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A lot of people are turning to stress relievers to help cope with the ongoing pandemic, economic worries, and political anxiety, all on top of the regular day-to-day pressures. Without proper management, stress can cause symptoms such as changes in appetite, difficulty concentrating, headaches, and even worse health problems. Some people resort to unhealthy remedies to stress like self-medicating with alcohol or drugs. But there are a number of healthy alternatives, including traditional Native methods. We’ll devote some time to talk with experts about techniques that provide results and are easy to incorporate in your daily routine.

Guests:

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

Mariah Gladstone (Cherokee/Blackfeet) – founder of Indigikitchen

Break 1 music: Shades of Blue (song) Gabriel Ayala (artist) Gabriel Ayala’s Album (album)

Break 2 music: Believe In Yourself (Old Beat) (song) Bryden Gwiss (artist) The Forgotten T.R.U.T.H. (The.Real.Un.Told.History) (album)

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The vaccine is already offering a sigh of relief to thousands of people. But many Native people remain wary for a variety of reasons. Health officials are looking for ways to get the message out that the vaccine is safe and effective, especially compared to the alternative. Meanwhile, tribal leaders and others are particularly worried about the toll the disease is taking on elders and what that means for tribal language and culture.

Guests:

Abigail Echo-Hawk (Pawnee) – director of the Urban Indian Health Institute and chief research officer at the Seattle Indian Health Board

Dr. Donna Galbreath (Ahtna Athabascan) – senior medical director of quality assurance at the Southcentral Foundation

Larry Curley (Navajo) – executive director for the National Indian Council on Aging

Jonathan Nez (Diné) – Navajo Nation president

Break 1 music: Women’s Golden Age Traditional (song) The Drum Of St. Labre (artist) The St. Labre Indian School Drum Group (album)

Break 2 music: Believe In Yourself (Old Beat) (song) Bryden Gwiss (artist) The Forgotten T.R.U.T.H. (The.Real.Un.Told.History) (album)

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Native American organizations raised and donated $32 million during the first seven months of the pandemic according to a new report from Native Americans in Philanthropy. A portion of the money was through funding platforms like Go Fund Me. The money is aimed at helping other Native institutions and individuals thrive during difficult economic times. We’ll take a look at Native philanthropy and the difference it’s making in Native nations.

Guests:

Mike Roberts (Tlingit) – president & CEO of the First Nations Development Institute

Erik Stegman (Carry the Kettle First Nation Nakoda) – executive director of Native Americans in Philanthropy

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

Break 2 Music: Mahk Jchi (song) Ulali (artist) Heartbeat: Voices of First Nations Women (album)

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COVID-19 vaccines from two pharmaceutical companies are making their way to Native populations and tribes are among those creating vaccine distribution plans. Hundreds of Native health workers, elders and others were among the first to receive the vaccine. It’s among the more promising developments in at least a year in the fight against the pandemic that has disproportionately affected Native Americans. But many individuals remain wary of the vaccine, citing possible unforeseen side effects, and a general distrust of the federal government and the Indian Health Service. We’ll get an update from health leaders and tribal leaders about vaccine distribution.

Guests:

Dr. Kailee Fretland (direct descendent of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe) – Indian Health Service COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force deputy lead

Kiana Beaudin (enrolled Ho-Chunk and Ojibwe) – executive director of health for the Ho-Chunk Nation

Jonathan Nez (Navajo) – Navajo Nation President

Stacey Bohlen (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians) – chief executive officer of the National Indian Health Board

Break 1 music: Keep it Hoppin’ (song) Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie (artist) Round Dance & Beats (Powwow)

Break 2 music: Drum Time (song) Cree Confederation (artist) Horse Dance – Mistamim Simoowin (album)

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Hoop dancing competitions, stand-up comedy and an annual gathering of Native elders and youth are all events the pandemic forced online. The switch to Zoom and other online meeting spaces created significant technical challenges in the past year like getting the picture and sound to work and maintaining internet connections. It also highlighted other hurdles like getting input from all those who want to contribute and finding ways to network with fellow attendees. We’ll look at how some event planners have made the most of online gatherings. We’ll also hear how virtual meetings have evolved and whether they’re here to stay.

