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The appointment of Kaya Jones as the Native American representative on a diversity panel ignited a firestorm of pushback, especially on social media. In her role she will ostensibly offer advice on reaching Native voters for the National Diversity Coalition for Trump, a private organization working on behalf of the president. Jones claims to have Apache heritage, but no Apache tribe claims her and her lineage is otherwise unconfirmed. We’ll sort out the facts and try to figure out how one journalist ended up in a heated Twitter argument with Cher.

Guests:

Tiffany Midge (Hunkpapa Lakota) – columnist

Jacqueline Keeler (Dakota and Diné) – writer and author of “The Edge of Morning: Native Voices Speak for the Bears Ears” and co-founder of Eradicating Offensive Native Mascotry

Break Music: Niizh Straight (song) Niizhoo Sullivan (artist) Rez Kid Rhythm (album)

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A Facebook video of a First Nations boy responding to school bullies who teased him because of his long hair has been viewed more than a million times. Still, eight-year-old Mylon McArthur insisted his mother cut his braids because he wanted to stop the teasing. Boys With Braids organizers encourage men and boys to wear their long hair with pride and aim to educate others about the importance and meaning of Native hair. What does your long hair mean to you?

Guests:

Tiya-Marie Large (Nakota and Dakota from Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation) – mother of Mylon McArthur

Michael Linklater (Cree from the Thunder Child First Nation) – ranked no 1 in all of the America for 3×3 basketball (world tour), motivational speaker, founder of the Boys with Braids movement

Dyami Thomas (enrolled Klamath and Leech Lake Ojibwe) – model, actor and motivational speaker

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

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Chief Irving Powless Jr., Daha’tgatdohs, Beaver Clan Chief of the Onondaga Nation walked on in November. The Navy veteran, was known for fighting for the treaty rights of his tribe. He was also a accomplished lacrosse player. He’s one of the notable people we’ll talk about in our annual show to honor those who walked on in 2017.

Guests:

Doug Kanentiio George (Mohawk Nation) – vice president of the Hiawatha Institute for Indigenous Knowledge

Harvey Pratt (Cheyenne Arapaho) – chairman of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board and brother of Charles Pratt

Pamela Agoyo (Ohkay Owingeh) – director of American Indian Student Services at the University of New Mexico

Break Music: Generations (song) P. Town Boyz (artist) P. Town Boyz (album)

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It’s never too early to think about applying for scholarships to help pay for college. There are a number of scholarships available specifically for Native students. The Cobell Scholarship, the American Indian College Fund, the American Indian Graduate Center and The American Indian Science and Engineering Society are just a few organizations that help Native students with college tuition costs. We’ve got a few experts who can offer advice for navigating the scholarship field.

Guests:

Tiffany Gusbeth (Northern Cheyenne) – assistant director of Student Success Services at the American Indian College Fund

Melvin Monette-Barajas (Turtle Mountain Chippewa) – president and executive director of Indigenous Education Incorporated

Josh Lucio (Zuni Pueblo) – program associate for scholarships and programs for the American Indian Graduate Center

Break Music: Woman’s Song (song) Joanne Shenandoah (artist) Sounds Of Indian Summer: Contemporary Native Music From The National Museum Of The American Indian (album)

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Colors in the Cree language, the Indian Child Welfare Act, and stealing Native bone marrow are a few of the topics covered in books on one list of the best Native books of 2017. Debbie Reese (Nambé Pueblo) spends her time reading and scrutinizing children’s literature that features Native themes and characters for the blog American Indians in Children’s Literature. Reese helps sort out the exceptional books from those that sink into stereotypes or misinformation. We’ll get her take on the best books by Native authors.

Guests:

Debbie Reese (Nambé Pueblo) – founder of American Indians in Children’s Literature blog

Marcie Rendon (White Earth Nation) – author of Murder on the Red River

Julie Flett (Cree-Métis) – author of Black Bear, Red Fox: Colours in Cree

Break Music: Drum I Carry (song) Pamyua (artist) Side A Side B (Side A)(album)

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Whether you bowled a few games as a kid, or you’re still striving for that perfect 300 game, you know the fun bowling alleys offer in the New Year. The sound of bowling pins crashing at the end of the lane is music to a bowling enthusiast’s ears. The sport has a significant Native following. There is a lot of talent heading to Native bowling tournaments year-round. We talk to a few Native bowlers about the sport and why Native leagues are so popular.

This is an encore presentation, so our phone lines are not open during the show.

Guests:

Don Carle (Tlinket, Tsimtian and Mandan) – Native bowler, director for SISKIYOU Indian Bowling tournament, Reno Indian Bowling tournaments and new Columbia 300 staff member.

Adrienne Hare (Osage) – Native bowler

Ernie Mendoza (member of the Gila River Indian Community) – Strike Force Tour Player of the Year in Arizona

Break Music: Boogie Woogie (album) Flying Feather Band (artist) Back Home on the Rez With Boogie (album)

Filler songs:

Song 1 – Steadfast (song) Mr.Elive, Phillip Charette (artist) Tengaurtukut (album)

Song 2 – Wiconi (song) Primeaux & Mike (artist) Road to Peace (album)

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As we get ready to ring in the New Year, we’ll also catch up on the news from Native America. From national policy to tribal politics, we take time to regularly speak with journalists, newsmakers and others about the important issues of the day. We’ll also share our top 10 Native news stories from 2017. Join us for our regular news round-up.

Guests:

Debra Utacia Krol (Xolon Salinan Tribe) – independent journalist

Mark Trahant (Shoshone-Bannock) – Charles R. Johnson Endowed Professor of Journalism at the University of North Dakota

Carmen George – reporter for the Fresno Bee
Read Carmen’s story in the Fresno Bee about rebuilding a Miwuk village in Yosemite Valley.

Break Music: Sunrise (song) James Bilagody & The Cremains (artist) Sacred Stage (album)

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For many of our Native Nations, winter is a time of dancing, storytelling and singing. The traditions are passed down generation to generation. It’s a powerful time for making the most of the short daylight hours and the long nights. It’s a time for connecting with family and strengthening one’s community. Today we’ll get some input from various people about different winter traditions and ceremonies. We’ll also take your calls.

Guests:

Boye Ladd (Ho-chunk and Zuni) – cultural consultant

Terence Nelson (Anishinaabe) – former chief of the Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation

Steve LaRance (Hopi/Assiniboine) – artist, teacher and coach for Lighting Boy Hoop Dancers

Break Music: My Winter Song (song) Andrea Menard (artist) Sparkle Holiday (album)

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Native jewelry makers create wearable art that connects to their culture. In many tribes, men are the ones who work the metal and set the stones for earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. But there are now many Native women jewelry craftspeople. Some perfect traditional designs and materials. Others introduce new, modern elements. We’ll talk with several female jewelry makers about what inspires their expression.

Guests:

Leah Mata-Fragua (Chumash) – jeweler and consultant and professor of traditional art and ecology at the Institute for American Indian Arts

Tania Larsson (Gwich’in) – jeweler

Kristen Dorsey (citizen of the Chickasaw Nation) – jeweler and owner of CEO of Kristen Dorsey Designs

Break Music: Sneak Up (song) Red Bull (artist) Greatest Hits (album)