Monday, September 13, 2021 – Water shortages for tribes along the Colorado River
Low water levels are forcing federal officials to cut the Colorado River’s water supply for the first time in history. In addition to supplying water to several major cities, it’s a source of drinking water and an agricultural resource for more than 30 tribes. Those tribes also have spiritual connections to the Colorado. We’ll talk with tribes about how they are coping with two decades of extreme drought and how they’re preparing for a drier future.

Tuesday, September 14, 2021 – Honoring the work of Native journalists
The nation’s premier Native journalist’s organization is marking the best of their craft from the past year. The honors by the Native American Journalists Association include Navajo Times CEO and publisher Tom Arviso and the staff of Haskell Indian Nations University student newspaper, among many others. We’ll review some of the recent major achievements in Native journalism.

Wednesday, September 15, 2021 – Rethinking Native pageant royalty
Summer pageants and fairs offer a chance for young Native women to represent their nations as royalty. They carry a title and a platform to educate and inform others about important issues and their culture. At the same time, the ‘Indian Princess’ label brings with it a number of problematic stereotypes that don’t fully reflect Native women’s strength, beauty and intelligence. We’ll talk about redefining pageants and the ways Native women exemplify poise, strength and use the platform to shine a positive light on their communities and inspire others to pursue their goals and dreams.

Thursday, September 16, 2021 – The Indigenous connection to Mexican Independence Day
September 16th is a national holiday in Mexico, but it doesn’t mark the day the country achieved independence from Spain. It commemorates the day a revered priest rallied his townspeople with his Cry of Independence. The country’s Indigenous people were instrumental in the battles that followed, as they fought to get out from under Spain’s oppressive caste system. We’ll get the history and explore the role of Indigenous Mexicans in this important commemoration.

Friday, September 17, 2021 – The First Americans Museum debuts
After years of start-and-stop planning and construction, the First Americans Museum of Oklahoma is opening to the public. The 175,000 square foot facility and grounds in Oklahoma City house theaters, art galleries, multimedia narratives, restaurants and space for powwows and concerts. It honors the state’s 39 tribes, and incorporates state-of-the-art technology to provide an accurate and appropriate portrayal of Native culture to the public.

Monday, September 6, 2021 – Innovative ideas for addressing Native homelessness
Homelessness is an unfortunate reality for a disproportionate number of Native Americans, especially in urban areas. Some tribes are having some success with ‘tiny homes’ as one solution. The Menominee tribe recently completed tiny home village on their reservation in Wisconsin. The Puyallup Tribe is planning a similar project in Tacoma. The homes with a small footprint and lower costs than conventional sized dwellings, but they are not always welcomed by surrounding neighborhoods. (This is an encore show so we won’t be taking live listener phone calls)

Tuesday, September 7, 2021 – Ready when disaster strikes
Tribes in Louisiana are assessing damage, checking in with citizens and cleaning up their communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. The Category 4 hurricane that swept through Gulf Coast states also cut power to millions of people. In the Southwest, flash flooding turned fatal on the Hopi reservation. When disaster strikes, tribes have to be ready to mobilize response teams, work with surrounding jurisdictions, render aid to community members and help the rebuilding process. We’ll check in with tribal emergency management experts about current disaster zones and how far emergency preparedness can go at home and in the community.

Wednesday, September 8, 2021 – Indigenous fashion showcase
This year’s fashion show at Santa Fe Indian Market was a reminder of just how hot Indigenous fashion is. The show put on by the Southwest Association for Indian Arts featured Anishinaabe florals, bold formline prints, layers of ribbon and custom Native jewelry. We’ll celebrate Indigenous fashion with designers and take a look at how international partnerships are shaping up for more glamorous shows and collections.

Thursday, September 9, 2021 – The Delta variant, COVID-19 booster vaccines and reinstating safety measures
In a state with a vaccination rate of just 44 percent, the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma reports a tribal employee rate of more than 70 percent. More than 90 percent of eligible tribal members in Virginia have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In states with low vaccination rates and high COVID resurgence numbers, many tribes are far outpacing their non-tribal neighbors and adhering to safety guidelines. We’ll hear from health experts and tribal leaders about the messages that are connecting with tribal citizens.

Friday, September 10, 2021 – “Exposure” art exhibit voices nuclear frustrations
Indigenous artists from North America and beyond document their relationships with nuclear testing and uranium contamination in their homelands in “Exposure: Native Art and Political Ecology,” an exhibit at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We’ll speak with curators and artists about the exhibit that combines frustration with the power of artistic expression.

