Monday, February 1, 2016 — The school-to-prison pipeline for Native youth
More and more studies are exposing educational practices that work against minority students’ success. Civil rights advocates say disparities in school punishment contribute to higher incarceration rates later in life for Native Americans, Blacks and Latinos.  They call it the school-to-prison pipeline.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016 – Art fraud
Fake Native American art is typically made with inferior materials and stolen designs. It can be hard for the untrained eye to detect, but it undercuts the livelihoods and legitimacy of true Native American artists. What questions should consumers ask sellers when purchasing jewelry?

Wednesday, February 03, 2016 – February Music Maker: Digawolf
The First Nations band, Digawolf, embraces the diverse cultural landscape of Canada’s Northwest Territories. The band blends tradition with new world alternative rock. Vocalist and lead guitarist Dzǫetsè aka Jesse James Gon from the Tlicho First Nation is our guest.

Thursday, February 4, 2016 — Indigenous at the Sundance Film Festival
Six indigenous film makers debuted works at the Sundance Film Festival that just wrapped up. They include an animated short film, a light-hearted feature about a man and his nephew, and a drama about a rootless woman who makes a life-changing choice.

Friday, February 5, 2016 – Clemency for Leonard Peltier?
The International Leonard Peltier Defense Committee is mounting another campaign to convince President Barack Obama to grant Peltier clemency before he leaves office. Peltier was convicted of murdering two FBI agents in 1977. He was denied parole in 2009. February 6^th is the International Day of Solidarity with Leonard Peltier.

Monday, January 25, 2016 — Missing More Than School
Missing school affects more than a student’s attendance record. It can hamper success in school and everything that comes after. Studies show Native American students have the highest rates of school absenteeism. Why are Native kids missing so many days of school?

Tuesday, January 26, 2016 — Traumatic Brain Injuries
Violence, car crashes and other accidents are causing traumatic brain injuries in Native Americans at a higher rate than other groups. Is there a way to slow the trend?

Wednesday, January 27, 2016 – January in the News
A militia group in Oregon continues its stand-off near Burns Paiute tribal land, President Obama’s State of the Union Address, the counterpart from the National Congress of American Indians, and more Native American issues at the U.S. Supreme Court. These topics and sports are on our monthly news round up.

Thursday, January 28, 2016 – Where are all the Native television shows?
Canada is airing an enviable number of TV shows produced by and starring aboriginal talent. The shows aren’t available on regular U.S. television. But the push is on to get U.S. distributors like Comcast to carry Aboriginal Peoples Television Network.

Friday, January 29, 2016 – January Book of the Month: “The Beginning and End of Rape” by Sarah Deer
Native scholar and author Sarah Deer’s new book opens up the dialogue on the effects of sexual violence in Native nations and how tribes can seek redress and make their communities safer. “The Beginning and End of Rape: Confronting Sexual Violence in Native America” is our January Book of the Month.

Monday, January 18, 2016 — Glaucoma treatments are in sight
The Glaucoma Research Foundation counts more than 3 million Americans with the disease. Many people don’t know they have it at first because its progression is so slow and subtle at first. That’s why it’s called “the sneak thief of sight.” January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month—and officials urge Native Americans to get checked.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016 – January Music Maker: Danny T and the Stealing Thunder Band
The debut album from Danny T and the Stealing Thunder Band, is—as they say—heavy on the guitar. “Fantasyland” offers blues and rock melodies filled with relatable lyrics about life and love. The band reflects everyday life including the tangled world of social media. Danny T and the Stealing Thunder Band is the first Music Maker of 2016.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016 – Cultural Exploitation and the Boy Scouts
A La Junta, Colorado Boy Scout troop calls their performance “Winter Night Dances.” The Hopi Office of Cultural Preservation calls it cultural exploitation. Boy Scout Troop 232 maintain it’s a “misunderstanding” that they’ll be able to clear up once the Boy Scouts can convey the “respect for their solemnity, dignity and cultural significance” in staging the sacred dances.

Thursday, January 21, 2016 – Effigy Mounds in Danger
Lawmakers in Wisconsin propose opening up protected effigy mounds to the possibility of mining and other development. The mounds are considered sacred by the Ho-Chunk and many other tribes. The bill would allow excavation unless there’s evidence of human remains. Hundreds of protesters helped persuade legislators to put the brakes on the Wisconsin Landowner Rights Act—for now.

Friday, January 22, 2016 — Wine in Native America
Fruity notes, citrus accents and a woody finish. If those descriptions sound familiar then you know about the artistic pursuit of making wine. From Mihila Kawna Wines in California to the Native Vines Winery in North Carolina several tribes are getting into the business and they’re producing some of the best-tasting wine money can buy.

Monday, January 11, 2016 – Fighting for land
The protesters occupying the federal wildlife headquarters near Burns, Oregon say the militia stand-off is over the federal government’s control over land. We’ll get a Native perspective on the history of control over land and showdowns with federal authorities.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016 – Infrastructure of e-commerce
E-commerce experts say online enterprises offer promise for tribal economic development. People use online services every day. Think about Amazon or Netflix. But there are several hurdles that keep many tribes from cashing in. One of the key problems is the lack of broadband infrastructure.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016 – A bridge to healthier communities
How are Community Health Representatives creating healthier communities? The CHR program started in the 1960s to provide a bridge between medical providers and American Indian and Alaska Native patients. CHRs give rides to appointments, provide healthy lifestyle education, and offer a wide variety of other services.

Thursday, January 14, 2016 – The making of “The Revenant”
The film, The Revenant, is a gritty survival and revenge story inspired by the real life 19th Century frontiersman Hugh Glass. We talk to some of the Native American actors from the film about their experiences and how they view the final product.

