Monday, December 3, 2018 – Tribal press freedom
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation tribal council continues to face criticism from free press advocates. The council revoked a 2015 law protecting the tribally-owned Mvskoke Media from editorial control by tribal leaders. Mvskoke Media includes a newspaper and radio and TV broadcasts. The Native American Journalists Association condemns the action calling it “government censorship.” In a video of the council meeting, Council Member James Jennings said he thought “the newspaper itself could have more positive issues on the Nation and not so much negative issues.” We’ll look at what the Muscogee action means and discuss the press freedoms at other tribally-owned media outlets.

Tuesday, December 4, 2018 – More than a headache
Throbbing pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. Those are some of the symptoms of migraines listed by the Mayo Clinic. Those who suffer migraines know they can be debilitating and last for several hours. The National Center for Health Statistics says one out of every seven people in the United States experience migraines at least once a year. Native Americans have the highest prevalence of migraines of any other ethnic group according to the American Headache Society. We’ll talk with experts about what’s known about migraines and the best ways to manage them.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018 – Managing grey wolves
The Manage Our Wolves Act took a step forward in November when it passed the U.S. House of Representatives. If it becomes law, it would lift federal protections for gray wolves in the lower 48 states. That would enable states to make their own regulations concerning wolf hunting. The issue pits farmers and ranchers against wolf conservation groups and some tribes like the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, which has established a wolf sanctuary within their reservation boundaries.

Thursday, December 6, 2018 – The influence of modern missionaries
When an Indigenous tribe on an island off the coast of India killed a missionary, it reignited a conversation about the appropriate practice of Christians working to expand their faith. Columbus’ arrival opened the door to European Christian missionaries in North America. Now many Native tribes and individuals adhere to a variety of Christian denominations. We’ll learn about the history of missionaries, and talk with Native people of faith about their own journeys to spread their message.

Friday, December 7, 2018 – Residential schools through the lens of “Indian Horse”
“Indian Horse” tells the story of an Ojibway boy forced into a Canadian residential school in the late 1950s. Saul Indian Horse has talent for hockey, which becomes his escape in the face of strict oppression and alienation from his culture. The film is difficult to watch because it depicts abuses residential school survivors suffered. But it’s earning praise for its unflinching portrayal of one of Canada’s most shameful policies. We’ll hear from those involved in the film about researching and conveying an ultimately hopeful story about a distressing time in history.

Monday, November 26, 2018 – Where the real buffalo roam
Bison were hunted almost to extinction in the 1800s, then cattle ranches displaced nearly all of what was left. Now, tribes are among those working to restore bison herds with a genetic connection to the original wild, roaming herds. There are both cultural and economic benefits. But raising healthy animals with pure genetic ties takes skill, science and stamina.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018 – Book of the Month: The Sea of Grass by Walter Echo-Hawk
The “Sea of Grass” is a fictional account of real people and events. Walter Echo-Hawk (Pawnee) tells the history of the Pawnee Nation through the voices of ten generations of the Echo-Hawk family. It’s an account of the spirit, heroism and family connections as well as the wars, diseases, and broken treaties that all shaped the tribe’s fortunes on their Central Plains homeland. The author is a respected Native American rights attorney and served as a Supreme Court justice for the Pawnee Nation. He’s also penned two books on the intersection of Native rights and U.S. law.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018 – Fighting forest fires’ increasing toll
The news about the fires in California keeps getting worse. The state’s governor says the increased frequency and growing intensity of wildfires ‘are the new abnormal.’ The human, environmental and economic costs keep rising. And California isn’t alone. Are there answers for slowing the troubling trend? We’ll talk with tribal forest managers about active efforts to reduce forest fires and ways to help individual property owners reduce the threat.

Thursday, November 29, 2018 – Justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women remains elusive
A new analysis finds more than 500 cases of missing or murdered women and girls in the United States since 1943. The authors of the study from the Urban Indian Health Institute say that is likely far lower than the real number. They point to poor record-keeping, bad information- sharing between local and tribal law enforcement agencies, and institutional racism as the main barriers to getting the full picture. Any legislation at the federal level to help remedy the situation remains stalled. We’ll hear recommendations from the researchers and get updates from women’s advocates about this ongoing issue.

Friday, November 30, 2018 – November in the News
Arizona’s governor fired the state’s parks director after complaints she oversaw the destruction of important Native American sites to build trails and cabins. A New Mexico high school teacher was suspended after she cut a Native student’s hair and made an insensitive comment as part of a “Halloween stunt”. International human rights organizations are weighing in on allegations of modern day forced sterilizations for First Nations women. We’ll check in on these issues and others that come from Native America in our regular news roundup.

Monday, November 19, 2018 – The Mashpee Wampanoag’s land battle
As Thanksgiving approaches there is some irony in the tribe that met the Pilgrims when they landed are in a fight over whether they meet the legal definition of the word ‘Indian’. Mashpee Wampanoag leaders are pushing for congressional intervention to keep the more than 300 acres of land originally put into trust in 2015. The tribe lost a court ruling and the Trump Administration is siding with the court. The stakes are high. Among other things, it puts plans for a $1 billion dollar resort and casino into jeopardy.

Tuesday, November 20, 2018 – “The Thanksgiving Play” by Larissa FastHorse
The current Off-Broadway play by Larissa FastHorse (Sičháŋǧu Lakota) is a timely satire aimed at the pitfalls of well-meaning Native allies. “The Thanksgiving Play” humorously exposes the accepted mythology celebrated every fourth Thursday in November. It also puts on notice all those who feel compelled to “honor” Native Americans through artistic expression. We’ll hear more about the play and what drives Larissa FastHorse.

