Native America Calling

Thursday September 10, 2015 – Lady Backup Singers

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At powwows you may see women standing behind the men singing at a drum, singing in a slightly higher tone with them. The Lakota call it “Wicaglata” meaning “women backup singers.” The ladies who take part have many reasons including a love of singing, honoring veterans, prayer or fun. These can all be empowering for Native women. What stories are associated with lady backup singers in your tribe? What does it mean to hear a lady’s voice backing the male singers and the drum? Was this tradition passed on to you by a great lady singer?

Guests:

Nitanis Kit Largo (Ojibwe), recording artist with Canyon Records

Jennilee Rooks (Oglala Lakota) – singer

Grace Gillette Arikara – Executive Director, Denver March Powwow

 

Break Music: Cihkastesimoh (Shadow Dancing) (song)  Young Spirit (artist) Akameyimoh Baby Boy (album)

Friday, August 21, 2015 – Women in the Prison System 

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The incarceration rate in the United States has risen dramatically in recent decades and the number of women in state and federal prisons is also on the rise. Although men outnumber women in the U.S. prison system, the number of female inmates in recent years has increased at a higher rate than male inmates, according to The Sentencing Project. What issues do Native women face in prison? The Sentencing Project also reports that women serving time in state prisons are more likely to have children than men in state prisons. How does a mother’s incarceration affect a young person? What about Native communities that have women serving time behind bars?

Guests:

Sharyl Whitehawk (Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe) — trainer for White Bison

Momi  Akana (Native Hawaiian) — executive director of Keiki O Ka `Āina Family Learning Centers

Katherine Alexander — executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of the Yukon

 

 Break Music:  Pixou Falls (song) Oh My Darling (artist) In the Lonesome Hours (album)

 

Thursday, April 2, 2015 – VAWA 2 Years Later

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It’s been just over 2 years since Congress reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act. In February of last year, three tribes participated in a pilot project to exercise the special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction (SDVCJ) portion of the law. Under SDVCJ, some tribes can prosecute Natives and non-Natives for domestic violence, dating violence or violation of some protection orders in Indian country. Tribes must meet certain requirements in order to assert jurisdiction but some are questioning if a non-Native can get a fair trial in tribal court. Join us as we discuss the outcomes of the pilot projects.

Guests:

Matthew Fletcher (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians) – director of the Indigenous Law & Policy Center at Michigan State University

Deborah Parker (Tulalip Tribes)  – Councilwoman for the Tulalip Tribes

Alfred Urbina (Pascua Yaqui)  – Attorney General for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe

Break Music: For the Light (song) Digging Roots (artist) For the Light (album)

Wednesday, March 4, 2015 — Native Women And HIV/AIDS

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Native American women are victims of sexual assault at higher rates than other women in the country. Does that puts them at risk for being infected with HIV? Today we talk about the current rates of HIV infection among Native women and efforts to prevent future infections. When Native women are dealing with HIV and AIDS, how does that impact our communities?

Guests: 

Shana Cozad (Kiowa) – Public speaker, grandmother and advocate

Dr. Pamela Jumper-Thurman (Western Cherokee) – Past Director of Commitment to Action for 7th-Generation Awareness and Education

Michaela Grey (Diné ) – Deputy Director, National Native American AIDS Prevention Center, or NNAAPC 

Kayla Walker (Choctaw) – Founder and executive director of MAMA Knows, Inc. 

 

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

Thursday, October 23, 2014 – Leaving Domestic Violence

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Last month, we talked about the reasons why someone might stay in an abusive relationship. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In this hour, we will discuss what it takes to leave abusive relationships. What steps do individuals need to take to get away from a violent partner? Who is supporting victims of domestic violence and giving them the tools they need to leave?

Guests:

Elaine La Van – program advocate for New Beginnings

Romalita Laban (Hopi) Executive Director of Hopi Tewa Women’s Coalition to End Abuse

Shelly Friess – non-residential program director for Gateway Battered Women’s Services

 

Break Music:In The Balance (song) Sharon Burch (artist) Touch The Sweet Earth (album)

Monday, October 20, 2014 – Native Women in Hip-Hop

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Today we focus on Native women who are breaking through the hip-hop scene. Women in hip-hop are often overshadowed by Native male rappers and MCs. But these women have stories and rhymes that can definitely match the talent of their male counterparts. Some tracks can only come from a Native sister, aunt, niece and mother. Join us as we talk about the current challenges and opportunities for female Native hip-hop artists.

Guests:

Janet Rogers (Salish)

Jb the First Lady (Nuxalk/Cayuga)

Miss Christie Lee (Musqueam)

Break Music:The Streets Keep Talking (song) Honey (Artist) The Streets Keep Talking — Single (2014)

Friday, October 17, 2014 – Fighting Breast Cancer

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October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On National Mammography Day, we’ll discuss who should get a mammogram, recent controversies around mammograms and what it means to fight breast cancer. Awareness has been a priority in recent years. Is that enough? Are Native American women getting the preventative care and treatment they need to deal with breast cancer?

Guests:

Carolyn Oyama, senior consultant for women’s health at Indian Health Service

Karuna Jaggar, Executive Director, Breast Cancer Action

Kris Rhodes – Executive Director, American Indian Cancer Foundation

Break Music: They Sing to Each Other (song) Pamyua (artist) Side A Side B (album)

Thursday, October 16, 2014 — Native Women on the Ballot

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The November midterm election is less than a month away. Native women are running for elected offices around the US. Join us as we check in with Native American and Alaska Native women who are running in state and tribal elections in 2014. What does it take to get elected to office as a Native woman? What obstacles do Native women face when running for an elected position?

Guests:

Deb Haaland  (Laguna), candidate for Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico

Darlene Miller (Seneca), candidate for Seneca Nation president

Lisa Johnson-Billy (Choctaw/Chickasaw), Oklahoma State Representative

 

Break Music: Wake Up Song (song) Voices of Salish & Ped d’Oreille Women (artist) Heart of the Bitterroot (album)

Wednesday, October 1, 2014 — In the Media: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

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Since the 1980s, over a thousand Indigenous women in Canada have been murdered or disappeared. According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Indigenous women are 4 percent of Canada’s population but make up 16 percent of the country’s murder cases. Family members and activists are drawing attention to these cases. Some are saying the media is part of the problem because news organizations don’t cover cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous women as often as cases involving white women. What do you think needs to be done to address this issue and protect Indigenous girls and women? Should media coverage be part of the discussion? Is the safety of women an issue in your community?

Guests:

Aileen Joseph (Six Nations) – mother of Shelly Lynn Joseph

Michele Audette (Innu) – President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada

Wab Kinew (Midewin) – journalist

 

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