Monday, May 14, 2018 – Book of the Month: “Bowwow Powwow” by Brenda J. Child
This book takes us to a special dance arena, a “Bowwow Powwow.” That’s the title of the children’s book by Red Lake Ojibwe author and illustrator Brenda J. Child. She’s called on language expert Gordon Jourdain and artist Jonathan Thunder to help bring the story to young readers while reinforcing the power of language. Much of the story takes place in dreamtime where the powwow arena turns in to a cultural gathering of dogs. The idea for the book stems from a true Ojibwe tradition.

Tuesday, May 15, 2018 – Native in the spotlight: Tracy Rector
Tracy Rector’s (Choctaw/Seminole) films have been seen by audiences at the Cannes Film Festival, ImagineNative, the Toronto International Film Festival, and PBS. Her latest work, Dawnland, follows Maine’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address the removal of Native children from their homes. The other films she’s worked on include Teachings of the Tree People, March Point, and Ch’aak’ S’aagi. Rector describes herself as a mixed race urban Indian, filmmaker and activist. We’ll talk with her about her passion for filmmaking, social justice and what is next for her career.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018 – Native dolls
The materials for doll making vary from tribe to tribe depending on geography: corn husks, palmetto leaves, animal skins and tree bark. And the significance of the dolls also vary. Some tribes have dolls that hold spiritual significance. Others are educational tools for children to learn beading or sewing. We’ll talk about the craft and meaning of Native doll making.

Thursday, May 17, 2018 – The real story of “The Rider”
The movie, “The Rider,” is receiving widespread critical acclaim since its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May of 2017. The Atlantic calls it the best film of 2018 so far. It’s based on the real-life story of a rodeo competitor struggling to recover from a traumatic brain injury. The lead actor, Brady Jandreau, plays a fictional version of himself in the film inspired by his own experience with a. The director, Chloé Zhao, first met Jandreau while working on the 2013 film, “Songs My Brother Taught Me,” which, like “The Rider” was filmed on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Friday, May 18, 2018 –The artistic expression of Indigenous sexuality
The members of the all-Indigenous burlesque group, Virago Nation, say they’re on “a mission to reclaim Indigenous sexuality from the toxic effects of colonization.” They recently performed at Vancouver’s all Indigenous art and performance event, Talking Stick Festival and they are part of the upcoming Dancing Into the Light – a Women’s Weekend. They’re among a number of artists incorporating Indigenous touches to express sexuality in creative ways.

Monday, May 7, 2018 – Native perspectives behind the lens
Too often, media outlets turn to photos of powwow regalia and headdresses as the default images to portray Native Americans. At other times, public portrayals of Native Americans skew toward desolate living conditions, stripped down cars and the ravages of alcoholism. A new clearinghouse of Indigenous photographers aims to counter cliché, one-dimensional and insensitive portrayals of Native Americans. The Natives Photograph group is making the work of Native photographers available to news and magazine editors while also making the case for the importance of using work by Native photographers.

Tuesday, May 8, 2018 – Fighting back against invasive species
Knotweed, signal crayfish, zebra mussels and emerald ash borer beetles are among the plants and animals moving into tribal communities where they don’t belong. The invasive species are causing serious damage and changes to ecosystems. The emerald ash borer, for instance, kills ash trees that Native people utilize for traditional and economic development uses. Tribes are working to study invasive species in order to try and minimize the destruction.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018 – Welcoming Native students to campus
Colorado State University in Ft. Collins is offering two Akwesasne Mohawk teens a VIP tour to help make up for a troubling incident when the prospective students were on campus last week. A visiting parent called campus security because she said she felt ‘nervous’ about them. Campus police pulled the students out of their scheduled tour and questioned them before letting them go. Is this an isolated incident or are other Native students also getting singled out campuses?  How are some universities finding ways to welcome Native students? We’ll also talk with higher education experts. We’ll also get an update from Lorraine Kahneratokwas Gray about what’s happened since the story about her two sons first surfaced.

Thursday, May 10, 2018 – Martial arts for fitness and fun
Many Native martial arts enthusiasts are putting their own spin on karate, taekowndo and jiu-jitsu. They practice the disciplines for both self-defense and fitness and they’re finding ways to weave in Native elements. On this show we’ll talk with Natives who are using martial arts to stay healthy and create lifelong practices of discipline and healthy behavior. We’ll also explore a few traditional Indigenous fighting styles.

