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Teaching younger generations about their Native heritage is one way to keep the stories going. The children’s book “The Forever Sky” by author Thomas Peacock (Fond du Lac Anishinaabe) and illustrator Annettee S. Lee (Ojibwe/Lakota) follows two young brothers as they learn how the stars can bring them closer to their ancestors including their late grandmother. Through artistic interpretations of the dancing northern lights the siblings pay tribute to star knowledge and a story that was passed on to them by their uncle. We’ll learn the inspirations and creative drive behind our September Book of the Month creators.

Break 1 music: Track 08 (song) Red Lake Singers (artist) Old Times (album)

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

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Native mothers are looking for ways to start their babies off right when it comes to solid food after breast milk and formula. The World Health Organization recommends babies start getting complimentary foods around 6 months. That could be anything from cereal, mashed vegetables and fruit, and some traditional Indigenous foods. It’s never too early to think about starting good eating habits to fight the statistics showing a high percentage of Native American infants grow up to be overweight or obese. We’ll go over what is a nutritious diet for babies and ways to introduce health foods for the first time.

Guests:

Camie Goldhammer (Sisseton Wahpeton) – clinical social worker and lactation consultant, founder and chair of the Native American Breast-feeding Coalition of Washington, and creator of the Indigenous Breast-feeding Counselor Training

Dr. Sharon McKiernan – deputy director, division of clinical and community services and the Indian Health Service maternal/child health consultant

Michelle Brass (Saulteaux) – writer, speaker, mother

Break 1 music: ’96 Love Song (song) Black Lodge (artist) Enter the Circle – Pow-Wow Songs Recorded Live At Coeur D’Alene (album)

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

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists falls as the leading cause of death for Native American adults over 65. Falls can end up taking away an elder’s independence and force them into a nursing home. But there are some simple things that can greatly reduce the possibility of a devastating fall. Putting non-skid mats on the floor and installing handrails are two suggestions for preventing falls. Also doing daily balance exercises and getting your eyes checked are other ways elders can prevent a fall. The first day of fall is also National Falls Prevention Day. We’ll talk with experts about the latest ideas for avoiding unnecessary injuries.

Additional resources:

Funding Sources for Home Modification

Falls Prevention Conversation Guide for Caregivers

Home Safety Assessment for Individuals and Families

Guests:

Allen Sixtus Dominguez (Raramuri/Apache) –  tribal injury prevention program coordinator Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center

Rebecca Morgan (Eastern Band of Cherokee/Choctaw) – project coordinator of the elder equity program at National Indian Council on Aging

Chelsea Gilchrist – gerontologist and senior program manager for the Center for Healthy Aging at National Council on Aging 

Break 1 music: Change of Life (song) Young Bird (artist) Change Of Life (album)

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

 

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The cosmetics and beauty industry is a $532 billion global business. Over the years it’s changed to include smaller, boutique makeup companies that sell directly to customers. We’ll take a look at gearing products to Native consumers how some Native cosmetic entrepreneurs and makeup artists carve out a space for themselves.

Guests:

Jennifer Harper (Ojibwe) – founder and CEO Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics INC.

Amy Thoman (Chippewa Cree/Lakota) – owner of Indigenous Cosmetics

Isaac Meyers (Kodiak Native) – makeup artist

Break 1 music: Yas (feat. Nukathadiva) (song) Uyarakq (artist) Miseraq (album)

Break 2 music: Happy Sundance (song) Dallas Arcand (artist) Modern Day Warrior (album)

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The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC is marking its 15th year. The landmark museum was initiated 30 years ago by an act of Congress, which also included the creation of the National Museum of the American Indian in New York. We’ll talk with the director of NMAI in DC, Kevin Gover (Pawnee) about the museum’s 15 years of cultural celebrations, education and exhibits. We’ll also visit with Suzan Harjo (Cheyenne and Hodulgee Muscogee), Presidential Medal of Freedom awardee and a founding trustee of the museum.

