Native America Calling

An auction house in France has gone ahead with the sale this month of cultural items despite pleas from tribes, elected leaders and the Association on American Indian Affairs. It’s one in a string of auctions by the Paris auction house that chooses to ignore admonitions against the harm they’re causing. The Yaqui has been working for almost two decades to repatriate a sacred Maaso Kova that the tribe says was never meant to be out of the tribe’s possession or on public display. We’ll get an update on some repatriation efforts and what’s being done to influence international traders in cultural items.

Molly Mabray is a 10-year old Gwich'in, Koyukon and Dena'ina Athabascan girl who learns about her history and culture while having fun with her dog, Suki, and friends, Tooey and Trini. She is the main character of the new animated PBS series, Molly of Denali, starting in July. In the first episode she sets out to get her grandfather’s long lost drum returned and learns about the history of boarding schools along the way. It is the first nationally distributed children’s series to feature an Alaska Native lead. In this hour we’ll talk with the creator and cultural advisors to this groundbreaking series.

Molly Mabray is a 10-year old Gwich'in, Koyukon and Dena'ina Athabascan girl who learns about her history and culture while having fun with her dog, Suki, and friends, Tooey and Trini. She is the main character of the new animated PBS series, Molly of Denali, starting in July. In the first episode she sets out to get her grandfather’s long lost drum returned and learns about the history of boarding schools along the way. It is the first nationally distributed children’s series to feature an Alaska Native lead. In this hour we’ll talk with the creator and cultural advisors to this groundbreaking series.

The landmark Indian Reorganization Act was meant to move tribes away from the governmental policies of forced assimilation towards self-determination. It ended allotment, renewed tribes’ control over their own assets, and encouraged tribes to establish constitutions. John Collier authored the law as Commissioner of the Indian Bureau, which eventually became the Bureau of Indian Affairs. His ideas, like reversing the federal government’s assimilationist policies, were considered radical in 1935. Some historians also believe he romanticized Native American culture, and considered it superior to his own. We’ll discuss Collier’s influence and recognize the Indian Reorganization Act’s ongoing effect as it turns 85.

The landmark Indian Reorganization Act was meant to move tribes away from the governmental policies of forced assimilation towards self-determination. It ended allotment, renewed tribes’ control over their own assets, and encouraged tribes to establish constitutions. John Collier authored the law as Commissioner of the Indian Bureau, which eventually became the Bureau of Indian Affairs. His ideas, like reversing the federal government’s assimilationist policies, were considered radical in 1935. Some historians also believe he romanticized Native American culture, and considered it superior to his own. We’ll discuss Collier’s influence and recognize the Indian Reorganization Act’s ongoing effect as it turns 85.

The annual gathering of amateur senior athletes is setting aside a day to celebrate the many Native American athletes who participate. Participants compete in 20 events from swimming to shuffleboard. The National Senior Games originated as an effort to promote a healthy lifestyle for elders over 50. This year’s games are in Albuquerque New Mexico. We’ll be live at the games with a discussion centered around active and healthy elders.

The annual gathering of amateur senior athletes is setting aside a day to celebrate the many Native American athletes who participate. Participants compete in 20 events from swimming to shuffleboard. The National Senior Games originated as an effort to promote a healthy lifestyle for elders over 50. This year’s games are in Albuquerque New Mexico. We’ll be live at the games with a discussion centered around active and healthy elders.

Sivan Alyra Rose (San Carlos Apache) is the first Native woman to play a lead role in a Netflix series. She portrays a young Navajo woman who is experiencing visions after she receives a heart transplant in the supernatural thriller, "Chambers". The series also stars Uma Thurman and Tony Goldwyn. We’ll hear from Rose about the series and her life as an artist, model and actress. We'll also speak cast members and the executive story editor.

Sivan Alyra Rose (San Carlos Apache) is the first Native woman to play a lead role in a Netflix series. She portrays a young Navajo woman who is experiencing visions after she receives a heart transplant in the supernatural thriller, "Chambers". The series also stars Uma Thurman and Tony Goldwyn. We’ll hear from Rose about the series and her life as an artist, model and actress. We'll also speak cast members and the executive story editor.

In Arizona, June is the traditional time Saguaro cactus fruits are ripe. It is also the Tohono O’odham New Year. For traditional harvests, the fruit is knocked down with sticks, called kuipad, made from dried Saguaro ribs. The fruit can be eaten fresh or made into juice, syrup, jam or a fermented ceremonial wine among other things. We’ll hear about the traditional importance of Saguaro cactus fruit for Native people in the Sonoran Desert.