Monday, August 24, 2020 – Virtual Vision Maker
This year’s Vision Maker Media Film Festival is premiering online. That means audiences will have free access to more than a dozen Indigenous-made films including “Powwow Highway: The Lego Movie” by Jonathan Thunder, “Sweetheart Dancers” a short film about a Two-Spirit couple by Ben-Alex Dupris, and “Wildfire” a short drama about a runaway teen by Bretten Hannam. We’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at a sampling of films from some of the filmmakers.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020 – Trump Administration plans Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil leases
The U.S. Department of Interior could put oil and gas leases up for auction in the Arctic Wildlife National Refuge by the end of the year according to Secretary David Bernhardt. The Trump administration recently cleared another hurdle for resource extraction in in the pristine wilderness. Some tribes in the area oppose drilling, saying that it will harm the caribou populations that are critical to their cultural survival. Others support drilling because of the added jobs and other economic benefits.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020 – Book of the Month: “Standing with Standing Rock: Voices from the #NoDAPL Movement”
Mni Wiconi – “Water is Life” – is a phrase that echoed around the planet in the fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline. It united people and gave a renewed unity to the Oceti Sakowin. We reflect on this movement with “Standing with Standing Rock: Voices from the #NoDAPL Movement” which features the words of many people who were moved to take a stance and those who made the struggle to protect water stronger. The book captures this moment in time with poetry and prose, essays, photography and interviews. We visit with one of the book’s editor’s Nick Estes, a citizen of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe.

Thursday, August 27, 2020 – Insights on preterm birth
Preterm birth rates for Native mothers are consistently higher than the national average. More than one in ten Native pregnancies fail to reach full term. Any birth before 37 weeks has statistical risks, but depending on how premature they are, preterm newborns face a myriad of health dangers including serious brain, heart, and gastrointestinal problems. There are a number of prenatal risk factors, some of which mothers have control over to help their babies go to full term. We’ll talk about premature births and what parents of premature babies should expect.

Friday, August 28, 2020 – August in the news
An Indigenous woman will challenge the incumbent in Wyoming’s upcoming congressional election, a first for the state that also saw three other Native candidates advance through primary elections. They are among the growing list of Native candidates on ballots all across the country. We’ll touch in on a few of them and hear what issues they are running on. We’ll catch up on important Native news in our regular news round-up.

Monday, August 17, 2020 – Sovereignty and the death penalty
The Navajo Nation is asking President Trump to halt the execution of Lezmond Mitchell, scheduled for Aug. 26. He is the only enrolled citizen on federal death row. The federal government resumed executions in July after an almost two-decade suspension. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez issued a statement, saying the request is based on “religious and traditional beliefs, the Navajo Nation’s long-standing position on the death penalty for Native Americans, and our respect for the decision of the victim’s family.” Ignoring the Navajo Nation’s request could set a precedent that undermines the long-standing ability for tribes to weigh in on crimes that warrant the death penalty committed by tribal citizens on tribal land.

Tuesday, August 18, 2020 – Does “Eskimo” still hold up?
Edmonton’s (Canada) professional football team dropped the word “Eskimo” as their team name. The makers of Eskimo Pie ice cream are also retiring the brand. Inuit people and organizations have campaigned for years to get rid of the Eskimo name. They have new momentum during a wave of reassessments by sports teams, corporations and elected leaders of names, logos and monuments that don’t hold up under modern scrutiny. The word ‘Eskimo’ comes from a non-Indigenous interpretation of one or more Indigenous words. Some Inuit and Yupik people identify themselves as Eskimo while others see it as a slur.

Wednesday, August 19, 2020 – Politics and the pandemic raise voting uncertainty
Most states allow some type of mail-in voting. Health officials and elected leaders are recommending expanded vote-by-mail options to limit the spread of the coronavirus at in-person polling places. But President Trump continues to rail against the mailed ballots, warning—without evidence—that it increases the risk of fraud. He’s also withholding emergency funds for the U.S. Postal Service to accommodate an expected increase in mail volume. That’s all on top of local safety restrictions some tribes have in place that can also limit access to polling places. Voting advocates worry these and other factors might hinder Native voters who already face disproportionate barriers during elections.

