Native America Calling

Edith Kanaka’ole (Kanaka Maoli) was an acclaimed composer, chanter, hula dancer and educator. Her work in Hawaiian cultural and language revitalization helped strengthen Indigenous Hawaiian culture, science, identity and sovereignty. Her image will be featured on U.S. quarter coins in 2023. We take this hour to learn more about the legacy of “Aunty” Edith Kanaka’ole. […]

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is promising reforms after a disproportionate number of inmates died while in custody in tribal detention facilities the bureau oversees. We find out what the agency plans and what an internal investigation found out about the deaths of at least 19 jail inmates stemming from what a report referred to […]

The apology from Pope Francis sought forgiveness for the role the Catholic Church played in the atrocities meted out in church-run residential schools in Canada. It was a message of contrition and healing for the century of abuses and cultural oppression, delivered to an audience that included First Nations, Inuit, and Metis representatives. But it […]

Remnants of more than 500 uranium mines on the Navajo Nation have been a threat to residents for decades. But on the horizon is the promise of jobs and economic development funded by corporate settlements and federal sources to clean up the tailings and other contaminated waste left behind. There are many details and concerns […]

Long before it became the inspiration to build what became Utah’s largest city, the Great Salt Lake was an important place for the Ute, Paiute, Goshute, and Shoshone nations among many others. Now, the lake is at half the volume it was just a few decades ago and it continues to shrink. Ongoing climate change […]

Native graphics and images are at the heart of the new art exhibition “Pivot” at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque. What’s different is the images are all on skateboard decks. The creators of the show say it melds together the resilient Native work adapted to a decidedly non-Native medium.   GUESTS Landis Bahe […]

It’s the day to question (more than usual) every news article, social media post, and conversation. Every year, April Fools’ Day recalibrates our gullibility meter. We’ll spend an hour getting the absolute truth from Native comedians and others about what makes things funny.   GUESTS Howie Miller (Cree from the Paul Band First Nation) – […]

Itinerant farm work means putting in long, hard hours. It’s a job most people pass up. But it’s long been an avenue for employment for people from south of the U.S. border. Numbers are hard to come by, but one survey found the number of Indigenous farmworkers in California alone reached 140,000. On a day […]

Native Americans are well-represented on the wrestling mat at the high school and college levels. The NCAA wrestling championships have just ended and athletes and coaches are already eyeing prospects for next season. We’ll hear about notable Native wrestlers and find out the appeal wrestling presents for Native athletes.     GUESTS Mark Branch (Kaw […]

More than 42,000 Native Americans fought in Vietnam. Nearly all were volunteers. We’ll take time on Vietnam Veterans Day to honor all those who served during what was initially called “a policy action” – and hear the stories of heroism and healing from and about those who were there.   GUESTS Michael Coon (Muskogee Creek […]