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When news broke last week that a Paris auction included several sacred Native American items, including human remains, people were furious. Many—including tribal leaders, organization leaders and government officials expressed their disappointment and dismay. Just one sacred item out of hundreds was spared from the sale at the Eve auction house. How do these important items leave the Native community? How do they end up overseas? Is there a way to stop the unscrupulous trade of sacred Native items?

Guests:

Kurt Riley (Acoma Pueblo) – governor of the Acoma Pueblo

Conroy Chino (Acoma Pueblo) – advisor for the Pueblo of Acoma

Aaron Sims (Acoma Pueblo) – attorney from the Chestnut Law Office, the Acoma Pueblo’s general legal council

D. Bambi Kraus (Tlingit) – president of the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers

Break Music: For the Light (song) Digging Roots (artist) For the Light (album)

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A new film documents a group of Native American high school girls who defy tradition by playing—and excelling at—lacrosse. “Keepers of the Game” reveals both the obstacles and triumphs of the team and the girls individually. We talk with the director of the documentary about making the film and the reception it’s receiving with audiences and critics. We’ll also explore the history of lacrosse and what it means for girls to take up the sport.

Guests:

Louise Herne (Mohawk) – Mohawk Bear Clan Mother

Tsieboo Herne (Mohawk)  – college student and featured in Keepers of the Game

Judd Ehrlich – director and producer of Keepers of the Game

Break Music: Form a Circle (song) Native Roots (artist) Celebrate (album)

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Every day, nearly 80 people receive organ transplants. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services statistics also show another 22 people die waiting for an organ transplant. Organizations like Donate Life and the American Transplant Foundation urge people to register as organ donors, but there’s still a shortage of donors across the board. Many Native Americans view organ donation as a violation of their cultural and traditional beliefs. In this program we’ll discuss organ transplants. The practice is a proven life-saver, but it also clashes with some cultures. Are you a donor?

Guests:

Shana Harming (Lower Bruel Sioux) -research coordinator for the College of Nursing at South Dakota State University

Dr. Karla Abbott (Cheyenne River Sioux) – assistant professor of nursing at Augustana University

Dr. Ann Marie Bott – Alaska Area IHS oncology pharmacists

Break Music: Friendship Dance (song) Kontiwennenhawi (artist) Tsionathonwisen (album)

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Annie Humphrey is stepping back in the music arena after a break of more than ten years. Her new album “UnCombed Hair” features ten tracks with a poetic look into life and love that she says reflects her life now. Humphrey is from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and her songs exemplify the beauty and musical talent coming out of our Native nations. We get reacquainted with her distinctive sound on our May Music Maker edition.

Break Music: Walk On Out (song) Annie Humphrey (artist) UnCombed Hair (album)

Forming glass from sand has ancient roots. But using glass in art is a relatively new medium for Native American artists. Those who work with glass turn traditional images, shapes, and ideas into sculpture that is as beautiful as it is fragile. The works take after traditional baskets, jars, totems and masks. A handful of Native American artists have mastered the process that involves forming molten glass into intricate patterns. We invite you to join us for an encore presentation where we talked to Native artists about the joys and frustrations of working with glass.

Guests:
Ira Lujan (Taos Pueblo) – award winning glass artist
Ed Archie NoiseCat (Shuswap/Stl’atl’imx) – international award winning artist
Angela Babby (Lakota) – enameled stained glass mosaic artist

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Nine out of ten Native Americans are not offended by the Washington D.C. football team name, according to a Washington Post survey. We’ll explore the reaction to the survey and whether it’s a good representation of Native America. Also, we’ll check in on a number of Native Americans running for local and federal office. And we’ll get an update on the status of several Supreme Court cases. Join us as we catch up with the news.

Guests:

Mark Trahant (Shoshone Bannock) –  journalist with TrahantReports.com and Charles R. Johnson Endowed Professor of Journalism at the University of North Dakota

Suzette Brewer (Cherokee) – journalist with Indian Country Today Media Network

also mentioned:

Native News Project 2016

Break Music: Commodity Blues (song) Radmilla & Herman Cody (artist) Shi Kéyah (album)

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Several tribal leaders are close to repatriating the remains of Native children who died at the Carlisle Indian School. In Washington, Kennewick Man is nearly set to go home after two decades of court battles and challenges by scientists. The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) calls for the remains of Native people and ancestors to be brought back home and properly buried. We will discuss current repatriation efforts and asking why it’s important.

Guests:

Russell Eagle Bear (Sičháŋǧu Lakota) – tribal historic preservation officer for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe

Dr. Chip Cowell – senior curator of anthropology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Jackie Cook (Wenatchi) repatriation specialist for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

Break Music: Connections (song) R. Carlos Nakai (artist) Reconnections (album)

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The word “Navajo” is not famous enough to be considered a trademark. That is the ruling by a federal judge this month in the Navajo Nation’s suit against the clothing retailer Urban Outfitters. Who has the right to make money from names, images, designs and even ideas that originated from Native peoples? Also, when outsiders research Native American customs can they do it without stealing intellectual property? We’ll explore the complex issue of Native trademark infringement and talk about ways tribes can protect their intellectual property.

Guests:

Melody McCoy (Cherokee Nation) – staff attorney for the Native American Rights Fund

Dr. Gavin Clarkson (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) –  associate professor of finance and business law at New Mexico State University

Dr. Kalvin White (Diné) – program manager for the office of Diné Science Math and Technology and a member of the Navajo Nation Human Research Review Board

Break Music: Counting Crow Hop (song) Young Spirit (artist) Akameyimoh Baby Boy (album)

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When horses came to Native America, they changed the game for many tribes, who quickly incorporated them into the community and culture. Today, there are faster forms of transportation, but horses still roam in Native communities. Why are horses a big part of Native culture today? What issues affect horses on tribal land?

Guests:

Emil Her Many Horses (Oglala Lakota) – curator at the National Museum of the American Indian

Nakia Williamson (Nez Perce) – director for the Nez Perce Tribe cultural resource program

Ken Real Bird (Apsaalooke’) -horsemen

Break Music: Counting Crow Hop (song) Young Spirit (artist) Akameyimoh Baby Boy (album)