Native America Calling

Winnebago author Renya Ramirez offers a non-fiction narrative of her grandparents with “Standing up to Colonial Power: The Lives of Henry Roe and Elizabeth Bender Cloud.” Both of her relatives pushed back against settler colonialism to open a door for Native rights to break down oppression. From federal policy to the courts, these two individuals drew from their Native cultures to improve the lives of future generations and establish rightful authority over the systems that work against progress for Native Nations.

Some members of tribes along the Mendocino County coastline of California are risking jail time and fines to gather abalone and other traditional food and materials for ceremony. Efforts to curb poaching are also preventing tribes in the area from traditional practices. We’ll talk with reporter Deb Utacia Krol about her piece in High Country News on the subject. Also, the National Congress of American Indians Convention is a wrap. We’ll check in with Indian Country Today’s Jourdan Bennett-Begaye to get the highlights for our regular news round up.

Tribal leaders from the Yakama and Lummi nations called for the removal of several dams along the Columbia River in Washington State. The tribes are concerned about dwindling salmon populations and the concurrent decline of orcas. Other tribes, like the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla in Oregon and the Yurok and Pit River Tribe in California, have also fought to remove dams. We’ll check in on the efforts to get rid of dams and hear about how they affect tribes and tribal land.

Dr. Ann Bullock (Minnesota Chippewa Tribe/Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) is one of the nation’s leading voices on diabetes research. While the statistics on diabetes and Native Americans is troubling, Bullock will be the first to highlight some of the positive developments in fighting the disease. Bullock is the director of the Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention at the Indian Health Service. She is passionate about improving the health of Native people. We’ll talk with her about her life and what drives her work at IHS.

Dream of Wild Health wants to improve the health and well-being of Native people. The Minnesota non-profit operates a 10-acre farm where it teaches young people and others about traditional food, the economics of agriculture, leadership skills and healthy eating. Through educational programs and partnerships with a number of tribes and other like-minded groups, Dream of Wild Health promotes traditional food knowledge, sustainability and access to healthy foods. We’ll hear from the organization’s staff to get a deeper look into the group’s mission.

Navajo MC Def-i's album, “Dream Trails” opens with a cinematic sound that quickly accelerates with the rapid word weaving he’s known for. Listeners get a glimpse into the many trails the artist has traveled to share his message that resonates from New Mexico to Africa. Hip-hop greats like Kool Keith and JFK Ninjaface make an appearance on the album. So do Native women artists like E-Turn, Dawta Magma, Honey and Liv the Artist. Well get the distinct privilege to re-visit the inspirations and collaborations that went into making the album and what’s next for Def-i.

The National Congress of American Indians annual conference is in full swing in Albuquerque with a busy slate of agenda items, from sovereignty to border security to upcoming elections. NCAI is taking this week to chart the priorities for the coming months and get input on what is important from members' standpoints. We touch in on some key topics and get insights from those closest to the discussions.

Native youth are over-represented in state and federal juvenile justice systems. In addition to the perpetuation of historical trauma, juvenile facilities have a long way to go to adequately meet the needs of Native young people. It’s the first day of the National Congress of American Indians annual conference in Albuquerque New Mexico and we are broadcasting live with a focus on traditional healing, Juvenile Healing to Wellness Courts, research, and other ways that juvenile justice institutions can go beyond punishment to maximize the likelihood of success for young people.

Two notable Native actors are getting recognition for their work. Cherokee actor Wes Studi will receive an honorary Oscar at the 11th annual Governors Awards. He is the first Native American actor to receive the award. Studi’s Dances With Wolves co-star, Tantoo Cardinal (Cree/Métis), is receiving a lifetime achievement award at the Santa Fe Film Festival. She recently landed a key role in the ABC series, Stumptown. We’ll take time to honor their recognition and celebrate the achievements of Native professionals in Hollywood.

The American Dental Association finds Native Americans have significantly higher rates of oral disease. There is usually adequate access to dental care, but many Native people don’t know how or where to go. It’s Dental Hygiene Awareness Month—a good time to review the basics of oral health care. We’ll talk with dental experts about why oral dental health is important for your overall health.