Monday, November 9, 2020 – Gather: personal stories of traditional food connections
The makers of the new film “Gather” assert that Native food rights are human rights and food helps keep Native people connected to culture. The film tells personal stories of food warriors from the White Mountain Apache, Yurok and Lakota nations that exemplify the importance of maintaining Indigenous foods in the face of centuries of colonial efforts to break that connection. The film, directed by Sanjay Rawal, is a New York Times Critic’s Pick. We’ll speak with Rawal and some of the film’s subjects about their work and how it strengthens Indigenous food sovereignty.

Tuesday, November 10, 2020 – Staying fit during the pandemic
It’s easy to pack on an extra pound or two as the pandemic throws off your regular schedules and limits the people and places you normally connect with. At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns carrying extra weight can increase the severity of COVID-19 for those who contract the disease. Staying fit during the pandemic doesn’t necessarily mean a strict exercise regimen. It can be as simple as adding extra movement to your day and mixing in healthier food choices. We’ll talk with health experts about how to get motivated to stay fit during these challenging times.

Wednesday, November 11, 2020 – Book of the Month: “Too Strong to Be Broken” by Edward J. Driving Hawk and Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve
With the help of his sister, Edward J. Driving Hawk recounts his life as a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars and former chairman of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. “Too Strong To Be Broken: The Life of Edward J. Driving Hawk” also follows pivotal moments in his life including his struggle with alcoholism and suffering the effects of exposure to Agent Orange. Edward J. Driving Hawk says it’s also his hope that readers, especially his decedents, understand the importance of Native heritage in building strength. We’ll hear from the authors for our November Book of the Month.

Thursday, November 12, 2020 – Three decades of protecting cultural patrimony
Landmark legislation protecting Native American cultural items turns 30. The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act requires museums and any institution that receives federal funds to return items of tribal cultural significance taken from federal land. The legislation was the result of decades of work by Native experts and activists who were fighting the theft of Native items over the years. We’ll talk with the people who were instrumental in getting the legislation passed as well as tribal historic preservation officers who rely on it to protect their cultural patrimony.

Friday, November 13, 2020 – Are holiday get-togethers safe?
Coronavirus infection rates continue to climb just as families are planning holiday gatherings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report record-breaking numbers of new infections as the pandemic reaches its tenth month. The CDC is recommending people take extra precautions and even consider cancelling or postponing family gatherings altogether this season. States and tribes are making their own COVID-19 safety protocols. We’ll get details on what public health officials say about holiday gatherings and whether families are likely to make any changes.

Monday, November 2, 2020 – Tribes confront new COVID-19 surge
Most states are seeing a rise in COVID-19 infections. In response, tribes are reinstating curfews and monitoring borders to keep infections numbers down. In October, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw saw an alarming rise in COVID-19 infection rates and deaths. Numbers compiled by the New York Times showed 10% of tribal members were infected and made up the majority of deaths for the Mississippi county where most tribal members live. We’ll look at what’s behind the increases and check in with tribal community members about what they’re doing to keep their communities safe.

Tuesday, November 3, 2020 – Historic election day
Election Day always brings surprises, but so much is up in the air this year. The pandemic is changing how people cast their ballots. The incumbent president hasn’t committed to stepping down if he loses. Law enforcement and elections officials are grappling with the possibility of armed, right wing militia members showing up at polling places. Still, there are many reasons to be hopeful. We’ll talk with political and public policy experts about the issues driving Native voters to the polls and what bright spots are in play for the 2020 election.

Wednesday, November 4, 2020 – The results are in?
The election is over and it’s time to add up the results. Poll watchers and pundits warn many important races—including the one for president of the United States—may not be decided for days, if not weeks. We’ll talk about what the sure things are, what they mean for Native voters and how any undecided races might play out.

Thursday, November 5, 2020 – Keeping up with Larissa FastHorse
We catch up with playwright Larissa FastHorse (Sičháŋǧu Lakota), who just won a MacArthur Fellowship, also called the “Genius Grant”. She is the creator of “Thanksgiving Play” and “What Would Crazy Horse Do?” challenging Native stereotypes through smart writing and satire. She is in the midst of creating a collaborative trilogy that includes spending time imbedded with Native communities.

