Monday, January 31, 2022 – Keeping up with COVID
Do cloth masks work? Does the booster vaccine protect you against Omicron? How long before the next variant is a major threat? There are a lot of questions—and confusing answers—out there as the COVID-19 pandemic heads into its third year. We’ll get updates from Native medical professionals and tribal leaders about the key information to tune into.

Tuesday, February 1, 2022 – The thankless job of a Native referee
The least favorite person on the Rez Ball court is usually the referee. The phrase “c’mon ref!” is just as likely to be heard shouted in exasperation from either side of the bleachers. But there is no one who isn’t glad there is an objective arbiter on the court. As it turns out, in a lot of places, the shortage of Native refs means those willing to put on the striped shirt are stretched thin. They are in such high demand they are paid a premium.

Wednesday, February 2, 2022 – Native influences on African American food
It’s no stretch to find Native influences in many of the defining dishes of African American food in the South—grits, cornbread, beans and barbecue. Southeastern and southern tribes introduced staples, spices and methods that were incorporated by slaves and European settlers alike and grew into a distinctive cultural cuisine.

Thursday, February 3, 2022 – The Decade of Indigenous Languages
This month kicks off the United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages. The declaration aims to raise global awareness of the importance of language and to improve resources, especially for languages most in danger of being lost. To mark the occasion the First Nations Institute released its report highlighting the importance of immersion programs.

Friday, February 4, 2022 – Indigi-Genius
The creator of the first all-Native comic-con brings you a new public television series exploring the contributions of Indigenous knowledge. Dr. Lee Francis IV looks into the scientific basis behind traditional methods for building materials, agriculture, clothing and even cosmetics. We’ll get a glimpse of what’s in store

Monday, January 24, 2022 – Help for Native graduate students
A graduate degree can boost your earning potential and your job prospects. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports people with master’s degrees make an average $13,000 more per year than those with bachelor’s degrees. But getting there takes an enormous time and money commitment. Many Native students consider advanced degrees out of reach. But there are support programs that help Native student pay for and cope with the rigors of graduate school.

Tuesday, January 25, 2022 — Revamping tourism in Hawaii
Ah, Hawaii… sunny beaches, hotel resorts and swimming with dolphins. Hawaii is a major vacation destination…and that’s a problem, according to Native Hawaiians who are fed up with the relentless invasion of visitors. Crowds of outsiders and the pollution and lack of cultural understanding they bring are a constant sore spot. The governor of Hawaii and the Hawaii Tourism Authority are looking revamp tourism. They hope to attract more mindful visitors who might help clean up and care for the land. We’ll talk with locals about tourism’s effects on land and culture in Hawaii and whether re-branding is enough.

Wednesday, January 26, 2022 — Rethinking ‘Australia Day’
Much like Columbus Day in the United States, ‘Australia Day’ marks the start of colonial oppression. It’s a holiday celebrating the establishment of the first British colony in 1788. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders call this day ‘Invasion Day’ because, for them, the narrative is filled with conflict, massacre, forced assimilation and land theft. We’ll discuss the history and lasting legacy of colonization in Australia and rethinking the prevailing message of Australia Day.

Thursday, January 27, 2022 – Addressing generational trauma in 2022
Generational trauma is woven into the fabric of Native life. It comes from ancestors and elders experiencing violence, and the loss of land, language and culture. Those feelings of grief and depression are passed down in myriad ways to newer generations. So what does it take to stop the cycle of generational trauma? Programs like the Freedom Lodge and many others aim to help people recognize the counter the harmful manifestations of trauma. We’ll talk with program leaders about the work they do and how the new Native generations are addressing generational trauma.

Friday, January 28, 2022 — The Menu: Indigenous food news
A resurgence of COVID-19 is wreaking new havoc on the restaurant industry but that’s not stopping some of the toughest, long-standing Native establishments from closing. Also, the United States Department of Agriculture is working with a handful of Native non-profits to promote food sovereignty. Those are among the topics covered in our regular food feature, “The Menu.”

Monday, January 17, 2022 – The Native perspective on Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King often included Native people in his push to end racial oppression and segregationist policies. His monumental efforts to change the course of history built a foundation that Native Americans continue to build on. As we mark the federal holiday, we’ll reflect on the progress and setbacks since his historic civil rights fight.

Tuesday, January 18, 2022 – Building your financial foundation for 2022
If you’ve been putting it off, January is a good time to prepare your financial goals for the coming year. Also, it’s never too early to start preparing your annual tax forms. We’ll talk about some financial steps you can take to get yourself ready for 2022.

Wednesday, January 19, 2022 – Remembering Clyde Bellecourt
Clyde Bellecourt is among the handful of true giants of the American Indian Movement. He devoted his life to challenging injustices and building a more equitable world for Native Americans. From his early years patrolling the streets of Minneapolis to curb police brutality against Native residents, to his work helping establish job, education and health centers, Bellecourt formed a foundation that all Native people can now stand on.

Thursday, January 20, 2022 – Documenting Native progress and needs
The Indigenous Futures Survey is entering its third year. In that time it has been the most comprehensive data set for Native priorities, opinions and perspectives ever collected. The most recent survey counted more than 6,500 Native respondents. The results inform federal policy decisions and paint a more accurate picture of the issues important to Native people. We’ll review the contributions of the Indigenous Futures project and get a look at what else is in store.

Friday, January 21, 2022 – Native filmmakers at Sundance Film Festival
A Karuk girl embarks on a journey with her tribe’s revived coming of age ceremony; exploring the connection of creative expression balanced with Cherokee tradition, language and land; a Kanaka Maoli perspective of the nearly 40 minutes in 2014 when Hawaii residents were under what they could only assume was a credible threat of a ballistic missile attack. Those are among the films utilizing Native filmmakers recognized at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.

