Monday, May 31, 2021 – “Super Indian” returns
Hubert Logan, Wampum Baggs, Blud Kwan’Tum and the other characters created by Arigon Starr (Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma) are coming back to life in an audio podcast. It’s full circle for the Super Indian cast that started as radio theater in 2006 distributed by Native Voice One. Starr then developed the idea into a graphic novel. Now the enterprising writer, artist and musician revives the Super Indian story with three installments of a streaming audio podcast. We’ll catch up with Starr as she re-introduces the “Super Indian” team. This is an encore show from our recent archives so we won’t take live calls during the show.

Tuesday, June 1, 2021 – Promising steps to increase broadband access
People living on tribal lands can now get up to $75 toward their monthly internet bill thanks to a new program from the Federal Communications Commission. It’s a step towards bridging the gap for Native people when it comes to broadband access. It’s one of several efforts to bring high speed internet to people, especially those living on rural tribal land. The lack of access hurts tribal economies, hinders communication and limits educational opportunities.

Wednesday, June 2, 2021 – New threats to voting rights
The state of Montana eliminated same day registration and put limits on ballot collection. The Native American Rights Fund is among those fighting the law, saying it puts barriers up for Native voters who often live in rural areas. It’s part of a renewed trend to restrict polling places, absentee voting, and mail-in registrations. Critics say they are designed to reduce participation by Native voters and other people of color. We’ll get a look at the latest voting laws and what voting advocates are doing to counter them.

Thursday, June 3, 2021 – What to expect if you are a crime victim
When a crime occurs, you call the police. There are questions, investigations and evidence-collecting. What happens then? Depending on the crime, you may not hear back for days or weeks about the status of the case. Does that mean nobody’s working on it? How much of what we see in TV shows and movies is accurate? We’ll hear about crime scene investigations, jurisdiction, and how crime victims can advocate for themselves to help law enforcement officials succeed.

Friday, June 4, 2021 – Changing the face of Indigenous modeling
A pair of Canadian models started their own modeling agency with the motto, “representation matters.” Supernaturals Modelling has a roster of Native talent and an insider’s perspective of the benefits and drawbacks of the often glamorous and equally often problematic industry. The agency’s co-creator, Joleen Mitton (Cree), says Indigenous models are sometimes subject to racist and insensitive environments. We’ll hear from Indigenous models working of professional modeling.

 

Monday, May 24, 2021 – Small businesses hoping for economic turnaround
The COVID-19 pandemic forced Native small businesses to change tactics and cobble together various loans and government assistance in order to survive. Arts and crafts merchants and food vendors that made it through are cautiously optimistic that the vaccine will help bring back tourism and the in-person events they rely on. We’ll hear from some vendors about their experience through the pandemic and whether things are looking up as safety restrictions loosen.

Tuesday, May 25, 2021 – Sovereignty through cryptocurrency
Investing in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin offer the possibility of high financial rewards. But they also come with high risks. Some tribes are considering adding cryptocurrencies to their portfolios to stake out a place in the volatile market. At least two Native entrepreneurs have developed their own cryptocurrencies—Mazacoin and N8Vcoin. They are among the at least 4,000 cryptocurrencies Investopedia says are currently traded publicly. We’ll get a primer on cryptocurrency and hear about why or why not they are a worthy financial risk.

Wednesday, May 26, 2021 – Update on mining clashes
Members of a Nevada tribe are at odds with a lithium mine proposal that was fast-tracked by the Trump Administration. They’re concerned about damage to environmental and cultural treasures. A federal judge dealt a legal setback for backers of a different mine proposal in Michigan. It’s the second blow in recent months for the Back Forty Mine proposal that is opposed by the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and other tribes. And a Minnesota Supreme Court decision blocks a key part of the PolyMet copper-nickel mine proposal in Minnesota. We’ll hear the status of these and other projects.

