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Opaskwayak Cree Nation singer Rhonda Head’s latest CD “Kisahkihitan” stems from her passion for classical music. The Cree language title of the album translates to “I love you”. And there is plenty of love in the way Rhonda sings her own compositions. She says a lot of inspiration for these songs comes from the landscape of her First Nation. Join our conversation with the mezzo-soprano recording artist about her love of music and how it helped her triumph over adversity.

Guests:

Rhonda Head (Cree Opaskwayak Nation) – Cree Mezzo Soprano

Break music: Pie Jesu (song) Rhonda Head (artist) Kisahkihitan (album)

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Fortunately, HIV and AIDS rates remain lower for Native Americans than for some other groups. One exception: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found in a 2011 study that Native injected drug users experience the highest rates of HIV infections than any other demographic. National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is this week. The theme is “Unity in CommUnity, Stand Strong to Prevent HIV.” We’ll hear more about community efforts to prevent HIV.

Guests:

Dr. Pamela Jumper-Thurman (Western Cherokee) – adjunct professor at Colorado State University in ethnic studies and past director of Commitment to Action for 7^th Generation Awareness and Education

Isadore Boni (San Carlos Apache) – HIV survivor and activist

Break music: Imazighenation (song) R. Carlos Nakai Quartet featuring R. Carlos Nakai, Amochip Dabney, Will Clipman and Johnny Walker (artist) What Lies Beyond (album)

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It’s a confusing time for the marijuana legalization movement. Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia have decriminalized small amounts of marijuana use. But the federal government maintains its criminal designation. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently said that heroin is only “slightly worse” than marijuana. For tribes getting into the business, confusion around pot legality is just as murky. The “Cole Memo” appeared to provide a green light for tribes in states that legalized recreational use. But there a few high profile setbacks. We’ll hear from operators with big plans as well as the first tribe in the U.S. to open a legal marijuana business.

Guests:

Mike Ogden (Squaxin Island Tribe) – store manager of Elevation a retail cannabis shop located on the Squaxin Island Indian Reservation

Lael Echo Hawk (Pawnee) – general counsel for the National Indian Cannabis Coalition

Leonard Salgado – vice president of business development for Ultra Health

Break music: Herbivore (feat. Ozzie) (song) Leilani Wolfgramm (artist) Rebel (album)

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For wild rice, or manoomin, water literally is life. The grass species grows in shallow bodies of water. It is food for people and animals alike. But when the water is polluted wild rice becomes the “canary in the coal mine.” Since the 1970s, Minnesota has had water quality standards to protect wild rice. Now, the state’s Pollution Control Agency is in the process of changing the standards. Some tribes are concerned the rice is in danger, and that is a symptom of much larger problems. We’ll examine the issue and talk with experts about the future of wild rice.

Guests:

Tom Hows (Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) Natural Resource Program Manager for the Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

Nancy Schuldt – water projects coordinator for Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

Break music: Migwitch Mahnomen (song) Chippewa Pow-Wow Drum Group In Ball Club, Leech Lake Reservation (artist) Songs of the Chippewa, Vol. 1 – Minnesota Chippewa Game and Social Dance Songs (album)

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Full interview with Shannon Lotthammer – director of the environmental analysis and outcomes division at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

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A new helpline, StrongHearts, offers help to victims of domestic violence in a culturally appropriate way. The helpline was created by Natives for Natives. Advocates say they cater to unique Native situations, laws and culture. That understanding is one reason for reaching out with culturally appropriate methods. We’ll explore how culturally appropriate methods pay off for domestic violence work and prevention.

Guests:

Lori Jump (Sault St. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians) – assistant director at StrongHearts Native Helpline

Deleana Otherbull (Crow and Northern Cheyenne) – executive director of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women

Break music: Euphony (song) Nitanis “Kit” Largo (artist) Serenity (album)

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The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples spent 10 days collecting information from tribes and U.S. government officials. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz heard comments about the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota and oil and gas exploration in New Mexico and Arizona. Among other things, she says she recognizes a need for better consultation and a consistent federal policy for projects that affect tribes.

Guests:

Jennifer Denetdale (Diné) – Prof. Jennifer Denetdale

Chairman Harold Frazier (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe) – Tribal Chairman

Break music: Place I Call Home (song) Native Roots (artist) Most High (album)

Hear an interview with Victoria Tauli-Corpuz:

 

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The Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians granted tribal membership back to 60 people who were disenrolled nine years ago. The action is a departure from a recent wave of disenrollement among some tribes in the west. Disenrolled members are no longer federally recognized tribal citizens and as a result lose benefits like health care, percap income and even housing. The Nooksak Indian Tribe is suing the federal government over sanctions imposed over election disputes stemming from disenrollment. Sovereignty gives independent tribal nations the ability to determine their members. But campaigns against disenrollment are aiming to change opinions. Is mass disenrollment on its way out?

Guests:

E.J. Crandell – chairman of the Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians

Gabe Galanda (Round Valley Tribe of Indians) – attorney with Galanda Broadman

Break music: Steadfast (song) Mr.Elive, Phillip Charette (artist) Tengaurtukut (album)

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Republican congressional leaders are in the process of keeping their promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. They propose the American Healthcare Act as an alternative. The new law does not address the Indian Healthcare Improvement Act, which is part of the Affordable Care Act. It also casts doubt on the future of Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion that, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, greatly helps American Indians and Alaska Natives. What does this proposed law mean for Native America?

Guests:

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

Caitrin McCarron Shuy – director of congressional relations for the National Indian Health Board

Denise Desiderio – policy director for the National Congress of American Indians

Break music: Aroha – Love (song) Mika (artist) Mika Versus Fashion (album)

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Has the current political climate caused you to press the pause button on plans to make changes in your life? For some people, life changes are a challenge, whether it’s getting a new job, starting an exercise routine or remodeling a house. It takes resilience and patience. It’s even harder if you feel uncertain about things you can’t control. How can we rely on our communities and traditions to get moving again? We will talk with experts about what they’re seeing when it comes to anxiety over the future and hear some strategies for taking on lasting and effective change.

Guests:

D.J. “Eagle Bear” Vanas (Odawa Nation) – motivational storyteller and owner of Native Discovery Inc.

Nazbah Tom (Diné) – somatic practitioner and trained therapist

Break music: Change (song) Mihana (artist) One Little Dream (album)

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Many people will descend on Washington DC to express solidarity and support for the fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline on Friday. We’ll talk with a variety of unique voices about the lessons learned from the pipeline fight, and what happens next. What can we take away from the experience at Standing Rock? Where does this momentum go? Send your thoughts to comments@nativeamericacalling.com.

Guests:

Dr. Renae Ditmer (Sault Sainte Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians) – freelance writer

Lauren Howland (San Carlos Apache/Jicarilla Apache /Navajo/Laguna Pueblo) – co-founder of the International Indigenous Youth Council

Eryn Wise (Jicarilla Apache/Laguna Pueblo) – organizer for Honor the Earth and media coordinator for the International Indigenous Youth Council

Deenaalee Hodgdon (Athabascan /Alutiiq) – second year student at Brown University

Break music: Tipi To A Tesla – Annie Humphrey (song) Annie Humphrey (artist) Uncombed Hair (album)