Friday, November 6, 2020 – Write the great Native American novel
David Heska Wanbli Weiden, Tommy Orange, Stephen Graham Jones and Terese Mailhot are some of the Native authors making reading lists across the country. They’re also inspiring other would-be writers. We’ll be talking to Native writers about their craft and how to get those first words on paper. They’ll discuss how to overcome writers’ block, how to structure a narrative, and essential elements of a good book like plot and scene. November is National Novel Writing Month with the challenge to amateur authors to pen an entire book in 30 days. Maybe one of them will write the next bestseller.

Monday, October 26, 2020 – The choice whether to vote
The decision of who to vote for comes down to a personal choice. The same goes for the decision whether or not to vote in the first place. People complain about disillusionment with candidates and government, a lack of interest in politics, or a disgust with the divisive nature of elections. Some Native voters view not voting as an act of decolonization. Research by the U.S. Census finds the turnout rate for Native voters is lower than the national average. More than a third of Native voters who are eligible are not registered. Are you voting this year? Email us why or why not to comments@nativeamericacalling.com We’ll talk with voters about their decision to vote or not in the upcoming election.

Tuesday, October 27, 2020 – Spooky season brings out Native horror pop culture
Horror has a long history, and Indigenous artists are mastering the genre, finding new ways to make peoples’ skin crawl. As Halloween approaches we’re taking the hour to celebrate the darker side of Native pop culture with Indigenous artists who are telling some terrifying stories through film, illustration and literature. What draws you to Native horror?

Wednesday, October 28, 2020 – Music Maker: Bluedog
Bluedog is not only a family affair but a group that prides itself on sharing the life experiences of Native people through sound. In their new album “Take a Stand” the blues riffs are solid and the vocals are inviting. This time around the blues band out of Minnesota’s Twin Cities has teamed up with guest musicians including Ojibwe recording artist Keith Secola. We’ll hear more from the band about keeping the legacy of Native blues strong.

Thursday, October 29, 2020 – Canada’s Lobster War
Ongoing violence marks a dispute over treaty rights and commercial lobster fishing in Nova Scotia. Arson, property destruction, vandalism and physical confrontations erupted after the Sipekne’katik First Nation exerted their treaty rights and started harvesting lobster outside the federally-mandated season. The actions echo the Fish Wars in the U.S. in the 1970s. Canada’s Supreme Court affirmed Indigenous fishing rights off season in 1999 to make what the court said was “a moderate living”. Interpretations of those words are among the key points of contention.

Friday, October 30, 2020 – October in the news
After largely ignoring important Native issues during most of the campaign, President Donald Trump recently has highlighted what he says are accomplishments for Native people in key states. He voiced his support for federal recognition of the Lumbee Nation in North Carolina, two weeks after Democratic challenger Joe Biden did. It’s an acknowledgement that Native voters could make the difference in close races in battleground states. But are the candidates merely pandering to tribes during the election? We’ll get some expert opinions and explore what’s making news in our regular news round up.

Monday, October 19, 2020 – Momentum for taking LANDBACK
The LANDBACK campaign calls out the social and political structures built on stolen land and advocates for returning land to Native nations. But it’s much larger than that. Those behind the movement say it’s also rooted in climate change solutions, global environmental stewardship and dissolving racial inequities. Momentum rose to the surface when Land Defenders greeted President Trump at his July 4 rally at Mt. Rushmore, calling for the federal government to return the Black Hills to Native control. Organizers hope to make #Landback a rallying cry for a brighter future.

Tuesday, October 20, 2020 – Don’t forget about cold and flu season
COVID-19 isn’t the only infectious disease to be concerned about as the weather gets colder. Every year millions of people contract influenza and the common cold. Both are little more than an inconvenience for most people, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports thousands of people develop serious health complications. Pneumonia is among the most common and Native people are at a higher risk.

