Monday, June 7, 2021 – Sheep to loom: Native wool processing and fiber working
Navajo sheep herders are usually busy at this time of year. Depending on the size of their herd, shearing sheep is is a process that can take weeks. Clipping raw wool from sheep is one of the first steps to making famous Navajo rugs and dresses. Weavers then take over to process and dye wool and spin it into yarn. We’ll talk with sheep herders and weavers about the cultural and artistic process of taking wool from sheep to the loom.
Tuesday, June 8, 2021 – Coming out as LGBTQ and Two-Spirit
Coming out as LGBTQ or Two-Spirit is often an important milestone. It means coming to terms with one’s own sexuality or gender identity and sharing it with family and other important people in one’s life. It can be both difficult and liberating. Some are greeted with love, acceptance and support. Others face rejection. As part of Pride Month, we’re talking about what it means to come out as an Indigenous LGBTQ or Two-Spirit person.
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 – How men can improve their health
Native health officials say information is key to improving men’s health. A survey by the American Academy of Family Physicians found 55 percent of men had not seen their physician within the previous year. Routine screening detects developing problems that frequently affect men, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol and prostate cancer. Men are also more likely to engage in unhealthy habits like smoking. We’ll get reminders on the importance for men to pay attention to their health and address potential problems early.
Thursday, June 10, 2021 – Returning to traditional eating
When chef Lois Ellen Frank (Kiowa) talks to groups about why she doesn’t eat dairy she jokes about the difficulty her ancestors must have had trying to milk wild animals. She and Walter Whitewater (Diné) have teamed up with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine to create the food program called Native Power Plate which focuses on fruits, grains, beans and vegetables. They believe their eating plan will help Native Americans address diabetes and other health-related issues. We’ll talk with them about how to include more traditional foods into what we put on our plates every day.
Friday, June 11, 2021 – What you need to start a business
Some experts believe now is a good time to start a business. Spending online increased by almost 40% in the first quarter of 2021. If you’ve been thinking about starting a business, this is the show for you. Carmen Davis (Makah Nation) and Gary Davis (Cherokee Nation), the founders and publishers of Native Business Magazine, will offer advice for budding businesses, whether it’s a roadside food stand or a financial consulting firm. If you’d like to pitch your business idea and get feedback, send an email to comments@nativeamericacalling.com.
