Monday, December 31, 2018 – Notable shows from 2018
The Native America Calling staff picks some shows that stand out from the last year. From ‘chicken scratch’ music in Tohono O’odham Nation to unwarranted police checks on Native college students, we’ll relive some of the moments of live radio from 2018 that made an impression. What was your memorable moment?

Tuesday, January 1, 2019 – What does it take to be a ‘genius’?
We’re starting the New Year by striking a balance between art and academics. We talk with two Native women who were named MacArthur Foundation Fellows. The awards are also referred to as “Genius Grants”. Rebecca Sandefur (Chickasaw) is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology and the College of Law at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is credited with innovative approaches to civil justice for low-income people. Poet Natalie Diaz (Mojave) was a professional basketball player before earning her MFA in poetry. She is language activist and uses her art to highlight the joys and pitfalls of reservation life.

Wednesday, January 2, 2019 – The push to free Tokitae
The Lummi Tribe is hoping 2019 will be the year an orca named Tokitae is freed from captivity. Named ‘Lolita’ by Miami’s Seaquarium, the animal has lived and performed in a man-made tank since 1970. The tribe and a host of animal rights groups are putting pressure on the Seaquarium to return her to her home pod in and around Puget Sound. The push to return the orca is part of a bigger effort to bring attention to the health of the marine ecosystem that is part of the Lummi’s ancestral territory. We’ll talk with Lummi representatives and others about Tokitae and the traditional importance of orcas.

Thursday, January 3, 2019 – Indigenous tea time
Beverages made from plants like green thread, bear root, sassafras and stinging nettles make up a variety of drinks that we might refer to as ‘tea’. Tribes continue to utilize a variety of leaves, roots, berries and other ingredients to create traditional drinks or medicine. We’ll get a . Green thread, bear root, sassafras and stinging nettles (to name a few) all make delicious and healthful drinks. In this program, we’ll explore the different flavors and health benefits of Indigenous tea. What local, Indigenous teas are you steeping?

Friday, January 4, 2019 – The cost of a federal government shutdown
As the partial government shutdown stretches into its third week its effects are starting to surface. Elected leaders’ inability to agree on a funding plan has furloughed thousands of Bureau of Indian Affairs employees and suspended some Indian Health Service operations. The main disagreement is over funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, one of President Donald Trump’s priorities. We’ll talk with employees and Native organizations about how the shutdown affects Native America.

Monday, December 24, 2018 – Winter storytelling traditions
Many tribal nations have a winter storytelling traditions. The snow, longer nights and low temperatures lend themselves to sharing cultural lessons. On this show, we’ll hear the Navajo story of the “The White Beetle and the Holy Ones” and the “Creation of Canyon de Chelly”. We’ll also get insights from Native storytellers about their craft and passion.

Tuesday, December 25, 2018 – Music Maker in review
We’re keeping with a tradition, presenting our annual look back at the artists who generously offered their music and inspiration on Native America Calling. Buffy Sainte- Marie, Nataanii Means, Supaman and Sage Bond are just a few of the names that appeared on our airwaves this past year. It’s a prerecorded show, so sit back, relax and listen to this reflection on the year in Native musical artistry.

Wednesday, December 26, 2018 – Native language courses for credit
Some non-tribal colleges offer Native language studies. Students who sign up are often either honing their existing language skills or are committing to reconnect with their mother tongue. For the latter, it’s somewhat tougher to pick up language fluency as a young adult. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of learning Native languages in a college setting.

Thursday, December 27, 2018 – The dangerous smoking trend
Smoking rates among Native Americans increased in the most recent (2016) report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That goes against the declining trend for the rest of the population. At the same time, Native Americans as a group remain the heaviest tobacco smokers and Native women outpace men. Knowing all the health consequences, why are Native Americans bucking the trend toward more healthy habits regarding smoking?
(Photo: Albert Izquierdo via Flickr/CC)

Friday, December 28, 2018 – December in the News
As the year comes to a close the Trump administration got the federal government in another shutdown debate. Also, after promising more efficiency and transparency, Dept. of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke resigns in a cloud of investigations. We’ll talk about those issues and an update on a troubling incident involving Native students at a New Mexico high school during our new round-up.

