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Many people turn to prayer, traditional practices or messages of encouragement during times of personal or communal crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic limits people’s ability to connect in groups to heal. But there are still ways to find fellowship and access spiritual solace. We’ll get perspective from three people about what they are leaning on during this crisis. How are you managing? Send us an email to comments@nativeamericacalling.com with how you are getting through this challenging time.

Guests:

Chief Arvol Looking Horse (Lakota/Dakota/Nakota) -19th Generation Keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe

Jillene Joseph (A’aninin) – executive director of the Native Wellness Institute

Reverend David Wilson(Choctaw Nation) Ordained minister for Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, in the United Methodist Church

Shannon Keller O’Loughlin (Choctaw Nation) –  executive director of the Association on American Indian Affairs

 

Break 1 music: Intertribal (song) Tha Tribe (artist) Woodland Groove (album)

Break 2 music: Native Superstars (song) Corey Allison (artist) Ecliptic Sessions (album)

 

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Native child adoptions, court hearings and in-person family visitations are some of the things grinding to a halt because of efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus. Many child welfare advocates are also worried that states may use the current confusion to withhold information important to adequately assessing cases where the Indian Child Welfare Act may apply. We’ll check in with the National Indian Child Welfare Association on suggestions they are providing for tribal child welfare agencies, attorneys and individuals about how to navigate the new normal of COVID-19 restrictions.

Guests:

David Simmons – director of government affairs and advocacy for the National Indian Child Welfare Association

Angela Connor (Choctaw) – director of foster care and adoption for Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and vice president of National Indian Child Welfare Association

 

Break 1 music: Intertribal Song (song) Dakota Nation (artist) Home Of The Champions (album)

Break 2 music: Native Superstars (song) Corey Allison (artist) Ecliptic Sessions (album)

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The federal government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis includes a $2.2 trillion stimulus package. Of that, $10 billion is aimed specifically toward helping tribal health, housing, education, and business recovery, among other things. The crisis is already severely affecting tribes, businesses and individuals. Health and business experts are still not able to predict the full extent of the financial damage. We’ll talk with tribal policy and economic experts about what the stimulus package makes available for tribes and how you might see those funds working in your community.

Guests:

Jason Giles (Muscogee Creek) – executive director of the National Indian Gaming Association

Kevin Allis (Forest County Potawatomi Community) – Chief Executive Officer of the National Congress of American Indians

Stacy Bohlen (Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa) – Chief Executive Officer of the National Indian Health Board

Tom Udall – United States Senator for New Mexico

 

Break 1 music: Vipismal – The Hummingbird Song (song) Earl Ray (artist) Traditional Songs Of The Salt River Pima (album)

Break 2 music: Native Superstars (song) Corey Allison (artist) Ecliptic Sessions (album)

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Self-isolation and handwashing are a large part of the national game plan for combatting COVID-19. But those experiencing homelessness have far fewer options when it comes to heeding health experts’ basic recommendations. Urban Native homeless resource centers like the Chief Seattle Club and Central Arizona Shelter Services are continuing to offer health, nutrition and shelter services to those in need. But complying with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 guidelines is difficult with already limited space and resources. We’ll check in with those who are helping vulnerable Native Americans.

Guests:

Autumn Dillie (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa) – homeless street outreach worker for the American Indian Community Development Corporation

Colleen Echohawk (Pawnee and Athabascan) – executive director of the Chief Seattle Club

Klee Benally (Diné) – coordinator Protect The Peaks and works with Clean Up the Mines and Haul No!

Robert Lilligren (White Earth Ojibwe Nation) – chair of the Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors

Mentioned on the show today:

Chief Seattle Club

Address to send socks, underwear, hand sanitizer and other hygiene items

Chief Seattle Club

410 2nd Ave. Extension S

Seattle, WA, 98104

DIY Emergency Hand washing Station Instructions Zine

American Indian Community Development Corporation

Taala Hooghan

 

Break Music: The Dance (2007 Studio Version) (song) Robert Mirabal (artist) In the Blood (album)

Break 2 music: Harmony Nights (song) Cheevers Toppah & Alex Smith (artist) Harmony Nights: Native American Vocal Harmony (album)

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The response to the coronavirus is threatening the survival of big and small Native businesses. Worries about the economy are on everyone’s mind even as U.S. politicians are working to deliver a $2.2 trillion relief package. It’s difficult to see how Native businesses will fare through the looming economic crisis. We’ll take the pulse of Native professionals about what the situation is and get predictions about how long and how severe it might be.

