Monday, August 30, 2010– Native in the Spotlight: Edward Itta: (listen)
The North Slope Borough in Alaska is the largest county in the U.S. It is larger than 39 of our 50 states. Edward Itta (Inupiat) is the mayor of the North Slope Borough. Billions of barrels of oil are thought to be under the Chukchi and Beaufort seas, just offshore from the North Slope. Climate change is causing the Arctic to warm twice as fast as the rest of the planet. Itta has become a major player in both discussions involving offshore drilling and global warming. Where does he stand on these crucial issues? How does this whaling captain feel about their impact on bowhead whales?

Tuesday, August 31, 2010– Blueprinting a Better Urban Future: (listen)
The American Indian community of Minneapolis has been firmly etching itself into the city’s fabric since the 70’s. Today the Native community is taking the initiative to lay their own foundation, one that includes a tighter grasp on land ownership. The goal is to be the architects of their own destiny including becoming an economic and cultural corridor to the city. How and why are these forward thinkers sketching a blue print for a thriving tomorrow? How will their efforts help all of Indian Country? Guests include Justin Huenemann (Navajo) founder/Native American Community Development Institute.

Wednesday, September 01, 2010– Broadband in Indian Country:(listen)
The digital divide in the U.S. is no more apparent than in rural tribal communities far from the hub of online networks. Many of these remote places have never had access to the internet, much less high-speed internet. The White House announced millions of dollars in Recovery Act funds are now available to tribes to bring broadband internet to tribal lands. How will this impact the local residents? Will it create jobs and generate better access to health care and educational opportunities? Guests are Geoffrey Blackwell (Muscogee Creek) of the FCC’s Office of Native Affairs and Margo Gray-Proctor (Osage) Chairwoman/National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.

Thursday, September 02, 2010– Alien in Your Own Tribal Community: (listen)
Many of our conversations about the changing face of our tribal communities include non-Natives living on tribal land. And the question of how to, or not to, incorporate them into the community creates much debate. What about when the “outsider” is another Native person? Do Natives living in tribal communities other than their own face more animosity than non-Natives? What are the reasons that some Native people feel like a aliens in Indian Country? Should tribal rights be extended to all Natives? Open Lines.

Friday, September 03, 2010– Traditional Hide Tanning:
Tanned buffalo hides were once used in a variety of ways by our ancestors. They were stretched and sewn together to create tipis and were also used as rugs, blankets and robes. But in the world of 24-hour Wal-Marts there is little need for the traditional art of brain tanning buffalo and other hides. The art has consequently all but died out along with the elders who once practiced it. There are, however, a rising number of tribal members who are revitalizing the tradition through workshops and culture camps. Just how do you brain tan a hide? Guests include Joyce Kitson (Standing Rock Sioux/Crow).

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