Monday, March 5, 2018 – Teaching difficult topics
A book on Canadian residential schools was too traumatic for a third grader according to one mother who complained to the CBC. The book, I am Not a Number, tells a story of a Jenny Kay Dupuis’ grandmother, a residential school survivor. The school apologized for sending the book home, but the incident brings up a good question: when is it appropriate to introduce difficult topics like boarding schools, genocide and forced removal of Native people? We’ll talk with educational experts about how and when these topics can make their way into the classroom.

Tuesday, March 6, 2018 — Native DJs behind the decks
DJs do more than just press play. The art of DJing is knowing what sounds good together. They have to keep time, know their music, and sense the mood of the crowd. Native DJs fuse their own Indigenous deep tracks in with modern beats. We’ll talk with a few DJs about what drives them and what drives the beats.

Wednesday, March 7, 2018 – Life decisions
Advance directives or living wills deal with the painful discussions about the end of life and resorting to artificial life support. But one health organization in Alaska is taking a different approach to the subject. They are starting with a simple question ‘how do you want to live’? In classes and conversations, health professionals are guiding people through the process of creating a legal document that let’s loved ones know their wishes in case of accident or major health issue. They tackle difficult decisions like whether you want to machines to help you breathe and who you entrust to carry out your wishes. We’ll speak with experts about the importance of having these vital conversations ahead of time.

Thursday, March 8, 2018 — Sacred Journeys: a Native artist collaboration
Two-time Grammy award winner, Robert Mirabal (Taos Pueblo) and renowned ballet dancer and instructor Jock Soto (Navajo) are teaming up for a live production honoring Native culture and history in New Mexico. The stage production is a combination of dance, music and spoken word. They’ll join us in Studio 49 to talk about their collaboration and their decades of influential work.

Friday, March 9, 2018 –Native women on the ballot
Four Native women are throwing their hats into the ring for the chance to become the first Native woman elected to the U.S. Congress. In addition there are two Native women running for governor and one for lieutenant governor. What’s behind the surge in Native female candidates? We’ll get insights from some of these women about what prompted them to run for office and what issues are important to them.

Monday, February 26, 2018 – The realities of Trump’s proposed budget
If history’s any guide, President Trump’s most recent budget proposal has zero chance of passing Congress intact. But the spending decisions tell a story of the administration’s priorities. On one side, the budget includes an increase to the Indian Health Service, including funding for opioid addiction programs. But it also calls for cuts to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Child Welfare Act, and Native housing help. The administration also proposes eliminating a handful of programs—like low income home heating assistance and youth job education—that benefit Native Americans. We’ll speak with experts about the consequences of these proposed funding changes.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018 – Building bridges through archaeology
If done right, the discipline of archaeology is a powerful tool to help tell the stories of the past. But archaeologists haven’t always adequately respected Native culture, leading to mistrust between tribes and outside scientists. New methods are taking hold and more Native people are bringing their perspectives to the field. More and more, tribes are finding ways to collaborate with those who study the past. We’ll talk with a Native archaeologist who encourages others to consider archaeology as a profession.

Wednesday, February 28, 2018 – Treating addicted babies
The opioid epidemic continues to rise and affect families. Pregnant mothers can expose their unborn children to these addictive substances while in the womb. The newborns face what’s known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), and it can lead to serious health problems for the baby. We’ll talk about treatments for addicted Native mothers, caring for babies with NAS, the short and long term medical problems, and the resources available.

Thursday, March 1, 2018 – ”I want to thank the Academy…”
The good news is the list of Native artists voting in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences grew by three in the past year. The bad news is no film featuring Native actors, characters or story lines was nominated for an Oscar. Still, there were some notable films to talk about, including the Hollywood dramas “Wind River,” and “Hostiles,” and a documentary about Wilma Mankiller. As we gear up for the film industry’s biggest night, we will look back at some of the highlights for Native artists in the last year and get some insights from the voting members. What was your favorite film?

Friday, March 2, 2018 – Breaking down traditional food barriers
Traditional foods like caribou and seal meat were not on the menu at an elder care center in Kotzebue, Alaska. That’s because the center couldn’t allow anything the U.S. Food and Drug Administration didn’t approve of. Some residents went from their traditional diets to eating cafeteria spaghetti and packaged pudding. That all changed when the Maniilaq Association helped build a traditional foods processing center. Tribes are finding the importance of restoring traditional diets for their people in institutional settings, even though it can take years to satisfy state and federal rules.

Monday, February 19, 2018 – Marijuana’s controversial cousin: hemp
Growing hemp is not as simple as putting seeds into the ground. The St. Croix Chippewa Indians tribe in Wisconsin is suing the state’s attorney general. It’s legal to grow hemp in the state, but the tribe insists they shouldn’t have to submit to the state’s oversight. Other tribes are also getting pushback in their attempts to turn hemp into a cash crop. The plant is related to marijuana but does not contain the psychoactive effects. It is listed as a Schedule I drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The 2014 Farm Bill allows hemp for academic research. But large scale commercial industrial hemp is still in a legal grey area. Are the legal risks worth it?

Tuesday, February 20, 2018 – Through the Generations: the next Native ranchers
Kelsey Ducheneaux (Cheyenne River Sioux), 24, is a fourth generation rancher and owner of DX Beef. She’s one of a handful of Native farmers and ranchers under the age of 25. The USDA’s Census of Agriculture counted 293 of them in 2012. She’s also the youth programs coordinator for the Intertribal Agriculture Council, helping promote interest in ranching among young Native Americans. Some tribes, organizations and individuals are working to connect the wisdom from elders in the industry to the next generation eager to learn the trade.