Wednesday, October 21, 2020 – ‘Blueprint’ for erasing domestic violence
In St. Paul, Minn., a ten-year-old program called Blueprint for Safety focuses on bringing together the many agencies involved in domestic violence cases, from case management to criminal justice. The idea encompasses everything from housing survivors to holding perpetrators responsible. And it appears to be working. St. Paul Police Dept. numbers show domestic violence calls are down 45% since the program started. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We’ll hear from a Native officer in the St. Paul Police Department, and others about what others might learn from the ‘Blueprint’ program.

Thursday, October 22, 2020 – Growing the youth vote
Traditionally, people over 65 years of age have the highest voting rates, so their issues are well represented in elections. But there are several initiatives to get young people to the polls, including registration drives and voter education. Those efforts may have paid off in the 2018 election when the U.S. Census reported a 79 percent increase in voters 18-29 years old. What are the issues that are important to young Native voters?

Friday, October 23, 2020 – Book of the Month: “The Ghost Road: Anishnaabe Responses to Indian Hating” by Matthew Fletcher
Matthew Fletcher, creator of the Turtle Talk blog and member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, uncovers the story on how the law has harmed Native people and shaped the policies that govern them today. His book “The Ghost Road: Anishnaabe Responses to Indian Hating” also offers an Anishnaabe take on how to push back against the inequality created by hate-rooted actions.

Monday, October 12, 2020 – Indigenous studies crash course
Teachers, elected leaders and some curious individuals might look to Indigenous Peoples Day as the time to brush up on Native history. There’s a basic level of knowledge every American should know, but so much of what is available comes from non-Native sources and are just plain wrong. We’re cracking the books and bringing in the experts to discuss the go-to sources for learning about history from the Native perspective.

Tuesday, October 13, 2020 – Protecting the Tongass National Forest, ‘America’s Amazon’
The Trump Administration is moving to lift environmental protections on seven million acres in the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. It would allow logging virgin forests that sprouted before first contact with European settlers. Alaska Native tribes are fighting the U.S. Forest Service’s recommendations to remove the Clinton-era “roadless designation” paving the way for roads, logging and other development. The tribes say it poses a serious threat to subsistence hunting, fishing and foraging in the nation’s largest national forest.

Wednesday, October 14, 2020 – Pushing past barriers to treat depression
A new study in JAMA finds nearly a quarter of all Americans now say they are experiencing symptoms of depression. That’s three times higher than the number before the start of the pandemic. Symptoms may come and go, but they can also get progressively worse. And previous studies indicate many of those with clinical depression don’t seek professional treatment because of persistent stigma about the disease. For Depression Awareness Month we’ll get reminders about recognizing and treating depression and how to clear hurdles to treatment when you may feel you’re least able to do so.

Thursday, October 15, 2020 – Racism in places of healing
In the last moments of her life, Joyce Echaquan (Atikamekw Nation) recorded staff at the Quebec hospital taunting her with racist comments. The hospital fired two workers and opened an investigation. Quebec’s premier issued an apology, but insisted there is not a systemic problem with racism in the medical establishment. At least one 2017 study found a quarter of Native Americans say they experienced discrimination while seeking medical attention. The Association of American Medical Colleges recently released guidelines for addressing racism against students and patients.

Friday, October 16, 2020 – Native voting access update
As Election Day nears, worries about adequate access to the polls increase. The Pasqua Yaqui Tribe in Arizona is fighting in court to restore the reservation’s only early voting station. In Alaska, the Arctic Village tribe and the League of Women’s Voters won the first round in their legal fight against the state’s new requirements for witness signatures on mail-in ballots. And a Montana judge struck down a state law against collecting absentee ballots that Native voting rights advocates say would’ve limited voting access for tribes. We’ll get the latest in the evolving landscape determining what is limiting and strengthening access for Native Americans.

Monday, October 5, 2020 – Sound advice for avoiding falls
Car accidents often make headlines. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list falls above crashes as the leading cause of fatal injuries for Native Americans over the age of 65. Preventing falls can be as simple as moving a coffee table. Additional measures like creating a strength-training routine also greatly reduce the risk from falling. We’ll get practical advice about preventing falls and recovering from injuries from falls.