Friday, January 15, 2016 – State of Indian Nations
Child safety, education, and tribal energy are among the priorities the National Congress of American Indians listed for 2015. NCAI President Brian Cladoosby delivers the 2016 State of Indian Nations Address to provide an update on where the issues important to tribes stand.

Monday, January 4, 2016 – The Fairbanks Four
Four Alaska men are free after a judge vacated their murder convictions. The settlement last month came after the men, known as the Fairbanks Four, spent 18 years in prison. Now that they’re out from behind bars, though, many questions remain.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016 – Genetically Engineered Salmon
It could be a solution to help feed a hungry world. Or at least that’s what supporters say about the first genetically altered animal to receive FDA approval for human consumption. But opponents call the salmon “Frankenfish.” The Yurok Tribe in California banned GMO salmon and all genetically altered food from its land.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016 – Slipping Through the Safety Net
Winter exposes the gaps in the network of services set up to catch our most vulnerable residents. In Gallup, New Mexico, 17 people died from exposure last year. What do cities need to do to eliminate exposure deaths? Which cities have found solutions?

Thursday, January 7, 2016 – Getting a Financial Grip in 2016
What are some of the basics for making the most of our personal finances. How hard it is to make and stick to a monthly budget? We will offer simple advice for both beginners and advanced home accountants to help you make 2016 the most profitable year possible.

Friday, January 8, 2016 — Native Butchering Ways
Packages of beef, pork and chicken are typically processed in large factory-like facilities and wrapped in plastic before we ever see them. In Native America, butchering is an important skill passed on by elders. Some tribes have specific prayers, songs and methods during butchering.  Some tribes are working to revive the fading craft.

Monday, December 28, 2015 — Star Stories in Native America
In Native America, the stars are more than sparkly lights in the night sky. They reveal our origin stories, hero stories or moral teachings. We’re telling star stories and discussing why the stars are important for those of us on Earth.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015 – December in the News
President Obama signed a $1.8 trillion  spending bill, avoiding a shutdown. The Fairbanks Four convictions were thrown out. And a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act. These stories and more are up for discussion as well as a look back at the best and worst headlines in 2015.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015 — Tribal Courts and the Dollar General Case
An alleged sexual assault of a Choctaw teenager in a Dollar General store on the reservation, turned into a high-profile Supreme Court case. In Dollar General Corporation v. Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the petitioners argue tribal courts can’t provide a fair and do not have jurisdiction. A decision by the Supreme Court could have a far-reaching effect on tribal sovereignty and the power of tribal courts.

Thursday, December 31, 2015 – 2015 Walked On
On this last day of the year, we’ll take another look at the leaders, artists and other significant people who we lost. This is our day to reflect on the accomplishments and inspirations of those who will remain in our memories. It’s a powerful hour of reflection with expert advice for everyone about ways to handle grief. Who would you like to remember in 2015?

Friday, January 1, 2016 – The Year in Review
We’re looking ahead to the new year, but first we want to remember what came before. Here’s your opportunity to recall some of the most inspiring, aggravating and entertaining moments of 2015. Our staff hand picked some of the most memorable moments of the year and distilled them into an hour of reflection and reminiscence.

Monday, December 21, 2015—Climate Change
Nearly 200 nations agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions at the COP 21 summit in Paris this month. We will talk to members of the Indigenous delegation to Paris and hear their perspectives on how this agreement saves the world. Or at least tilts in the right direction.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015 — Holiday Dishes: Help Me in The Kitchen!
Grapefruit in a casserole. Fish soup full of scales and bones. Yes, those are kitchen disasters confessions from Studio 49. Tomorrow we’re getting some kitchen help from two guest chefs. Share your disaster stories or just ask food questions.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015 — String Games and Figures 
For some tribes, winter means it’s time to take out the string. Choreographed finger movements weave strings into intricate figures and designs—stars, animals, heroes and tricksters. How does your tribe use string figures? What’s your favorite string game?

Thursday, December 24, 2015 — Best and Worst Gifts 
We take our annual look at people’s personal experiences with giving and receiving. We hear from our listeners about memorable gifts–from white elephants to cherished keepsakes.

Friday, December 25, 2015 — Best of Music Makers 2015
We take a look back at 2015 through the music. You’ll hear the voices of some of the musicians that graced our airwaves this year.

Monday, November 30, 2015 — November in the News
Montana Democrat Denise Juneau (Mandan Hidatsa) sets her sights on Congress, tribes find the marijuana business is not so cut-and-dried, and students of color fight to improve their campuses. These are some of the big news items we’ll take a look at during the hour.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015 — Trafficked: In And Out of Native America
In Native America the picture for victims of sex trafficking remains bleak.  South Dakota is benefitting from a crackdown on the worst offenders, but former U.S. attorney Brendan Johnson notes “Native Americans are a disproportionate percentage of victims.” We’re focusing on what tribes, states and advocates are doing to keep Natives safe from traffickers.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015 — Basketball: The Heartbeat of Indian Country
A basketball bouncing on a gym’s hardwood floor fuels a sense of Native pride almost as much as the sound of a drum does. How did this sport make its way into the heart of Indian Country? Did you play?

Thursday, December 3, 2015 – Learning Native Languages
The project “Rising Voices/Hótȟaŋiŋpi” examines the struggle to learn the Lakota language. Are you worried the most basic tools of communication for your ancestors are disappearing? What does it take to really learn the tongue of your people?

Friday, December 4, 2015 – Dams
The Garrison Dam in North Dakota, constructed in 1947, flooded one fourth of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation’s land base. In 2011, the Lower Elwah Klallam Tribe celebrated the removal of the Elwah Dam. A recent dam break in Brazil caused 11 deaths and another 12 people are missing. Should we take a second look at the dams in Native America?