Monday, December 17, 2018 – Mental illness and police use of force
A jury cleared a former Omaha police officer this month in a violent and fatal confrontation with a Rosebud Sioux man with mental illness. The incident and resulting trial raises further questions about police interactions with Native Americans and others with mental illness. Omaha’s police chief fired the four officers who repeatedly punched and used a Taser stun gun on Zachery BearHeels, who died from what a medical examiner describes as “excited delirium.” We’ll get an update and explore some of the solutions identified for police interactions with people with mental illness.

Tuesday, December 18, 2018 – A conversation with Gabriel Ayala
Classical guitarist Gabriel Ayala (Pascua Yaqui) is a man of many talents. In addition to being an award winning musician, he is a motivational speaker and recently started his own form of ledger art. He’s busy working on two upcoming recordings and two books. Last year he auditioned for the reality show, America’s Got Talent, but was told his musical ability was too well-established. To top it all off, the Phoenix Indian Center named him “Man of the Year”. We’ll chat with him about his inspirations and plans for 2019.

Wednesday, December 19, 2018 – Coping with anger
Anger is a natural emotion we all occasionally experience. But it can get out of hand for some people without the right coping mechanisms. That can cause lasting divisions with relationships or problems at work. Tribes are turning to anger management programs to try and offset serious societal ills like domestic violence. We’ll discuss effective ways to deal with anger in a health way.

Thursday, December 20, 2018 – Confronting modern day forced sterilization
As many as 100 Native women say medical professionals in Saskatchewan coerced them into surgical sterilizations. If true it’s a troubling resurrection of a despicable practice Native people had hoped was well in the past. The women are now part of a class action lawsuit against the regional health care system and the federal government. The UN Committee Against Torture recommends Canada adopt laws to criminalize the involuntary sterilization of women. We’ll find out the extent of the current allegations along with the historical context of sterilizing Native women.

Friday, December 21, 2018 – Book of the Month: As Long as the Sun Shines
by Janet Rogers
The title for Janet Rogers’ (Mohawk/Tuscarora) newest collection of poems comes from a line in the treaty, known as the Two Row Wampum, between Dutch settlers and the Haudenosaunee in the early 1600s. It envisions a perpetual coexistence between Indigenous people and European immigrants. Rogers is a poet, artist, radio broadcaster and documentary producer who channels her unique Indigenous perspective and recent international travels into an emotional set of writings. She connects her personal experiences with cultural wisdom.

Monday, December 10, 2018 – Cold weather, warm traditions
Alaska’s below zero temperatures and severe weather requires attention to special winter gear. Parkas, gloves, hats, mukluks, snowshoes, and Inuit snow goggles are all unique and integral to the survival of several Alaska Native groups. They’re also an important cultural component. We’ll discuss the craft, beauty and practicality of the useful items that are woven into daily life in Alaska.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018 – Migrants’ quest for asylum
A large group of migrants, mostly from Honduras, are hunkered down in Tijuana, Mexico awaiting to apply for asylum in the United States. Some are also weighing the risk of crossing the border illegally. Many of those in the so-called caravan are fleeing widespread violence and crime in their home countries, including the corrupt government’s blind eye to political assassinations of Indigenous people. We’ll speak with the nephew of slain activist Berta Cáceres (Lenca) about the situation in Honduras and get a better picture of what’s at stake for the migrants.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018 – Music Maker: Henry Kapono
Close to a dozen artists have joined Native Hawaiian legendary artist Henry Kapono to bring “The Songs of C&K” album to life. Some of today’s most notable Hawaii-based Indigenous artists are adding their voice to the famed C & K songs which first reached audiences in the 70s and are the sounds that many grew up with in Hawaii. We’ll meet some of the voices on this album on our December Music Maker.

Thursday, December 13, 2018 – Taking Native business to the next level
A Native-owned company invented the Tanka Bar, a bison-meat bar based on the traditional Lakota dried bison mixture, wasna. But a non-Native competitor with a similar product swooped in and secured a $100 million deal with General Mills. In this program, we’ll talk about what Native businesses need to break through barriers and what pitfalls to avoid.

Friday, December 14, 2018 – Philanthropy: money as medicine
Many Native non-profits tap into the philanthropy of large foundations to fund their work. Relying on funders who don’t always have a full understanding of Native priorities and protocols carries the potential for significant implications. Edgar Villanueva, author of “Decolonizing Wealth,” also questions the wisdom of accepting funds from philanthropic endeavors built by corporate giants whose business is in direct conflict with Native sovereignty and sustainability. We’ll hear from Villanueva about some options for a new path for philanthropy.