Native America Calling

Native Americans have the highest prevalence of cigarette smoking in the country, according to reports by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. As a result, they also have a higher risk of developing tobacco-related illnesses, like heart disease and lung cancer. The CDC acknowledges the potential electronic cigarettes have as an alternative to smoking, but now recommends against them following a string of deaths and lung injuries from vaping. The Oglala Sioux Tribe banned the use of electronic cigarettes. For the Great American Smokeout day we’ll talk about the importance—and difficulty—of smoking cessation.

Native Americans have the highest prevalence of cigarette smoking in the country, according to reports by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. As a result, they also have a higher risk of developing tobacco-related illnesses, like heart disease and lung cancer. The CDC acknowledges the potential electronic cigarettes have as an alternative to smoking, but now recommends against them following a string of deaths and lung injuries from vaping. The Oglala Sioux Tribe banned the use of electronic cigarettes. For the Great American Smokeout day we’ll talk about the importance—and difficulty—of smoking cessation.

Navajo Nation president Jonathan Nez pulled backing for the Navajo Transitional Energy Company, after the company announced it’s purchase of coal mines in Wyoming and Montana. In a press release President Nez said he’s worried about “the viability of expanding our interests in a coal market that appears to be dwindling.” The Trump Administration vows to revive the coal industry. At the same time the U.S. Environmental Information Administration reports a steady decline in the number of coal companies. What’s next for tribes, like the Navajo Nation, that are transitioning away from coal?

Navajo Nation president Jonathan Nez pulled backing for the Navajo Transitional Energy Company, after the company announced it’s purchase of coal mines in Wyoming and Montana. In a press release President Nez said he’s worried about “the viability of expanding our interests in a coal market that appears to be dwindling.” The Trump Administration vows to revive the coal industry. At the same time the U.S. Environmental Information Administration reports a steady decline in the number of coal companies. What’s next for tribes, like the Navajo Nation, that are transitioning away from coal?

As the United States announces its official exit from the Paris Climate Agreement, we’ll take time to revisit some of the tribes fighting the effects of climate change. The Trump Administration officially notified the United Nations of the intention to pull the U.S. out of the accord next November. Meanwhile, scientists continue to sound the alarm over the current and looming problems associated with climate change, and project Native people all over the world will suffer the affects disproportionately. Tribes are among those already facing urgent crises linked to the warming planet. We’ll get updates from tribes and organizations about the work they are doing to handle the effects of climate change.

As the United States announces its official exit from the Paris Climate Agreement, we’ll take time to revisit some of the tribes fighting the effects of climate change. The Trump Administration officially notified the United Nations of the intention to pull the U.S. out of the accord next November. Meanwhile, scientists continue to sound the alarm over the current and looming problems associated with climate change, and project Native people all over the world will suffer the affects disproportionately. Tribes are among those already facing urgent crises linked to the warming planet. We’ll get updates from tribes and organizations about the work they are doing to handle the effects of climate change.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the occupation of Alcatraz. It was a 19 month long protest on the island in the San Francisco Bay by Native activists claiming the land in the name of broken treaties. We’ll spend the hour with Dr. LaNada War Jack (Shoshone Bannock) was one of the founding protesters occupying the island. We’ll chat with her about her time on the island, and the years afterward fighting for tribal sovereignty and rights.

It started as a way to show Native pride. Now in its 8th year, the Rock Your Mocs celebration has grown well beyond its social media hashtag origins. Every year the Rock Your Mocs day adds events and inspiration around the country. We’ll hear from one of the original founders, Jessica “Jaylyn” Atsye (Laguna Pueblo), about what’s new and ways the message is resonating with Native nations.

A cross-cultural program connects Maori master’s students with Native Americans to provide international context for leadership training. A delegation of two dozen students and faculty from New Zealand’s University of Canterbury’s School of Maori and Indigenous Studies explore the similarities and differences in Native governance, social structure, language, arts and economic opportunities. Members of the group will share what they’re learning and how they see the program benefits their work to connect with and improve their own cultures.

Oklahoma released more than 400 non-violent inmates from prison earlier this month. Most of them had a little over a year left on their sentences. It’s the result of reform efforts to reduce overcrowding, cut costs and promote self-sufficiency for low-level prisoners. It calls attention to other reform ideas to try and end the cycle of incarceration for Native Americans and other populations that are over-represented in the prison system.