Thursday, May 27, 2021 – Book of the Month: “His Hands Upon Me” by Katherine Gottlieb
Resilience and strong faith are two of the cornerstones supporting the dynamic memoir, “His Hands Upon Me” by Katherine Gottlieb, an Alaska Native leader and health and family advocate. She is a member of the Old Harbor Village. She is also a 2004 MacAuthor Fellow. She credits her achievements in life to hard work and dedication and coming to terms with a challenging early life. Our May Book of the Month is a story of breaking the silence on abuse and pushing forward.

Friday, May 28, 2021 – May in the news
Tribes and the state of South Dakota disagree whether tribes were consulted about the upcoming Independence Day fireworks display planned at Mount Rushmore. The U.S. Department of Interior cited tribal concerns as one of the main reasons for rescinding the agreement for the celebration. Also Native civil rights are at the heart of two high-profile legal fights. One is taking aim at Montana’s new voting laws. Another involves a school district cutting a Native student’s hair. We’ll also hear about how Native practices led the way for processing corn into many of the food products we now take for granted.

Monday, May 17, 2021 – Hope for clean water infrastructure
President Joe Biden proposes $111 billion to help solve persistent drinking water access problems, including for tribes. The Water & Tribes Initiative found the Navajo Nation and other tribes in the Colorado River Basin are up to 67 times more likely to lack running water compared to other Americans. Researchers recommend sustainable and comprehensive water projects with assistance from the federal agencies to address the long-standing problem. Biden’s plan offers hope but there’s no guarantee it will get through Congress.

Tuesday, May 18, 2021 – Billions to the rescue
Tribal efforts to fight COVID-19, bolstering the Indian Health Service and tribal housing programs are among the biggest beneficiaries of the federal $31.2 billion coronavirus relief package approved in March. It is the largest chunk of money ever distributed to tribes from Congress. Authors of the bill hope to avoid the confusion from the last relief package over whether for-profit Alaska Native Corporations are eligible. We’ll talk with tribal leaders and others about how this round of funding could offset pandemic health and economic setbacks.

Wednesday, May 19, 2021 – Native in the spotlight: Dr. Pearl Kiyawn Brower
Dr. Pearl Kiyawn Brower (Inupiat) is an education leader in Alaska. She served as president of Iḷisaġvik College, the only tribal college in the state, for more than seven years. She took the job when her child was just six weeks old. In all, she served the college as an administrator for 12 years. She was also in the running to be the chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage. We’ll learn about Brower’s educational journey and her vision to help Native students succeed.

Thursday, May 20, 2021 – Music Maker: Russell Wallace
We turn our musical gaze to the work of Lil’wat artist Russell Wallace. His new album, “Unceded Tongues” is a mix of pop, jazz and blues that’s sure to wake up the senses. It includes tracks that explore the beauty of the St’át’imc language. Much of the album is a tribute to the gifts his ancestors passed on to him, including the words of his mother. We’ll hear how he is blending contemporary sounds with the resilience of his culture.

Friday, May 21, 2021 – Stray dog rescues
Stray or feral dogs are a fixture in many Native communities. They often have to fend for themselves and suffer injuries and mistreatment. With no one responsible for spay and neutering, their populations can get out of hand. But groups like Save Rez Dogs in Canada and Crownpoint Animal House in New Mexico are dedicated to the health and wellbeing of these animals and encouraging positive animal management through community education and advocacy.

Monday, May 10, 2021 – To our mothers
Our mothers are the backbones of Native families and communities. They have the drive to nurture and heal. This year’s Mother’s Day was a particularly sweet one as many families are able to gather again as the COVID-19 threat subsides. We’re honoring Native mothers and thanking them for all they do.

Tuesday, May 11, 2021 – Returning to … normal?
COVID-19 vaccinations are helping lower infection rates. Some tribes are having days with no new infections. Many cities are easing restrictions on public gatherings imposed more than a year ago. Offices, movie theaters and restaurants are all making attempts to bring people back together under one roof. But how close are we to living life like we did before the pandemic? We’ll ask experts about the likely scenarios for returning to work and life following a major public health threat.

