Monday, November 27, 2017 – Health and wellness the Indigenous way
A converted school bus that helps steer Navajo kids away from sugary drinks. A health advocate fights the food desert, one package of healthy food at a time. Native tradition helps an urban population switch to healthier eating habits. Those are some of the scenarios we learn about in the National Native News series, Health and Wellness: the Indigenous way. Producer Antonia Gonzales worked in conjunction with New Mexico In Focus for the series of reports about what is healthy and what are some of the obstacles for getting there.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017 – Your turn: enduring Standing Rock memories
“Standing Rock.” “Water Protectors.” “Water is Life.” They are among the words and phrases that are permanently linked to a moment in time. The memories of those who were there paint a picture of what remains an important series of events for Native people. Some prepared food for others at the camps. some found themselves injured from encounters with police. Still others have yet to learn the outcome of criminal charges against them. We’ll hear some of the firsthand accounts from Standing Rock.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017 — Coping with high school stress
Grades, personal relationships, finding a date for prom. Those are among the triggers for student stress. Some of the causes for stress may seem trivial to adults, but a 2014 study by the American Psychological Association finds stress can take a toll on teens’ healthy eating habits, sleep and school performance. We’ll explore the causes and potential solutions for stress in school. Coping with stress may be one way to improve Native students’ chances for reaching graduation.

Thursday, November 30, 2017 – Music Maker: The Snake Oil Salesmen
The Snake Oil Salesmen have blended rock and folk with a touch of twang since 2011. They like to call themselves musical healers and honest storytellers. Our musical spotlight for November comes after the release of their new album, “Dead and Breathing.” We’ll dive into the tunes the band says are meant to bridge the gap between fireside tales, kitchen parties and the world of rock and roll.

Friday, December 1, 2017 — Sound Off: Disrespect at the White House
Monday’s event honoring Native American Code Talkers should have been a solemn occasion to honor the heroic efforts of Native veterans. It was also a chance for President Trump to send a message of inclusiveness and respect to Native nations. Instead, with one word, the president managed to unite Native leaders, organizations and citizens against him. What can Trump do now to make amends to veterans and others he offended? Does anyone expect him to do it?

Monday, November 20, 2017 – Caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease
Caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, can be a difficult journey. Family members can undergo radical personality changes. They can become confused, depressed and even argumentative. It’s not always clear how to respond. In our Native Nations there is emphasis on the importance of elders, but is there enough information out there about how Natives can navigate this devastating disease? We’ll talk with experts about what caregivers and family members can do take care of family members with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017 – Education through music
The Mana Maoli nonprofit is giving youth in Hawaii a chance to experience the world of music through their project Mana Mele. It focuses on academics, business and culture and gives youth exposure to the music industry and all of its facets. We go to the heart of this music and multimedia academy to learn what happens when you put the power of music in the hands of the youth. What doors become unlocked when music becomes the center stage when we are young?

Wednesday, November 22, 2017 — No thanks for Thanksgiving
As millions of people get ready to feast on turkey, mashed potatoes, yams and stuffing, there are those in Native America who could care less. In fact, some Native people view the holiday as a reminder of the start of colonization. In this program, we’ll talk to Native people about why they say “no thanks” to Thanksgiving.

Thursday November 23, 2017 — Indigenous Comic Con re-broadcast
We’re going to revisit one of our favorite recent shows from the Indigenous Comic Con. The event at Isleta Resort and Casino was a successful gathering of Native comic book creators, filmmakers, authors, artists and enthusiasts. Our live broadcast from the con touched in with comic book creators about why telling Native stories through action-packed sagas is important.

Friday, November 24, 2017 – November in the News
What’s a better way to spend the day after a holiday than to catch up on the news from Native America. From national policy to tribal politics, we take time to regularly speak with journalists, newsmakers and others about the important issues of the day. Join us for our regular news round-up.

Monday, November 13, 2017 — The ANWR oil drilling debate resumes
Congress is taking steps to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska to oil and gas drilling. Opponents have turned back similar efforts before, but Republicans in Congress and the Trump Administration are generating momentum for the idea. Alaska Native voices are on both sides of the issue. Some Alaska Native corporations stand to benefit from oil development. Others say it’s a fragile ecosystem and home to traditional food sources and sacred places.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017 – The last chance for Cobell settlement payments
The deadline is near for those eligible to receive cash payments from the U.S. government over the historic Cobell settlement. Many people who have money coming to them don’t know they’re on the list. November 27th is the last day to file a claim stemming from the case. After that the money goes into the Cobell Education Scholarship Fund. Those working to find recipients estimate some 35-thousand tribal members and their descendants remain eligible but have not applied. We’ll talk about the process to file a claim and cover some of the history of how we got here.

Wednesday, November 15, 2017 — Urban vs. rural
The number of Native Americans living in urban areas has grown substantially in recent decades. Urban and rural life each has its advantages and disadvantages. Access to health care, jobs, culture and family life all play into the decision on where to reside. The official definition of rural and urban can change depending on who you ask. A recent report that attempted to rewrite the definitions had to reexamine their work after people complained. We’ll look at the importance of urban and rural designations and why people choose one over the other.

