Monday, July 20, 2020 – Local sports during a global pandemic
Colleges and high schools across the country have already cancelled upcoming sports activities because of the coronavirus pandemic. That puts thousands of young Native athletes on the bench and cuts out a key Friday night social event for even more Native sports fans. We’ll talk about what athletic programs are doing to state of Native sports while gyms and schools are closed because of the coronavirus.

Tuesday, July 21, 2020 – COVID-19 disparities
In hotspots for COVID-19 around the United States, Native people make up a disproportionate percentage of infections. This is especially true in the Southwest, where Native American residents significantly outnumber other populations who test positive for the coronavirus. In addition, a new report finds young people of color experience social conditions that put them at greater risk if they contract COVID-19. We’ll take a look at some of the factors that contribute to increased Native representation among those who are infected and how some tribes are working to turn it around.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020 – Accessing dental care
Dentists adhering to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations are prioritizing the most critical dental needs during the pandemic. But a good portion of dental care is prevention, like regular cleanings and check-ups. In some remote areas of Native America, dentists are in short supply. Some programs are training people to step in as dental health aides to fill in gaps in dental care. We’ll hear from experts about what Native people can expect as they work to access dental care.

Thursday, July 23, 2020 – Waiting for the return of He Sápa
The Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 explicitly provides the land that encompasses the Black Hills in South Dakota to the tribes that make up the Great Sioux Nation. The U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed that fact in 1980. The federal government still retains control over the land after seizing it when gold was discovered. Now, more than $1 billion is set aside in a trust to buy the land from the tribes, who say it’s not for sale. The land continues to reap profits for the government and for the companies allowed to extract minerals and other resources. Resistance to President Trump’s recent appearance at Mount Rushmore is only the latest battle over what the Lakota know as He Sápa.

Monday, July 13, 2020 – A setback for the Dakota Access Pipeline
Tribes in the Dakotas and their allies declared victory when a U.S. District Court judge stopped the flow of oil through the Dakota Access Pipeline and ordered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to do another, more extensive environmental review. Still, the company that operates the pipeline plans to appeal the judge’s decision saying oil will flow again “once the law and full record are fully considered.” The DAPL decision was one in a series of setbacks for pipelines all over the country that tribes expressed concerns about. We’ll analyze where these court decisions fit in with the ongoing fight against the encroachment of oil pipelines on traditional tribal land.

Tuesday, July 14, 2020 – Mohawk Resistance 30 years later
This week, Mohawks from Kanesatake, Canada are acknowledging a 30-year-old land conflict that is still not resolved. On July 11th, 1990, a protest against a proposed golf course expansion and condominium project on land significant to the Mohawk erupted into an armed standoff. For 78 days, Mohawks blocked roads, demanding the Canadian government return the land to the tribe. A provincial police officer was shot and killed. A Canadian soldier stabbed and a Mohawk girl in the chest with his bayonet while the girl held her 4 year old sister. The development project was cancelled, but the land is still not returned to the tribe. We’ll get a review of the original resistance and hear about the legacy three decades later.

Wednesday, July 15, 2020 – Native Minneapolis rebuilds
Minneapolis was the epicenter of a revolt against ongoing oppression of people of color. Sadly the progress toward ending injustice took the life of George Floyd and sparked a rash of fires, property destruction, and looting. Native organizations are among those caught up in the chaos during days of violent protests. Now, they are among those looking for ways to build a brighter future amid the ashes and boarded up windows. We’ll hear from those who are set on turning trauma into opportunity for the Twin Cities urban Native residents.

Thursday, July 16, 2020 – Service workers risk health and livelihood
Waiters, hair dressers, clerks and others who work face-to-face with customers face a lot of uncertainty. Their jobs have been on the line or eliminated since coronavirus restrictions began in March. As some states start reopening, service workers also put themselves at greater risk dealing with the public. At the same time, business owners are confronting significant revenue losses, state health restrictions, and evolving CDC guidelines in order to navigate through the pandemic.

Friday, July 17, 2020 – New Mexico confronts public education disparities
Two lawsuits are shining a harsh light on New Mexico’s learning environments for Native American students. The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico is suing the Albuquerque Public Schools over a teacher allegedly calling a Navajo student a “bloody Indian.” Another maintains the state has not made enough progress in correcting inequities for Native students

Monday, July 6, 2020 – Arizona tribes lock down to keep coronavirus at bay
The state of Arizona is struggling to gain control of record-breaking increases of coronavirus infections that threaten to overwhelm health care systems. The surge comes after state officials relaxed measures designed to help prevent the spread of the virus. Tribes within the state, many of whom struggled to gain control of infections within their own borders, are expanding or enacting new measures to try to keep their citizens healthy.