Wednesday, February 21, 2018 – After the Colten Boushie verdict
A white Canadian farmer is cleared in the shooting death of Colten Boushie, a Cree man from the Red Pheasant First Nation. The verdict from a jury with no apparent Indigenous members prompted an angry outcry and calls to address flaws in the justice system. The premier of Saskatchewan says there needs to be a dialogue on racism across Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau presented an agenda to Parliament that would overhaul relations between the government and Indigenous peoples. Can this tragedy help find a new path toward solving a persistent problem in Canada?

Thursday, February 22, 2018 – Book of the Month: “Heart Berries” by Terese Marie Mailhot
“Heart Berries” is memoir that takes readers to a reality that counters a Hollywood romanticized version of what it means to be an Indigenous person. Terese Marie Mailhot from the Seabird Island Indian Reservation doesn’t hold back on what it means to live through a heavy childhood and everything after. She gives insights from her deepest thoughts and reflections on healing from trauma and all that she’s witnessed. Join us for our February Book of the Month to hear about Mailhot’s journey.

Friday, February 23, 2018 – February in the news
A lot of news happens during the sweetest, shortest month of the year. We’ll talk with Native journalists who are covering big issues that face Native America. From national policy to tribal politics, we’ll take time to check in with journalists, newsmakers and others about the important issues of the day. Join us for our regular news round-up.

Monday, February 12, 2018 – The first year of President Trump
Environmental rollbacks, job creation and the tax law from the past year all affect tribal governments and their people. Even counting his legislative accomplishments, President Donald Trump’s first year in office was anything but ordinary. We’ll look back and take the hour to discuss how his policies—and rhetoric—play out in Native America. We’ll hear from both supporters and detractors and map out what the next year might hold.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018 – Native in the Spotlight: Mary Kathryn Nagle
Mary Kathryn Nagle’s (Cherokee) play “Sovereignty” opened two weeks ago at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. The play revolves around a contemporary jurisdictional dispute as an overlay to Cherokee removal in the 1830s. Nagle is also preparing for the world premiere of her play, “Manahatta,” at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival next month. In addition to earning accolades as a playwright, Nagle is an accomplished lawyer specializing tribal self-determination, civil rights and violence against women. Her plays often overlap her legal expertise. We’ll hear from Nagle about what drives her passions for law and the stage.

Wednesday, February 14, 2018 — Safe teen dating
Social media and dating apps are among the places teens go to find love and companionship. Occasionally puppy love turns unhealthy or even abusive. It can be hard for parents to track. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. We’re talking about healthy dating for young people and how parents can talk to their children about it. What tips do you give to your teens about dating?

Thursday, February 15, 2018 – Heart health for Native women
Native women die younger compared to their peers. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports cardiovascular or heart disease is at the top of the list when it comes to taking the lives of women in this country. Factors like diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure put women at higher risk of heart complications. We discuss ways Native women are reducing their risks and why more women are sharing their stories.

Friday, February 16, 2018 – The State of Indian Nations
The new president of the National Congress of American Indians, Jefferson Keel (Chickasaw Nation) delivers the State of Indian Nations address. This is Keel’s third nonconsecutive term as NCAI president. We’ll bring you the speech as well as the congressional response.

Monday, February 5, 2018 – Strike two for ‘Wahoo’
The Cleveland Major League Baseball team is removing the disturbing “Chief Wahoo” logo from team uniforms and ballpark banners starting next year. The recent action is part of the team’s announced plan to distance itself from the offensive mascot. Native organizations and mascot activists cheered the move that comes after decades of criticism, protests and even lawsuits. It’s a win for Native Americans. But the team didn’t quite hit a home run. Fans will still be able to buy hats and other gear with the image that’s been the official team logo for 70 years.

Tuesday, February 6, 2018 – 573 and counting
Six Virginia tribes join the list of those recognized by the federal government. President Trump signed legislation granting federal recognition to the Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Upper Mattaponi, Rappahannock, Monacan and Nansemond tribes. The move is the result of a two-decade fight in Congress to correct what one senator says is an “injustice.” The recognition doesn’t come without sacrifice; tribes had to forego any gaming. We’ll talk with tribal leaders about what recognition means for the tribes. We’ll also explore the disturbing history of the white supremacist, Walter Plecker, who laid the groundwork to make recognition in Virginia more difficult.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018 – A cultural curriculum in Oregon
In Oregon, the graduation rates for Native students remain well below all other groups. A new report from the state’s Department of Education shows graduation is up by six percent overall from four years ago. But Native students are at the bottom. But there is some hope in Warm Springs centered around a curriculum that includes Native history and culture. The creators of the curriculum have confidence that students exposed to their culture are more likely to stay in school and achieve future success.

Thursday, February 8, 2018 — Death penalty in Native America
Kirby Cleveland, a Navajo man, faces a possible death sentence if convicted on charges he killed a Navajo Nation police officer last year. If Cleveland is sentenced to death, he would join 26 other Native Americans on death row, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. The Navajo Nation is against the death penalty. Tribes do not execute prisoners and some have laws against capital punishment, like the Navajo Nation. Does capital punishment serve a purpose in Native America?

Friday, February 9, 2018 – Music Maker: Nataanii Means
Corruption, exploitation of the land, and an attack on a Native cultural way of life are the things that Nataanii Means is challenging in his new album “Balance.” This Oglala Lakota, Navajo and Omaha recording artist has used his lyrics to bring awareness of what Native people face for years.