Monday, January 3, 2022 – Is social media a threat to sacred places?
People think nothing these days of snapping selfies and sharing it with their followers on social media. But that can be problematic for both non-Native and Native people on tribal land or in places considered sacred. Tribes have a variety of rules and guidelines to help protect places from unwanted exposure. We’ll learn what works and what doesn’t when it comes to social media on tribal land. That’s coming up right after the news.

Tuesday, January 4, 2022 – Oklahoma’s McGirt: the complicated path to sovereignty
The 2020 U-S Supreme Court decision related to the McGirt criminal conviction is forcing significant changes in Oklahoma. State officials describe the scenario as ‘chaos’. In asserting their sovereignty, tribes say the state’s reactions are more than exaggerated. Still, there are a lot of details to be worked out, almost all through the courts. There’s a chance the Supreme Court could reconsider its previous decision.

Wednesday, January 5, 2022 – Fixing Passamaquoddy’s drinking water problem
Some residents of the Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point Reservation have either hauled water or used bottled water for years, even decades. The tribe’s water source is a lake that members say is unsafe despite tests show that it is largely within federal limits. Tribal leaders say a long-term solution requires a change to a 1980 law that limits the tribe’s ability to acquire land where the tribe could establish wells.

Thursday, January 6, 2022 – Yurok’s MMIW emergency
In response to ongoing tragedies and increased reports of human trafficking attempts, the Yurok Tribe declared a missing and murdered Indigenous women emergency. Tribal officials intend to raise awareness in an attempt to fight statistics that Native women are trafficked at disproportionate rates and murders of Native women are much more likely to go unsolved.

Friday, January 7, 2022 – Sooyii: Blackfeet language film sets a new standard
The tragedy of a contagious disease set against the dramatic backdrop of Montana’s Blackfeet reservation, Sooyii tells a story of resilience in the face of devastating loss. With a dialogue entirely in the Blackfeet language, Sooyii is also an exercise in language revitalization.

Monday, December 27, 2021 – The Menu: wrapping up a year in Indigenous food
They don’t call this an Indigenous food movement for nothing. Every year, Native food warriors are taking bigger strides creating a wholesome Native food system, one based on tradition and culture and supported by today’s markets, media and palate. 2021 included Native restaurant openings, new food businesses, cookbook releases and tribes fighting to protect traditional resources from a variety of threats. We’ll review 2021 in Indigenous food and discuss the trajectory of this culinary movement.

Tuesday, December 28, 2021 – The full picture of California’s missions
For the longest time, history books and local festivals celebrated California’s missions with pride. But the missions have another legacy when it comes to that state’s Indigenous people that includes slavery, abuse, disease and massacres that cut the Native population to a fifth of what it was. We’ll find out how California is coming to grips with its past treatment of Native people.

Wednesday, December 29, 2021 – Triumph, heartbreak and bareback horse relay racing
The documentary film, “Pure Grit,” follows a young champion as she competes in the exhilarating and dangerous sport of horse relay racing. It’s more than a movie about competition; With visuals of both breakneck action and quiet, kitchen table confessions, it delves into the personal successes and setbacks of rider Sharmaine Weed and her family on the Wind River Reservation.

Thursday, December 30, 2021 – Woodstock remembered
A group of young Native artists received VIP treatment leading up to what became the storied event starting on August 15, 1969. They were excited to offer their work to a new East Coast audience and take in the impressive line-up of musical acts. But they were in for a big surprise as the adventure on Max Yasgur’s farm in New York took on a life of its own and became a historic gathering. We’ll get remembrances from those who were there and what the experience means to them now.

Friday, December 31, 2021 – Music Maker in Review
We celebrate a great year in Native music. We touched in with old favorites like Keith Secola, established artists like PIQSIQ taking their connection to culture to new frontiers, and up-and-coming talents like Ailani making connections with new audiences. We’ll take a look at the last 12 months of outstanding Native talent.

Monday, December 20, 2021 – Finding foreign markets
From seafood to information technology to staffing consultation, tribes are finding additional markets in foreign countries. Businesses are always working to expand their customer base and tribes are uniquely positioned to capitalize on international expansion. We’ll find out what goods and services are in demand outside the U.S.

Tuesday, December 21, 2021 – Prosthetics: a step toward healing
Many tribes believe people enter the world whole and leave the world in the same way. But, because of injuries or disease, limb amputations are part of healing. Prosthetics offer better mobility and a way to manage daily tasks. We’ll discuss the high tech advancements for prosthetics and the benefits they provide for the people who need them.

Wednesday, December 22, 2021 – Solar Sovereignty
“Solar warriors” are touting the benefits to tribes of solar power, both as economic development and as a sustainable energy solution. For some rural tribal areas, solar power is the best alternative compared to getting connected to the grid.

Thursday, December 23, 2021 – 2022: resolutions for a better year.
A year ago at the height of the pandemic, your resolution for the coming year might have included getting out more, maybe seeing a live band with a crowd of other vaccinated fans. The expectation that we’d see the end of the pandemic never materialized. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t looking forward to a healthier, more social 2022.

Friday, December 24, 2021 – ‘Nets’: making waves on the basketball court in southeast Alaska
The documentary film ‘Alaska Nets’ follows the quest by a pair of athletes from Alaska’s only reservation. It premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival and focuses on the two main concerns in these young mens’ lives: basketball and salmon fishing. We’ll hear about the film and get a glimpse of life on the remote island of Metlakatla. This is an encore show so we will not be taking live phone calls.