Native America Calling

The Snake Oil Salesmen have blended rock and folk with a touch of twang since 2011. They like to call themselves musical healers and honest storytellers. Our musical spotlight for November comes after the release of their new album, “Dead and Breathing.” We’ll dive into the tunes the band says are meant to bridge the gap between fireside tales, kitchen parties and the world of rock and roll.

Grades, personal relationships, finding a date for prom. Those are among the triggers for student stress. Some of the causes for stress may seem trivial to adults, but a 2014 study by the American Psychological Association finds stress can take a toll on teens’ healthy eating habits, sleep and school performance. We’ll explore the causes and potential solutions for stress in school. Coping with stress may be one way to improve Native students’ chances for reaching graduation.

“Standing Rock.” “Water Protectors.” “Water is Life.” They are among the words and phrases that are permanently linked to a moment in time. The memories of those who were there paint a picture of what remains an important series of events for Native people. Some prepared food for others at the camps. some found themselves injured from encounters with police. Still others have yet to learn the outcome of criminal charges against them. We’ll hear some of the firsthand accounts from Standing Rock.

A converted school bus that helps steer Navajo kids away from sugary drinks. A health advocate fights the food desert, one package of healthy food at a time. Native tradition helps an urban population switch to healthier eating habits. Those are some of the scenarios we learn about in the National Native News series, Health and Wellness: the Indigenous way. Producer Antonia Gonzales worked in conjunction with New Mexico In Focus for this series of reports about what is healthy and what are some of the obstacles for getting there.

What’s a better way to spend the day after a holiday than to catch up on the news from Native America. From national policy to tribal politics, we take time to regularly speak with journalists, newsmakers and others about the important issues of the day. Join us for our regular news round-up.

We’re going to revisit one of our favorite recent shows from the Indigenous Comic Con. The event at Isleta Resort and Casino was a successful gathering of Native comic book creators, filmmakers, authors, artists and enthusiasts. Our live broadcast from the con touched in with comic book creators about why telling Native stories through action-packed sagas is important.

As millions of people get ready to feast on turkey, mashed potatoes, yams and stuffing, there are those in Native America who could care less. In fact, some Native people view the holiday as a reminder of the start of colonization. In this program, we’ll talk to Native people about why they say “no thanks” to Thanksgiving.

The Mana Maoli nonprofit is giving youth in Hawaii a chance to experience the world of music through their project Mana Mele. It focuses on academics, business and culture and gives youth exposure to the music industry and all of its facets. We go to the heart of this music and multimedia academy to learn what happens when you put the power of music in the hands of the youth. What doors become unlocked when music becomes the center stage when we are young?

Caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, can be a difficult journey. Family members can undergo radical personality changes. They can become confused, depressed and even argumentative. It’s not always clear how to respond. In our Native Nations there is emphasis on the importance of elders, but is there enough information out there about how Natives can navigate this devastating disease? We’ll talk with experts about what caregivers and family members can do take care of family members with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Wild horse populations on tribal lands are flourishing. And that’s a problem. The horses compete with livestock and wildlife for food and other resources. Tribes also complain the horses consume plants that have spiritual and nutritional importance. The animals contribute to soil erosion that also harms rivers and other waterways. Wild horse adoptions are down and slaughtering the animals remains controversial. We’ll explore how tribes confront wild horse management with limited budgets and cultural constraints.