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Understanding and acknowledging past trauma can help guide how to interact with each other. For Native Americans it can inform how the history of colonialism might influence a person’s reaction to certain words or behaviors. Experts are developing methods for approaching situations in schools, offices and businesses from a trauma-informed perspective to avoid conflict, de-escalate tension and promote healing. In this hour we’ll talk with professionals about what trauma-informed approaches look like.

Guests:

Jillene Joseph (A’aninin) – executive director of the Native Wellness Institute

David Fullerton – general manager of The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde

Angie Blackwell (Grand Ronde) – director of early childhood education for The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde

Break 1 Music: Old School Hop (song) Cree Confederation (artist) Pakosiyimitan (album)

Break 2 Music: Stadium Pow Wow (feat. Black Bear) (song) A Tribe Called Red (artist) Stadium Pow Wow (feat. Black Bear) (single )

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North Dakota just joined the handful of states guaranteeing Native students’ right to wear regalia during graduation ceremonies. It’s one of the highlights in the annual struggle to include eagle feathers and beaded mortar boards in commencement. Some schools adhere to strict dress codes and forbid students from adorning the traditional caps and gowns. The Native American Rights Fund sees it as an issue of free speech and religious expression. We’ll get a rundown of recent victories and setbacks toward recognizing the cultural significance of regalia at graduation.

Guests:

David Gover (Choctaw/Pawnee) – senior staff attorney for the Native American Rights Fund

Quinton Roman Nose (Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes) – executive director for Tribal Education Departments National Assembly

Dr. Matthew Makomenaw (Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians) – college pathways manager for the American Indian College Fund

Break 1 Music: Go My Son (ill Franklyn Remix) (single) Ill franklyn (artist)

Break 2 Music: Stadium Pow Wow (feat. Black Bear) (song) A Tribe Called Red (artist) Stadium Pow Wow (feat. Black Bear) (single )

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About a 300 U.S. cities and two states have banned single-use plastic bags. Seminole Gaming is phasing out plastic straws at their casinos, resorts and restaurants in Florida. The actions are an attempt to limit plastic waste that is posing an increasing threat to whales, turtles, seabirds and other animals. Some tribes are also worried plastics pollution affects their health and sustenance. Researchers with Ikaarvik in the Arctic are sampling ocean waters for micro plastics pollution and checking whether it’s affecting Indigenous residents. On Earth Day, we’ll take a look at how plastics pollution is affecting Native communities and what’s being done about it.

Guests:

Tina Ngata (Ngati poru woman) – Indigenous advocate

Helen Dangel (Sitka tribal member from the Kaagwaantaan clan) – natural resource specialist with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska

Eric Solomon – director of Arctic programs at Ocean Wise and director of Ikaarvik

Kimeona Kane (Kanaka Maoli) – director of community relations at 808 Cleanups

Break 1 Music: This Land (song) Keith Secola (artist) Native Americana – A Coup Stick (album)

Break 2 Music: Stadium Pow Wow (feat. Black Bear) (song) A Tribe Called Red (artist) Stadium Pow Wow (feat. Black Bear) (single )

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All the poems in Rex Lee Jim’s collection give the Navajo language center stage. The 30 poems in “Saad Lá Tah Hózhóón: A Collection of Diné Poetry” were written first in Navajo. Lee also translated them into English. The writing draws from his life as a Diné and the land his people call home. The former Navajo Nation vice president helps us celebrate National Poetry Month with a message about the importance of language and culture.

Break 1 Music: Kinship Honor (K’é Biyiin) (song) Radmilla Cody (artist) K’é Hasin (album)

Break 2 Music: Canoe Song (song) Chenoa (artist) Spirit of Salishan (album)

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Managing diabetes involves tracking blood sugar, nutrition, exercise and insulin, among other things. Native Americans are twice as likely as whites to have diabetes according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers are developing new technologies—from food tracking apps, glucose monitors and insulin pumps—that are available to Native people with diabetes. We’ll hear from experts on how these tools might help make living with diabetes easier and even increase health outcomes.

