Monday, March 2, 2020 – Border wall construction ignores tribal concerns
The chairman of the Tohono O’odham Nation says the current wall construction on the U.S. – Mexico border is no different than “building a 30-foot wall along Arlington Cemetery.” Ned Norris Jr. made the comments during a recent congressional hearing, saying blasting and bulldozing in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in southern Arizona is destroying many sacred places that remain important for ceremonial practices. The tribe continues to push for government-to-government consultation which is mandated by federal law. But the U.S. Government is invoking a waiver that bypasses the requirement for barriers along the border. We’ll get an update and more details from the voices of those on the ground.

Tuesday, March 3, 2020 – Turning a passion for sports into a career
Dedicated high school and college athletes pour their hearts and bodies into their passion for the game. But very few people can actually make a career on the court or on the field. So many people turn that passion into related careers, like coaching, physical therapy, and even sports journalism. We’ll find out what drives people in athletic careers and get some ideas about what those interested in a sports career can expect.

Wednesday, March 4, 2020 – Indigenous legislation update
A number of federal and state proposals could potentially affect issues important to Native constituents. At least three bills in Congress aim to address the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women. They mainly hope to encourage law enforcement communication and cooperation across jurisdictions and fix the lack of accurate data that could help fight the epidemic. Another federal proposal aims to remove the pervasive barriers to broadband access in rural tribal areas. Also, states continue to seek “riot boosting” laws that enact severe penalties for people protesting projects like oil pipelines. We’ll get updates on proposed laws with a round-up of legislative actions.

Thursday, March 5, 2020 – Book of the Month: “The Night Watchman” by Louise Erdrich
Louise Erdrich’s latest novel, “The Night Watchman,” is based on the life of her grandfather who was an extraordinary man in his own right. This work of fiction follows a handful of characters who grapple with the realities of their time including the threat of tribal termination and exploitation in a bustling urban environment. We’ll get in between the lines with the award winning Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa author.

Friday, March 6, 2020 – Finding the right nutrition path
Intermittent fasting, keto, and Whole30 are some of the diet plans that are currently popular. They’re among the ever-evolving ideas aimed at an audience hungry for simple, sustainable ways to lose weight and live a healthier life. There’s no shortage of information about what to eat and what to avoid. But how do you separate viable advice from internet ads telling you to “try this one weird trick” to lose weight. As we enter month three of 2020, those who started the year with a new diet plan might be questioning their decision. We’ll bring you advice from nutrition experts on where to find the most current and valuable information on feeding yourself. Send your nutrition questions to comments@nativeamericacalling.com.

Monday February 24, 2020 – The continuing Wet’suwet’en pipeline dispute
After an initial effort to arrest protesters, the RCMP have withdrawn their actions to clear blockades on Wet’suwet’en territory in British Columbia. The new strategy comes as protests sympathetic to the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs ignited elsewhere in Canada, including a blockade of rail traffic in Ontario by members of a Mohawk tribe that has severely disrupted commerce throughout the country. At the heart of the conflict is construction of the Costal GasLink pipeline, which has support from elected Wet’suwet’en tribal leaders, but not the hereditary chiefs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing pressure from conservative members of Parliament to use force to facilitate pipeline construction, while liberal elected leaders are urging a solution through dialogue. We’ll get an update on the situation and hear from those who have a stake in the ongoing conflict.

Tuesday, February 25, 2020 – High food costs in the north
Can you imagine paying $11 for a package of bologna or $69 for a dozen blueberry muffins? Those are prices reported by members of a Facebook group that tracks food costs in northern Canada. A 2016 food security study found that people in northern Canada spend twice as much on food compared to less remote areas. One nonprofit is experimenting with growing vegetables in shipping containers powered by wind and solar collectors. It’s one possible solution to food insecurity and high costs in tribal areas in Canada and Alaska that are remote and have shorter growing seasons.

Wednesday, February 26, 2020 – Haka and cultural appropriation
A Brazilian motivational speaker is facing some 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.

Thursday, February 27, 2020 – Music Maker: Alex FireThunder
Oglala Lakota language teacher Alex FireThunder understands the power of Indigenous words. His album “Love for the Land” is a chapter in the language revitalization movement that puts his Lakota language at the heart of his creativity and compositions. Our February Music Maker unpacks his musical influences and cultural inspirations which are making this album come to life.

Friday, February 28, 2020 – February in the news
The Spokane Tribe will now get a share of the profits from the Grand Coulee Dam for lands, home and sacred places lost because of flooding. Also Native voting rights activists are claiming victory after a lawsuit settlement in North Dakota that dispenses with the physical address requirement on I.D.s in order to vote. Those stories and more with our regular news round-up..

