Native America Calling

Dozens of tribal leaders, 26 states, 77 members of Congress and 486 federally recognized tribes have signed on to defend against the latest challenge to the Indian Child Welfare Act. After initially striking down a ruling by a Texas judge, the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is rehearing the case claiming ICWA is improperly based on race. We’ll hear from tribal leaders and legal experts about what’s at stake in this case and what the future holds for ICWA.

With a the backing of a recent court ruling, the premier of British Columbia says the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline will be built. But the traditional leadership of the Wet'suwet'en Nation vow to protect their territory and will continue their years-long blockade against construction. The stage is set for another clash over resource development and preservation of traditional Indigenous territory.

Indoor pollutants like smoke, radon and mold can contribute to heart disease and cancer, which are the leading causes of death for Native Americans. They can also exacerbate respiratory illnesses like asthma. The Environmental Protection Agency links poor indoor air quality to disproportionate health issues among Native people. We’ll get reminders on paying attention to air quality inside homes and businesses and hear how some tribes are breathing life into clean air programs.

The upcoming Sundance Film Festival is screening five films by Indigenous filmmakers. They include a documentary about raising a Haida totem pole in British Columbia, a fictional account of two strangers crossing paths on Oklahoma tribal land, and a biological exploration of lichen. Before they head to Utah for the festival, some of the filmmakers are taking time to talk about us about their films and what it means to have a Native perspective behind the camera.

Reindeer, and their very close cousins, caribou, have physical traits that help them thrive in Arctic and sub-Arctic areas. They include blood vessels that minimize heat loss and hoofs that help them walk on snow. That makes them important sources of sustenance for Inuit, Gwich’in, Sami and other peoples in the same regions. While some people rely on hunting among the herds of wild caribou, others have domesticated the animals. Either way, they have remained a key species for millennia. Climate change, overhunting and habitat loss are among the threats to wild species. We’ll hear more about the importance of reindeer and caribou and their strong cultural relationship to the people they’re connected to.

Corine Pearce (Redwood Valley Rancheria Little River Band of Pomo Indians) weaves traditional Pomo baskets and cradleboards. But many of the grasses, ferns and trees she uses to practice her tradition burned in the California fires, so she is replanting and teaching others to ensure a future for her craft. She is among the 2020 Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Awards honorees. We’ll talk with her and others about their work and efforts to pass on the tradition of making art.

Mixed Martial Arts has a dedicated Native following, both as a competitive sport and as a fitness regimen. Some Native MMA fighters are making names for themselves as pros, including Nicco Montaño (Diné) and David Michaud (Oglala Lakota). We’ll hear about the appeal of the sport and how fitness enthusiasts find inspiration in the intense mental and physical discipline required to go toe-to-toe with an opponent in the ring.

Northern tribes have long ice fishing traditions. But today the sport has also evolved into an economic endeavor for tribes. Anglers bore holes in thick lake ice and drop a baited hook in. Some cut a large rectangle and wait with a fishing spear. We’ll hear from expert ice fishers about their passion and the different methods and secrets for the sport.

The bush fires in Australia have burned an estimated 20-million acres, claiming at least 24 human lives and countless wild animals. The size and severity of the fires have touched off debates about climate change and forest management. The country is suffering a crippling drought and record high temperatures. Some aboriginal leaders in Australia say traditional controlled burns might have prevented such devastation. We’ll look at what’s happening in Australia and learn more about the benefits of blending traditional fire management with modern day practices.

Donald Trump is only the third U.S. president to be impeached. Chances are extremely thin he’ll actually be removed from office. But the process, like the president himself, prompts strong opinions among elected leaders and the voting public. We'll review the impeachment process so far and talk with Native political experts about how it’s being viewed by voters.