Tuesday, October 6, 2020 – The issues that decide the election
Of all the issues that go into making election decisions, a mere handful are deal-breakers for a lot of voters. The economy, abortion, the environment, criminal justice and tribal sovereignty are among those that top the list of non-negotiable election topics. But what are voters willing to give up to ensure their key issues are covered? We’ll hear from some voters about what their key election issues are. We’ll also trace the history of what are known as wedge issues, requiring candidates and voters to make stark choices.

Wednesday, October 7, 2020 – Long-lasting effects of COVID-19
People who get COVID-19 face many more potential outcomes than either death or full recovery. The Mayo Clinic says many long-term effects of the disease are still unknown but lists a number of potential health problems including permanent lung and heart damage, blood clots and weakened blood vessels. It can even lead to Post Traumatic Stress for people who endured extended intensive care to fight the infection.

Thursday, October 8, 2020 – Protecting the Tongass National Forest, ‘America’s Amazon’
The Trump Administration is moving to lift environmental protections on seven million acres in the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. It would allow logging virgin forests that sprouted before first contact with European settlers. Alaska Native tribes are fighting the U.S. Forest Service’s recommendations to remove the Clinton-era “roadless designation” paving the way for roads, logging and other development. The tribes say it poses a serious threat to subsistence hunting, fishing and foraging in the nation’s largest national forest.

Friday, October 9, 2020 – Surviving the ‘dumpster fire’
A global pandemic, devastating forest fires, record unemployment, a historic recession, racial unrest and a contentious election are all piling up to make for a stressful year. The onslaught of disasters has earned 2020 derogatory labels. And all signs point to a long, drawn-out recovery extending well into 2021. It takes fortitude and a personal strategy of resilience to stay above worrisome headlines. We’ll get insights from motivational speakers about how they are living their best life despite the long list of bad news.

Monday, September 28, 2020 – Will the 2020 Census accurately count Native Americans?
The deadline for all U.S. residents to fill out the 2020 Census is approaching fast. Census officials are scrambling to collect information on Native Americans in time. A last-minute court decision extended the deadline to the end of October. The Trump Administration sought to end Census data collection September 30. Census watchers still worry the coronavirus pandemic and other barriers will make it hard for Native Americans, traditionally one of the most undercounted populations in the Census, to be adequately represented. Billions of dollars and accurate political representation are at stake.

Tuesday, September, 29, 2020 – Music Maker: Samantha Crain
We hear from Choctaw recording artists Samantha Crain about her album “A Small Death”. This self-produced venture is her sixth full-length album that explores the beauty of a layered life. To her, it’s about resetting and regrouping, two skills we call on especially when life deals cards that we don’t expect. The songs highlight her distinct sound, full of strong vocals and folk and rock rhythms. She’s a Native music icon and is our September Music Maker.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020 – September in the news
The Bureau of Indian Education reversed an ambitious plan to open up BIE schools after criticism by tribal leaders.  Also, officials with least three tribes signed up for COVID-19 vaccine trials, but some citizens remain wary. And the CEO of the company pushing a major mine proposal in Alaska stepped down after an environmental activist group secretly taped him saying the mine could grow to be much larger than what the company told federal regulators. We’ll talk with people involved in covering these stories and more are on our regular news round up.

Thursday, October 1, 2020 – The race for a coronavirus vaccine
The federal government is pouring billions of dollars into the effort to develop a vaccine against the coronavirus. At least four pharmaceutical companies say they are ready to conduct vaccine trials on human volunteers—a needed step before widespread distribution. Scientists emphasize the importance of testing the vaccine in diverse populations. Leaders of at least three tribes, the Navajo Nation, the Lummi Nation and the Nooksack Indian Tribe, agreed to allow vaccine trials involving their citizens. But many of those citizens harbor distrust of scientific experiments because of previous missteps.

Friday, October 2, 2020 – Filling Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat
One of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s last U.S. Supreme Court decisions was to affirm the Muscogee Creek Nation’s reservation boundaries in McGirt v. Oklahoma. But her record for recognizing tribal sovereignty remains mixed. Now, there’s a rush to fill the late justice’s seat. Several names are reported to be on President Donald Trump’s short list of potential appointees. Do any of them have a track record for Indian law? What do Native Americans look for in a Supreme Court justice?

