Native America Calling

The new $867 billion Farm Bill just signed President Donald Trump is getting praise from tribes, Native farmers and advocates. One Native agriculture organization calls the number of Native-related provisions “unprecedented”. It also means access to more USDA programs and some changes for tribal food producers and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (commodity foods program). The bill also legalizes hemp opening doors to tribes getting into the industry.

Plains tribes used dyed porcupine quills to adorn clothing, dolls and other items (called quillwork) before the introduction of beads. Many Native artists still choose to express themselves with the art form that begins with many hours of meticulous quill harvesting from porcupines—which may or may not still be alive. It also requires involved processing that includes flattening and dyeing the quills. The resulting work is vivid and unique. Join our conversation with some contemporary Native quillworkers about this traditional art form.

Plains tribes used dyed porcupine quills to adorn clothing, dolls and other items (called quillwork) before the introduction of beads. Many Native artists still choose to express themselves with the art form that begins with many hours of meticulous quill harvesting from porcupines—which may or may not still be alive. It also requires involved processing that includes flattening and dyeing the quills. The resulting work is vivid and unique. Join our conversation with some contemporary Native quillworkers about this traditional art form.

We carry on a tradition by devoting an hour to looking back at some of the outstanding books for young people published in the last year. Debbie Reese (Nambé Pueblo), founder of American Indians in Children’s Literature blog, will discuss her annual list of standouts. We’ll also hear from Dallas Hunt (Cree), author of “Awâsis and the World Famous Bannock” and Roy Boney (Cherokee), whose essay titled "Tell It In Your Own Way" is published in “We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices.”

We carry on a tradition by devoting an hour to looking back at some of the outstanding books for young people published in the last year. Debbie Reese (Nambé Pueblo), founder of American Indians in Children’s Literature blog, will discuss her annual list of standouts. We’ll also hear from Dallas Hunt (Cree), author of “Awâsis and the World Famous Bannock” and Roy Boney (Cherokee), whose essay titled "Tell It In Your Own Way" is published in “We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices.”

As the partial government shutdown stretches into its third week its effects are starting to surface. Elected leaders’ inability to agree on a funding plan has furloughed thousands of Bureau of Indian Affairs employees and suspended some Indian Health Service operations. The main disagreement is over funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, one of President Donald Trump’s priorities. We’ll talk with employees and Native organizations about how the shutdown affects Native America.

As the partial government shutdown stretches into its third week its effects are starting to surface. Elected leaders’ inability to agree on a funding plan has furloughed thousands of Bureau of Indian Affairs employees and suspended some Indian Health Service operations. The main disagreement is over funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, one of President Donald Trump’s priorities. We’ll talk with employees and Native organizations about how the shutdown affects Native America.

Beverages made from plants like green thread, bear root, sassafras and stinging nettles make up a variety of drinks that we might refer to as ‘tea’. Tribes continue to utilize a variety of leaves, roots, berries and other ingredients to create traditional drinks or medicine. We’ll hear about the different flavors and benefits of Indigenous tea.

Beverages made from plants like green thread, bear root, sassafras and stinging nettles make up a variety of drinks that we might refer to as ‘tea’. Tribes continue to utilize a variety of leaves, roots, berries and other ingredients to create traditional drinks or medicine. We’ll hear about the different flavors and benefits of Indigenous tea.

The Lummi Tribe is hoping 2019 will be the year an orca named Tokitae is freed from captivity. Named ‘Lolita’ by Miami’s Seaquarium, the animal has lived and performed in a man-made tank since 1970. The tribe and a host of animal rights groups are putting pressure on the Seaquarium to return her to her home pod in and around Puget Sound. The push to return the orca is part of a bigger effort to bring attention to the health of the marine ecosystem that is part of the Lummi’s ancestral territory. We’ll talk with Lummi representatives and others about Tokitae and the traditional importance of orcas.