Native America Calling – Tribal Marijuana Laws  LISTEN HERE Laws on growing and selling marijuana are up for debate across the country. Washington State and Colorado legalized the recreational sale of the drug in recent years. Voters in Alaska and Oregon also approved similar measures last fall. Tribes across the US are facing new decisions. The US Department of Justice issued a memorandum in December 2014 on how the federal government views potential new tribal laws on marijuana sales, growing or possession. Tribal leaders will meet this week in Washington State to hear about the many issues they would need to consider if they were to pursue a path in the marijuana industry. Should they follow state laws, federal law, or create their own new laws on cannabis? Guests: Rob Porter (Seneca), attorney and co-sponsor of the first Tribal Marijuana Conference Henry Cagey (Lummi Nation) – council member and former chairman of the Lummi Nation Troy Eid -former US attorney for Colorado and Chairman of the Indian Law and Order Commission, National Advisory Board to President and Congress Jacob Sullum – Senior Editor Reason magazine and Reason.com 

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Although public lands owned by every American, the Bureau of Land Management has essentially handed over vast acreages to the oil and gas industry for drilling and fracking, leading to a construction boom of pipelines. Photo from WildEarth Guardians.

Thursday, February 19, 2015 – Pipelines

The US House of Representatives recently voted to approve the Keystone XL pipeline extension. President Obama is expected to veto the bill and cite the need for the US State Department to finish a review of the pipeline proposal. Many tribes oppose the construction of the pipeline. While debate over the KXL pipeline continues, Native America Calling takes a closer look at other proposed or existing pipelines in the US. According to the Association of Oil and Pipelines, the US has over 2.5 million miles of pipelines. Are pipelines a safe way to transport oil and gas? What are the alternatives to transporting oil and gas if not through a pipeline? Do you live near a pipeline? Do you support or oppose the development of additional pipelines like Keystone XL?

Guests:

Winona LaDuke (Anishinaabe) executive director of Honor the Earth

Bill McCabe ( Navajo) principal of McCabe and Associates

Faith Spotted Eagle (Yankton) coordinator of the Brave Heart Society and chair of the Ihanktonwan Treaty Council

 

Native American in Phoenix Gay Pride Parade by Fritz Liess

Before assimilation, two-spirit people, including those who identify as transgender, played very important roles in tribal communities. Transgender people now face discrimination. According to a study by the National Center for Transgender Equality, over half of transgender people have attempted suicide.  Native America Calling discusses the struggle to regain that historical acceptance and celebrate our Native people who call themselves transgender. We will also look at the roles of transgender people in their communities today. Guests: Ty Defoe (Oneida and Ojibw) – artist, social activist, musician and writer, tradition keeper Sydney Freeland (Navajo) – Director and writer of  Drunktown’s Finest Robyn Silverfox (Navajo) – pre-med student

LISTEN HERE

Ricardo Caté, Without Reservations

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Wednesday, Februray 4, Native America Calling asks, “satire or offensive?”  The recent terrorist attacks in France heated up debate about the line between what’s considered satire and what is simply offensive.  Some say art and political satire are overstepping the line but others disagree. What about when it comes to Native America? There are many things to Native Nations considered sacred and off limits. What happens when the sacred gets the satirical spotlight? Join us and share where you draw the line between what is satire and what’s an attack on your beliefs. LISTEN HERE

Monday, January 26, 2015, Native America Calling broadcasts the 2015 State of Indian Nations Address, presented by the National Congress of American Indians.  National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) President Brian Cladoosby will deliver the address from the Knight Studios in Washington DC. This annual address highlights goals for Native America and priorities for tribal leaders. The address will be followed by analysis and commentary from journalists and experts.

Credit: Native American Health Center, 2013 World AIDS Day (Flickr Creative Commons)

Scientists discovered the virus that causes AIDS more than 30 years ago. How are Native communities addressing HIV and AIDS today?  Listen to the Thursday January 8, 2015 Native America Calling episode for a discussion about how this disease is affecting Native America. According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 20 percent of Native Americans and Alaska Natives who are infected with HIV didn’t know they have the disease. How are health officials and advocates reaching out to individuals who are at risk of becoming infected? What about those who may already have HIV? What can be done to stop the spread of this disease? Guests include Dr. Pamela Jumper-Thurman (Cherokee) and Tommy Chesbro (Cherokee/Lumbee).

‘Tis the season for cakes, cookies, fudge, chocolate, frosting, sugar sprinkles, candy, office holiday parties, dinners and feasts.

Join Native America Calling this holiday season as we talk about managing diabetes when you are faced with many temptations. Does the holiday season create a danger for your health? Should friends and family take action to ease the sugar and carb load on those who are diabetic or pre-diabetic? Have you had to change your holiday habits because you need to manage your diabetes? We’ll have tips and advice and we welcome your stories about how you manage diabetes during the holiday season.