Monday, September 21, 2020 – Domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic
Advocates fear the coronavirus pandemic increases the risk for Native American women experiencing domestic violence. Quarantines and stay-at-home orders might make it difficult for women to get away from abusers. There are few studies that provide evidence but a survey by the United Nations reports increased calls to help lines in several cities around the globe since the start of the pandemic. A limited survey of radiologists in the U.S. shows an increase in injuries attributed to domestic violence in 2020 compared to the previous three years. We explore the factors that could contribute to the domestic violence risk and some possible solutions for those experiencing it.

Tuesday, September 22, 2020 – Ice: the Arctic’s dwindling resource
Scientists have observed the disappearance of Arctic sea ice for decades. Indigenous people who live and hunt on and near the ice are forced to confront the changes in their environment and adapt where they can. A new study published in the journal, Nature Climate Change, predicts ice-free summers in the Arctic for the first time in recorded history far sooner than previous estimates. We’ll hear more about why the ice is melting and its effects on Indigenous people.

Wednesday, September 23, 2020 – Nut harvest time
Gathering, processing and cooking indigenous nuts like acorns and pine nuts is in full swing in late summer and early autumn. These small gifts of protein and flavor are important to Indigenous culture. Picking and preparing them in the traditional way creates stronger connections to culture and nature and promotes a deeper understanding of food and flavor. We’ll talk about nuts with Native food educators and culture keepers.

Thursday, September 24, 2020 – Book of the Month: “Becoming Miss Navajo” by Jolyana Begay-Kroupa
“Becoming Miss Navajo” is a young readers’ book that shares the story of what it means to earn this esteemed title. The author writes the competition cannot be categorized as a beauty pageant. Instead she sees it as a way to revitalize Navajo cultural heritage. Begay-Kroupa tells her own personal journey and brings readers through the ins and outs of the yearly event. The book features photos that include parts of the competition that asks contestants to demonstrate cultural knowledge.

Friday, September 25, 2020 – Mesa Verde ancestors repatriated after 130 years
Tribal leaders in the Southwest are praising the successful return of items stolen from Mesa Verde almost 130 years ago. It’s the culmination of an agreement with Finland originally announced last year to repatriate ancestors and funerary items taken by a Finnish scholar in 1891. The incident helped spark establishment of the 1906 Antiquities Act and the establishment of Mesa Verde National Park. Leaders from the four tribes that have cultural affiliations with Mesa Verde worked with the U.S. State Department to return and reinter them this month.  We’ll hear from tribal leaders about the significance of the items and what it took to have them returned.

Monday, September 14 2020 – Native Lens: amplifying Native stories
Storytelling has always been an important tradition for Indigenous people. And modern personal technology provides a means to share that tradition more broadly. A collaborative effort by KSUT Tribal Radio and Rocky Mountain PBS aims to amplify Native voices by collecting personal stories from Native people of all ages and backgrounds. Each storyteller is encouraged to talk about what they think is important. The results—individually produced short videos, audio recordings, and even photographs—will be compiled in the project called “Native Lens.” We’ll talk about the power of stories and the way they help others understand Native people and issues.

Tuesday, September 15, 2020 –Oklahoma after McGirt
Dozens of Oklahoma tribal members convicted of crimes in state court are asking for a second look at their cases in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark McGirt vs. Oklahoma decision in July. But the decision that reaffirmed Muskogee Reservation status has implications well beyond criminal convictions. Tribes and state officials are now working to map out how the decision affects key areas like taxes, Indian child welfare and public safety. We’ll get an update on what potential changes tribal leaders and scholars see in the wake of this major victory for tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction.

Wednesday, September 16, 2020 – What does COVID-19 testing tell us?
There is no national COVID-19 testing strategy and so procedures and results vary from place to place. Recently, the nation’s top public health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, faced backlash after recommending against testing people who don’t show symptoms, even though there’s evidence asymptomatic people can spread the disease. As many tribes struggle to get control over the coronavirus, consistent testing is among the most effective tools they have. We’ll check in on how COVID-19 testing has changed since the start of the pandemic, and how testing informs efforts to prevent more infections.