Guests:

Dr. Suzan Shown Harjo (Cheyenne/Hodulgee Muscogee) – a founding trustee of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian and a guest curator and editor of Nation to Nation: Treaties between the United States and American Indian Nations

Kevin Gover (Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma) – director of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

Break 1 music: Joy (song) RiverFlowz (artist) RiverFlowz Rural Recordings Atauciq (album)

Break 2 music: Happy Sundance (song) Dallas Arcand (artist) Modern Day Warrior (album)

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Sea lions continue to feast on spawning salmon lined up at dams in the Pacific Northwest. Tribes of the lower Columbia River and elsewhere say sea lions, a protected species, are putting a strain on already vulnerable salmon populations. Scaring the animals and relocating them has not worked. NOAA is currently seeking public comment on a plan to remove and kill California and Steller sea lions at two dams along the Columbia River.

Guests:

Jeremy Wolf (Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla) – Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Chairman of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission

Jaime Pinkham (Nez Perce) – executive director of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission

Doug Hatch – senior fishery scientist for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission

Break 1 music: Hummingbird Song (song) Fred Louis and Ella Thompson (artist) Haida: Indian Music of the Pacific

Break 2 music: Happy Sundance (song) Dallas Arcand (artist) Modern Day Warrior (album)

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When an addict’s behavior has ravaged through a family, there comes a time when family members might choose to demand treatment. Personal interventions can include friends, family members, and mental health professionals working to convince the addict to enter treatment. But is intervention right for everyone? In Native America treatment may not be readily available. We’ll talk with recovering addicts and experts about how friends and family can use interventions to get help for the ones they love.

Guests:

Toni Hand Boy (Cheyenne River Sioux) – integrated care case manager, certified addictions counselor and president of Red Generation

Rose Looking (Assiniboine Sioux) – case manager for Catholic Family Services Spirit Journey House
cultural services team elder liaison for Mother Nation

Break 1 Music: Red Line (song) Kayla Briët (artist) Red Line (single)

Break 2 Music: Happy Sundance (song) Dallas Arcand (artist) Modern Day Warrior (album)

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The Canadian federal election has officially begun. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has until October 21st to convince Canadian citizens that he and his Liberal Party are the best for the job. Pipelines, climate change, immigration and an ethics scandal are all front and center issues during this election. Last time around, in 2015, voting on reservations jumped 14 points to 61percent, partly on Trudeau’s promises for Indigenous-friendly reforms. We’ll discuss the political parties vying for a spot in the election, and how First Nations, Inuit and Métis fit into the picture.

Guests:

Karyn Pugliese (Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation) – former executive director of APTN and a Nieman Fellow Harvard University

Wayne K. Spear (Haudenosaunee) – a writer and host of the Roundtable Podcast

Lorraine Rekmans (Serpent River First Nation) – Indigenous Affairs Critic for the Green Party in Canada

Break 1 Music: Through The Woodlands: Buckskin Flats/ Rod’s Reel/ Les Disputeuses (song) Métis Fiddler Quartet (artist) North West Voyage Nord Ouest (album)

Break 2 Music: Happy Sundance (song) Dallas Arcand (artist) Modern Day Warrior (album)

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Some people have a knack for learning language. Others struggle to keep track of nouns, verbs and syntax. Either way, adult tribal language learners have a big task. Just getting started might seem daunting. And following through and frequent practice are key. We’ll get tips for getting started, keeping going, and passing along your Native language.

Guests:

Serena Graves (Ojibwe) – full-time student at Bemidji State University

Damian Webster (Tonawanda Seneca from Western New York) – director of Lifeways

Alvin Warren (Santa Clara Pueblo) – program officer for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Break 1 Music: Encouragement Song (song) Sissy Goodhouse (artist) The Third Circle (album)

Break 2 Music: Eagle Dance REMIX (single) Jason Brown/Decontie & Brown (artist)