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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Monday, December 12, 2022 – Protections and threats for LGBTQ2 Native Americans

The Colorado Springs shooting and the passage of The Respect for Marriage Act present competing narratives about public acceptance of LGBTQ2 people. Monday on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce checked in with Alray Nelson (Diné), lead organizer for Diné Equality and executive director for Navajo Nation Pride; writer, musician, activist, and artist Miko Thomas aka Landa Lakes (Chickasaw); Sergio Ruark (Huaylas Quechua Nation), this year’s Mr. Montana Two-Spirit; and Professor Chris Finley (Colville Confederated Tribes), assistant professor of American and Ethnic Studies at the University of Southern California.

Tuesday, December 13, 2022 – COP15: Largest land grab in history?

The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity warns Indigenous priorities may not be heard or heeded at the COP15 UN Biodiversity Conference that just got underway in Montreal. They worry the direction of the new set of international conservation goals could set up “the largest land grab in history”. Tuesday on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce took us inside this major event with Ta’Kaiya Blaney (Tla’Amin First Nation), environmental activist, actor, singer-songwriter, and speaker; Rochelle Diver (Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe), NDN Collective Changemaker and international Indigenous rights consultant; and Thomas Joseph (Hoopa), carbon pricing organizer for the Indigenous Environmental Network.

Wednesday, December 14, 2022 – 45th Lakota Nation Invitational: sports, culture, and education

The 45th annual Lakota Nation Invitational (LNI) in Rapid City, SD is underway and hundreds of Native athletes are not letting a little winter storm get in their way. What started as a basketball tournament in 1977 is now a not-to-be-missed five-day event that includes multiple sports including wresting, volleyball, and cheerleading and cultural competitions for hand games, language, and archery. Wednesday on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce talks with Chuck Wilson (Lakota from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe), president of the board for LNI; Bryan Brewer (Oglala Lakota from Pine Ridge), founder and director of LNI; Kellee Brewer (Oglala Lakota), coordinator of the Cheerleading championship at LNI; and Corey Yellowboy (Oglala Lakota), coordinator of the Lakota Language Bowl at LNI, about the evolution and importance of this event.

Thursday, December 15, 2022 – The cost of climate change

The village of Newtok, AK is losing its battle with climate change. The thawing permafrost is giving up as much as 70 feet of land every year that the Newtok residents called home. The effort to move residents is ongoing, but slow. The village is one of nearly a dozen Native communities that will receive federal climate change relocation money. The total allocation is $135 million. Thursday on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce talks with officials from tribes that are relocating or in the planning stages to find new homes under the very real threats of climate change.

Friday, December 16, 2022 – The year in Native film

2022 was a strong year for features films, documentaries and shorts produced by Native filmmakers, relied on Native talent, or focused on Native issues. From mainstream releases like Hulu’s “Prey” to poignant documentaries like “Daughter of a lost bird”, films with Native stories hit a high mark. Friday on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce looks back at some of the films you may have seen and some you might have missed from the past year.

 

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