Wednesday, November 21, 2018 – Music Maker: Kinnie Starr
First Nations recording artist Kinnie Starr (Mohawk) is back on the scene with her new album “Feed The Fire.” Drawing from her journey as a brain injury survivor, she challenges the world and the way it revolves around immediacy. Her songs blend many different styles from hip-hop and EDM to folk to give voice to the issues that come with intense digital chatter and communication including the loss of a connection with nature and what she calls ‘our truest selves’.

Thursday, November 22, 2018 – Indigenous strength with NRG Rising
What better way to spend your day off than listening to Maori reggae? The group NRG Rising’s latest album, “Say Yes to Life” is an energetic tribute to their Indigenous strength. We’ll sit down with the band’s matriarch, Benita Tahuri, to discuss the album, music and Indigenous issues.

Friday, November 23, 2018 – Cracking the Native art ceiling
Native art is often pegged as creations that depict pre-1900s Native symbols and imagery. But modern Native artists are also drawing from their traditions in ways that invite audiences to see Native people in a new way, whether it’s a neon-lighted buffalo skull or an exploration of creation stories through classical music. We’ll talk with artists working to update what it means to be Indigenous in a contemporary context.

Monday, November 12, 2018 – What citizenship means
President Trump wants to end “birthright citizenship” in the United States for those born to parents who are not citizens. Making such a change would likely require changing the U.S. Constitution. There are parallels for Native Americans. Each tribe has its own requirements for citizenship, and not all of them fall into the category of birthright. Being a citizen of a nation comes with privileges as well as responsibilities. What does it mean to be a citizen of your tribe?

Tuesday, November 13, 2018 – Taking on student loans
Average in-state tuition at a public, four-year college has increase almost 170 percent in the last 20 years. Those numbers from the College Board show the cost of higher education are significantly outpacing inflation. To pay for college, students are having to rely more and more on loans. The resulting debt is a crippling figure for many students. On this show we’ll talk about the choice to take on student loans, and the options for paying them off.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018 – Fighting uranium mines
Weak demand and regional moratoriums have slowed uranium mining in recent years. But tribes, like the Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, remain on the front lines, fighting efforts to revive and expand old, shuttered mines in the future. At an October hearing by the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, Oglala Sioux Tribe representatives reiterated their contention the panel cannot legally issue a mining permit without proper resource studies with adequate tribal participation. The ASLB rejects that claim.  The US Supreme Court is currently weighing the legality of a uranium mining ban in Virginia. That could have implications for mining moratoriums on tribal land elsewhere.

Thursday, November 15, 2018 – It’s Rock Your Mocs Day!
Whether it’s moccasins, mukluks or some other traditional footwear, Native people are showing them off this week at work, school, or running errands. Rock Your Mocs is an annual pride campaign to spread awareness of Native people and culture. We’re celebrating too by sharing stories about the origins of moccasins and learning about their place in Native culture. Tell us about your moccasins.

Friday, November 16, 2018 – Native in the Spotlight: Georgina Lightning
Georgina Lightning (Samson Cree Nation) is an award-winning First Nations actress, filmmaker, screen writer and advocate. She’s appeared on TV shows like “The West Wing” and “Blackstone” and had a role in the 2018 film “Land.” Lightning is also a co-founder of Tribal Alliance Productions, a film production company focused on Indigenous perspectives that produced the award-winning film “Older Than America.” We’ll talk with her about her career and upcoming projects.

Monday, October 5, 2018 – Life lessons in sports
Many Native athletes attribute the skills and lessons learned from participating in sports to long-lasting and useful values that help throughout their lives. That’s in addition to the obvious benefits of physical exercise. Montana’s Arlee Warriors high school basketball team leveraged their state championship into a platform to prevent suicide.

Tuesday, November 6, 2018 – The healing song of the jingle dress
A jingle dress dance at Standing Rock two years ago brought much-needed healing following a series of setbacks. A video, viewed more 3 million times, shows a handful of women dancing on the road in front of a blockade. We’ll take this moment to reflect on the healing power of the jingle dress and explore its origins and modern history. The metal cones sewn onto the fabric sway and create a distinctive jingle to the beat of the drum. Some tribes say the sound is sending prayers to Creator.

Wednesday, November 7, 2018 – An Election Day for the books
The ballots are tallied and political pundits are spinning the election results. We add up the wins and losses for the record number of Native candidates who faced the voters. It’s possible America will be waking up to the first Native woman elected to Congress. Several other Native men and women are poised to make history in a number of state executive races. There are also concerns that some Native voters might be prevented from casting their ballots. We’ll get a round-up of key races and the down-ballot surprises. We also get analysis of what Election Day results might mean for the interests of Indian Country.

Thursday, November 8, 2018 – Bayou Bridge Pipeline
The last leg of the network of oil pipelines that stretches from North Dakota to the Gulf of Mexico is under construction. Indigenous protesters are among those who are committing acts of civil disobedience to try and halt completion of the 160-mile Bayou Bridge Pipeline project. They fear the possibility of an oil spill contaminating vital wetlands in Louisiana. We’ll hear from some of the stakeholders in the fight downstream of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Friday, November 9, 2018 – Stories from veterans
WWII, the Vietnam War, the Korean War and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have all become part of contemporary Native storytelling. For Veterans Day, these stories may bring up happy memories of adventure and heroism. They may also be painful reminders of trauma and loss. Either way, these stories are important for veterans and their loved ones. In this program, we’re exploring veterans’ stories and talking about why it’s important to hear them.