Native America Calling

Thursday, June 1, 2017 — Autism in Native America

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About 1.5 percent of 8-year-olds are living with autism spectrum disorder, according to the 2016 Community Report on Autism by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Native families are among those who are caring for a young loved one with autism. Health experts say when children with autism are not properly diagnosed early, they are at risk for developing life-long behavior problems. In this program, we turn to health specialists to find out exactly what autism is and why early intervention could change young lives.

Mentioned in the show: 

SPARK for Autism

Early Childhood Evaluation Program at the Center for Development and Disability at UNM and their information phone line for families, or individuals with autism spectrum disorder: 505-272-1852 or 1-800-270-1861.

Guests:

Dr. Elise Leonard – mental health and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder consultant for the Phoenix Area Indian Health Service

Dr. Christine Vining (Navajo) – speech language pathologist at the Center for Development and Disability at the University of New Mexico

Dr. Dara Zafran – assistant professor at UNM and clinical director of Growing in Beauty early intervention program

Break music: Pangaea (song) Visionaries (artist) Pangaea (album)

Wednesday, December 9, 2015 — Smoking in Native America

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American cigarette smoking is on the decline, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But, it’s not the same story in Native America. Native Americans and Alaska Natives are the heaviest smokers compared to all other ethnicities.  When tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death, why are Native Americans still smoking so much?

Guests:

Chris Cooper (Navajo descent) — health education specialist in tobacco and cancer prevention at the California Rural Indian Health Board

Mat Pendleton (Lower Sioux) — tobacco prevention coordinator for the Lower Sioux Indian Community

Break Music:  Ever Get the Blues (song) John Trudell (artist) Bone Days (album)

Monday, November 23, 2015 – Managing Diabetes

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Getting a diabetes diagnosis is scary. On top of the implications for your health, there’s an overwhelming barrage of instructions and medical advice. The information on diabetes is constantly evolving. American Indians and Alaska Natives are twice as likely to have type 2 diabetes as whites, according to the CDC. The truth is—while the diagnosis is shocking—the disease can be managed with the right information and lifestyle changes. Is there more to managing diabetes than nutrition and blood sugar levels? What role does attitude play in keeping diabetes in check.  What questions do you have about making sure diabetes is under control?

Guests: 

Barbara Mora (Paiute and Diné) – author of Using our Wit and Wisdom to Live Well with Diabetes and a diabetes wellness presenter

Kibbe Conti (Oglala Sioux) – Registered Dietitian and nutrition specialist at the Rapid City Indian Hospital

Lynnette Roberts (Port Gamble S’Klallam) – Diabetes Case Manager, Healthy Heart Program at the Seattle Indian Health Board

Wednesday, November 18, 2015 — Postpartum Depression

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The birth of a child is a sacred and cherished event. The weeks and months that follow are a whirlwind of joy and anxiety for new mothers. But there are times when dark thoughts persist. Some mothers suffer negative emotions, constant crying, and difficulty establishing attachment to the baby. Between 10 to 15 percent of women get postpartum depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Studies by the University of North Carolina suggest Native American women experience even more instances of postpartum depression than other populations. How does postpartum depression effect children, families and Native communities? Are Native American mothers getting the help they need when experiencing postpartum depression?

Guests:

Dr. Elise Leonard — chief of mental health at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center

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

Break Music: Tapwe Oma (song) Fawn Wood (artist) Iskwewak (album)

Thursday, November 5, 2015 — Suicide Prevention

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A man committed suicide in front of dozens of horrified onlookers at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage last month. The tragedy came even as the conference worked to address troubling suicide statistics in Native populations. Native American and Alaska Native men between 18 to 24 years old are much more likely to commit suicide than the rest of the population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Are suicide prevention programs helping? Is there a model program or an amount of money that can save lives?

Guest: 

Cynthia Erickson (Athabascan) — advocate for suicide prevention and a board member of Alaska State Suicide Prevention

Dr. Dale Walker (Cherokee) — professor emeritus at the Oregon Health & Science University and director of the One Sky Center

Walt Pourier (Oglala Lakota) — executive director of the Stronghold Society


Today’s NAC:

Break Music:

A Song for Mosom (song) Fawn Wood Featuring Alan DiPerna (artist) Kikāwiynaw (album)

 

Heard on NAC today, audio report from the Indian National Finals Rodeo Rundown:

 

Friday, October 16, 2015 – Native Fitness

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Glamor magazines and Hollywood movies help drive a desire to achieve a certain look: six-pack abs, flawless skin and cellulite-free thighs are often the popular image of the perfect body. But, Well for Culture founders Thosh Collins and Chelsey Luger have started an Indigenous-based movement to redefine fitness. They believe in anchoring Native American values to staying healthy. We’ll hear from the founders of Well for Culture and their view that “strong tribal Nations are built by strong individuals.” They’ll talk about some dietary challenges Native Americans face, and the movement to relate Native culture to healthy living.

