Monday, March 16, 2020 – Preparing for Covid-19 
Information about the coronavirus is changing fast. State by state, tribe by tribe, elected leaders and policymakers are responding to new details about Covid-19 on an hourly basis. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you are no doubt dealing with the fallout from the response and the actions of public health directives. We will get the perspectives of a variety of tribal officials, health policy experts and others.

Tuesday, March 17, 2020 – Making the Census count
The decennial census is now underway. Tribes and organizations are making a push to get an accurate count of all Native Americans. They are also working to see that residents receive factual information about filling out the Census form. For example, they urge tribal members to use the name of their tribe exactly as it’s listed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Otherwise they risk not having their tribal affiliation represented. We’ll talk with experts about what Native Americans need to know about the Census.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020 – The unique Woodland Art style
Woodland Art is often associated with colorful, two-dimensional representations of animals and natural landscapes. It’s a specific style that often incorporates spiritual imagery. It originates from the Great Lakes area and now includes artists from many Native Nations and regions. We’ll talk with some Woodland artists about their style and how they’ve adapted it to tell contemporary stories.

Thursday, March 19, 2020 – Keeping track of Covid-19
Fears of the evolving coronavirus pandemic have already shut down sports events, conferences, school functions and major powwows. It also has people wary of public places and fearful of anyone nearby who so much as sneezes. The threat of the virus poses a serious threat to both people’s health and the economy. We’ll get some updates on what the effect of Covid-19 might ultimately be, how long it might last and what experts recommend to avoid it.

Friday, March 20, 2020 – What TV gets right (and wrong) about Indian law
Goliath, Stumptown, and Longmire are among the popular TV shows that take a stab at storylines that feature Indian law. The fictional accounts sometimes attempt to delve into the real-life encounters with complex concepts such as Public Law 280, tribal-state memorandums of agreement and jurisdiction. We’ll flesh out whether city police have to break off a high speed chase when the suspects hit the reservation boundary, and how accurately shows portray the Indian Child Welfare Act. We’ll talk with attorney and avid TV watcher Matthew Fletcher and others about Indian law on the screen.

Monday, March 9, 2020 – The plan to transition away from fossil fuels
It’s a matter of when, not if. Many tribes are heavily invested in the fossil fuels industry. So much of the American economy depends on fossil fuels it’s hard to imagine life without them. But some organizations are doing just that. They say the time is now to start planning the move away from the energy and economy systems based on extracting minerals from the Earth. Thinking ahead, they say, will buffer the detrimental effects, particularly on laborers and low-income residents who could be hit the hardest. We’ll learn more about the concept of just transition and why Native Americans should pay attention.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020 – The time limit on accountability
As they have done almost every year for the last ten years, lawmakers in South Dakota rejected a proposal this session to change the state’s statute of limitations on child sexual abuse. Time is running out for the dozens of survivors, including those from the Turtle Mountain Chippewa tribe, to hold organizations like the Catholic Church accountable for alleged crimes that occurred when the victims were children. Turtle Mountain’s Louise Aamot Charbonneau claims she was abused at the Catholic boarding school she attended in the 1970s. She died before she could testify in favor of changing South Dakota’s law during the legislature session this year. We’ll learn about South Dakota and the other states that put limits on holding institutions accountable for sexual abuse.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020 – Off the beaten resort path
Airbnb might be good if you’re traveling to Eugene or New Orleans, but you’ll have to work a little harder to find an alternative room for the night on tribal land. Your hard work will be rewarded. Navajo-owned Shash Diné Eco-Retreat south of Page, Ariz. serves a traditional mutton dinner before a night of “glamping” in spacious tents or a restored sheepherder wagon. The historic Requa Inn on the Yurok reservation offers access to the Pacific Ocean as well as California redwood forests. Guests dine family style on steelhead and local organic greens. We’ll explore a few unique places to stay in Native America that are also adding economic development opportunities.

Thursday, March 12, 2020 – Native in the Spotlight: Jesse Wente
“Reconciliation is dead and it was never really alive.” That’s the bold assertion from broadcaster and artist Jesse Wente (Serpent River First Nation) in a commentary about Canada’s official efforts since 2013 to come to grips with the country’s historical treatment of its Indigenous residents. His comments come as Canadian elected leaders fail to find a viable solution for the resistance against the Coastal GasLink pipeline across traditional Wet’suwet’en territory. We’ll get Wente’s views and hear about his career as a broadcaster, film curator and his role as director of the Indigenous Screen Office.

Friday, March 13, 2020 – Bighorn sheep
After years of effort by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, bighorn sheep have returned to Paiute tribal land in Nevada for the first time in about a century. The animals were a source of sustenance for the tribe. The meat was food, hides were used for clothing and shelter, their horns were used in ceremony. Habitat loss and overhunting caused them to disappear. Other tribes throughout the West also have close ties to bighorn sheep. As part of our regular exploration of the environmental and cultural contributions of animals, we’ll learn about the importance of bighorn sheep.

 

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..