Tuesday, July 7, 2020 – Music Maker: Cary Morin
Finger picking bluesman Cary Morin (Crow Nation) is a musician that likes to bring his life into his work. We touch in with him to hear about his new release “Dockside Saints” where he stretches what he calls Native Americana to include the beloved musical flavors of Cajun and zydeco. We’ll hear how this blending happened for what he says are stories about love, faith, hardship and heritage.

Wednesday, July 8, 2020 – Service workers risk health and livelihood
Waiters, hair dressers, clerks and others who work face-to-face with customers face a lot of uncertainty. Their jobs have been on the line or eliminated since coronavirus restrictions began in March. As some states start reopening, service workers also put themselves at greater risk dealing with the public. At the same time, business owners are contronting significant revenue losses, state health restrictions, and evolving CDC guidelines in order to navigate through the pandemic.

Thursday, July 9, 2020 – Cultivating and preserving fish populations
Native fisheries help stock waterways with species of fish that might not be able to sustain their populations without help. From salmon to trout to walleye, fish are an important resource and often have a cultural tie to the tribes that help keep up their numbers. We’ll hear from several tribes that maintain fish hatcheries to keep this key resource thriving.

Friday, July 10, 2020 – Advocating for your own health
Having good communication with your health provider can make a big difference in the care you receive. But being an advocate for your health takes some work. Whether you get an occasional check-up or regular dialysis, it’s important to be informed about your options. Experts also recommend reading up on your payment options and keeping track of bills and medical records. We’ll get advice on advocating for yourself in the doctor’s office.

Monday, June 29, 2020 – Tribes reinforce protections as states confront COVID-19 surge
Numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show new surges of COVID-19 cases in Arizona, Texas, Florida and other states. Many governors loosened restrictions on public interactions and are leaving it up to local officials to enact health and safety measures. Tribes, meanwhile, continue to hold down strict social distancing orders, curfews, and border monitoring. Such measures helped the Navajo Nation mark a day with no new COVID-19 deaths in the past week, even as they struggle to keep control of new cases. We’ll check in with tribal leaders to get their views on what’s next and how they are protect their citizens.

Tuesday, June 30, 2020 – Book of the Month: “Help Indians Help Themselves”
This month’s literary feature provides a unique opportunity to hear about an important historical figure in Native America. “Help Indians Help Themselves” presents the writings of Gertrude Simmons Bonnin (Zitkala-Sa), who was born on the Yankton Sioux reservation in 1876. Many readers have turned to her wisdom over the years to understand the impact of boarding schools and Native political activism in early U.S. history. The book is edited by English Professor Jane Hafen (Taos Pueblo). The forward is by educator Dr. Margaret Noodin (Anishinaabe). Both will help us take a deeper look into the work of this revolutionary writer.

Wednesday, July 1, 2020 – Federal coronavirus aid offers relief and frustrations
After lawsuits and numerous delays, the Trump Administration distributed billions of dollars in federal coronavirus relief money to tribes. But there remain some challenges and frustrations. Federal lawsuits have yet to decide whether Alaska Native corporations should receive any of the funds. Also tribes now confront the bureaucracy of conforming to the narrow scope of criteria required by the federal legislation for eligibility. We’ll check in with tribes on some of the good and bad outcomes of receiving federal relief aid.

Thursday, July 2, 2020 – Native theater table read
The coronavirus threat has closed theaters across the country, from New York’s Broadway to South Dakota’s Black Hills Playhouse. Theater companies and individual actors are still finding ways to connect with audiences. One way is to stage live script readings over Zoom. Table reads are usually the first step of a play’s production as the cast and crew get acquainted with the story and characters. We’ll stage our own table reads for a taste of Native theater on the radio.

Friday, July 3, 2020 – Haka and cultural appropriation
(Encore show) A Brazilian motivational speaker faced backlash for including haka in his programming. He’s not Maori, but uses the traditional Maori dance that he says he learned from videos. He’s one of several Brazilian companies criticized for using haka in corporate retreats. The Maori ceremonial dance is accompanied by chanting and intimidating postures and facial expressions. Modern presentations of it include important events like weddings and funerals and some sports teams perform haka before competitions. We’ll get the basics of what haka is and when it turns into appropriation.