Friday, May 11, 2018 – The Farm Bill is more important than you think
There is a food and nutrition crisis in Indian Country and the pending Farm Bill can go a long way toward solving it. That’s the perspective of the Native Farm Bill Coalition that issued a report last year in hopes of cluing Congress in to the ways tribes need to be woven into the legislation. Commodities, SNAP, forestry, and access to USDA programs are all areas in the Farm Bill tribal agricultural experts are worried about.

Monday, April 30, 2018 – Native in the Spotlight: Terrol Dew Johnson
Terrol Dew Johnson (Tohono O’odham) is known for his basketry in art circles. He’s also known as a food sovereignty advocate. His passions to contribute to a creative and healthy community derive from what he perceives needs to be done. He’s the CEO of TOCA (Tohono O’odham Community Action organization), a contemporary basket weaver and our April Native in the Spotlight.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018 – Laboring for sovereignty
Clashes between labor unions and gaming tribes surfaced once again when the U.S. Senate brought Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act to a vote. It failed. Tribal casinos are not exempt from the National Labor Relations Act, thanks to a 2004 labor board ruling. On this International Workers Day, or Mayday, we’ll talk with both sides about how organized labor fits in with tribal self-determination.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018 – Art and the borders
Art has a way of conveying beauty to an audience. But it can also provide a creative way to tackle important and timely issues. We’ll look at how a handful of Native artists view borders through their work. The 2015 “Repellent Fence” project by the Native artist collective known as “Postcommodity” is a land art piece that stretched for two miles across the U.S.- Mexico border. It started conversations about how borders affect relationships between Indigenous people on both sides of the fence.

Thursday, May 3, 2018 – Women in art
Art made by Native women is a doorway to history and tradition. The legacies they create with each art piece brings more understanding about the resilience Native women bring not only to the family but the entire community. This hour we sit down with several Native women artists to hear their perspectives on what their craft has brought to them and their tribal nations.

Friday, May 4, 2018 – Vocational career readiness
Educators, parents and others often place emphasis on preparing for college. But some students see a more hands-on future for themselves. There are a number of traditional options including auto repair, heating and cooling systems and even housing construction offered at tribal colleges and vocational programs. On this show we’ll talk with different tribal vocational programs about the many fields Native students can consider when picking a career in vocational tech.

Monday, April 23, 2018 – Stitching together the U.S. and Mexico
A documentary called “Through the Repellent Fence” premieres on “America Reframed” on April 24. It tackles the Indigenous view on the timely subject of the U.S.-Mexico border. The documentary focuses on the creation of a two-mile-long art installation across the border meant to figuratively stitch together the two countries. It was made by Native artists Raven Chacon, Cristóbal Martínez and Kade Twist, collectively known as “Postcommodity”.

Tuesday, April 24, 2018 – Music Maker: Lakota John
Lakota John is a blues slide guitar player from the Lumbee and Oglala Lakota Nations. He’s been harnessing his musical abilities since he was a child alongside his family who centered their life around music. In his solo release “The Winds of Time” he gives new life to classic ragtime sounds and rhythmic picking. Help us get into the blues with our April Music Maker Lakota John.

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 – Student support helps graduation chances
The Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School finds providing the right support for students in the small K-12 school can provide dividends in the way of graduation rates. School administrators say addressing social issues such as drug addiction, poverty and historical trauma can improve the likelihood of a student getting a diploma. The school originally opened in the 70s as an act of tribal self-determination by the tribe. As part of our series in the American Graduate initiative, we learn more about the school’s history and their efforts to create a healthy environment for learning.

Thursday, April 26, 2018 – April in the news
A nine month investigation by High Country News found $1.4 million raised for veterans to travel to the Standing Rock oil pipeline protest is mostly unaccounted for. We’ll talk with the reporter and editor who uncovered the story. We’ll also talk with other journalists about the important issues in Native America on our round-up of the news.

Friday, April 27 – The 35th Gathering of Nations Powwow
It’s time for the popular Gathering of Nations Powwow in Albuquerque. We take the opportunity to get a snapshot of the action in the arena and some of the voices behind the scenes. Thousands of dancers, musicians, vendors, horses, and spectators all stop in for the event, one of the largest powwows in the world.

Monday, April 16, 2018 – Lacrosse league plays defense against racism charge
A South Dakota lacrosse league expelled two predominantly Native American teams in March. Among the reasons league officials listed include uncertified coaches, unregistered players and unwarranted hostility toward players and administrators. The coaches of the expelled teams, however, say the action comes only after they insisted the league address racist incidents by other teams on the field. The coaches note the irony of expelling Native American players from a game invented by Native Americans in a league with a Native name. We’ll hear from the coaches and see if there’s a way to get at the root of the problem.

