Native America Calling

The movie, "The Rider," is receiving widespread critical acclaim since its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May of 2017. The Atlantic calls it the best film of 2018 so far. It’s based on the real-life story of a rodeo competitor struggling to recover from a traumatic brain injury. The lead actor, Brady Jandreau, plays a fictional version of himself in the film. The director, Chloé Zhao, first met Jandreau while working on the 2013 film, “Songs My Brother Taught Me,” which, like “The Rider” was filmed on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

The materials for doll making vary from tribe to tribe depending on geography: corn husks, palmetto leaves, animal skins and tree bark. And the significance of the dolls also vary. Some tribes have dolls that hold spiritual significance. Others are educational tools for children to learn beading or sewing. We’ll talk about the craft and meaning of Native doll making

The materials for doll making vary from tribe to tribe depending on geography: corn husks, palmetto leaves, animal skins and tree bark. And the significance of the dolls also vary. Some tribes have dolls that hold spiritual significance. Others are educational tools for children to learn beading or sewing. We’ll talk about the craft and meaning of Native doll making

Tracy Rector’s (Choctaw/Seminole) films have been seen by audiences at the Cannes Film Festival, ImagineNative, the Toronto International Film Festival, and PBS. Her latest work, Dawnland, follows Maine’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address the removal of Native children from their homes. The other films she’s worked on include Teachings of the Tree People, March Point, and Ch'aak' S'aagi. Rector describes herself as a mixed race urban Indian, filmmaker and activist. We’ll talk with her about her passion for filmmaking, social justice and what is next for her career.

Tracy Rector’s (Choctaw/Seminole) films have been seen by audiences at the Cannes Film Festival, ImagineNative, the Toronto International Film Festival, and PBS. Her latest work, Dawnland, follows Maine’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address the removal of Native children from their homes. The other films she’s worked on include Teachings of the Tree People, March Point, and Ch'aak' S'aagi. Rector describes herself as a mixed race urban Indian, filmmaker and activist. We’ll talk with her about her passion for filmmaking, social justice and what is next for her career.

This book takes us to a special dance arena, a “Bowwow Powwow.” That’s the title of the children’s book by Red Lake Ojibwe author and illustrator Brenda J. Child. She’s called on language expert Gordon Jourdain and Red Lake Ojibwe artist Jonathan Thunder to help bring the story to young readers while reinforcing the power of language. Much of the story takes place in dreamtime where the powwow arena turns in to a cultural gathering of dogs. The idea for the book stems from a true Ojibwe tradition.

This book takes us to a special dance arena, a “Bowwow Powwow.” That’s the title of the children’s book by Red Lake Ojibwe author and illustrator Brenda J. Child. She’s called on language expert Gordon Jourdain and Red Lake Ojibwe artist Jonathan Thunder to help bring the story to young readers while reinforcing the power of language. Much of the story takes place in dreamtime where the powwow arena turns in to a cultural gathering of dogs. The idea for the book stems from a true Ojibwe tradition.

There is a food and nutrition crisis in Indian Country and the pending Farm Bill can go a long way toward solving it. That’s the perspective of the Native Farm Bill Coalition that issued a report last year in hopes of cluing Congress in to the ways tribes need to be woven into the legislation. Commodities, SNAP, forestry, and access to USDA programs are all areas in the Farm Bill tribal agricultural experts are worried about.

There is a food and nutrition crisis in Indian Country and the pending Farm Bill can go a long way toward solving it. That’s the perspective of the Native Farm Bill Coalition that issued a report last year in hopes of cluing Congress in to the ways tribes need to be woven into the legislation. Commodities, SNAP, forestry, and access to USDA programs are all areas in the Farm Bill tribal agricultural experts are worried about.

Many Native martial arts enthusiasts are putting their own spin on karate, taekowndo and jiu-jitsu. They practice the disciplines for both self-defense and fitness and they’re finding ways to weave in Native elements. On this show we’ll talk with Natives who are using martial arts to stay healthy and create lifelong practices of discipline and healthy behavior. We’ll also explore a few traditional Indigenous fighting styles. Do you use martial arts for fitness? Send us an email to [email protected]