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Claudia Sheinbaum has already made history as Mexico’s first female president. She also comes into office with a promise to bolster the rights and recognition for the country’s many Indigenous peoples. Her inauguration included a traditional Indigenous blessing ceremony, something that at least one church leader criticized as “witchcraft”. We’ll explore what the Sheinbaum presidency means for Mexico’s Indigenous peoples and what obstacles stand in the way.

GUESTS

Gaspar Rivera-Salgado (Mixteco), director for the UCLA Center for Mexican Studies

Mariano Machain, coordinator for the international advocacy non-profit group Service and Advice for Peace (Serapaz)

Nicole Yanes (Opata), director of institutional philanthropy at NDN Collective

Break 1 Music: Copal Offering to the Four Directions (song) Xavier Quijas Yxayotl (artist) Aztec Dances (album)

Break 2 Music: Grateful Sun (song) Mike Bern (artist)

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The U.S. Navy is scheduled to formally apologize to Alaska Native residents of Angoon, Alaska, 142 years after they bombarded the village. The Navy also just apologized to the residents of Kake for a similar assault some years earlier. Both deadly assaults on the villages came after the deaths of Tlingit residents prompting a series of escalating actions. The shellings occurred during a time of tense interactions between Alaska Natives, the U.S. military, and outside corporate interests. Navy and village leaders alike say the apologies will help healing these many years later.

GUESTS

Judith Dax̱ootsú Ramos (Tlingit), professor of Northwest Coast Arts at University of Alaska Southeast

Shgen George (Tlingit), Chilkat weaver and retired teacher

Esther Reese (Tlingit), tribal administrator for Wrangell Cooperative Association

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)

 

Break 1 Music: Siigaay Gid uu Dii Iijang [Ocean Child I Am] (song) Khu.éex’ (artist) Siy​á​adlan (album)

Break 2 Music: Creator (song) Chuck Copenace (artist) Oshki Manitou (album)

 

 

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There is a decidedly imperialistic thrust to the Civilization video games. That’s why Shawnee tribal leaders were wary at first when game developers approached them about including famed Shawnee chief Tecumseh in the next version of Civilization. But after four years, the collaboration has introduced Shawnee language and culture and a new direction for the Civilization franchise. We’ll hear about this intersection of Native representation and video games and explore some new uses for video games.

GUESTS

Chief Ben Barnes (Shawnee), chief of the Shawnee Tribe, board member of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, and chairman of the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma

Dillon Dean (Shawnee), actor and voices Tecumseh in Civilization 7

Anangookwe Hermes-Roach (Bad River Band of Ojibwe), co-director and game developer for Reclaim!

Dr. Lee Francis IV aka Dr. IndigiNerd (Laguna Pueblo), CEO of A Tribe Called Geek

 

Break 1 Music: Shawnee Stomp Dance (song) Little Axe Singers (artist) Traditional Voices: Historic Recordings of Traditional Native American Music (album)

Break 2 Music: Creator (song) Chuck Copenace (artist) Oshki Manitou (album)

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The Indian Health Service finds Native Americans and Alaska Natives are two and a half times more likely to report serious psychological distress than other populations. Psychiatry experts say intergenerational trauma may be one factor. There are steps both employers and employees can do to avoid the effects of stress and burnout in the office. There are additional steps that may be beneficial specifically for Native employees. On World Mental Health Day, we’ll find out ways to build a healthy workplace.

GUESTS

Dr. Jillian Fish (Tuscarora Nation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy), owner of Fish Psychotherapy & Consulting and professor in the Department of Psychology at Macalester College

Haley Laughter (Diné), owner of Hozho Total Wellness

D.J. Eagle Bear Vanas (Odawa Nation), motivational storyteller; host of the PBS special, Discovering your Warrior Spirit; and author of Warrior Within published by Penguin Random House

Break 1 Music: Too Bad for Me (song) Janet Panic (artist) A Mighty Rip Through the Page of My Life (album)

Break 2 Music: Butterfly Wings (song) Midnight Sparrows (artist) Born in the City (album)

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Weary residents in the southeast United States are preparing for the inevitable destruction of Hurricane Milton just two weeks after Hurricane Helene claimed at least 230 lives and billions of dollars in property damage. Area tribes not directly affected by the storm double-punch are offering aid and assessing their own disaster preparedness in light of the devastation. We’ll hear from other tribal emergency management officials about their own evolving disaster plans.

GUESTS

Corbin Wildcatt (Eastern Band of Cherokee), new Hendersonville resident

April Sells (member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians), Poarch Band of Creek Indians tribal emergency services director

Tasha Oxendine (citizen of the Lumbee), public relations manager for the Lumbee Tribe

James Akerelrea, Yukon-Kuskokwim Regional Tribal Government president

Break 1 Music: Colin Went Down to the Water (song) Bruce Cockburn (artist) O Sun O Moon (album)

Break 2 Music: Butterfly Wings (song) Midnight Sparrows (artist) Born in the City (album)

 

Shawn Spruce captured these photos in Asheville, N.C.’s Biltmore Village on Wednesday morning.

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A portrayal of the Pine Ridge Reservation by a YouTube personality with more than 2,000,000 subscribers is drawing criticism for focusing on stereotypes of poverty and substance abuse. Tommy McGee, who goes by the name “Tommy G”, makes a name for himself producing what he calls “documentaries” that depict extremes of American life. His video of the Oglala Lakota reservation, called “The poorest place in America”, has more than 3,000,000 views. He paints a picture primarily of meth and alcohol addiction, unemployment, squalor, and crime. Pine Ridge residents, including one Native youth organization, say the video crosses the line into “poverty porn.” We’ll explore current approaches for responsible media representation of Native people.

GUESTS

Melissa Greene-Blye (Miami Tribe of Oklahoma), professor of journalism at the University of Kansas

Kyle Mesteth (Oglala Lakota), CEO and founder of Ground Control

Clementine Bordeaux (Sicangu and Oglala Lakota), PhD in culture and performance from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and a postdoctoral fellow with the University of California

Zaniyan Iron Eyes (Hunkpapa and Oglala Lakota), intergovernmental ambassador for the Native American Youth Organization (NAYO)

Break 1 Music:  Song of Encouragement (song) Porcupine Singers (artist) Alowanpi – Songs of Honoring – Lakota Classics: Past & Present, Vol. 1 (album)

Break 2 Music: Butterfly Wings (song) Midnight Sparrows (artist) Born in the City (album)