Tuesday, April 17, 2018 – Rumble on
A year after winning a Special Jury Award for Masterful Storytelling at the Sundance Film Festival, the documentary “Rumble: Indians Who Rocked The World” continues to win awards and accolades. The film’s producer recently took home the Canadian Screen Award for Best Documentary Feature. The documentary includes interviews with a list of prominent musicians about the influence that different Native musicians have had on rock ‘n roll, jazz, folk and blues music. We’ll talk with some of the musicians featured in the documentary.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018 – The future of Navajo sheep culture
Sheep used to roam the desert valleys and mesas of traditional Navajo lands in herds numbering in the thousands. Today, herds are much smaller. A nonprofit organization, Navajo Lifeway or Diné be’iiná, is dedicated to preserving and strengthening traditional herding, butchering and weaving. We’ll take a trip to a Navajo sheep camp and talk about what’s being done to preserve sheep culture.

Thursday, April 19, 2018 – Protecting wild rice in Minnesota
Wild rice waters in Minnesota face threats on two fronts. Some Minnesota tribes worry a pipeline replacement project carries the potential for a devastating crude oil leak that would contaminate rice beds for generations. At the same time, state lawmakers are moving to eliminate 45-year old water quality standards—the nation’s only law designed to help wild rice habitat. We’ll get updates on tribes’ efforts to keep wild rice thriving.

Friday, April 20, 2018 – Book of the Month: “Of Cartography” by Esther G. Belin
Native identity is a weaving of many experiences, beliefs and even the ground that a person considers home. We will witness how Diné poet Esther G. Belin is turning to the written word to celebrate her life and its relationship to Diné culture. “Of Cartography,” plays on poetic structure, often pushing readers to rethink how they are taking in the thoughts and words. We hear how Belin is shaking up the world of poetry.

Monday, April 9, 2018 – An hour of Native poetry
We’re turning the mic over to Native poets to celebrate National Poetry Month. Their words can take readers and listeners on an intimately personal journey. They can also provide artistic narration for social and cultural movements. Which Native poets inspire you? Join our show and pitch in your own short poem.

Tuesday, April 10, 2018 – Native business women gather strength
Native women make up half of all business owners in Native America according to estimates in the most recent “State of Woman-Owned Business Report” by American Express. At the same time they represent one of the smallest fractions of business owners in the country. The organizers of the first ever Native Women’s Business Summit aim to capitalize on the intelligence, creativity and resourcefulness Native women bring to their endeavors. But they also recognize Native women often have to overcome barriers like racial and gender pay gaps, wealth disparities, domestic violence, and even sexual trauma. We explore some expertise about raising capital, drafting business plans, self-promotion and other basics from the businesswomen’s perspective.

Wednesday, April 11, 2018 – The best thing to do with your tax refund
April is a good time to brush up on sound money management principles. We’ve all heard that following a budget is a good practice. But what other words of wisdom about money are good to follow? Student loans, cell phone bills, and relatives down on their luck all eat into the daily effort to build a personal nest egg. Experts advise you to start good habits early, have a plan and stick with it. We’ll talk with experts and young folks about money mistakes and wins.

Thursday, April 12, 2018 – Elders as teachers
Elder wisdom is greatly valued in many Native nations. It isn’t usually something that makes its way into the university setting, however. But a handful of Native studies programs are inviting elders in as lecturers, mentors and tutors. They provide traditional knowledge and expand the resources available to students.

Friday, April 13, 2018 – The social media privacy conundrum
Are you having to make the choice between liking your cousin’s baby pictures and protecting your privacy? Your actions on Facebook and other social media leave an invisible footprint that companies pay a lot of money to uncover. If you’re on Facebook it’s likely your political preferences, shopping habits, educational status and other information is in the hands of sophisticated marketers. If you’re not on Facebook, you might be missing out on updates about friends and family across the country or even across town. How vulnerable are you to the influences of those who use social media for a commercial or political agenda?

Monday, April 2, 2018 — Soothing seasonal allergies
The trees are budding, flowers are blooming and in some places the pollen count already has allergy sufferers staying inside. More than 50 million people experience allergies each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are many kinds of allergies, like seasonal allergies and animal allergies, and a wide range of symptoms including itchy eyes, congestion and anaphylactic shock. In this program, we’ll break down the causes and treatments for allergies while exploring some traditional remedies.