Thursday, September 18, 2020 – The toxic legacy of abandoned mines
The Trump Administration promises new efforts to clean up mineral mining sites that continue to contaminate water, soil and air decades after the companies that started them pulled out. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it’s opening up offices to focus on tracking and cleaning up the environmental threats from abandoned mines in several Western states. There are more than 500 abandoned uranium mines on the Navajo Nation alone. Tribal leaders and environmental advocates are cautiously optimistic, praising any progress toward addressing the lingering threat of former gold, mercury, uranium and molybdenum mines. But critics remain skeptical about the commitment for taking on such an expansive and expensive operation.

Friday, September 19, 2020 – Indigenous characters, artists take center stage in new Marvel anthology
The comic book giant, Marvel, is releasing a new anthology dedicated to Indigenous superheroes, all produced by Indigenous artists and writers. In addition to giving new story lines to names like Echo and Dani Moonstar, the project in the Marvel Voices series intends to correct some of the mistakes of previous non-Native led efforts that relied on offensive stereotypes and inauthentic character development. Jeffrey Veregge (Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe) curates the new volume set to coincide with Native American History Month. Veregge and others from the project will talk about the growing momentum for authentic Native comic book characters.

Monday, September 7, 2020 – Building the next generation of Native leaders
(Pre-recorded show) Since 2007, the Leadership Institute has invited Native American high school and college students in New Mexico to its Summer Policy Academy out of the Santa Fe Indian School. The students team up with professionals in different fields including law and cultural revitalization. The Academy encourages the students to draw from the richness of their culture to build strong leadership skills. The goal is to get them thinking critically about how public policy affects their communities and bring about positive changes. We’ll hear from the organizers of this unique opportunity about utilizing the gifts handed down from past generations to fortify a resilient future.

Tuesday, September 8, 2020 – Native in the Spotlight: Marcie Rendon
The dead speak to Renee “Cash” Black Bear in her dreams. They help her solve gruesome murders in the Upper Midwest. She is the protagonist in Marcie Rendon’s (White Earth Anishinaabe) Cash Blackbear Mysteries Series who brings Native knowledge to a crowded genre that so often gets it wrong. In addition to writing mysteries and short stories, Rendon is a playwright, poet and educator. She is a champion of other Native artists. She was just awarded the McKnight Foundation’s Distinguished Artist Award. We’ll talk with her about how she created Cash and the many other characters and plot lines she’s developed.

Wednesday, September 9, 2020 – Returning to traditional fire management 
Another series of destructive fires in California prompt new questions about how best to prevent and prepare for wildfires. Many of the state’s tribes have cultural fire management practices that go back centuries, and include minimizing wildfire risks through controlled burns, something California officials once banned. We’ll take a look at wildfires in California and elsewhere through a Native lens and hear from tribes that are on the ground about what it takes to heal with fire rather than just fight it.

Thursday, September 10, 2020 – Understanding colon cancer
The death of Chadwick Boseman sparks a new national discussion about colon cancer. It also highlights racial disparities for what doctors say is among the most preventable and curable cancers. Boseman, the actor known for the lead role in the film, Black Panther, was only 43 when he died of the disease. Native American colon cancer rates are about the same as other minority groups, which are generally higher than the population as a whole. We’ll get reminders on prevention, treatment and warning signs.

Friday, September 11, 2020 – Native candidates making strides at the polls
The four Native Americans currently in Congress are poised for re-election in November. And there are dozens of other new Native candidates to keep an eye on all over the country. One, Christina Haswood (Diné), won her primary race and is the presumptive winner since she has no challengers for the Kansas House of Representatives seat. If elected, the 26-year-old will be the youngest sitting legislator in the state. She’s one of four Native candidates in Kansas following the primaries. In Wyoming, Lynnette Grey Bull (Northern Arapaho/Hunkpapa Lakota) won the Democratic primary for the only congressional district in the state. Local media report she is the only Native woman to ever run for federal office in Wyoming. We’ll take a look at some notable Native candidates heading to November.