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Tribes have the power to determine their own membership. But with great power comes a great controversy in the form of disenrollment. A new group is speaking out against the practice of eliminating members. They say it is literally tearing tribes apart. One California tribe, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, amended their own constitution to outlaw the practice. Tribes that are disenrolling members say it is a matter of correcting tribal records. How is it that some tribes reject the idea while others see it as the path to their future?

Guests:

Russell Wilkinson (Chinook Cascade) -general contractor for the Portland Metro area provisionally disenrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde

Greg Sarris (Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria) – Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria

Phillip Narte (Nooksack) – one the 306 Nooksack members slated for disenrollment

Break Music: The Road (feat. Black Bear) (song) A Tribe Called Red (artist) Nation II Nation (album)

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“One day at a time.” In the world of addiction recovery, that’s the well-known phrase repeated as a type of mantra that aims to give hope in small, obtainable steps. But what happens that first day of recovery?  People decide to finally stop abusing drugs and alcohol in a variety of ways. Are there any common threads to making that decision? Can loved ones help you decide that you’ve finally reached your Day One.

Guests:

Laureen Young (Athabascan) –  licensed marriage and family therapist Dena A Coy Program Clinical Supervisor

Eva Gregg (Inupiaq) – full time college student

Break Music: On The Road Missing Home (Corn Dance). Sheldon Sundown. Hand Drum/Smoke N’ Round Dance

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Adhering to gender roles doesn’t necessarily have to mean unequal treatment in Indian Country. The word ‘feminism’ sometimes elicits strong reactions, depending on who’s listening. Some Native American women know exactly where they fit in, even if they will never be able to hold tribal office. Others struggle with the complexity of tribal traditions that make them feel cut off from full participation. Where do Indigenous women fit into the feminist cause? Join us for a conversation with two leading Native feminists about what indigenous feminism means for our Native Nations.

Guests: 

Dr. Kathryn Shanley (Assiniboine) – Professor of Native American Studies at the University of Montana

Dr. Dory Nason (Leach Lake Band of Ojibwe) – Assistant Professor at University of British Columbia

Ada Pecos Melton (Pueblo of Jemez) –  owner of American Indian Development Associates

Recommended reading from Dr. Dory Nason:

I am Woman: a Native perspective on Sociology and Feminism by Lee Maracle: Excellent essays from Lee on Indigenous women’s activism and feminism

The Sacred Hoop: Recovering the Feminine in American Indian Traditions by Paula Gunn Allen (Laguna Pueblo)

Dancing on Our Turtle’s Back by Leanne Simpson: An Anishinaabe perspective on political resurgence

Indigenous women and Feminism: Politics, Activism, Culture edited by Shari Huhndorf, Cheryl Suzack, Jeanne Perrault, and Jean Barman

A Gathering of Spirit: edited by Beth Brant: In this anthology there is Kate Shanley’s essay “Thoughts on Indian Feminism”

Break Music: Canoe Song (song) Chenoa (artist) Spirit of Salishan (album)

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Music is a major part of our Native communities and culture. Singing songs to our little ones provide a vital connection to language and culture. We take time to discuss the importance of singing to babies and children. What were you taught growing up about sharing songs with young ones? Do you have memories of your parents and loved ones sing to you? What role do these songs play later in our lives?

Follow this conversation with the hashtag: #NativeSongs4Baby

Guest:

Plains Cree Singer songwriter Randall Paskemin
Tuscarora recording artist Pura Fé
Native artist Lyn Risling of the Hoopa Tribe, Karuk and Yurok Nations
Digawolf lead singer Dzǫetsè aka Jesse James (Tlicho First Nation)
Ojibwe author Anton Treuer (Leech Lake Ojibwe) Professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University

Discussed on today’s program:

OSHKAABEWIS NATIVE JOURNAL
OSHKAABEWIS NATIVE JOURNAL Volume featuring Ojibwe elder Anna C. Gibbs

Break Music: Iskwesis (song) Randall Paskemin (artist) Goodnight, Sweet Dreams, I Love You

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Two political parties dominate the U.S. electoral system. Ever since the party system emerged in the 1800s, presidential elections have gone to either Democrats or Republicans. In the final installment of our series on political parties, we take a look at the role third parties play. The main alternatives to the top two are the Green Party, the Libertarian Party and the Constitution Party. None are on the ballot in all 50 states. Can Native voters find what they are looking for in a third party? Can a third party candidate make it to the White House?