Thursday, August 20, 2020 – Tools for teaching kids at home
Many Native parents welcome the opportunity to have their children learning at home until the COVID-19 threat subsides. Some might be adept at homeschooling. Others are struggling to find the time and resources to get the most out of home learning. And still others won’t have adequate technology in the form of computers and internet connectivity. We’ll present some tips on how to get through the school year whether you are homeschooling or online learning. We’ll also hear about free curricula on Native American history and culture that are helpful for instruction anywhere.

Friday, August 21, 2020 – Pandemic fatigue
It’s been months since businesses, restaurants, entertainment venues and schools closed down because of the pandemic. There are no accurate predictions when they will safely reopen. With no end in sight, it can be difficult to stay optimistic and maintain the stamina needed and find positive alternatives to simple tasks and interactions we all once took for granted. We’d like to hear how you are enduring the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll also have some advice on how to address pandemic fatigue in a way that is healthy and hopeful.

Monday, August 10, 2020 – Weighing education against COVID-19 risks
Schools across the country are struggling to come up with plans to adequately educate students while also protect them from the coronavirus. As the first day of class nears, there’s a growing list of K-12 schools that are at least starting with online-only education. But that plan leaves a lot of Native students at a disadvantage since they are statistically less likely to have adequate tools and connectivity than other students. Some schools remained committed to providing in-person instruction with increased precautions. We’ll get an update on what school administrators and students are facing.

Tuesday, August 11, 2020 – Telehealth goes mainstream
Telemedicine has been a big help for rural patients who would otherwise have to travel long distances to see a doctor in person. Now, urban residents are getting into the act as both medical professionals and patients seek to cut down on COVID-19 risks. The Indian Health Service announced a telehealth expansion in March, and President Trump signed an executive order this month increasing telehealth services for some parts of the country. Still a lot of barriers remain as patients and doctors adjust to new technology and tribal areas contend with a lack of connectivity.

Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – How one organization is taking on COVID-19
When the coronavirus struck, it became clear to the staff at the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation that they would have to use their expertise in community-building to help the Pine Ridge Reservation adjust. The non-profit usually tackles a broad range of issues, ranging from language revitalization to housing to education, to help the Oglala Lakota people thrive. Now Thunder Valley is drawing on their skills and connections to find resources for the reservation that is disproportionately affected by health and economic setbacks in South Dakota.

Thursday, August 13, 2020 – Can salmon and dams coexist in the Pacific Northwest?
The Trump Administration dealt a severe blow to tribes in Washington State that have been fighting for decades to remove dams to improve salmon populations. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says there’s no need to remove four dams along the Snake River, but instead will continue a mix of measures that have so far had little effect on helping salmon in the more than 40 years since the dams were built. Some lawmakers, though, praise the decision since the dams help manage the water resource and provide low-cost electricity for industry and residents.

Friday, August 14, 2020 – Music Maker: Angel Baribeau
First Nations Cree recording artist Angel Baribeau brings us their debut solo album, “For Those I Love(d).” After years of growing their voice they are pushing forward with a powerful pop sound. Using this art form to create more space for their thoughts and emotions has helped them understand their path as an Indigenous, queer, non-binary, singer-songwriter. We sample their album and learn what went into creating it.

Monday, August 3, 2020 – Understanding health care for elders
Native Americans who receive health care through the Indian Health Service might think signing up for federal Medicare programs is redundant and costly. But for many elders over 65, it could add up to a significant cost savings and improve care in the long run. Medicare, for instance, can help cover the cost of prescriptions that IHS might not. The program has a reputation as being complicated, but elder advocates say it’s usually worth the effort and there are lots of resources to help.

Tuesday, August 4, 2020 – Gut check
Digestion is hard work that requires several internal organs functioning together. It also requires a complex balance of microorganisms that thrive in the gastrointestinal tract. Maintaining these systems takes some attention to how you treat your body and what you eat. When something’s off, a person might experience mild symptoms most of us have encountered like bloating, cramps or indigestion. There are other serious potential problems like irritable bowel syndrome, gallstones or acid reflux. We’re talking with experts about what it takes to maintain good gut health and how it’s connected to overall wellbeing.

