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Host: Shawn Spruce

Handmade regalia, eagle feathers, and items handed down through the generations are among the items we keep in our homes and take with us to powwows and other events. Losing them or having them damaged would be a severe blow. Putting any kind of monetary value on them is difficult, but could provide some sense of security if the worst happens. We’ll hear about ways to protect the items we treasure most.

GUESTS

Josephine Webster (Oneida and Navajo), mother and attendee of the Gathering of Nations Powwow

Allen Romero, claims department director at AMERIND Risk

J.D. Colbert (Muskogee Creek and Chickasaw), president and CEO, Holisso Hakv

Break music: Grand Entry III (song) Pipestone (artist) Tribute to The Old Timers – Pow-Wow Songs Recorded Live At Prairie Island (album)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:28 — 25.9MB) | Embed

Host: Shawn Spruce

Since the Cherokee Phoenix first started in 1828, Native newspapers have filled a vital role in informing the public and giving a critical Native perspective on issues. Broadcast news, online outlets, and social media have all cut into the reach of printed newspapers. But newspapers still hold a vital connection for many Native people wanting to stay informed. We talk with Native editors about the importance of news on the printed page.

GUESTS

Tyler Thomas (Cherokee), executive editor for Cherokee Phoenix

Duane Beyal (Diné), editor for Navajo Times

Lori Ann Edmo (Shoshone-Bannock), editor for Sho-Ban News

Break music: Intertribal (feat. Northern Cree) (single) K.A.S.P. Intertribal (feat. Northern Cree) (artist)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:27 — 25.9MB) | Embed

Host: Shawn Spruce

A prominent Native artist is accused of serious—potentially criminal—conduct with young women he’s crossed paths with. The allegations are mostly playing out on social media. The incidents are a reminder of the near-constant threat people—mostly women—face from unscrupulous men. We get guidance on how individuals can recognize troubling situations as they arise and talk about raising awareness for responsible behavior on a broad scale.

GUESTS

Greg Grey Cloud (Crow Creek Sioux), co-founder of Wica Agli (Native Men Against Domestic Violence)

Janie Pochel (Wuskwi Sipihk), lead advisor of the Chi-Nations Youth Council

(StrongHearts Native Helpline toll free number is 844-762-7NATIVE (1-844-762-8483)

Break music: Say Her Name (song) Spirit Line Collective (artist) Spirit Line: Woven Together For Our Missing & Murdered Indigenous Relatives (album)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:28 — 25.9MB) | Embed

Host: Shawn Spruce

After two dark years, the Gathering of Nations Powwow returns as an in-person event. That follows the successful completion of Denver March last month, and the Crow Fair last July. The events and the many others that are planned are a force of optimism even as coronavirus cases continue to climb in certain places. We’ll celebrate the celebrations and calculate the lingering risks as people head back to the powwow trail.

GUESTS

Dennis Bowen (Seneca), Gathering of Nations emcee

Whitney Rencountre (Crow Creek Sioux), co-founder of the Social Distance Powwow and the associate director of the Indian University of North America

Derek Matthews, founder and director of Gathering of Nations

Chenoa Scippio (Dine and Santa Clara Pueblo), co-president of Kiva Club

Alicia Gallegos (Acoma, Laguna, and Dine), secretary of Kiva Club

Break Music: Pow Wow Song #7 (song) Red Lake Singers (artist) Old Times (album)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:28 — 25.9MB) | Embed

Host: Shawn Spruce

During the nomination hearings for Department of Interior Secretary a year ago, Deb Haaland was labeled a “radical” by some of her conservative opponents. At the same time, Indigenous people looked to the Laguna Pueblo citizen as a long overdue symbol of Native representation at the highest levels of federal government. Now that she has a one-year track record in office, we’ll discuss her progress on the issues that many Native people track. Those issues include oil leases on public lands, solving cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women, and tribal consultation.

GUESTS

Pauly Denetclaw (Diné) – political correspondent for Indian Country Today

Dr. Laura Harjo (Muscogee Creek Nation) – associate professor in Native American studies at OU and an affiliated faculty in the University of Oklahoma’s regional and city planning program

Amber Torres (Walker River Paiute) – tribal chairman of the Walker River Paiute Tribe

Break music: Coming In “Tewa” Song (song) Sidney Poolheco (artist) Heartfelt Songs (album)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:23 — 25.8MB) | Embed

Host: Andi Murphy

Native Americans are less likely to have reliable access to adequate wastewater systems than any other population in the country. Not only is that a health threat for individual Native people, it also poses significant environmental concerns. Tribes with resources can develop sophisticated treatment networks. Some individuals are able to maintain home treatment systems. There are many others who fall through the cracks. But there is hope on the horizon with new infrastructure money and recognition that addressing the wastewater gap is necessary.

GUESTS

David Harvey, deputy director of the Indian Health Service Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction

Rex Kontz (Navajo), deputy general manager at Navajo Tribal Utilities Authority

Ronson Chee (Navajo), founder and principal engineer of Riley Engineering

Break Music: Navajo Waltz (song) Jonah Littlesunday (artist) Gratitude (album)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:59 — 25.6MB) | Embed

Host: Shawn Spruce

The FBI is seeking leads into those responsible for spray painting graffiti over petroglyphs on Bureau of Land Management land near Santa Fe. In January, vandals destroyed rock art in Texas’ Big Bend National Park dating back thousands of years. They’re the latest in an ongoing stream of vandalism on sacred and important Native treasures around the country. We explore what drives people to disrespect irreplaceable Native items and what can be done to prevent it.

GUESTS

Reno Franklin (Pomo), chairman of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians and member of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

Monty Bengochia (Paiute), tribal historic preservation officer for the Bishop Paiute Tribe

Linea Sundstrom, chair of the conservation and preservation committee for the American Rock Art Research Association

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