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Romance novels are known for their simple plot lines, cheesy, overly dramatic cover illustrations and happy endings. But romance sales outperform all other fiction genres. The trouble is a noticeable lack of honest Native American portrayals. If Native people are ever featured in romance novels, they typically end up as some version of a 1950s Wild West movie stereotype. The Romance Writers of America acknowledged the genre’s decided lack of multicultural understanding in a statement last year, saying “members from the historically marginalized groups have felt unheard, unseen, and unrepresented.” But some Native authors are taking to the genre with complex, realistic Native characters, with details that Native readers might relate to. Native romance novelists will talk to us about the business and process of writing Native love stories.

Guests:

Maggie Blackbird (Ojibwe) – writes romance starring Canada’s Indigenous people

Malea Powell (Indiana Miami ancestry) – professor in the college of arts and letters at the Michigan State University, an avid romance reader and writer and faculty in American Indian Studies

Karen Kay (Choctaw and adopted Blackfeet) – historical romance author

Break 1 music: Kaaka-ggua Cauyalriitqa (song) Pamyua (artist) Mengluni (The Beginning) (album)

Break 2 music: Way Ya Hey Ya (song) Dawa (artist) A Joyful Defiant Tone (album)

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This is the time of year when teachers dust off their Native American curriculum on history and culture. Classroom activities for younger students might include model tipis or wigwams. Older students might be required to argue the pros and cons of European colonization. Educational units on Native Americans continue to evolve, but there remain relics that resort to construction paper headdresses. We’ll talk with Native educators about how teachers can utilize more inclusive and accurate lessons.

Guests:

Dr. Susan Faircloth (Coharie) – professor and director of the School of Education at Colorado State University

Byron Ninham (Oneida/Ojibwe) –  assistant principal of the Nay Ah Shing School

Jennifer Knickerbocker (White Earth Nation) – director of foundation relations at Antioch College

Break 1 music: Niizh Straight (song) Niizhoo Sullivan (artist) Rez Kid Rhythm (album)

Break 2 music: Way Ya Hey Ya (song) Dawa (artist) A Joyful Defiant Tone (album)

 

Full interview with Clintonville Superintendent David Dyb

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Sixteen-year-old Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg’s notoriety recently scolded world leaders over inaction on climate change at the UN General Assembly. Autumn Peltier (Anishinaabe) is a young First Nations environmental activist who also recently used the UN platform to speak up about the lack of clean water for Indigenous people in Canada. Xiuhtezcatl Tonatiuh Martinez is part of a group of young people suing the U.S. Government over climate change. Young Indigenous people are finding their voice and risking backlash, speaking up over climate change. Is their message being heard?

Guests:

Yang (Diné) – student at New Mexico School for the Arts as a visual artist, part of the steering committee for Youth United for Climate Crisis Action (YUCCA)

Kimberly Pikok Piquk (Inupiaq) – student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks

Bernadette Demientieff (Gwichyaa Gwich’in) – executive director of the Gwich’in Steering Committee

Break 1 music: Get Down On It (single) Neon Nativez (artist)

Break 2 music: Way Ya Hey Ya (song) Dawa (artist) A Joyful Defiant Tone (album)

 

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George Morrison (Anishinaabe) traveled in the same artistic circles as Abstract Expressionists Franz Kline, Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. But he worked hard at avoiding labels and ended up being a significant influence on Native art and beyond. His son Briand Morrison says his father erased the boundaries of what is considered ‘Native art.’ His work included colorful landscape paintings, sketches of geometric patterns, and intricate wooden sculptures. In this hour we’ll hear about his life, work and legacy.

Guests:

Taylar Dawn Stagner (Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone) – freelance journalist and graduate student at Bowling Green University

Angela Two Stars (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate) – director of All My Relations Arts

Briand Morrison (Anishinaabe) – son of George Morrison and a musician

Break 1 music: Track 14 (song) Red Lake Singers (artist) Old Times (album)

Break 2 music: Way Ya Hey Ya (song) Dawa (artist) A Joyful Defiant Tone (album)

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Native America Calling is approaching a quarter century on the air. Over the years we’ve gotten to know thousands of people who have contributed as guests or called in to offer perspectives on issues important to Native people. There are many thousands more listening in. We’re taking time out to appreciate the people who make the show possible. We’ll hear from some of our dedicated listeners and get ideas for the future.

