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Host: Shawn Spruce

The scourge of slavery was an unfortunate reality for Indigenous people in the history of North America. Spanish colonizers set in motion a complicated legacy of slavery throughout the Americas that changed identity, culture and relationships forever. We’ll talk about the history and legacy of Indigenous slavery and get insights from speakers with the National Museum of the American Indian’s symposium, “The Other Slavery: Histories of Indian Bondage from New Spain to the Southwestern United States.”

Guests:

Dr. Patricia Trujillo (Chicana) – associate professor at Northern New Mexico College and literary scholar of New Mexico history and culture

Dr. Erika Pérez – associate professor of history at the University of Arizona

Dr. Royleen J. Ross (Laguna Pueblo) – cultural psychologist

Break 1 music: Shades of Red Part 3 (song) Dawn Avery (artist) Shades of Red (album)

Break 2 music: Bonus FOOTPRINTS (song) Randy Boogie (artist) THE BLESSINGWAY BOOGIE (Deluxe Edition) (album)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:30 — 51.7MB) | Embed

Host: Shawn Spruce

Newly discovered fossilized human footprints issue another blow to the conventional scientific theory about when humans came to North America. Many tribes have pushed back against the so-called land bridge across the Bering Strait theory because it conflicts with traditional knowledge. The new fossil evidence could add weight to their case. We’ll talk with Indigenous archaeologists about the new scientific revelations and inclusion of Indigenous knowledge in archaeological science.

Guests:

Dr. Paulette Steeves (Cree, Metis) – Canada Research Chair in Healing and Reconciliation and an Indigenous archaeologist and professor at Algoma University and author of “The Indigenous Paleolithic of the Western Hemisphere”

Jon Shellenberger (Yakama) – archaeologist, project director for the Central Washington Anthropological Survey from the Central Washington University and owner of Native Anthro

Break 1 music: Honoring The Homeland (song) Radmilla & Herman Cody (artist) Shi Kéyah (album)

Break 2 music: Bonus FOOTPRINTS (song) Randy Boogie (artist) THE BLESSINGWAY BOOGIE (Deluxe Edition) (album)

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Corn was originally cultivated by Indigenous people in what is now Mexico. That led to another important Indigenous innovation whose origin dates back about 3,000 years: nixtamalization. It’s the process of soaking corn in an alkaline solution with hardwood ash or limestone to break down its natural barrier, releasing niacin, an integral part of human nutrition. It’s also turned corn into a culinary staple leading to commonly used foods like corn tortillas and hominy. We’ll talk about the origins and science that made its way into the historical and contemporary culinary traditions.

Break 1 Music: On The Road Missing Home (Corn Dance) (song) Sheldon Sundown (artist) Hand Drum/Smoke N’ Round Dance (album)

Break 2 music: Hoka Hey (feat. Jayden Paz & Dancin Dave) [Radio Version] (song) DJ Krayzkree (artist) Future Generations (song)

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Host: Alyssa Yáx̱ Ádi Yádi London

Land stewardship is at the core of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. The valuable resources that come with the land were a primary catalyst for the groundbreaking legislation passed 50 years ago. ANCSA also permanently merged Alaska Native identity with corporate entities, requiring a new vision for cultural progress and responsibility.

Guests:

Willie Kasayulie (tribal member for Akiachak Tribal Community and shareholder for Calista Corporation) – member of the board of directors for the Calista Corporation, retired long-time tribal advocate

Cameron Poindexter (part Curyung Tribe) – president and CEO of Choggiung Limited

Aaron Schutt (Native Village of Tanana) – president and CEO of Doyon

Tate London (Tlinget) – assistant US attorney for the Western District of Washington and former board member for Sealaska

Break 1 music: Cauyaqa Nauwa (Where’s My Drum) (song) Pamyua (artist) Drums Of The North: Traditional Yup’ik Songs (album)

Break 2 music: Hoka Hey (feat. Jayden Paz & Dancin Dave) [Radio Version] (song) DJ Krayzkree (artist) Future Generations (song)

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This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. It was an innovative approach to land stewardship and capitalism mixed with Native values. It has set the stage for Alaska Native governance and identity in the state ever since. We’ll get a glimpse of the strengths and drawbacks of ANCSA at 50, both intended and unintended, and how this unprecedented legislation continues to unfold and shape the lives of its shareholders and descendants.

Guests:

Mike Williams Sr. (Yupiaq) – tribal chief of the Akiak Native Community

Karl Potts – president and CEO of Shee Atiká Incorporated

Jaeleen Kookesh (Tlingit and Haida) – vice president of policy and legal affairs for Sealaska

William Hensley – distinguished visiting professor in the department of Business and Public Policy at the University of Alaska Anchorage

Break 1 music: Ukiuq (song) The Jerry Cans (artist) Inuusiq (album)

Break 2 music: Hoka Hey (feat. Jayden Paz & Dancin Dave) [Radio Version] (song) DJ Krayzkree (artist) Future Generations (song)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:45 — 52.0MB) | Embed

Host: Alyssa Yáx̱ Ádi Yádi London

The documentary film ‘Alaska Nets’ follows the quest by a pair of athletes from Alaska’s only reservation. It premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival and focuses on the two main concerns in these young mens’ lives: basketball and salmon fishing. We’ll hear about the film and get a glimpse of life on the remote island of Metlakatla.

Guests:

Melody Leask (Tsimshian) – team grandma

Jeff Harasimowicz – director and producer of “Alaskan Nets”

TJ Scott – high school math, health and PE teacher and coach for the Metlakatla High School Chiefs boys basketball team

Chelsea Martinez – secondary school counselor at Annette Island School District

Naomi Leask (Ts’msyen) – Annette Island School District’s cultural education and Ts’msyen studies teacher

Break 1 Music: Stick Game Jam F. BIG Phil (Beat By Magic Touch, Mixed By EV Of A-Slam.Com) (song) Inez (artist) Inez – Singsoulgirl (album)

Break 2 music: Dat One (song) The Delbert Anderson Trio (artist) MANITOU (album)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:45 — 52.0MB) | Embed

Host: Alyssa Yáx̱ Ádi Yádi London

Native people are over-represented in the number of people with disabilities. The U.S. Census finds almost a quarter of the Native population has a disability. At the same time they are underserved when it comes to treatment because of inadequate funding, staff shortages or bureaucratic barriers. There are efforts to both reduce the number of Native people with disabilities, and find ways to improve the lives of those living with disabilities.

Guests:

Hoskie Benally (Navajo) – community/government liaison for the Native American Disability Law Center, and president for the Navajo Nation advisory council on disabilities

Erica Myron (Ft. McDowell Yavapai Nation) – Ms. Wheelchair USA 2021-2022

Joseph Ray (Laguna Pueblo, Zuni and Maidu) – vice president of the board of directors for UNITE, United Nursing Homes in Tribal Excellence, and chairman of the National Congress of American Indians’ disability subcommittee

Jen Deerinwater (citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma) – founding executive director of Crushing Colonialism

Break 1 music: Intertribal (song) Cree Confederation (artist) Pakosiyimitan (album)

Break 2 music: Dat One (song) The Delbert Anderson Trio (artist) MANITOU (album)