Tuesday, April 3, 2018 — Through the Generations: Summer camps
For the past 29 years, the Keex’ Kwaan Culture Camp in Kake, Alaska has helped link the community’s Native youth to their elders and culture. In Albuquerque, N.M., the Traditional Teachings Camp from the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center invites urban youth to learn about Pueblo culture through cultural activities and gardening. In the next in our series, Through the Generations, we’ll take a look at several tribally-run summer camps that focus on linking Native youth, elders and land traditions. Is there a cool camp that takes place in your Native community?

Wednesday, April 4, 2018 – Tackling a dropout crisis on Tohono O’odham Nation
Less than half of students graduated from Tohono O’odham Nation high schools a decade ago. It was a wake-up call for the superintendent at the time, Alberto Siqueiros. He set the school on a plan to improve graduation rates, test scores and overall performance. He cleaned house, removing half the district’s staff and raising teacher salaries. Today one high school in the school district sees 87-percent of their students graduate. We’ll talk with him and others about the successes and challenges of this transformation.

Thursday, April 5, 2018 – Remembering James Luna
Artist James Luna (Luiseño/ Ipai/Mexican) famously put his own body on display as a museum artifact in 1987. Later, he divided his face in two with his work, “Half Indian/Half Mexican,” a photo commentary on “the absurdity of being of measurability mixed blood ancestry.” In 2014 he reimagined Ishi, the last of the Yahi tribe, with photography. Last month the Native art world mourned when Luna unexpectedly walked on at the age of 68. We’ll remember his art and life with family and friends.

Friday, April 6, 2018 – The crackdown on public protests
Since the violent clashes between Dakota Access Pipeline protesters and law enforcement officers, states have passed dozens of laws restricting public protests and increasing penalties for convictions. Most recently, the Wyoming legislature passed a bill that would fine organizations as much as $1 million if they are found supporting protests that impede ‘critical infrastructure.’ The governor vetoed the measure. The First Amendment does not give permission to break laws, but protests and civil disobedience have a vaunted role throughout U.S. history for steering public discourse. Have modern protests crossed the line? Or is it the official reaction from lawmakers that’s going too far?

Monday, March 26, 2018 – ‘I’ll publish it myself’: Native zines
In the age when people publish instantly on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, and their own blogs, it might be difficult to see where zines—low-tech, photocopied, self-published magazines—have a place. But they’re still around. You might find them laying around at your local coffee shop or alternative bookstore. The zine publisher might print one out and mail it to you. Kayla Shaggy’s (Diné and Anishinaabe) zine, “Monstrous,” is filled with drawings of monsters. She says the format offers “the freedom to do what you want.” Self-publishing something that people can hold in their hands is part of the reason for doing it. We’ll talk with Native zine makers about why self-publishing a few copies with limited reach is their favorite way to get their creative work out.

Tuesday, March 27, 2018 – Traditional influence, classical composition
When Chickasaw classical composer, Jerod Tate creates music he’s always “feeling ethos, romance and deep feelings about Indian people,” he said. In some of his newest works, Tate tells traditional stories through large orchestrated oratorios. Another composer, Wolastoqiyik Jeremy Dutcher, based in Canada, is honoring his people’s language by composing music around old wax cylinder recordings from 1910. These two Indigenous artists will join us to talk about telling stories through classical music.

Wednesday, March 28, 2018 – Johnson-O’Malley: More than school supplies
When Oglala Lakota educator Robert Cook’s son came to him asking for violin to play in the school orchestra, he told him the family didn’t have the money for the instrument. But Johnson-O’Malley Program in their tribe was able to provide the funds for the instrument, creating a lifelong musician. Since 1934 the JOM has provided funding for American Indian and Alaska Native students in public school. The money provides school supplies, cultural activities and other enrichment for Native students. The Trump administration’s latest budget proposal includes eliminating the JOM program. We’ll talk about the program and efforts to save the funding.

Thursday, March 29, 2018 – Book of the Month: “That’s What They Used to Say” by Donald Fixico
In certain Native communities, what gets passed on orally to future generations can be a wealth of Indigenous knowledge. But how much value do we place on this process in modern times? This month our featured author Donald Fixico (Shawnee/Sac and Fox/Mvskoke Creek/Seminole) explores what accessing this type of information sharing does for tribal communities. He hones in on his own experience and explains the role storytellers play in forming Native identity. “That’s What They Used to Say: Reflections on American Indian Oral Traditions” is our March Book of the Month.

Friday, March 30, 2018 – March in the News
Indian Country Today is back with veteran journalist Mark Trahant (Shoshone/Bannock) will be the editor. We’ll talk with him about what new innovations and directions the revived ICT will incorporate. We’ll also talk with other journalists covering the recent important issues in Native America. It’s our regular news round up.

