Monday, April 29, 2019 – Identifying scams: don’t get sucked in
Have you gotten a call from someone at the “security department” warning you about an outstanding warrant? Or the caller says you need to reveal personal information to them or you will lose your Social Security benefits. The Federal Trade Commission says 1.1 million people reported being scam victims in 2017. Most of those scams were over the phone. Romance scams reported to the FBI tripled over the past five years. A Navajo Nation Council delegate admitted on social media that he used poor judgement by sending a compromising video of himself to someone who contacted him online. The recipient then demanded money, threatening to release the video publicly. We’ll get an update on different kinds of scams and how to avoid them.

Tuesday, April 30, 2019 – April in the News
Indian Country Today is branching out into television news. The operation is moving to Phoenix, Ariz. We’ll talk with editor Mark Trahant about big plans for the future. Also journalism students at the University of Montana are gearing up for the annual project to report on the state’s Native residents. We’ll talk with the program director about this year’s focus on missing and murdered Indigenous women. Tune in for our news round up.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019 – Native in the Spotlight: Sean Sherman
Sean Sherman (Oglala Lakota) just won a 2019 James Beard Foundation Leadership Award for his work increasing awareness of Native food through his non-profit North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems. Last year he also won a James Beard Award for his cookbook, “The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen.” In addition to his successful restaurant ventures, Sherman has traveled the world educating others about traditional Native American food. We’ll sit down with Sherman to learn about his passion and skill for connecting with others through food.

Thursday, May 2, 2019 – Discrimination claims against a Montana school district
Complaints against the Wolf Point School District include unequal treatment of Native students, bullying and even staff members using racial slurs. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is investigating the claims. The Fort Peck Assiniboine Sioux Tribes filed a complaint with the help of the Montana American Civil Liberties Union. We’ll learn more with some of those involved with the case.

Friday, May 3, 2019 – Cinco de Mayo’s Indigenous connection
Many Americans who celebrate Cinco de Mayo probably have it all wrong. In the U.S. it’s an imported celebration much like St. Patrick’s Day. It’s an excuse for parties and stereotypes. In Mexico, May 5 commemorates is the day in 1862 when a small army made up of mostly Indigenous people defeated a French army in the town of Puebla. Cinco de Mayo is not a big holiday in Mexico, but it’s widely celebrated in the U.S. We’ll learn more about Cinco de Mayo and how Indigenous people played a role.

Monday, April 22, 2019 – The plastics pollution problem
About a 300 U.S. cities and two states have banned single-use plastic bags. Seminole Gaming is phasing out plastic straws at their casinos, resorts and restaurants in Florida. The actions are an attempt to limit plastic waste that is posing an increasing threat to whales, turtles, seabirds and other animals. Some tribes are also worried plastics pollution affects their health and sustenance. Researchers with Ikaarvik in the Arctic are sampling ocean waters for micro plastics pollution and checking whether it’s affecting Indigenous residents. On Earth Day, we’ll take a look at how plastics pollution is affecting Native communities and what’s being done about it.

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 – Gradual progress on graduation regalia
North Dakota just joined the handful of states guaranteeing Native students’ right to wear regalia during graduation ceremonies. It’s one of the highlights in the annual struggle to include eagle feathers and beaded mortar boards in commencement. Some schools adhere to strict dress codes and forbid students from adorning the traditional caps and gowns. The Native American Rights Fund sees it as an issue of free speech and religious expression. We’ll get a rundown of recent victories and setbacks toward recognizing the cultural significance of regalia at graduation.

Wednesday, April 24 2019 – Developing a trauma-informed perspective
Understanding and acknowledging past trauma can help guide how to interact with each other. For Native Americans it can inform how the history of colonialism might influence a person’s reaction to certain words or behaviors. Experts are developing methods for approaching situations in schools, offices and businesses from a trauma-informed perspective to avoid conflict, de-escalate tension and promote healing. In this hour we’ll talk with professionals about what trauma-informed approaches look like.

Thursday, April 25, 2019 – Music Maker: Leela Gilday
Dene Nation folk singer Leela Gilday was raised in Canada’s Northwest Territories and her love for the area come through in her songs. We welcome Leela as our April Music Maker artist. She’ll share music from her much-anticipated upcoming album, “North Star Calling” which is about healing as well as cultural resurgence. Feel the power of her music that she says is a source for strengthening family and connecting generations.