Guests:

Thosh Collins (Akimel O’odham/Osage/Seneca/Cayuga) – founder of Well for Culture

Chelsey Luger (Turtle Mountain Chippewa & Standing Rock Lakota) – founder of Well for Culture

Joe Calabaza, Varsity and junior varsity head coach at Santa Fe Indian School

Break Music: Power in the Blood (song) Buffy Sainte-Marie (artist) Power in the Blood (album)

 

Tuesday, October 13, 2015 – Sharing Stories of Recovery

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For many, sharing their journey from addiction to sobriety is part of the recovery process. Addiction recovery refers to an ongoing commitment to sobriety. The Betty Ford Institute defines recovery as a “voluntarily maintained lifestyle … characterized by sobriety, personal health and citizenship.” What is the value of sharing your recovery story? Can sharing your journey help others? Is there a danger of dwelling too much in the past?

If you would like to share your recovery story, email us at comments@nativeamericacalling.com

 

Guests: 

Vashti White (Sac and Fox) – family outreach coordinator for the Lower Elwha Klallam Healing Court

Shelley Ethrington (Yankton Sioux) – Chemical dependency professional for the Kalispel Tribe of Indians

Break Music: ‘Aina Po (song) Kaumakaiwa Kanaka’ole (artist) Kaumakaiwa (album)

Friday, October 9, 2015 – Chronic Pain

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More than 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, according to the Institute of Medicine. Chronic pain can be mild to excruciating pain that lasts for weeks, months or years. In this episode, we take a look at causes, treatments, drugs and addiction associated with chronic pain. We’ll also take a look at research currently being done at the University of Tulsa on Native Americans to see if they feel pain differently and whether or not they’re more susceptible to chronic pain. Are you or a family member affected by chronic pain? Do you think Native Americans experience pain and chronic pain differently?

Guests:

Dr. Anthony Dekker – primary care doctor with expertise in pain and addiction medicine, Northern Arizona VA Health Care System

Dr. Jamie Rhudy – professor of clinical psychology at The University of Tulsa and director of the Psychophysiology Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience

Dr. Ted Hall – clinical psychiatrist pharmacist prescriber at the Ho-Chunk National Health Department and member of the National Public Prescription Drug Abuse Workgroup for IHS

Lynnette Gilmore (Navajo) – physical therapist and director of the physical rehabilitation department at Tuba City Regional Healthcare Corporation

 

Break Music: Honor the People (song) Casper Loma Da-Wa (artist) Honor the People (album)

Friday, October 2, 2015 – Changes for the School Lunch Program?

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Members of Congress are currently considering the Child Nutrition Act, which comes up for re-authorization every five years. In 2010, Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which changed many aspects of child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program. Now there’s room for change. Are you concerned about what your children are eating at school? Do you want to see changes made to school lunches, breakfasts and snacks? How will Native American children be affected after Congress makes a decision on the School Lunch Program?

Guests:

Mark Sorensen — CEO and co-founder of the STAR School

Jesse Padron (Oneida) — food service director for the Oneida Nation School System

Melissa Chlupach — regional healthcare dietitian for NANA Management Services

 

Break Music:  Birds Dancing (song) Tony Duncan (artist) Native Son (album)

 

Monday, September 21, 2015 – End-of-Life Health Care

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Image credit: Tim Samoff

Image credit: Tim Samoff

People who are facing serious, life-ending illness, are often overwhelmed with information and decisions about treatment options. Palliative care is a specialized type of medicine that focuses on patients with serious illness. Discussing the end of life is never easy, in some communities it is considered taboo, but major decisions require conversations. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are currently considering a proposal to pay doctors for advance care planning conversations.  What happens when family members don’t agree on the best course of action for someone with a serious disease? What cultural considerations should doctors consider when speaking with Native American patients about this difficult topic? Would you like doctors to have more conversations about end-of-life health care decisions?

Guests:

Dr. Blythe Winchester (Eastern Band of Cherokee) – geriatrician for the Cherokee Indian Hospital and medical director for the Tsali Care Center

Dr. Patricia Nez Henderson (Diné) – vice president of the Black Hills Center for American Indian Health

 

Break Music: Kayas (song) Bear Creek (artist) Through Thick and Thin (album)

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