Wednesday, May 12, 2021 – Worthy of the hall of fame
Some of the new inductees into the National Native American Hall of Fame this year include entrepreneur Dave Anderson (Chippewa), former U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Northern Cheyenne) and Emil Notti (Athabascan) the first president of the Alaska Federation of Natives. The award is an opportunity to educate the general public about notable Native Americans and their contributions. We’ll talk with the Hall of Fame founders about the importance of the award and what it takes to to make the list.

Thursday, May 13, 2021 – Opportunities arise as marijuana legalization expands
The Eastern Band of Cherokee council legalized medical marijuana on tribal land. Pot is still illegal in the rest of the state. New Mexico recently became the 18th state to legalize recreational cannabis use. Tribes there are exploring options for production and sales of marijuana. Several other tribes and states are on the cusp of opening up marijuana markets. Possessing and using the drug remains a crime under federal law. We’ll get an update on the marijuana industry as tribal economic development.

Friday, May 14, 2021 – Has the pandemic forever changed dating?
Vaccinations, social distance meet-ups, and masks are some of the new required topics for pre-date conversations. Experts recommend having a ‘COVID talk’ with potential partners to make sure each person has the same pandemic comfort level. It’s a new level of awkward—and potentially politically-charged—negotiation in an already tricky social ritual. We’ll hear from singles and dating experts about how to date safely in the pandemic.

Monday, May 3, 2021 – How governments can help solve the missing and murdered crisis
U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Debra Haaland created a new unit to seek justice for missing and murdered Indigenous people. The initiative includes the influx of $5 million to review unsolved cases and coordinate work among other agencies and organizations. Oklahoma just instituted a law that requires coordination among state and federal officials on cases involving missing and murdered Native people. These are among the efforts elected leaders have instituted to try and address the problem. We’ll get a view of what’s showing promise in combating the epidemic taking a toll on Indigenous people in the United States.

Tuesday, May 4, 2021 – Expanding the missing and murdered focus
Many advocates focus on solving the problem of missing and murdered women and girls because they are vulnerable to the prevalent violence and neglect that contributes to the problem. But the missing and murdered efforts are expanding to include other groups. A 2016 study funded by the National Institute of Justice found significantly more Indigenous men are missing than women. Native gay and trans men and women are targets of persecution and exploitation, increasing their chances of falling victim to violence. We’ll take a look at some of the groups and individuals who aren’t as prominent in the effort to raise awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous people.

Wednesday, May 5, 2021 – Those left behind
Each missing and murdered Indigenous person retains a connection to family members, loved ones, and friends. Their absence leaves an empty space in their communities and a lifetime of pain and trauma. Unanswered questions surrounding a missing person or unresolved crime just compound the misery. In this hour, family members of missing and murdered people remember their loved ones and discuss the legacy they are forced to carry.

Thursday, May 6, 2021 – The threat to Indigenous people in Canada and Mexico
Indigenous people all over the world are disproportionately represented among those who are missing or murdered. Canada released a national inquiry into missing and murdered women and others in 2019, calling for major reforms among governments, businesses, advocacy organizations and social service providers. The country likely will not meet the deadline this June for an action plan, but lawmakers just allocated more than $2.2 billion to help Indigenous women. In Mexico, the murder of women is becoming one of the country’s top criminal issues. Lack of funding, corruption and poverty all fuel a growing crisis where few of the murders, especially of Indigenous women, are investigated, much less prosecuted. We’ll take time to look at the Missing and Murdered issue in our neighboring countries.

Friday, May 7, 2021 – Sharing awareness through art and culture
Red dresses hanging in forests and government meeting spaces; Red hand prints on people’s faces and shirts; photo portraits of grieving family members. They are among the artistic expressions that raise awareness of missing and murdered Native people to the general public. The issue is a touchstone for creative individuals. We’ll talk with artists about what draws them to the issue and what effect they hope to have.