 

Monday, August 23, 2021 – Minnesota protectors lay it on the Line 3
Opponents of the Line 3 oil pipeline across Minnesota continue to work to halt construction. Tribes, environmental groups and celebrities continue to devote considerable energy against the project that Enbridge Energy, the company backing the pipeline, says is more than 80 percent complete. Potential environmental disasters, inadequate tribal consultation, and further reliance on a climate changing energy source are all issues in the mix. The company says the project offers thousands of local jobs and a safer alternative to the aging existing pipeline.

Tuesday, August 24, 2021 – What‘s behind the record jump in Native populations?
The release of 2020 data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows significant increases in the country’s Native populations. All multiracial groups gained percentages compared to the overall population. In the ten years since 2010, the number of people the Census categorizes as American Indian and Alaska Natives increased from 5.2 million to 9.7 million. The population jump has implications for things like congressional and legislative districts. It also affects representation in civic engagement and resource distribution. We’ll find out the possible causes for the increase and what it means for the future.

Wednesday, August 25, 2021– Music Maker: Qacung
Qacung aka Stephen Blanchet is out with his first solo album, “Miu.” In it, we hear about his love for First Alaskans. It’s celebration of jazz, R&B and the traditional sounds and Indigenous language fill each track with soulful fun, something that stems from Qacung’s many years with his group Pamyua. Now, he is telling his own story of love, loss and place. It’s also dedicated to the ancestors and, as he says, the future of Alaska Natives to come.

Thursday, August 26, 2021 – The helping hand that gets us through hard times
Native Nations have been hit hard by COVID-19. There is the toll of lost loved ones and the economic devastation that is still far from recovered. Out of hardship, however, comes hope. Many individuals, organizations and grassroots groups continue to step up. Giving and helping those in need are key values among many tribes. During the pandemic, giving or getting a helping hand is more important than ever. We’ll talk with representatives of Native organizations and grassroots groups who’ve been instrumental in giving during the pandemic.

Friday, August 27, 2021 – Legal and cultural barriers derail efforts to protect sacred places
Certain hills, mountains, valleys, forests and rivers are among some of the most sacred spaces for Indigenous culture and spirituality. They are included in creation stories. They include places like Oak Flat, San Francisco Peak, the Grand Canyon, South Mountain and the Blythe Intaglios. But many of those places are not controlled by tribes. They fight to protect sacred places from local and federal governments, private landowners and resource development companies. A series of articles by the Arizona Republic finds Western laws about land ownership and what is considered sacred stacks the deck against tribal interests. We’ll hear about the series and from some of the people who continue to work toward protecting sacred land.

 

Monday, August 16, 2021 – Limiting Indigenous history in schools
South Dakota’s Department of Education drastically reduced the number of references to Oceti Sakowin in school social studies standards recommended by a working group of educators, public officials and parents. That would limit lessons on important concepts like treaties, the development of the state’s reservations and key historical figures. At the same time, tribes in Montana are suing the state for failing to adequately comply with a constitutional mandate to integrate Indigenous lessons into public education.

Tuesday, August 17, 2021 – A new round of Native stories on film
Native filmmakers from more than two dozen tribes are ready working on a number of film projects. When finished, the documentaries, short films and episodic series supported by Vision Maker Media will broadcast on PBS. The subjects include Native doctors working through the COVID-19 pandemic, the decline of wild salmon, traditional fire management and confronting gender norms. We’ll hear from filmmakers and representatives from Vision Maker Media about the projects and the power of Native documentary film.

Wednesday, August 18, 2021 – Is a normal school year ahead?
Native students are heading back into classrooms. After more than a year of forced distance learning and canceled events because of the pandemic, there was some excitement about resuming regular K-12 and post-secondary classes. But new COVID-19 variants and inconsistent vaccinations and mask-wearing requirements prompt concern and confusion as the school year starts.

Thursday, August 19, 2021 – The resilience of Native culture
Native people across the country are learning to adjust to life in the pandemic after a bumpy road this past year. Over the next two days, we’re going to be lifting up Indigenous people, culture, and traditions. We’re bringing in Native artists to reflect on the hardship of the pandemic, talk about the resiliency of Indigenous people, and shine a bright light on the future. Hundreds of artists from Native Nations are gathering in Santa Fe, New Mexico for markets, events and festivals featuring arts and crafts, food, fashion, music, film and more.

Friday, August 20, 2021 – Indigenous arts and the lingering pandemic
It’s a big week coming up in the Native arts world. The largest assembly of Native artists is resuming in Santa Fe on a limited scale. The Santa Fe Indian Market was an online-only event last year because of the pandemic. A number of other in-person events are also scheduled, all featuring the talents of Native artists, many of whom lost their primary or supplemental incomes over the last year. We’ll get a look at what’s in store and hear from artists who had to find creative ways to stay afloat.