Monday, March 21, 2022 – Tribally run cancer treatment
Native Americans are much more likely to get certain cancers than the rest of the population. Cultural and geographic separations are two major factors that could determine life or death when it comes to cancer treatment. Congress just approved $8 million in federal money to expand a tribally run cancer treatment center on the Navajo Nation. It’s an acknowledgement of the higher prevalence of cancer there and the disparity in treatment on the reservation.

Tuesday, March 22, 2022 – Notable moments on screen
As the Academy Awards show approaches, audiences are catching up on the nominees and weighing in on their top movies of the year. Native talent is largely absent from this year’s Oscars, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some standout work on screens. We’ll go over the media that has Native audiences buzzing.

Wednesday, March 23, 2022 – Where to store nuclear waste?
After decades of legal and political battles have pushed Nevada’s Yucca Mountain out of discussion as the permanent nuclear waste repository. But that means tribes like the Prairie Island Indian Community and the Yakima Nation in Washington will have to endure nearby waste storage at temporary holding sites nearby.

Thursday, March 24, 2022 – Pivot art exhibition: balancing traditional and contemporary
Native inspired graphics and images are at the heart of the new art exhibition, “Pivot”, at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque. What’s different is the images are all on skateboard decks. The creators of the show say it melds together the resilient Native work adapted to a decidedly non-Native medium.

Friday, March 25, 2022 – The Menu: fishing rights, a reality TV star and Native food instructional videos
Chef Pyet DeSpain takes cooking to the Next Level, Tulalip citizens are cleared of illegal shellfish trafficking, and a Midwest tribal consortium gets funding to create cultural instructional videos. Those are some of the food highlights that are on the Menu.

Monday, March 14, 2022 – Tax season woes: tax form avoidance and IRS backlog
As this year’s tax filing deadline approaches, millions of people are still waiting for refunds from the IRS from last year. That’s because a staff shortage and complications from the pandemic have created a massive backlog at the IRS. The agency is hiring thousands of people in the coming weeks to help, but relief might still be a ways off. We’ll have insights into the problem and tips to make the most of your tax forms.

Tuesday, March 15, 2022 – Native American solidarity with Ukraine
Ukraine is a distant Eastern European foreign land. But the invasion by Russia has awakened a sense of solidarity around the world. One expression of support comes from brightly colored headscarves called ‘kokum’ that First Nations tribes traded with Ukrainian immigrants. The scarves extended to tribes well beyond Canada. Many tribes are also expressing support for Ukraine, citing parallels for remaining resilient in the face of aggression for an outside invader.

Wednesday, March 16, 2022 – The continuing Russian influence in Alaska
As Russia works to forcibly annex a neighboring country, it’s instructive to recount its checkered history among Alaska Natives. Russian explorers in the early 18th Century cleared the path for a period of influence that continues today. Alaskan landmarks still bear the names of early Russian settlers and the Russian Orthadox religion remains a touchstone for villages. We’ll get a better understanding of Russian expansion into Alaska and what it means today.

Thursday, March 17, 2022 – A transcontinental link between Native Americans and Ireland
This St. Patrick’s Day we explore the historic links between Ireland and Native Americans – from mutual aid during times of crisis to their shared battle against colonization and the extended trauma that comes with it. We’ll also get a preview of a new musical that tells the story of a Navajo man seeking out his Irish heritage.

Friday, March 18, 2022 – Everything costs more
Affording the basics is becoming harder every day as inflation continues to creep higher. Add to that, the rising costs for gas and lingering supply-chain breakdowns. And a new study reminds us that people of color pay a steeper cost during economic hard times than the rest of the population. We’ll examine where and how inflation is surfacing. We’ll also point out some hopeful signs that put the current financial concerns in context.