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Host: Shawn Spruce

Native Americans are much more likely to get certain cancers than the rest of the population. And cultural and geographic separations are two major factors that could determine life or death when it comes to cancer treatment.

Congress just approved $8 million in federal money to expand a tribally run cancer treatment center on the Navajo Nation. It’s an acknowledgement of the higher prevalence of cancer there and the disparity in treatment on the reservation. Also, many Navajos prefer to keep the subject of cancer private, a concept that Indigenous care providers are more likely to understand.

Today on Native America Calling, we learn about tribally run cancer treatment and the importance of connecting on a cultural level.

GUESTS

Dr. Myra Parker, director of the Seven Directions Center for Indigenous Public Health at University of Washington in Seattle

Melissa Buffalo, CEO at the American Indian Cancer Foundation in Minneapolis

Lynette Bonar, CEO of Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation

Break 1 music: Chant (song) Robert Mirabal + Ethel (artist) The River (album)

Break 2 music: Sisters (song) The Halluci Nation (artist) Nation II Nation (album)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:18 — 38.7MB) | Embed

Host: Shawn Spruce

Affording the basics is becoming harder every day as inflation continues to creep higher. Add to that the rising costs for gas and lingering supply-chain breakdowns. And a new study reminds us that people of color pay a steeper cost during economic hard times than the rest of the population. Shawn Spruce examines where and how inflation is surfacing and points out some hopeful signs that put the current financial concerns in context.

 

GUESTS

Eric Henson, research fellow at The Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development and lecturer at Harvard University

Toni Stanger-McLaughlin, CEO of the Native America Agriculture Fund

Richard Driskell, director for retail operations for FireLake Discount Foods and the FireLake Express Grocery stores in Tecumseh and McLoud for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:31 — 38.1MB) | Embed

Host: Shawn O’Spruce

This St. Patrick’s Day we explore the historic links between Ireland and Native Americans – from mutual aid during times of crisis to their shared battle against colonization and the extended trauma that comes with it. We also preview the new show “Aaron Power! The Musical” premiering today that tells the story of a Navajo man seeking out his Irish heritage.

GUESTS

Conor Donnan, adjunct professor at Hood College

Dan Haughey, writer of “Aaron Power! The Musical”

Ira Francisco, actor in “Aaron Power! The Musical”

Break 1 Music: Oldest Rabbit Dance Song (song) William Horncloud (artist) Rabbit Dance Songs of The Lakota (album)

Break 2 music: Song #7 (song) Red Lake Singers (artist) Old Times (album)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:52 — 53.9MB) | Embed

Host: Shawn Spruce

As Russia works to forcibly annex a neighboring country, it’s instructive to recount its checkered history among Alaska Natives. Russian explorers in the early 18^th Century cleared the path for a period of influence that continues today. Alaskan landmarks still bear the names of early Russian settlers and the Russian Orthodox religion remains a touchstone for villages. We’ll get a better understanding of Russian expansion into Alaska and what it means today.

GUESTS

Sarah Harrington, executive director of the Kodiak Historical Society and Kodiak History Museum

Hal Spackman, executive director of The Sitka History Museum

Break 1 Music: Oldest Rabbit Dance Song (song) William Horncloud (artist) Rabbit Dance Songs of The Lakota (album)

Break 2 music: Song #7 (song) Red Lake Singers (artist) Old Times (album)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:22 — 51.6MB) | Embed

Ukraine is a distant Eastern European foreign land. But the invasion by Russia has awakened a sense of solidarity around the world. One expression of support comes from brightly colored headscarves called ‘kokum’ that First Nations tribes traded with Ukrainian immigrants. The scarves extended to tribes well beyond Canada. Many tribes are also expressing support for Ukraine, citing parallels for remaining resilient in the face of aggression for an outside invader.

Guests:

Brandi Morin (Cree, Iroquois, French ) – journalist
Marion Mutala (Ukrainian and Slovak) – author of the Baba’s Babushka series
Calandra Etsitty (Diné) – designer and owner of Winston Paul fashion
Shayai Lucero (Acoma and Laguna Pueblo) – owner of Earth and Sky Floral Designs

Break 2 music: Song #7 (song) Red Lake Singers (artist) Old Times (album)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:25 — 38.7MB) | Embed

Host: Shawn Spruce

As this year’s tax filing deadline approaches, millions of people are still waiting for refunds from the IRS from last year. That’s because a staff shortage and complications from the pandemic have created a massive backlog at the IRS. The agency is hiring thousands of people in the coming weeks to help, but relief might still be a ways off. We’ll have insights into the problem and tips to make the most of your tax forms.

GUESTS

Henri Thompson (Cheyenne) – Chief Dull Knife College site coordinator for the volunteer income tax assistance program (VITA)

Shaun Guthrie (Alaskan Native/American Indian) – VITA lead coordinator for the Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority

Tyler Emerson – senior accountant CPA Elgee Rehfeld

Break 1 music: Cheyenne Flag Song (song) Phillip Whiteman Jr. (artist) Spirit Seeker: Votoestatane (album)

Break 2 music: Song #7 (song) Red Lake Singers (artist) Old Times (album)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:25 — 38.7MB) | Embed

Host: Shawn Spruce

March is a busy month for basketball teams at all levels. Native athletes, along with their parents and loved ones are gearing up for important conference match-ups and tournaments. We’ll highlight some standout teams and the notable on-court competitions.

GUESTS

Edward Kiokun – Mekoryuk Herders coach

Cuyler Frank – KCZY radio manager

Josh Stewart – Indians Head Basketball Coach

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

Break 2 music: Eagle Dance REMIX (song) Decontie & Brown (artist) Ancestors (album)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:25 — 38.7MB) | Embed

Host: Shawn Spruce

The U.S. Supreme Court says it will hear a case from Texas that challenges the Indian Child Welfare Act. ICWA supporters worry about the threat of diluting what has been considered the gold standard of Indian law for more than 40 years. The High Court is also hearing arguments on two other cases that speak to the heart of tribal sovereignty.

GUESTS

Sarah Kastelic, executive director of the National Indian Child Welfare Association

Sara Hill, attorney general of the Cherokee Nation

Matthew Fletcher, law professor at Michigan State University’s College of Law and author of TurtleTalk.blog

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

Break 2: Eagle Dance REMIX (song) Decontie & Brown (artist) Ancestors (album)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:25 — 38.7MB) | Embed

Host: Shawn Spruce

A new study finds almost half of all eagles sampled suffer from lead poisoning. The groundbreaking study published in the journal, Science, is based on samples from more than 1,200 bald and golden eagles in 38 states. The study predicts an almost 4 percent reduction in eagle populations each year because of the toxin that the birds mainly from game carcasses left by hunters. Eagle feathers are a sacred part of many tribes’ ceremonies and regalia.

 

GUESTS

Dr. Vince Slabe – research wildlife biologist

Kari Eneas (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe) – program manager for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ wildlife management program

Daniel Bird (Kewa Pueblo, formerly known as Santo Domingo Pueblo) – Ph.D. student in the wildlife biology program at the University of Montana W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation

MUSIC