Guests:

Dr. Ronald Rappaport – professor of government at William and Mary

Kent Mesplay (Blackfoot descent) – 20 year member of the Green Party and presidential candidate

Phil Fuehrer – state chair for the Independence Party of Minnesota

 

Break Music: Inuk (song) Karina Møller (artist) Simplify (album)

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Election season seems to be never-ending these days. And it’s hard to escape people—on social media, TV and even in person—telling you how important it is to cast your vote. If it’s so important, why does half of the voting-age public in the U.S. stay home on election day?  Do you make the decision to not vote? One of our guests says voting is a product of colonialism. How important is voting (or not voting)  to you?

Guests:

Steven Newcomb (Shawnee and Lenape) – co-founder and co-director of the Indigenous Law Institute and author of “Pagans in the Promised Land: Decoding the Doctrine of Christian Discovery”

Laurie Weahkee (Navajo, Cochiti, and Zuni) – executive director of the Native American Voters Alliance

Break Music: Pimatisiwin (Life) (song) Young Spirit (artist) Save Me A Lead (album)

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As many as 5 out of every 1,000 children have some type of hearing loss, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Causes range from genetics to infections, and the consequences can last a lifetime. Parents new to the issue face a daunting list of options and treatments. In Native America, do families have all they need to raise a child who is deaf?

Guests:

Dr. Stephanie Bourn -pediatric audiologist at Presbyterian Ear Institute

Priscilla Gutierrez – educational consultant for the New Mexico School for the Deaf

Break Music: Lei Ko`ele (song) Patrick Landeza (artist) Nahe`olu (album)

 

Native America Calling extra: Dennis Banks and Orlando Vigil stopped in to talk about the Longest Walk 5 to raise awareness of drug abuse and domestic violence. Hear the entire interview:

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The presidential race keeps surprising us with each passing week as a flamboyant businessman with no political experience continues his march to the GOP nomination. Meanwhile, what’s the effect for Native Americans more than two years since the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Voting Rights Act? Also, the outgoing president of the United States meets with the incoming prime minister of Canada and both have high regard in Indian Country. We catch up on all the top news stories from Native America.

Guests:

Suzette Brewer (Cherokee) – investigative journalist with Indian Country Today Media Network

Vincent Schilling (Akwesasne Mohawk) -Media company owner Schilling Media and editor at Indian Country Today

Paul DeMain (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin) – managing editor and CEO of The News From Indian Country/IndianCountryTV.com

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

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It’s unavoidable. Women in their 40s and 50s face a whole slew of physical changes ranging from hot flashes to mood swings. What should Native American women know about menopause and how can they prepare for it? What potential health complications should they discuss with their doctors?

Guests:

Dr. Patrisia Gonzales (Kickapoo, Comanche and Nahua) – associate professor at the University of Arizona and traditional birth attendant and author of Red Medicine: Traditional Indigenous Rights of Birthing and Healing

Dr. Shiloh Small (Northern Cheyenne) – MD at Southcentral Foundation

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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Smart phones have radically transformed our lives. Information is at our fingertips whenever we want, as long as we have a signal. Applications, or apps, give us convenient answers to questions like “where am I going” and even, “what should I do right now so I’m not bored.” We’ll take a look at a number of apps specifically designed to make Indigenous lives better. How about a dating app that matches you with your perfect blood quantum soul mate? Or what about an app that gives you the exact distance to the nearest Indian taco? What app do you need in your life?

Guests:

Manny Pino (Acoma Pueblo) – professor of sociology and director of American Indian Studies at Scottsdale Community College

Michael Sheyahshe (Caddo) – author and technologist

Break Music: Tha Mash Up (song) Wayne Silas, Jr. (artist) Infinite Passion (album)