Guests:

Bleu Adams (Mandan, Hidatsa and Dine) – co-owner of Blackbird Brunch

Chris James (Cherokee) – president and CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development

Marvis Aragon (Acoma Pueblo) – executive director of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico

 

Break 1 music: Badger Boogie (SONG) Arvel Bird (ARTIST) Animal Totem 2 (ALBUM)

Break 2 music: Harmony Nights (song) Cheevers Toppah & Alex Smith (artist) Harmony Nights: Native American Vocal Harmony (album)

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Is it too soon to laugh about the coronavirus? No matter what happens to Native people, humor remains a long-standing form of coping. For 25 years, Canadian comedian Don Burnstick (Cree) has been making people laugh across Turtle Island. He’s been sharing his jokes on Facebook Live videos including “they went from guarding pipelines to guarding the toilet paper.” We’ll talk with him and a few other Native comedians about how to keep laughing during a crisis.

Guests:

Don Burnstick (Cree from Alexander First Nations) – Comedian

Tito Hoover (Navajo) – comedian and motivational speaker

 

Break 1 music: Pink Panther/Baby Elephant (song) 2006 Standing Rock Warrior Band (artist)

Break 2 music: Harmony Nights (song) Cheevers Toppah & Alex Smith (artist) Harmony Nights: Native American Vocal Harmony (album)

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You can watch the local news and daily briefings from the White House, read the updates from the CDC, and scour the newspaper for the latest on the coronavirus pandemic. Even after doing all that, you might still have questions. We’ll take an hour and find out what misinformation, knowledge gaps and lingering questions are still out there at a time when accurate information is crucial.

 

Break 1 music: Ideal Dub (song) Casper Loma Da-Wa (artist) Honor the People (album)

Break 2 music: Harmony Nights (song) Cheevers Toppah & Alex Smith (artist) Harmony Nights: Native American Vocal Harmony (album)

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Words like “pandemic,” “highly contagious” and “mortality rate” in the news and on social media can be frightening. Isolation from others and financial uncertainty also trigger anxiety. A number of organizations are offering resources to keep anxiety in check. Some ideas include taking breaks, staying connected with others and eating healthy. We’ll access some of those tips and get some help from Native experts about calming down, recharging and remaining optimistic.

Guests:

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

Dr. Laurelle Myhra (Red Lake Band of Ojibwe) – director of behavioral health at the Native American Community Clinic; she is a licensed therapist

Lori Jump (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians) – director for the StrongHearts Native Helpline

 

Break 1 music: The World is Yours (song) Cheevers Toppah & Alex Smith (artist) Harmony Nights: Native American Vocal Harmony (album)

Break 2 music: Bounce Wit Me (song) P. Town Boyz (song) P. Town Boyz (album)

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Schools are closed and most colleges are either shut down or jumping to online-only classes during the COVID-19 crisis. There are a lot of barriers to overcome. Some are technical, like navigating apps and securing consistent internet access. Others are less tangible, including maintaining focus and coping with isolation. We’ll hear from education experts about what we might expect in the coming weeks of the evolving COVID-19. We’ll also get some advice about getting the most from remote learning.

Guests:

Dr. Tonya Drake (Cowichan First Nation) – chancellor and regional vice president of the northwest for Western Governors University-Washington

Kelley Mitchell (Diné) – senior student success coach for the American Indian College Fund

Maka Black Elk (Oglala Lakota) – director of curriculum and instruction at Red Cloud Indian School

 

Break 1 music: Tha Tribe (World) (song) Anthony Wakeman (artist) Butterfly Dreams – Native American Flute Music (album)

Break 2 music: Bounce Wit Me (song) P. Town Boyz (song) P. Town Boyz (album)

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It’s important to put thought into how you explain the current uncertainty and confusion to your kids. Adults play an important role in making sense of world events that cause anxiety for children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of recommendations for being honest and direct while also minimizing undo stress. The good news is many parents are finding the opportunity to spend more time at home with their kids. It’s a time to finish 1,0000 piece jigsaw puzzles and make Tik Tok videos. But it can also be a time to strengthen traditional practices. We’ll talk with parents and counselors about getting the most out of time with your kids.

Guests:

Amber Hayward (Puyallup/ Confederated Salish and Kootenai) – language program director for Puyallup Tribe of Indians

Kimberly Tilsen-Brave Heart (Oglala Sioux Tribe) – executive chef and co-owner of Etiquette Catering Company and mother of three

Dr. Shilo Tippett (Wasco/Tlingit) – clinical psychologist at St. Charles Health Care System

 

Break 1 music: Cultural Survival (song) Art Napoleon (Travelling Sun) (artist) Miyoskamin (Early Springtime) (album)

Break 2 music: Bounce Wit Me (song) P. Town Boyz (artist) P. Town Boyz (album)