Thursday, November 16, 2017 – NAGPRA: 27 Years of Repatriation
Before the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) federal museums had no mandate to return the remains of native ancestors or their cultural items. On the 27th anniversary of the law’s enactment, we take a moment to look how it has helped Native Nations. We’ll also consider where the act has come up short. Has NAGPRA helped your tribe bring home those that were kept in museum collections? What’s ahead for those who call on NAGPRA to protect Native culture?

Friday November 17, 2017 – Managing wild horses
Wild horse populations on tribal lands are flourishing. And that’s a problem. The horses compete with livestock and wildlife for food and other resources. Tribes also complain the horses consume plants that have spiritual and nutritional importance. The animals contribute to soil erosion that also harms rivers and other waterways. Wild horse adoptions are down and slaughtering the animals remains controversial. We’ll explore how tribes confront wild horse management with limited budgets and cultural constraints.

Monday, November 06, 2017 – November Book of the Month: “Hero Twins” by Dale Deforest
The action starts in 1860 when an order is given to the Calvary to retrieve something they feel is extraordinary. From there the narrative takes us into the story of Changing Woman and the beginning of the Hero Twins saga. Native Realities Press issue number one of the “Hero Twins” comic by Navajo illustrator Dale Deforest is out and we are bringing you closer to the adventure with our November book of the month.

Tuesday, November 7, 2017 — Women make less money
Native American women are some of the lowest paid employees in the country, according to a new study by the American Association of University Women. The gender pay gap happens for a variety of reasons including the types of jobs women and men gravitate towards, education, and child rearing. The authors of the study say the gender pay gap is closing but it’s going to take years, even decades for women to reach pay equity with men.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017 – Native in the Spotlight: Shayai Lucero
Shayai Lucero’s (Acoma/Laguna) paternal grandfather told her that whenever you act inappropriately you get a mark on your hands that only the Creator can see. The goal is to meet Creator with as few marks as possible. This is one of the cultural teachings that guides her actions. In a TED-X talk, Lucero recalled turning to those teachings to guide her response to angry, racist incidents. We’ll hear about her approach which involves culture, heart and humor.

Thursday, November 9, 2017 – Masculinity at ‘toxic’ levels
“Toxic masculinity’ is a concept being used by opinion columnists and academics to tag bad behavior by everyone from Harvey Weinstein to President Donald Trump. Discussions link toxic masculinity to issues as serious as gun violence, and as mundane as shaggy beards. We’ll talk with a group of Native men about what it means to be a man, what guidance Native traditions provide and what masculinity has to offer when it stays this side of poisonous.

Friday, November 10, 2017 — Live from Indigenous Comic Con
If Moonshot, Blanket of Butterflies, and the Baker twins sound familiar, you might be nerdy enough to fit in at the second annual Indigenous Comic Con. We’ll be broadcasting live from the event that features Native artists, filmmakers, writers, game developers, cosplayers and fans. This year the 3-day gathering is at the Isleta Resort & Casino outside of Albuquerque.

Monday, October 30, 2017 – Jill and N. Scott Momaday on Return to Rainy Mountain
Kiowa poet and author N. Scott Momaday and his daughter, Jill, retrace his life and the footsteps of their ancestors in the documentary film Return to Rainy Mountain. N. Scott Momaday is the the Pulitzer Prize winning author of such books as “House Made of Dawn,” “The Ancient Child,” and “The Way to Rainy Mountain.” Jill wrote, produced and directed the film, which is airing on PBS stations.

Tuesday, October 31, 2017 – The lessons of spiders
It’s a creepy, crawly time of year and there are few creatures that spark fearful reactions as much as spiders. But the arachnid is also a critical part of many traditional origin stories. Spiders also have lessons to teach in many cultures. Spider Woman is critical to the Navajo creation story. For Lakota, it is Iktomi, a trickster who takes many forms and often plays the role of a fool.

Wednesday, November 1, 2017 – The slow progress of boarding school reconciliation
In Canada, an apology, $2 billion, and a truth and reconciliation commission are all part of addressing the disastrous effects of residential schools. In the U.S., there are individuals and non-profit groups working towards boarding school reconciliation, but nothing from a government level. The legacy of boarding schools is still something that many Native Nations are struggling to address.

Thursday, November 2, 2017 — After the hurricane: Indigenous people in Puerto Rico
More than a month after Hurricane Maria tore through Puerto Rico, some people are still without electricity and clean water. More than 50 people died because of the storm. Indigenous people from Puerto Rico are among those who are struggling to return to normal. Puerto Rican and Indigenous Taino people on the mainland are working to muster financial support and direct aid.

Friday, November 3, 2017 – Looking ahead to retirement
Native Americans save the least amount of money for retirement compared to all other groups. That’s the sobering statistic from the Social Security Office of Retirement and Disability Policy. Researchers say it’s because Native people face “substantial economic challenges.” Fortunately, Native elders have a network of tribal-run programs they can utilize during retirement that include Meals on Wheels and help with winter heating.