Monday, December 26, 2022 – The significance of cedar
Cedar is an important part of many tribal cultures. The tall evergreens in the Pacific Northwest are carved into totem poles and canoes. The spiny and fragrant leaves can be used to flavor food. It’s also incorporated into ceremony and has some medicinal use. Monday on Native America Calling in a special encore presentation, Shawn Spruce talked about the significance of cedar in Native America with Harold Joe (Cowichan First Nation) and Leslie Bland, the directors, producers, and writers of “A Cedar is Life”; Dave Smoke-McCluskey (Mohawk), chef and owner of the Corn Mafia; and Ruben Littlehead (Northern Cheyenne), announcer for the Gathering of Nations Powwow.
Tuesday, December 27, 2022 – Get to know our host Shawn Spruce
Shawn Spruce didn’t start out to be the host of the nation’s premier Native American radio talk show. It just turned out that way. He started hosting in 2021 and officially took over as permanent host this past summer. Tuesday on Native America Calling, senior producer Andi Murphy took us behind the scenes and introduced Shawn to our audience.
Wednesday, December 28, 2022 – Memorable news and current events from 2022
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to entertain a serious threat against the Indian Child Welfare Act, historic elections, in-person apology from a headdress-adorned Pope for past residential school abuses, and a Native woman blasts off to space. Those are among the events that stand out in a memorable year for Native American issues. Wednesday on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce reviewed ’22 with Shaun Griswold (Laguna/Zuni/Jemez), reporter for Source New Mexico; Allison Herrera (Xolon Salinan), Indigenous Affairs reporter at KOSU; journalist Brandi Morin (Cree/Iroquois/French); and Rhonda McBride, news director at our flagship station KNBA.
Thursday, December 29, 2022 – The Native America Calling trivia show
Which federal appeals court sent an ICWA challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court? In how many sports did Jim Thorpe compete? Those are the types of questions you might know the answers to if you’ve been paying attention to Native issues in 2022. Thursday on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce presented the Native American Trivia Show where our listeners can compete for prizes (don’t get too excited) and bragging rights about key events from the year with special guests Debra Krol (enrolled member of the Xolon Salinan Tribe), Indigenous affairs reporter for The Arizona Republic reporting on the intersection of climate, commerce, and culture; Matthew Fletcher (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians), law professor at the University of Michigan Law School and author of the “Turtle Talk” blog; and Vincent Schilling (Akwesasne Mohawk), editor of NativeViewPoint.com and a certified Rotten Tomatoes critic.
Friday, December 30, 2022 – The Menu: tamales and assorted goodness
It’s not the holidays in the Southwest without your favorite tamales or without attending an all-night tamale making party. These delicious, corn-wrapped gifts have origins dating back more than 10,000 years in Mexico. Friday on Native America Calling in the latest helping of The Menu, Andi Murphy talks tamales with chef Neftalí Durán (Mixteco from Oaxaca) and Eric J. Garcia, the artist behind the Tamale Man comic book series. Plus, we check in with Inez Cook (Nuxalk Nation), owner of Salmon n’ Bannock Bistro and Salmon n’ Bannock on the Fly, a brand-new Indigenous restaurant opening at Vancouver International Airport.
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