Guests:

Dennis Bowen (Seneca Nation) – MC for the Heard Museum World Championship Hoop Dance Contest

Jackie Keliiaa (Yerington Paiute and Washoe) – stand-up comedian and writer

Karla Booth (Tsimshian from Metlakatla) – Indigenous Leadership Continuum Director at the First Alaskans Institute

Steve LaRance (Hopi/Assiniboine) – co-chair of the Lightening Boy Foundation

Break 1 music: Fancy Dance (song) Black Lodge Singers (artist) Watch This Dancer!

Break 2 music: Drum Time (song) Cree Confederation (artist) Horse Dance – Mistamim Simoowin (album)

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Drug makers will start distributing doses of the vaccine against the coronavirus within days. Tribes, along with the Indian Health Service, have distribution plans in place that put health care workers and elders at the front of the line. It could be many more months before it’s available for many citizens. While the prospect of the vaccine offers relief, there remains some uncertainty over the distribution schedule and the logistical requirements. In addition, distribution among Native Nations could be hampered by lingering distrust of outside medical treatments. We’ll get updates on the latest information and perspectives on the coronavirus vaccine.

Guests:

Chairman Douglas Yankton Sr. (Spirit Lake Tribe) – chairman of the Spirit Lake Tribe

Dr. Matthew Clark – chair of the IHS National Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and team lead for the for safety and monitoring team of the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force

Dr. Meghan O’Connell (enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation) – medical epidemiologist, CDC Foundation working with the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board

Kailee Fretland (direct descendent of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe) – Indian Health Service COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force deputy lead

Break 1 music: Treaty Six and Coastal Hand Game Song (song) Fawn Wood & Dallas Waskahat (artist) Blessings (album)

Break 2 music: Burning Flame (song) Jan Michael Looking Wolf Band (artist) Breaking Free (album)

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The challenge of remote college classes combined with the high cost of post-secondary education is taking a toll. A survey by a higher education marketing agency found a third of all prospective students say they are less likely than before the pandemic to pursue a college degree. Students are also rebelling against high tuition costs in light of the reduced quality of education. Many colleges across the country optimistically opened to in-person classes at the beginning of the school year, only to revert to online-only instruction weeks, or even days, later.  We’ll check in on the latest from educators and students.

Guests:

Carrie Billy (Diné) – president and CEO of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium

Josh Lucio (Zuni Pueblo) – scholarship operations manager for the American Indian Graduate Center

Break 1 music: Qaumajuapik (single) Riit (artist)

Break 2 music: Burning Flame (song) Jan Michael Looking Wolf Band (artist) Breaking Free (album)

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Tribes have until the end of this month to spend their share of the $8 billion in federal emergency coronavirus funds. The money comes with a number of restrictions that are causing some confusion. The money can only go for expenses directly related to losses caused by the pandemic. Lawsuits delayed distribution of the funds, shortening the window of time tribes have to make use of them. We’ll hear from tribal officials about some of the challenges that come with the federal money meant to offset the economic crisis caused by the pandemic.

Guests:

Gerald Gray (Little Shell Chippewa) – Chairman of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians

Jonathan Nez (Diné) – Navajo Nation president

Ted Wright (Tlingit) – executive director of the Spokane Tribe of Indians

Tom O’Halleran – United States Congressman representing Arizona’s 1st District

Break 1 music: Desert Soul (song) Larry Redhouse (artist) Spirit Progression (album)

Break 2 music: Burning Flame (song) Jan Michael Looking Wolf Band (artist) Breaking Free (album)

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When someone in a multi-person household contracts COVID-19, it puts everyone else living there at greater risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends strict use of masks and gloves and establishing rigorous cleaning routines. The CDC also recommends isolating the infected person away from others in the home. Native Americans have a higher average number of household members than the general population, ramping up the chances for infection in the home. We’ll hear first-hand accounts from those who cared for loved ones with COVID-19 and get a rundown of best practices when the pandemic hits close to home.

Guests:

Cleo Otero (Diné/Hopi) – caterer owner operator of Cleo’s Blue Corn Kitchen and an activist

Sandi Marie Graham (Oglala Lakota) – public health investigator for the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s COVID response initiative

Teressa Martinez (Spokane) – acting CEO of the David C. Wynecoop Memorial Clinic at the Portland Area Indian Health Service

Break 1 music: Get Free (single) QVLN (artist)

Break 2 music: Burning Flame (song) Jan Michael Looking Wolf Band (artist) Breaking Free (album)