Monday, February 17, 2020 – Oklahoma’s tribal jurisdiction problem
Another Oklahoma criminal case has potential jurisdiction implications for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and other tribes in the state. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed the hear the case involving a tribal member who asserts he should have been tried in federal court rather than state district court because the crime happened within historical Muscogee boundaries. A decision has potentially far-reaching implications. It’s the second challenge of a criminal conviction on similar grounds. Last summer, the High Court declined to issue a decision in another case of a Muscogee man arguing his death sentence is invalid because he was prosecuted in state court. Both cases hinge on the question of whether Congress adequately disestablished reservations in the state.

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 – Indigenous language program road trip
The tools for Native language programs are constantly evolving. They include the proven methods of immersion schools, camps and workshops. Some tribes are also incorporating apps, podcasts and social media to get the word out. We’ll take a tour of some of the innovative ways tribes are reaching out to potential language learners.

Wednesday, February 19, 2020 – NEPA changes looming
The Trump Administration is proposing major changes to the 50-year-old National Environmental Policy Act. NEPA requires projects on federal land to undergo environmental reviews determining the impact to land and water. It’s the law that regulates projects like oil pipelines and mines. Those industries complain the law creates costly and time-consuming delays. We’ll hear about how tribes are responding to the proposed changes.

Thursday, February 20, 2020 – The coronavirus threat
Despite capturing headlines around the world, the Wuhan novel coronavirus poses little threat so far to people living in the U.S. But a top official with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns it’s likely the infection will eventually take hold in this country. The Navajo Nation advised its citizens to take precautions and be on the lookout for people showing symptoms. The Seattle Indian Health Board says it’s monitoring for patients who might be at risk. We’ll put some perspective on the coronavirus scare and get reminders on how to avoid infectious diseases like influenza.

Friday, February 21, 2020 – The Trump Administration takes on human trafficking
President Trump’s new executive order establishes a White House level position dedicated to fighting human trafficking. His administration reports the federal government is spending $430 million to fight trafficking domestically and abroad. Several states also have on-going initiatives to try and get a handle on the problem. Native Americans—especially women—disproportionately fall victim to sex trafficking. We’ll hear from representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice and others about what we can expect from the recent efforts to address trafficking.

Monday, February 10, 2020 – The State of Indian Nations
Climate change, missing and murdered Indigenous women, and challenges to the Indian Child Welfare Act are all significant issues on the minds of Native Americans heading into 2020. Fawn Sharp (Quinault), newly elected president of the National Congress of American Indians, gives her take on the key triumphs, opportunities and threats facing Native people in her first State of Indian Nation addresss. We’ll bring you the full speech and the congressional response.

Tuesday, February 11, 2020 – Disenrollments on the rise?
Removing long-standing members from tribal rolls appears to be picking up after a brief lull. It’s a controversial practice. So much so that opponents established an annual “Stop Disenrollment Day” to call attention to the harm it causes. Some disenrolled members trace their identity to their tribes for generations. Tribal leaders defend their actions as an effort to purge their membership of those who don’t belong. We’ll get observations on current disenrollment trends and some of the factors that go into tribes’ decision-making.

Wednesday, February 12, 2020 – A good new home
Before homeless Native young people can thrive, they need to heal and a secure base of culture and safety to build on. That’s what the Ain Dah Yung (Our Home) Center in Minnesota’s Twin Cities hopes to provide. They offer an emergency shelter for children as young as five and temporary transitional housing for teens. They also just opened the Mino Oski Ain Dah Yung Center (Good New Home) to offer permanent housing aimed at helping Native homeless for 18-24 year olds. The $17 million project has 42 efficiency apartments but is more than a place to stay. It has communal gathering spaces, teaching kitchens, and places for beading, hide tanning and sewing. The physical space is accompanied by mental, cultural and structural support. We’ll talk with the director and staff members about the work they do to help Native youth.

Thursday, February 13, 2020 – Book of the Month: “The Cheyenne Story: An Interpretation of Courage” by Gerry Robinson
We look at the personal and emotional side of Cheyenne history though the fictional work of Northern Cheyenne author Gerry Robinson. “The Cheyenne Story: an Interpretation of Courage” is set in the time after the Battle of the Little Bighorn when Robinson’s people were pushed to Oklahoma. Our February Book of the Month allows us to walk along this side of Native History.

Friday, February 14, 2020 – Native songs of love
It can be a big leap to show that special someone how deep your affection runs or to ask to share a life together. On this Valentine’s Day we explore showing these desires through song. Some Native nations simply call them courting songs and they are often played on the Native American flute. They’re meant to express deep emotions. We’ll hear how different nations turn to songs to start and build strong unions.