Native America Calling

Sea lions continue to feast on spawning salmon lined up at dams in the Pacific Northwest. Tribes of the lower Columbia River and elsewhere say sea lions, a protected species, are putting a strain on already vulnerable salmon populations. Scaring the animals and relocating them has not worked. NOAA is currently seeking public comment on a plan to remove and kill California and Steller sea lions at two dams along the Columbia River.

When an addict’s behavior has ravaged through a family, there comes a time when family members might choose to demand treatment. Personal interventions can include friends, family members, and mental health professionals working to convince the addict to enter treatment. But is intervention right for everyone? In Native America treatment may not be readily available. We’ll talk with recovering addicts and experts about how friends and family can use interventions to get help for the ones they love.

The Canadian federal election has officially begun. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has until October 21st to convince Canadian citizens that he and his Liberal Party are the best for the job. Pipelines, climate change, immigration and an ethics scandal are all front and center issues during this election. Last time around, in 2015, voting on reservations jumped 14 points to 61percent, partly on Trudeau’s promises for Indigenous-friendly reforms. We’ll discuss the political parties vying for a spot in the election, and how First Nations, Inuit and Métis fit into the picture.

Some people have a knack for learning language. Others struggle to keep track of nouns, verbs and syntax. Either way, adult tribal language learners have a big task. Just getting started might seem daunting. And following through and frequent practice are key. We’ll get tips for getting started, keeping going, and passing along your Native language.

Information from Brazil’s National Space Research Institute shows the number of fires in the Amazon tropical rainforest are nearly double what they were last year. There’s no consensus on the cause of the increase, but Indigenous tribes and environmental groups say it’s because the policies under President Jair Bolsonaro encourage land grabs and deforestation by farmers, ranchers and mining companies. Tribal leaders say it’s another example of Bolsonaro’s well-documented hostility toward Indigenous people that poses their most serious existential threat in at least a half century.

A Shoshone-Bannock citizen could be the first prison inmate to have court ordered gender confirmation surgery. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with a lower court judge, ruling that by denying Adree Edmo the surgery while in custody, the Idaho Department of Corrections is violating her constitutional rights. Edmo argues having the surgery is life-saving. She had previously attempted suicide. One 2015 study from the National Center for Transgender Equality found more than half of the Native transgender people included in a larger, national survey said they attempted suicide. We’ll explore the legal implications for the federal court decision and expand the discussion to the factors that go into a person’s decision to have sex reassignment surgery.

At least 2 million people are signed onto Facebook event page for storming the top secret Nevada military site, Area 51, on Sept. 20. It started as a joke by organizers saying they wanted to find evidence for alien conspiracy theories. We’re taking the opportunity to learn more about the roles Star People and Star Beings play in Native culture and origin stories.

It’s a given that the fashion runway is about making statements with fabric and design. The catwalk is also being used to tell Indigenous stories and bring awareness to issues that test the strength of our Native nations. We’ll hear from Native designers about the role fashion can play in conveying emotions that come with issues ranging from stolen relatives to colonization to a resurgence of culture.

A chorus of resilient voices have united through song and spoken word to push back against the pervasive issue of gender and sexual violence that challenges our communities. The compilation CD “Spirit Line: Woven Together for Our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives,” features artistic compositions from different Indigenous nations. We’ll visit with those behind the project to find out how they hope their artistic expressions will create more awareness on the issue of our stolen relatives.

Many tribes organize wellness events and develop programs to educate people about healthy choices and food options. For the most part, involvement is voluntary. Some tribes go a step further to try and improve the health of their citizens. The Navajo Nation president banned throwing candy at the popular Navajo Nation Fair parade. It sparked a public discussion about the best ways to create healthful changes. The Navajo Nation is also known for adding a tax on soda and junk food. What do you think is the best way to go about improving health and wellness in an entire tribal community?