Native America Calling

As businesses and public gatherings start opening up, elders face a unique dilemma. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people 65 years and older are at higher risks from COVID-19. At the same time, socializing with others face-to-face and services like senior center meals help elders stay engaged and connected. We’ll check in with elders to see what specific challenges they face and how elder services are adjusting to keep elders in their communities healthy and connected.

Since March, Indigenous musicians, comedians and other entertainers suddenly found their calendars empty as coronavirus fears cancelled their gigs. Some states are slowly opening up, but most entertainment venues remain closed and there’s no prediction for when they will be back in business. For some entertainers, the show goes on digitally through Facebook and Instagram videos, Zoom, YouTube and TikTok. We’ll get Native entertainers’ perspective on performing during the coronavirus pandemic.

As the nation marks Pride Month, we’ll take a look at two key issues affecting LGBTQ2 people. A Supreme Court decision bars discrimination against LGBTQ2 employees in the workplace. At the same time, the Trump Administration rolled back Obama-era protections against health care discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identification. Both decisions come as Native LGBTQ2 people face unique challenges accessing health care during the coronavirus pandemic.

After little progress from decades of pressure through official channels, dozens of statues of Confederate war figures are coming down across the South over fear of vandalism by groups of protestors. The same is true of monuments to Christopher Columbus, early Spanish conquistadors and other figures with troublesome histories with Native Americans. Is the time of honoring history through the lens that excludes people of color coming to an end? We will explore this latest chapter in the national conversation about racism.

A majority of the Minneapolis city council pledge to dismantle that city’s police department. It’s an idea that’s gaining momentum after George Floyd died when a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck. Does dismantling the police mean there’s no one to respond to 911 calls? Proponents say it diverts public money to social services like mental health workers or homelessness experts instead of relying mainly on armed officers. Native Americans are among the populations disproportionately injured and killed by police. Could a new approach save Native lives? We’ll check in with a variety of opinions.

Alaska has been spared the high coronavirus infections rates of most other states, but cases are on the rise. It’s a worry, particularly for rural villages that have few medical resources to adequately tackle a major outbreak. At the same time, measures to prevent the spread of the virus have some more remote hospitals on the verge of closing down.

Wanbli Ceya or JUQ is providing fresh sounds on his new album “nya.” This Oglala Oyanke of the Oceti Sakowin artist hopes to inspire change with his music. What we’ll hear this month is the second chapter of what he calls the Oglala Wolf Puppy with PTSD story. The songs give way to electronic sound bending and layering topped off with the language of his Indigenous nation. He’s not afraid to think and dance outside of the box.

It’s been months since we all had to give up regular interactions with friends and family at restaurants, parties and community events. Even as government and health officials are lifting stay-at-home restrictions, lingering fears of spreading the coronavirus keeps many of us isolated. Social distancing can take toll on our mental health. We’ll talk with mental health experts about dealing specifically with loneliness.

A surge of new COVID-19 cases in several states is prompting fears by medical experts a second wave of the virus has already begun. Montana tribes are remaining cautious despite the rest of the state’s easing of coronavirus restrictions. Navajo officials warn of enacting stricter controls if COVID-19 cases start increasing. The White Mountain Apache Tribe instituted new measures as they surpassed the Navajo Nation for having the most per capita coronavirus cases. We’ll check in with tribes about what they’re facing and what solutions they see on the horizon.

A new report finds serious barriers to the polls for some Native American voters. As the presidential election nears, the Native American Rights Fund warns voting registration purges, I.D. laws, address requirements, and limited polling stations all hamper Native voter participation. The report is drawn from personal accounts by hundreds of Native voters in listening sessions around the country. The coronavirus pandemic could exacerbate an already challenging situation as some states are moving to also restrict mail-in ballots. We’ll talk to the authors of the report about what they say needs to happen to make voting more accessible to Native people.