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It’s been 38 years since 94 million gallons of radioactive waste from a uranium mine spilled into the Puerco River on the Navajo Nation near Church Rock, New Mexico. The health effects, water contamination and cleanup remain a concern to the people who still live in the area. The mining company, Kerr-McGee Corp., paid $1 billion of a $5 billion settlement to the Navajo Nation in 2014. We’ll get an update on the cleanup efforts and how Navajos continue to be affected by radiation exposure.

Guests:

Chris Shuey – environmental health scientist, director of the Uranium Impact Assessment Program, co-investigator for the Navajo Birth Cohort Study

Peterson Bell (Navajo) – on the executive committee of the Red Water Pond Community

Break music: Prayer Loop (song) Supaman (artist)

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Summer is a busy time for Indigenous language teachers and learners to take intensive classes. The Lakota Summer Institute just wrapped up their 11th year at the end of June. The Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Summer Institute runs the month of July, with teacher training classes and cultural activities. We’ll talk with Indigenous language experts about the value summer language institutes add to the continuation and revitalization of Indigenous languages.

Guests:

Janine Pease (Crow Nation) – member of the faculty at Little Big Horn college and coordinator of the Crow Summer Institute

Barsine Barney Benally (Diné) – early childhood faculty at Diné College and Navajo Language Academy president

Break music: Stick Game Song #9 (song) Judy Trejo (artist) Stick Game Songs of the Paiute (album)

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Performer Lisa Muswagon, Nakoda Cree and member of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation, was given the gift of the hand drum by her father when she was young. Today she is using it as a tool to share stories. Her debut album, “Buffalo and Rabbits” takes us to the tale of Wapos, a rabbit, and Pison, a buffalo, and their journey to the heart of round dance. This musical story earned her a nomination for Best New Artist at the Indigenous Music Awards. Lisa Muswagon is our July Music Maker.

Break music: Falls In Love (song) Lisa Muswagon (artist)

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Urban centers for Native Americans started springing up in cities in the 1950s following passage of the Indian Relocation Act. Thousands of Native people relocated from reservations and rural communities and the centers opened to help them connect with their cultures and each other. Today, urban Native centers serve a variety of purposes that include education and referrals for health, safety, and social services. We’ll talk about the legacy and evolution of urban Native community centers.

Guests:

Patti Hibbeler (Salish and Kootena) –  chief executive officer at the Phoenix Indian Center

Les Begay (Diné) – board of directors for the American Indian Center of Chicago

Paula Starr (Cheyenne) – executive director for the Southern California Indian Center

Break music: In Da’ City (song) Julian B (Featuring Cary Morin) (artist) Indian Rezervation Blues and More [Disc 1]

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Some of us punch the clock every day and wait for the weekend. Others seem to have found the secret for work that is rewarding. We talk with some inspiring Native people about their cool jobs and how they got them. We’ll also explore some strategies for making your current job satisfying and fun. Join our conversation and tell us why you think your job is awesome.

Guests:

Brian Yazzie (Diné) – Diné magician

Lionel Tsosie (Diné) – a zoo keeper at the Navajo Nation Zoo

Break music: Heeia (song) Henry Kapono (artist) The Wild Hawaiian (album)

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Extended interview with astronaut John Herrington:

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There’s a possibility a judge could shut off the Dakota Access Pipeline over the lack of a proper environmental review. U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke recommends trimming the size of Bears Ears National Monument. The final fate of that land and other monuments is still up in the air. At the same time, the size of the Interior Department is also slated to shrink, with implications for Indian Country. Join us as we catch up on the news.

Guests:

Krista Allen (Navajo) – reporter and photographer at the Navajo Times

Dan Huculak (Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) – WGZS Station Manager

Senator Martin Heinrich – United States Senator for New Mexico

Break music: Stomp Dance (song) George Hunter (artist) Haven (album)

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This year marks two 150th anniversaries. The places we know today as Canada and Alaska are marking their sesquicentennials with historical exhibits, concerts, and other events. But in both places, the historical milestone is difficult for Indigenous people. Is there a way to acknowledge the legacy of violence and oppression against Native people alongside the flag-waving celebrations?

Guests:

Quinn Meawasige (Ojibwe Anishinaabe from Serpent River First Nation along the north shore of Lake Huron which is a signatory of the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850) – youth representative Union of Ontario Indians, student and activist

Drew Hayden Taylor (Curve Lake First Nation) – author, playwright, humorist

Break music: Smoke dance remix (song) Chief Rock (artist)

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With roots in the O’odham Nation, Raye Zaragoza steps into the Native music scene with her debut album “Fight For You.” Many of the lyrics on this album are a reflection of the times, including a song dedicated to those working to protect water and sacred places. Raye’s soulful voice gracefully drifts over the notes and lets listeners melt into her creativity. She’ll talk with us about why she feels music is a pathway to understanding.

Break music: Chase The Child (song) Raye Zaragoza (artist) Fight For You (album)

Here’s the video for Raye Zaragoza’s title song, Fight For You

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A unanimous Supreme Court recently struck down an obscure provision in trademark law. It’s a victory for free speech, but a major blow for those working to force a name change for the Washington DC NFL football team. The Court calls the provision unconstitutional. Team owners are celebrating in the end zone. The National Congress of the American Indian, meanwhile, calls the ruling, ‘disappointing’. We’ll explore the next strategies now that teams are free to retain financial incentives for keeping offensive mascots.

Guests:

Amanda Blackhorse (Diné) – plaintiff in Blackhorse v Pro Football

Rebecca Tushnet – professor of law at Georgetown University

Break music: Hand Game Song (song) Fawn Wood & Dallas Waskahat (artist) Blessings (album)