbons appliqued or sewn into seams as tassels. Like many Native fashion trends, ribbon shirts owe their origins and inspirations to a number of sources. We’ll spend the hour discussing the history and evolution of ribbon shirts.

Monday, July 27, 2020 – Salt for flavor and tradition
Tribes from several regions have salt harvesting traditions. They include processing natural salt from sea water, saline ponds and lakes, and underground deposits. The tribes use the mineral for flavoring and preserving food, and for ceremonial purposes. The Zuni tribe had to fight for almost a century to secure control of a sacred natural salt lake in New Mexico. Then they had to fight to protect it from a coal mine plan that could have drawn water successfully fought off a mining company’s plans that could have harmed a sacred natural salt lake in New Mexico. Native Hawaiian salt processers are currently working to protect their natural salt pans from development and contamination.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020 – Understanding elder health care
Native Americans who receive health care through the Indian Health Service might think signing up for federal Medicare programs might seem redundant and costly. But for many elders over 65, it could add up to a significant cost savings and improve care in the long run. Medicare, for instance, can help cover the cost of prescriptions that IHS might not. The program has a reputation as being complicated, but elder advocates say it’s usually worth the effort and there are lots of resources to help.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020 – No single COVID-19 solution in Alaska
The number of COVID-19 cases in Alaska remains relatively low, but the high rate of infection makes it a coronavirus hotspot. While urban centers are hit hard, many remote villages remain virus free. Also, the commercial fishing industry remains up and running posing a continuing threat to residents. Is there a single health policy that can apply to a places as vast and diverse as Alaska?

Thursday, July 30, 2020 – Book of the Month: “A Sacred People”
In order to know how to decolonize it’s important to know where we came from. This is something that the author Leo Killsback, a citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Nation touches on in the book, “A Sacred People.” It is part one of a two-volume set that opens up the discussion on traditional leadership. The book explores the Cheyenne ways of thinking and the pre-contact Cheyenne world view.

Friday, July 31, 2020 – July in the news
The U.S. Supreme Court’s momentous decision is the final word on recognizing the Muscogee Creek Nation reservation in Oklahoma. The ruling likely has implications for the state’s other tribes. But state officials are already pushing federal legislation to extend the state’s criminal jurisdiction to tribal land to offset the impact of the High Court’s decision. We’ll try to untangle this maze of jurisdictional lines with tribal experts. Also the election is not far off, but COVID-19 is putting a wrench in the campaign season. We’ll get analysis on Native candidates and the general election. It’s our regular news round-up.

Monday, July 20, 2020 – Local sports during a global pandemic
Colleges and high schools across the country have already cancelled upcoming sports activities because of the coronavirus pandemic. That puts thousands of young Native athletes on the bench and cuts out a key Friday night social event for even more Native sports fans. We’ll talk about what athletic programs are doing to state of Native sports while gyms and schools are closed because of the coronavirus.

Tuesday, July 21, 2020 – COVID-19 disparities
In hotspots for COVID-19 around the United States, Native people make up a disproportionate percentage of infections. This is especially true in the Southwest, where Native American residents significantly outnumber other populations who test positive for the coronavirus. In addition, a new report finds young people of color experience social conditions that put them at greater risk if they contract COVID-19. We’ll take a look at some of the factors that contribute to increased Native representation among those who are infected and how some tribes are working to turn it around.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020 – Accessing dental care
Dentists adhering to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations are prioritizing the most critical dental needs during the pandemic. But a good portion of dental care is prevention, like regular cleanings and check-ups. In some remote areas of Native America, dentists are in short supply. Some programs are training people to step in as dental health aides to fill in gaps in dental care. We’ll hear from experts about what Native people can expect as they work to access dental care.

Thursday, July 23, 2020 – Waiting for the return of He Sápa
The Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 explicitly provides the land that encompasses the Black Hills in South Dakota to the tribes that make up the Great Sioux Nation. The U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed that fact in 1980. The federal government still retains control over the land after seizing it when gold was discovered. Now, more than $1 billion is set aside in a trust to buy the land from the tribes, who say it’s not for sale. The land continues to reap profits for the government and for the companies allowed to extract minerals and other resources. Resistance to President Trump’s recent appearance at Mount Rushmore is only the latest battle over what the Lakota know as He Sápa.

Monday, July 13, 2020 – A setback for the Dakota Access Pipeline
Tribes in the Dakotas and their allies declared victory when a U.S. District Court judge stopped the flow of oil through the Dakota Access Pipeline and ordered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to do another, more extensive environmental review. Still, the company that operates the pipeline plans to appeal the judge’s decision saying oil will flow again “once the law and full record are fully considered.” The DAPL decision was one in a series of setbacks for pipelines all over the country that tribes expressed concerns about. We’ll analyze where these court decisions fit in with the ongoing fight against the encroachment of oil pipelines on traditional tribal land.

Tuesday, July 14, 2020 – Mohawk Resistance 30 years later
This week, Mohawks from Kanesatake, Canada are acknowledging a 30-year-old land conflict that is still not resolved. On July 11th, 1990, a protest against a proposed golf course expansion and condominium project on land significant to the Mohawk erupted into an armed standoff. For 78 days, Mohawks blocked roads, demanding the Canadian government return the land to the tribe. A provincial police officer was shot and killed. A Canadian soldier stabbed and a Mohawk girl in the chest with his bayonet while the girl held her 4 year old sister. The development project was cancelled, but the land is still not returned to the tribe. We’ll get a review of the original resistance and hear about the legacy three decades later.

Wednesday, July 15, 2020 – Native Minneapolis rebuilds
Minneapolis was the epicenter of a revolt against ongoing oppression of people of color. Sadly the progress toward ending injustice took the life of George Floyd and sparked a rash of fires, property destruction, and looting. Native organizations are among those caught up in the chaos during days of violent protests. Now, they are among those looking for ways to build a brighter future amid the ashes and boarded up windows. We’ll hear from those who are set on turning trauma into opportunity for the Twin Cities urban Native residents.

Thursday, July 16, 2020 – Service workers risk health and livelihood
Waiters, hair dressers, clerks and others who work face-to-face with customers face a lot of uncertainty. Their jobs have been on the line or eliminated since coronavirus restrictions began in March. As some states start reopening, service workers also put themselves at greater risk dealing with the public. At the same time, business owners are confronting significant revenue losses, state health restrictions, and evolving CDC guidelines in order to navigate through the pandemic.

Friday, July 17, 2020 – New Mexico confronts public education disparities
Two lawsuits are shining a harsh light on New Mexico’s learning environments for Native American students. The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico is suing the Albuquerque Public Schools over a teacher allegedly calling a Navajo student a “bloody Indian.” Another maintains the state has not made enough progress in correcting inequities for Native students