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James Pepper Henry (Kaw) has an exciting and momentous task to accomplish in the next three years. As the newly appointed director of the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in Oklahoma City, he is responsible for making sure the stalled and controversial project opens. Museums are his expertise, with a long list of past experience including the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, the Heard Museum, Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, and the Gilcrease Museum. We’ll spend the hour chatting with him about his experience, Native art, and the future of the Native museum industry.

Guests:

James Pepper Henry (Kaw/Muscogee Creek) – director of the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum

Break music: Witchi Tai To (song) Jim Pepper (artist)

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Her voice was a frequent back-up to stars like Eric Clapton, Leon Russel and Stephen Stills. Grammy Award-winning Cherokee singer and songwriter Rita Coolidge also had solo hits like “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher” and “We’re All Alone.” In this encore show, we hear about Coolidge’s memoir, “Delta Lady”, that recalls her days with the icons of music. Coolidge relives her memories as a sought-after singer and muse in the L.A. music scene.

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

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U-S Representative Tom Cole is entering his 15th year in Congress. The Oklahoma Republican is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, representing his state’s 4th District. We’ll talk to him about where he thinks Native Americans can benefit during the new Donald Trump administration, and what critical Native issues he is working on. We’ll talk with him about health care, economic development, the environment and more. What questions do you have for Congressman Tom Cole?

Guests:

Tom Cole (Chickasaw Nation) – U.S. Representative from Oklahoma

Break music: Chickasha Alhiha’ (song) Injunuity (artist) Fight For Survival (album)

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Paulette Steeves (Cree/Metis) was a ward of the Canadian government when she was a young girl. She once ran away from a detention facility, scaling a barbed wire fence. Years later, as a single parent of three and after losing a child, she earned her PhD in anthropology and successfully argued that Indigenous people have been in the Americas longer than others thought. We’ll speak with her about her remarkable story. We’ll also learn more about the difficulties of decolonizing anthropology and academia.

Guests:

Dr. Paulette Steeves (Cree/Metis) – professor and archeologist

Break music: Drum Battle (song) Robert Mirabal (artist) Music From A Painted Cave [Live] (album)

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Ishmael Hope (Tlingit and Inupiaq) is a Jack-of-all artistic trades. He’s a writer, poet, actor, storyteller, and scholar. You might also know his name from his involvement in the video game, “Never Alone.” We’ll hear a poem or two, and talk about his recent endeavors in literature and what it means for him, as an Alaska Native, to navigate the literary world.

Guests:

Ishmael Hope (Tlingit and Inupiaq) – storyteller, writer and scholar

Break music: Calling (song) RiverFlowz (artist) RiverFlowz Rural Recordings Malruk (album)

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Taté Walker (Mniconjou Lakota) is the editor of Native Peoples magazine which features the life and work of Native American, Alaska Natives and all First Peoples. She is an accomplished journalist, writer, blogger and photographer and her work over the years has raised awareness on the importance of Native art and culture.

Break Music: Water Is Life (single song) Native Roots, Joy Harjo, Def-I & Innastate (artist)