Native America Calling

Despite capturing headlines around the world, the Wuhan novel coronavirus poses little threat so far to people living in the U.S. But a top public health official warns it’s likely the infection will eventually take hold in this country. The Navajo Nation advised its citizens to take precautions and be on the lookout for people showing symptoms. The Seattle Indian Health Board says it’s monitoring for patients who might be at risk. We’ll put some perspective on the coronavirus scare and get reminders on how to avoid infectious diseases like influenza.

The Trump Administration is proposing major changes to the 50-year-old National Environmental Policy Act. NEPA requires projects on federal land to undergo environmental reviews determining the impact to land and water. It’s the law that regulates projects like oil pipelines and mines. Those industries complain the law creates costly and time-consuming delays. We’ll hear about how tribes are responding to the proposed changes.

The tools for Native language programs are constantly evolving. They include the proven methods of immersion schools, camps and workshops. Some tribes are also incorporating apps, podcasts and social media to get the word out. We’ll take a tour of some of the innovative ways tribes are reaching out to potential language learners.

Another Oklahoma criminal case has potential jurisdiction implications for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and other tribes in the state. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed the hear the case involving a Muscogee man who asserts he should have been tried in federal court rather than state district court because the crime happened within historical Creek boundaries. A decision potentially has far-reaching implications, not least of which are the hundreds of past convictions of Native citizens. It’s the second challenge of a criminal conviction on similar grounds. Last summer, the High Court delayed a decision and ordered new oral arguments in the case of a different Muscogee man arguing his death sentence is invalid because he was prosecuted in state court.

It can be a big leap to show that special someone how deep your affection runs or to ask to share a life together. On this Valentine’s Day we explore showing these desires through song. Some Native nations simply call them courting songs and they are often played on the Native American flute. They’re meant to express deep emotions. We’ll hear how different nations turn to songs to start and build strong unions.

We look at the personal and emotional side of Cheyenne history though the fictional work of Northern Cheyenne author Gerry Robinson. “The Cheyenne Story: an Interpretation of Courage” is set in the time after the Battle of the Little Bighorn when Robinson’s people were pushed to Oklahoma. Our February Book of the Month allows us to walk along this side of Native History.

Before homeless Native young people can thrive, they need to heal and a secure base of culture and safety to build on. That’s what the Ain Dah Yung (Our Home) Center in Minnesota’s Twin Cities hopes to provide. They offer an emergency shelter for children as young as five and temporary transitional housing for teens. They also just opened the Mino Oski Ain Dah Yung Center (Good New Home) to offer permanent housing aimed at helping Native homeless for 18-24 year olds. The $17 million project has 42 efficiency apartments but is more than a place to stay. It has communal gathering spaces, teaching kitchens, and places for beading, hide tanning and sewing. The physical space is accompanied by mental, cultural and structural support. We’ll talk with the director and staff members about the work they do to help Native youth.

Removing long-standing members from tribal rolls appears to be picking up after a brief lull. It’s a controversial practice. So much so that opponents established an annual “Stop Disenrollment Day” to call attention to the harm it causes. Some disenrolled members trace their identity to their tribes for generations. Tribal leaders defend their actions as an effort to purge their membership of those who don’t belong. We’ll get observations on current disenrollment trends and some of the factors that go into tribes’ decision-making.

Climate change, missing and murdered Indigenous women, and challenges to the Indian Child Welfare Act are all significant issues on the minds of Native Americans heading into 2020. Fawn Sharp (Quinault), newly elected president of the National Congress of American Indians, gives her take on the key triumphs, opportunities and threats facing Native people in her first State of Indian Nation address. We’ll bring you the full speech and the congressional response.

It’s time again to start thinking about doing your taxes. And the schemes to separate you from your tax refund are already gearing up. Some are perfectly legal. Commercial tax preparers offer loans in advance of your tax refund, but they might come with high interest rates or steep fees. Most people are eligible for free online tax programs, but ProPublica found the companies often steer customers toward premium services that cost money. Other schemes are illegal. The Federal Trade Commission warns this time of year criminals step up efforts to get personal information they can use to steal peoples’ money. The FTC designated February 3rd through the 7th Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week. We’ll talk about ways to avoid getting taken for a ride this tax season.