Native America Calling

September 16th is a national holiday in Mexico, but it doesn’t mark the day the country achieved independence from Spain. It commemorates the day a revered priest rallied his townspeople with his Cry of Independence. The country’s Indigenous people were instrumental in the battles that followed, as they fought to get out from under Spain’s […]

Summer pageants and fairs offer a chance for young Native women to represent their nations as royalty. They carry a title and a platform to educate and inform others about important issues and their culture. At the same time, the ‘Indian Princess’ label brings with it a number of problematic stereotypes that don’t fully reflect Native women’s strength, beauty and intelligence. We’ll talk about redefining pageants and the ways Native women exemplify poise, strength and use the platform to shine a positive light on their communities and inspire others to pursue their goals and dreams.

Summer pageants and fairs offer a chance for young Native women to represent their nations as royalty. They carry a title and a platform to educate and inform others about important issues and their culture. At the same time, the ‘Indian Princess’ label brings with it a number of problematic stereotypes that don’t fully reflect […]

The nation’s premier Native journalist’s organization is marking the best of their craft from the past year. The honors by the Native American Journalists Association include Navajo Times CEO and publisher Tom Arviso and the staff of Haskell Indian Nations University student newspaper, among many others. We’ll review some of the recent major achievements in Native journalism.

The nation’s premier Native journalist’s organization is marking the best of their craft from the past year. The honors by the Native American Journalists Association include Navajo Times CEO and publisher Tom Arviso and the staff of Haskell Indian Nations University student newspaper, among many others. We’ll review some of the recent major achievements in […]

Low water levels are forcing federal officials to cut the Colorado River’s water supply for the first time in history. In addition to supplying water to several major cities, it’s a source of drinking water and an agricultural resource for more than 30 tribes. Those tribes also have spiritual connections to the Colorado. We’ll talk with tribes about how they are coping with two decades of extreme drought and how they’re preparing for a drier future.

Low water levels are forcing federal officials to cut the Colorado River’s water supply for the first time in history. In addition to supplying water to several major cities, it’s a source of drinking water and an agricultural resource for more than 30 tribes. Those tribes also have spiritual connections to the Colorado. We’ll talk […]

Indigenous artists from North America and beyond document their relationships with nuclear testing and uranium contamination in their homelands in “Exposure: Native Art and Political Ecology,” an exhibit at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We’ll speak with curators and artists about the exhibit that combines frustration with the power of artistic expression.

Indigenous artists from North America and beyond document their relationships with nuclear testing and uranium contamination in their homelands in “Exposure: Native Art and Political Ecology,” an exhibit at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We’ll speak with curators and artists about the exhibit that combines frustration with the […]

In a state with a vaccination rate of just 44 percent, the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma reports a tribal employee rate of more than 70 percent. More than 90 percent of eligible tribal members in Virginia have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In states with low vaccination rates and high COVID resurgence numbers, many tribes are far outpacing their non-tribal neighbors and adhering to safety guidelines. We’ll hear from health experts and tribal leaders about the messages that are connecting with tribal citizens.