Monday, June 22, 2020 – Toppling monuments to one-sided history
After little progress from decades of pressure through official channels, dozens of statues of Confederate war figures are coming down across the South over fear of vandalism by groups of protesters. The same is true of monuments to Christopher Columbus, early Spanish conquistadors and other figures with troublesome histories with Native Americans. Is the time of honoring history through the lens that excludes people of color coming to an end? We will explore this latest chapter in the national conversation about racism.

Tuesday, June 23, 2020 – Two pivotal moments for LGBTQ2 Native people
As the nation marks Pride Month, we’ll take a look at two key issues affecting LGBTQ2 people. A Supreme Court decision bars discrimination against LGBTQ2 employees in the workplace. At the same time, the Trump Administration rolled back Obama-era protections against health care discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identification. Both decisions come as Native LGBTQ2 people face unique challenges accessing health care during the coronavirus pandemic.

Wednesday, June 24, 2020 – Event cancelled: Native performers seek an audience
Since March, Indigenous musicians, comedians and other entertainers suddenly found their calendars empty as coronavirus fears cancelled their gigs. Some states are slowly opening up, but most entertainment venues remain closed and there’s no prediction for when they will be back in business. For some entertainers, the show goes on digitally through Facebook and Instagram videos, Zoom, YouTube and TikTok. We’ll get Native entertainers’ perspective on performing during the coronavirus pandemic.

Thursday, June 25, 2020 – Keeping elders safe and engaged
As businesses and public gatherings start opening up, elders face a unique dilemma. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people 65 years and older are at higher risks from COVID-19. At the same time, socializing with others face-to-face and services like senior center meals help elders stay engaged and connected. We’ll check in with elders to see what specific challenges they face and how elder services are adjusting to keep elders in their communities healthy and connected.

Friday, June 26, 2020 – June in the news
Pregnant Native American women were singled out for coronavirus testing by a hospital in Albuquerque. Some new Native mothers were also separated from their newborns until test results came back. Those are troubling findings in an investigation by ProPublica and New Mexico In Depth. We’ll talk to the reporters. In Montana a federal court cancelled oil leases in an area sacred to the Blackfeet. The ruling reverses the Trump administration’s decision to push the leases through. And some tribes are still waiting on CARES Act funding even after a federal judge ordered the Trump Administration to release $679-million allocated to tribes. We’ll get the inside story on these and other news important to Native Americans on our regular news round up.

Monday, June 15, 2020 – COVID-19 surges back
A surge of new COVID-19 cases in several states is prompting fears by medical experts a second wave of the virus has already begun. Montana tribes are remaining cautious despite the rest of the state’s easing of coronavirus restrictions. Navajo officials warn of enacting stricter controls if COVID-19 cases start increasing. The White Mountain Apache Tribe instituted new measures as they surpassed the Navajo Nation for having the most per capita coronavirus cases. We’ll check in with tribes about what they’re facing and what solutions they see on the horizon.

Tuesday, June 16, 2020 – Warding off loneliness
It’s been months since we all had to give up regular interactions with friends and family at restaurants, parties and community events. Even as government and health officials are lifting stay-at-home restrictions, lingering fears of spreading the coronavirus keeps many of us isolated. Social distancing can take toll on our mental health. We’ll talk with mental health experts about dealing specifically with loneliness.

Wednesday, June 17, 2020 – Music Maker: Wanbli Ceya/JUQ
Wanbli Ceya or JUQ is providing fresh sounds on his new album “nya.” This Oglala Oyanke of the Oceti Sakowin artist hopes to inspire change with his music. What we’ll hear this month is the second chapter of what he calls the Oglala Wolf Puppy with PTSD story. The songs give way to electronic sound bending and layering topped off with the language of his Indigenous nation. He’s not afraid to think and dance outside of the box.

Thursday, June 18, 2020 – The COVID-19 threat for rural Alaska
Alaska has been spared the high coronavirus infections rates of most other states, but cases are on the rise. It’s a worry, particularly for rural villages that have few medical resources to adequately tackle a major outbreak. At the same time, measures to prevent the spread of the virus have some more remote hospitals on the verge of closing down.

Friday, June 19, 2020– Defund the police?
A majority of the Minneapolis city council pledge to dismantle that city’s police department. It’s an idea that’s gaining momentum after George Floyd died when a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck. Does dismantling the police mean there’s no one to respond to 911 calls? Proponents say it diverts public money to social services like mental health workers or homelessness experts instead of relying mainly on armed officers. Native Americans are among the populations disproportionately injured and killed by police. Could a new approach save Native lives? We’ll check in with a variety of opinions.