Wednesday, August 5, 2020 – Is that true?
A video promoted by President Trump and viewed by millions of people touts a cure for the coronavirus that is disputed by every reputable medical establishment. Social media outlets are now flagging the president’s messages and other sources that pass on false information. But that doesn’t stop a large number of people from accepting false and unproven information as fact, especially when it reinforces existing beliefs. Social media is awash in misinformation, conspiracy theories and memes that contradict established evidence. As we do periodically, we’re checking in with media literacy experts about how to recognize reliable—and unreliable—sources in the constant stream of available information.

Thursday, August 6, 2020 – Indian Market online
Normally this week, thousands of Native artists would be setting up for the annual Santa Fe Indian Market by the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts. Instead, the event—in its 99th year—is taking place only online. Organizers are appealing to potential market buyers with virtual tours of artists’ studios, concerts, panel discussions, films, fashion shows and auctions. We’ll hear from artists and organizers about moving this popular event to a virtual space.

Friday, August 7, 2020 – Modern and traditional interpretations of ribbon shirts
From powwows to boardrooms, ribbon shirts are a visual symbol of Native pride. They can be subtle or showy, but ribbon shirts almost always have a hint of personal expression and tribal tradition. They are usually made from cotton or linen, often with long sleeves but not always, with colorful ribbons appliqued or sewn into seams as tassels. Like many Native fashion trends, ribbon shirts owe their origins and inspirations to a number of sources. We’ll spend the hour discussing the history and evolution of ribbon shirts.

Monday, July 27, 2020 – Salt for flavor and tradition
Tribes from several regions have salt harvesting traditions. They include processing natural salt from sea water, saline ponds and lakes, and underground deposits. The tribes use the mineral for flavoring and preserving food, and for ceremonial purposes. The Zuni tribe had to fight for almost a century to secure control of a sacred natural salt lake in New Mexico. Then they had to fight to protect it from a coal mine plan that could have drawn water successfully fought off a mining company’s plans that could have harmed a sacred natural salt lake in New Mexico. Native Hawaiian salt processers are currently working to protect their natural salt pans from development and contamination.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020 – Understanding elder health care
Native Americans who receive health care through the Indian Health Service might think signing up for federal Medicare programs might seem redundant and costly. But for many elders over 65, it could add up to a significant cost savings and improve care in the long run. Medicare, for instance, can help cover the cost of prescriptions that IHS might not. The program has a reputation as being complicated, but elder advocates say it’s usually worth the effort and there are lots of resources to help.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020 – No single COVID-19 solution in Alaska
The number of COVID-19 cases in Alaska remains relatively low, but the high rate of infection makes it a coronavirus hotspot. While urban centers are hit hard, many remote villages remain virus free. Also, the commercial fishing industry remains up and running posing a continuing threat to residents. Is there a single health policy that can apply to a places as vast and diverse as Alaska?

Thursday, July 30, 2020 – Book of the Month: “A Sacred People”
In order to know how to decolonize it’s important to know where we came from. This is something that the author Leo Killsback, a citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Nation touches on in the book, “A Sacred People.” It is part one of a two-volume set that opens up the discussion on traditional leadership. The book explores the Cheyenne ways of thinking and the pre-contact Cheyenne world view.

Friday, July 31, 2020 – July in the news
The U.S. Supreme Court’s momentous decision is the final word on recognizing the Muscogee Creek Nation reservation in Oklahoma. The ruling likely has implications for the state’s other tribes. But state officials are already pushing federal legislation to extend the state’s criminal jurisdiction to tribal land to offset the impact of the High Court’s decision. We’ll try to untangle this maze of jurisdictional lines with tribal experts. Also the election is not far off, but COVID-19 is putting a wrench in the campaign season. We’ll get analysis on Native candidates and the general election. It’s our regular news round-up.