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In Canada, an apology, $2 billion, and a truth and reconciliation commission were all part of addressing the disastrous effects of residential schools. In the US, there are individuals and non profit groups working towards boarding school reconciliation, but nothing from a government level. The legacy of boarding schools is still something that many Native Nations are struggling to address. On this show, we’ll talk with the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition about their work.

Guests:

Christine McCleave (Turtle Mountain Chippewa) – executive officer for the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition

Jim LaBelle (Inupiaq) – retired professor from the University of Alaska Anchorage and boarding school survivor

Break Music: Generations (song) P. Town Boyz (artist) P. Town Boyz (album)

 

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It’s a creepy, crawly time of year and there are few creatures that spark fearful reactions as much as spiders. But the arachnid is also a critical part of many traditional origin stories. Spiders also have lessons to teach in many cultures. Spider Woman is critical to the Navajo creation story. For Lakota, it is Iktomi, a trickster who takes many forms and often plays the role of a fool. What do spiders represent in your community?

Guests:

Linda Hogan (Chickasaw) – activist, poet, author

Adam Teller (Navajo) – storyteller and Canyon de Chelly tour guide and business owner

Break Music: Eensie Weensie Spider (song) Radmilla Cody (artist) Precious Friends: Songs For Children (album)

 

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Kiowa poet and author N. Scott Momaday and his daughter, Jill, retrace his life and the footsteps of their ancestors in the documentary film Return to Rainy Mountain. N. Scott Momaday is the Pulitzer Prize winning author of such books as “House Made of Dawn,” “The Ancient Child,” and “The Way to Rainy Mountain.” Jill wrote, produced and directed the film, which is airing on PBS stations.

Break Music: Original Gourd Song Sung By The Old Warriors (song) Kiowa Tiapiah Society (artist) Kiowa Gourd Dance Vol. 1 (album)

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From national policy to tribal politics, we take time to regularly speak with journalists, newsmakers and others about the important issues of the day. We’ll devote the hour to catching up on major news events throughout Native America. Join us for our regular news round-up.

Guests:

Greg Sarris (Tribal member of the Graton Rancheria which includes the Southern Pomo and Coast Miwok People) – Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria

Debra Utacia Krol (Xolon Salinan Tribe) – independent journalist

Mark Trahant (Shoshone-Bannock) – journalist

Lauren King (Muscogee (Creek) Nation) – attorney at Foster Pepper PLLC

Break Music: Red Path (song) Brulé (artist) We The People (album)

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Some people enjoy subjecting themselves to the gore and suspense of horror movies and books. It’s a genre where some Native American artists are also finding a niche. The monsters, blood and supernatural villains are creeping their way into Native film and literature. Some of the stories even reference Native traditions. As we head into Halloween, we hear from some Native horror creators and fans about what makes Native horror special.

Guests:

Jim Terry – artist and comic artist

Mike J. Marin (Navajo, Laguna Pueblo and Washo) – Writer/Director Mike J. Marin of Real Talk Junkies Films. “The Smudging” creator

 

 

Monsters of the World Unite (song) Arigon Starr (artist) Meet the Diva (album)

 

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Hunting and fishing are a necessity for many Alaska Natives. It’s also a part of their culture and identity. For the federal and state entities that manage subsistence hunting, the topic is made complicated by unique land issues and rights. In this program, we’ll discuss the constant battle Alaska Natives face to preserve their right to hunt and fish to sustain themselves and their families.

Guests:

Rosita Worl (Tlingit) – president of the Sealaska Heritage Institute

Qaiyaan Harcharek (Inupiaq) – subsistence research coordinator for the North Slope Borough

Gene Peltola Jr. (Yupik and Tlingit) – assistant regional director of the office of subsistence management under the U.S. Department of Interior

Emil Notti (Athabaskan) – founder of AFN

Break Music: Reindeer (song) Pamyua (artist) Caught In The Act (album)

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The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe is embarking on a novel business partnership with a pharmaceutical company. The company pays the tribe to hold the patents for a profitable drug. In exchange, the tribe’s sovereign immunity prevents generic drug makers from getting at the drug’s formula. Some members of Congress are now drafting laws to prevent such agreements. The tribe is also suing business giants Microsoft and Amazon for patent infringement. It’s one of several instances in which tribes leverage sovereignty in business deals. Is this a new and innovative revenue-generating model? Or is the idea headed for a legal defeat? We’ll try and sort out the prospects.

Guests:

Elizabeth Winston – professor of law at The Catholic University of America at the Columbus School of Law

Matthew Compton – attorney at Prebeg, Faucett & Abbott PLLC

David Petite (Fond du Lac Chippewa Tribe) – inventor and founder of Native American Intellectual Property Enterprise Council

Break Music: Fancy Shawl Song (song) BlackStone (artist) Bring Your Feathers In! (album)

 

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Funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program expired in September. The $150-million Special Diabetes Program for Indians is getting by on a three-month extension. Now, President Donald Trump ended subsidies to health insurance companies provided under the Affordable Care Act. As the future of federal health care policy remains a question, we’re once again asking: where do Native Americans fit into this fight? We’ll talk with experts to try and sort through the status and future of health care.

Guests:

Stacy Bohlen (Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa) – executive director of the National Indian Health Board

Jerilyn Church (Cheyenne River Sioux) – CEO of the Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Health Board

Bineshi Albert (Euchee/Chippewa) – one of the founders of the Native American Voters Alliance

Break Music: Cissy (Fish/Smoke Dance) (song) Sheldon Sundown (artist) Hand Drum/Smoke N’ Round Dance (album)

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Sean Sherman (Oglala Lakota) is among the leading chefs breathing new life into Indigenous cuisine. Now he’s celebrating the launch of his new cookbook, “The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen,” filled with creative recipes using traditional ingredients and methods. He’s known for dishes like bison wild rice bowls and roasted duck with sage. He shows how cooking can be an act of reclaiming history and culture. We’ll talk to him about his mission to educate people as well as feed them.

Break Music: Don’t Fear to Tread (song) Scatter Their Own (artist) Taste the Time (album)

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The late Tillie Black Bear (Lakota) is known as the Grandmother of the Battered Women’s Movement. She was a founder with the White Buffalo Calf Women’s society and the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center among other things. She is among the people and efforts we will reflect on as we acknowledge Domestic Violence Awareness month. We’ll remember some of the pioneers of the movement and talk with experts about how the approaches to addressing domestic violence in our Native communities have changed through the years.

Guests:

Lori Jump (Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians) – assistant director for Strong Hearts Native Helpline

Caroline LaPorte (immediate descendent of Little River Band of Ottawa Indians) – senior Native affairs policy advisor for the Strong Heart Native Help Line and the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center

Break music: Inuk (song) Karina Møller (artist) Simplify (album)