Monday, March 19, 2018 – Protecting personal sacred items
The Transportation Security Administration is requiring cultural sensitivity training for agents at selected airports. That comes after the TSA settled a lawsuit with the Native American Church over agents mishandling sacred items. The lawsuit articulates the persistent problem of non-Native people undermining Native culture and belief by reaching out to touch Native regalia, eagle feathers, hair or sacred items without permission. In this case the traveler asked the agent to avoid desecrating the items.

Tuesday, March 20, 2018 – Strategies for safe schools
The shooting at a Parkland, Florida high school sparked a new level of discussion about school safety and gun policy. It culminated most recently with a nationwide walkout by thousands of students protesting the inability to effectively address gun violence. The discussion rarely gets much past arming teachers on one side and banning certain guns on the other. Native school administrators and teachers are continually looking for ways to protect their students.

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 – Help for unsheltered relatives
Warming shelters for the homeless in Rapid City are well intentioned but ultimately “do more harm than good” says Police Chief Karl Jegeris. He says the shelters are partly to blame for the recent deaths of Connie Red Nest and Ernie Evans. Officials believe they died of exposure in sub-zero temperatures. Rapid City is just one place working against the odds to try and help people—many of them Native Americans—who don’t have a safe harbor from weather, violence, and their own addictions. Shelters struggle with the balance between keeping people alive while not enabling drug and alcohol abuse.

Thursday, March 22, 2018 – The artist’s hustle
Art for the sake of art is great, but for many artists, at some point bills need to be paid. That moment when real cash money is exchanged for hard work can be exhilarating. But there are a lot of questions about getting to that point and how to keep it going. What is a fair price to ask for your art work? Do you charge by the hour or by the inch? And what do you do when customers think you are asking too much?

Friday, March 23, 2018 –Music Maker: DDAT
A blend of funk, jazz and Indigenous hip-hop soul is what happens when DDAT steps on the stage. In their self-titled album DDAT is showing what happens when two music genres dance together. The group is comprised of Navajo MC Def-I and the Delbert Anderson Trio who has ties to the Navajo Nation. The rapid pace of rhyme and lyrics is what the group calls a pure fusion fire of tracks.

Monday, March 12, 2018 – Sherman Alexie: talent, celebrity, and harassment
Three women are on the record with allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct against writer Sherman Alexie (Coeur d’Alene). More allegations could surface. Alexie issued a preemptive response to the allegations with a statement admitting “there are women telling the truth about my behavior” but also stating he has “no recollection of…threatening anybody or their careers.” It’s bringing up larger questions about sexual assault or harassment in Native America. What do the allegations against Alexie mean for his legacy? How do fans reconcile his alleged conduct with his body of work?

Tuesday, March 13, 2018 — The disproportionate Indigenous prison rate in Canada
Compared to the United States, Canada incarcerates a small number of people. But who Canada locks up is alarming. A report in the Canadian news magazine MacLean’s found that while incarceration rates are falling overall, they are surging for Indigenous people. The increase is more than double for Indigenous women over the last decade. The article finds Indigenous people are ten times more likely to be locked up than non-Indigenous people. Critics point to racism and a criminal justice system that still doesn’t recognize Indigenous experiences and culture.

Wednesday, March 14, 2018 — State championship madness!
Basketball madness is upon us and many high school teams from Native communities are vying for state championships. High school basketball is one of the main events for Native athletes and fans. The competition brings out some serious talent from players and an entertaining Friday night for enthusiastic crowds. We’ll talk with some coaches about their seasons and how basketball plays a vital role in their communities.

Thursday, March 15, 2018 – Native Radio in the Spotlight: KSUT Tribal Radio
KSUT is one of the pioneers of Native radio. The Southern Ute Tribe’s station started in 1976 in Ignacio, Colo. Most of the programming back then was in the Ute language. It has grown over the years and is now a go-to place for Native programing, music and cultural affairs. A new documentary, “Tribal Radio,” is also helping to tell their story. We throw the spotlight on this tribal radio station to hear how they’re making a difference.

Friday, March 16, 2018 – Native twentysomethings changing the world
A group of Indigenous twentysomethings gathered last summer to answer two questions: What does healing mean to your generation? How does your generation heal? Organizers scheduled a two hours conversation. It ended spanning seven hours and left the participants with a mission to create change. They issued themselves a momentous challenge to end intergenerational trauma with their generation. We talk with members of the Indigenous 20-Something Project about how they plan to achieve this task.