Guests:

Michael Toya (Jemez, Acoma and Navajo) – city bus driver in Albuquerque

Melvin Houston (Santee) – listener and fan

Break 1 music: Song Of Encouragement (song) Porcupine Singers (artists) Alowanpi – Songs Of Honoring – Lakota Classics: Past & Present, Vol. 1 (album)

Break 2 music: Tapwe Oma (song) Fawn Wood (artist) Iskwewak (album)

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The commitment to help others as a psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor takes more than just a diploma. Dr. Shilo R. Tippett (Wasco/Tlingit) says it takes natural empathy and an ability to set boundaries. Shilo says helping people in her community as a clinical psychologist is her dream job. But there’s a national shortage of others willing to take on the challenge, according to the National Council for Behavioral Health. We touch in with Tippett and other Native mental health professionals about the rewards and constraints of working in the behavioral health field.

Guests:

Dr. Shilo Tippett (Wasco/Tlingit) – clinical psychologist at St. Charles Health Care System

Dr. Kee Straits (Quechua) – clinical and community psychologist and CEO of TLC Transformations

Noel Altaha (White Mountain Apache) – licensed social worker

Break 1 music: Duck and Dive (song) Black Thunder Singers (artist) Black Thunder

Break 2 music: Tapwe Oma (song) Fawn Wood (artist) Iskwewak (album)

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Is humiliation an effective way to preserve traditional culture? Language, ceremony, community service, and even dress are all factors in connecting with and carrying on tribal cultures. Elders pass on their knowledge. Young people pick up the torch. Or not. There’s an age-old tug-of-war over how to set the boundaries of what’s acceptable. Some tradition keepers turn to private—and sometimes public—shaming.

Guests:

Radmilla Cody (Diné) – advocate, recording artist and mom

Dr. Lanny Real Bird (Apsáalooke) – educator, consultant and Native language advocate

Tamee Livermont (Oglala Lakota) – youth fellow with the Center for Native American Youth and a graduate student

Break 1 music:  Unconquered (song) Injunuity (artist) Unconquered (album)

Break 2 music: Tapwe Oma (song) Fawn Wood (artist) Iskwewak (album)

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Pleas from tribes, elected leaders and the Association on American Indian Affairs were not enough to stop an auction house in France from going ahead with a sale of cultural items earlier this summer. It’s one in a string of auctions by the Paris auction house that chooses to ignore admonitions against the harm they’re causing. The Yaqui Nation has been working for almost two decades to repatriate a sacred Maaso Kova that the tribe says was never meant to be out of the tribe’s possession or on public display. We’ll get an update on some repatriation efforts and what’s being done to influence international traders in cultural items.

Guests:

Andrea Carmen (Yaqui Indian Nation) – executive director of the International Indian Treaty Council

Peter Yocupicio (member of the Pascua Yaqui) – vice chairman of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe

Shannon Keller O’Loughlin (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) – executive director of the Association on American Indian Affairs

Break 1 music: Stadium Pow Wow (feat. Black Bear) (song) A Tribe Called Red (artist) Stadium Pow Wow (feat. Black Bear) (single)

Break 2 music: Awita Noosisim (song) Violet Naytowhow (artist) Wind Of The North (album)

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Native media producers are making their mark in the growing podcast movement, taking Native perspectives directly to the public. Whether they’re polished and professional or decidedly DIY, dozens of Indigenous podcasts focus on issues ranging from food to comic books to true crime. With more than 700,000 active podcasts, on this International Podcast Day we’ll take time out to highlight some notable Native people using their podcasts to educate, inform and entertain.

Guests:

Alice Qannik Glenn (Inupiaq from the north slope of Alaska) – host and producer of the “Coffee and Quaq” podcast

Jana Schmieding (Cheyenne River Lakota) – comedy writer, performer and host of the “Woman of Size” podcast

Michael Ojibwe (enrolled member of the Red Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe) – host and creator of “Invisible Choir”

Melissa Townsend – a producer of the “Native Lights” podcast

Break 1 music: Honor Song (song) Sweetgrass (album) Follow The Trial (album)

Break 2 music: Tapwe Oma (song) Fawn Wood (artist) Iskwewak (album)

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They Boy Scouts of America continue to resist the protests of numerous tribes, using Native terminology, ceremonies, regalia and sacred dances. Indian Country Today examines the Boy Scouts of America’s ongoing use of Native imagery in a five-part series. We’ll hear from associate editor Vincent Schilling about what inspired the series. We’ll also check in on recent news highlights affecting Native Americans.

Guests:

Vincent Shilling (Akwesasne Mohawk) – associate editor of Indian Country Today

Mary Annette Pember (Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) – Independent journalist and writer

Andi Murphy (Diné) – associate producer for Native America Calling, freelance journalist and overlord at Toasted Sister Podcast

Paul DeMain (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and Ojibwe descent) – editor of News for Indian Country

Break 1 music: Grass Dance (song) Tha Tribe (artist) Warriors In The Mist (album)

Break 2 music: Sunshine (song) Audiopharmacy (artist) U Forgot About Us (album)