Guests:

Dr. Ann Bullock (Minnesota Chippewa Tribe/Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) – director of the Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention at the Indian Health Service

Dr. Richard Arakaki – Phoenix area diabetes consultant for the Indian Health Service

Alberta Rand (Navajo) – certified diabetes educator at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center’s Diabetes Center of Excellence and a registered nurse

Debra Byrd (Yakama Tribe) – program manager of the Wak’ishwi (wuh-kish-we) Program

Break 1 Music: Cree Love II (song) Elk Soldier (artist) The Elk Way (album)

Break 2 Music: Canoe Song (song) Chenoa (artist) Spirit of Salishan (album)

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First Nations bands Piqsiq and A Tribe Called Red and throat singer Tanya Tagaq are among those protesting this year’s Indigenous Music Awards in Canada. They’re speaking out over recognition of Cree musician, Cikwes, who uses a singing style similar to Inuit throat singing. Some Inuit musicians are calling for Inuit representation on the Indigenous Music Awards board. We’ll explore some of the boundaries and contradictions of utilizing art forms and traditions.

Guests:

Nikki Komaksiutiksak (Inuit) – throat singer

Janet Rogers – poet and media artist and ex-radio host and producer

Niigaan Sinclair (Anishinaabe) – associate professor at the University of Manitoba and columnist at the Win Free Press

Michael Yellowbird (Arikara and Hidatsa) – professor of sociology and director of tribal and indigenous peoples studies at North Dakota State University

Break 1 Music: Mewasin Oma (song) Cree Confederation (artist) Kihtawasoh Wapakwani-Beautiful Flower (album)

Break 2 Music: Canoe Song (song) Chenoa (artist) Spirit of Salishan (album)

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Survival in the Wild West cowboy days continues to be a popular setting for video games. Red Dead Redemption II is one of the top sellers from the past year. If they have Native characters, games typically don’t drift far from old Western movie stereotypes. A growing number of Native game developers are starting to change that picture. The free educational PC game, “When Rivers Were Trails” utilizes Native talent to broaden players’ understanding of history. We’ll hear from Native developers about overcoming market forces, financial hurdles and mainstream resistance to build games that expand how gamers view Native people.

Guests:

Elizabeth LePénsee (Anishinaabe and Métis) – Game Designer

Meagan Byrne (Metis) – Video Game Designer

Carl Petersen (Lakota) – Video game designer

Break 1 Music: Indians Never Die (song) Black Belt Eagle Scout (artist) Mother Of My Children (album)

Break 2 Music: Canoe Song (song) Chenoa (artist) Spirit of Salishan (album)

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A growing number of Indigenous doulas are working to decolonize the birthing process. Doulas offer guidance and support for expecting mothers before, during and after delivery. Programs on many reservations offer doulas at little or no cost. We’ll talk with some Indigenous doulas about what their role is for pregnant mothers and how they help maintain connections to Native traditions.

Guests:

Melissa Brown (Anishinaabe and Diné) – co-founder of Zaagi’idiwin

Julia Wall “Hoki Pah” (Pueblo, Anishinaabe) – doula with Tewa Women United

Natalie Nicholson (enrolled at the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold) – nurse practitioner and lactation counselor Mewinzha Ondaadiziike Wiigaming

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

Break 2 Music: Apsaalooke Double Beat (Sung for Head Lady Dancer Dora Old Elk) (song) Warscout (artist) Scouts (album)

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The thing about food high in fat, empty carbs, sugar and salt is: it’s cheap. Some reservation residents are in food deserts, having to drive long distances to get fresh produce and other healthy options. But eating healthy food doesn’t have to break the bank. One study involving a tribe in California finds planning ahead helps families meet a budget and make good shopping decisions. We’ll learn more about the study and provide tips for committing to a healthier diet.

Guests:

Karen Jeter – research economist at the University of California Agricultural Issues center

Meagen Baldy (Hoopa) – district coordinator for the Klamath-Trinity Resource Conservation District, Community Garden Manager and host for Cooking Healthy in Indian Country

Mariah Gladstone (Blackfeet) – founder of Indigikitchen

Dr. Dorina Espinoza – youth, families and communities advisor for the University of California Cooperative Extension for Humboldt and Del Norte Counties

Break 1 Music: Heart Sing (song) James Bilagody (artist) Near Midnight (album)

Break 2 Music: Apsaalooke Double Beat (Sung for Head Lady Dancer Dora Old Elk) (song) Warscout (artist) Scouts (album)