Friday, April 26, 2019 – Live at the Gathering of Nations Powwow
Organizers bill it as the ‘world’s largest powwow.’ This year’s Gathering of Nations Powwow in Albuquerque is again expected to draw thousands of powwow dancers and spectators from across the country. We’re broadcasting live from the arena to connect you with the drums, dances, events and music.

Monday, April 15, 2019 – Native video game developers change the narrative
Survival in the Wild West cowboy days continues to be a popular setting for video games. Red Dead Redemption II is one of the top sellers from the past year. If they have Native characters, games typically don’t drift far from old Western movie stereotypes. A growing number of Native game developers are starting to change that picture. The free educational PC game, “When Rivers Were Trails” utilizes Native talent to broaden players’ understanding of history. We’ll hear from Native developers about overcoming market forces, financial hurdles and mainstream resistance to build games that expand how gamers view Native people.

Tuesday, April 16, 2019 – The courts vs the president on Keystone XL pipeline
The stalled Keystone XL pipeline project has new life after President Trump issued a memorandum allowing the controversial project to proceed. That is at odds with the ruling by a U.S. District Court judge requiring more environmental analysis. It adds concerns over presidential abuse of power to the usual complaints of pipeline safety, environmental damage and lack of tribal consultation. A number of tribes are among those challenging the pipeline because the planned route bringing tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada to Nebraska goes through ancestral territory.

Wednesday, April 17, 2019 – Cross tribal appropriation
First Nations bands Piqsiq and A Tribe Called Red and throat singer Tanya Tagaq are among those protesting this year’s Indigenous Music Awards in Canada. They’re speaking out over recognition of Cree musician, Cikwes, who uses a singing style similar to Inuit throat singing. Some Inuit musicians are calling for Inuit representation on the Indigenous Music Awards board. We’ll explore some of the boundaries and contradictions of utilizing art forms and traditions.

Thursday, April 18, 2019 – Using technology to manage diabetes
Managing diabetes involves tracking blood sugar, nutrition, exercise and insulin, among other things. Native Americans are twice as likely as whites to have diabetes according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers are developing new technologies—from food tracking apps, glucose monitors and insulin pumps—that are available to Native people with diabetes. We’ll hear from experts on how these tools might help make living with diabetes easier and even increase health outcomes.

Friday, April 19, 2019 – Book of the Month: “Saad Lá Tah Hózhóón: A Collection of Diné Poetry” by Rex Lee Jim
All the poems in Rex Lee Jim’s collection give the Navajo language center stage. The 30 poems in “Saad Lá Tah Hózhóón: A Collection of Diné Poetry” were written first in Navajo. Lee also translated them into English. The writing draws from his life as a Diné and the land his people call home. The former Navajo Nation vice president helps us celebrate National Poetry Month with a message about the importance of language and culture.

 

Monday, April 8, 2019 – Turning inspiration into a finished film
Native filmmakers deserve credit for introducing audiences to sophisticated Native characters and for portraying Native people and their stories accurately. But those projects can’t get off the ground without funding. Securing a film’s finances takes connections, compromise and a strong business sense. We’ll get a view from behind the camera as Native filmmakers reveal their ideas for managing independent film projects.

Tuesday, April 9, 2019 – A Native perspective for museums
There’s a long history of museums misusing or stealing sacred Native items, ignoring tribes’ concerns, and portraying Indigenous people in a poor light. It’s taken years of education and legislation, but many museums are now much more Native-friendly and work to involve Native people in the process of creating and presenting exhibitions. We’ll talk with Native museum experts about why a career in the museum field might be a good decision.

Wednesday, April 10, 2019 – Socialism or capitalism
The American economic system is a shifting continuum. Capitalism relies on market forces and rewards individual effort. Socialism works toward the collective good and aims to provide food, housing and education for each member of a community. A recent video renewed debate by arguing socialism failed Native nations. Does either approach help tribes?

Thursday, April 11, 2019 – Eating healthy on a budget
The thing about food high in fat, empty carbs, sugar and salt is: it’s cheap. Some reservation residents are in food deserts, having to drive long distances to get fresh produce and other healthy options. But eating healthy food doesn’t have to break the bank. One study involving a tribe in California finds planning ahead helps families meet a budget and make good shopping decisions. We’ll learn more about the study and provide tips for committing to a healthier diet.

Friday, April 12, 2019 – Doulas are there for pregnant women
A growing number of Indigenous doulas are working to decolonize the birthing process. Doulas offer guidance and support for expecting mothers before, during and after delivery. Programs on many reservations offer doulas at little or no cost. We’ll talk with some Indigenous doulas about what their role is for pregnant mothers and how they help maintain connections to Native traditions.