Native America Calling

Native actor Jonathan Joss has a lot to be excited about. He plays Denali in the upcoming remake of the Magnificent Seven. The high profile role comes after a steady series of appearances in places like the TV shows Parks and Rec, and Ray Donavan and the Coen brothers’ movie True Grit. He is probably best-known for his long-running role as Jon Redcorn in the animated series King of the Hill. We’ll talk movies, music and Native representation on the big screen.

The body positive movement inspires people to love their bodies whether they’re 300 pounds or 90 pounds, short or tall. The concept is mostly geared toward plus-size women, but also encourages positive attitudes regardless of race, gender or disability. Plus-size model Ashley Graham made the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue this year – an indication that public attitudes are shifting. At a time when Native Americans are struggling with obesity and diabetes, is it healthier to feel good about ourselves or strive to slim down?

The largest earthquake in state history shook the ground just outside the Osage Nation in Oklahoma this month. The U.S. Geological Survey is looking into whether fracking wastewater injection wells are the cause. What role do Native Nations play in protecting people, property and the environment from the possibility of earthquakes caused by humans?

A time to feast is frequent in our Native Nations. This month we welcome one of the editors of “The Pueblo Food Experience Cookbook: Whole Food of Our Ancestors,” Roxanne Swentzell from Santa Clara Pueblo. The book unlocks many of the savory tastes of the Southwest. The recipes and narratives promote healthy living with the original floodways of the Pueblo nations including the use of pre-contact ingredients that readers are encouraged to grow themselves. Swentzell says it’s a way for Native people to remember who they are as Pueblo people.

The counties with high Native American populations are among the places with the highest rates of hunger in the U.S. The Map the Meal Gap project by the nonprofit Feeding America lists McKinley and Apache Counties on the Navajo Nation among the places that have the highest need. The group estimates the state of California needs nearly $3 billion more dollars to adequately feed all of its residents. We’re taking time during Hunger Action Month to talk about what’s being done to address food insecurity and hunger in our Native communities.

A federal judge’s decision Friday dashed the hopes of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the many people assembled to fight the Dakota Access Pipeline project. Then the Obama Administration unexpectedly halted work in order to address :important issues raised by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other tribal nations." Administration officials went further to say there needs to be a better process "with respect to considering tribes’ views on these types of infrastructure projects." Did the movement to stop the pipeline bring, not just a victory for Standing Rock, but open to the door to long-awaited reforms for Indian Country policy? Or does this new position only last for the final months of the Obama presidency?

A rush of adrenaline, unsettled stomach, muscle spasms. These are some of the common physical symptoms of stress. Many of us get stressed out about work deadlines that come and go. But when we’re stressed all the time, it can lead to some serious health problems like weight gain or even heart disease. We’ll learn some common causes and symptoms of stress. We’ll also ask the experts about the best ways to cope.

In school many of us learned the Americas were populated by a migration on an ice bridge across the Bering Strait from Russia. But Indigenous scholars haven’t always been on board with that theory. Now, a recent study finds the timeline for the ice bridge theory doesn’t hold water. On this show, we’ll discuss the controversy over migration theories. Is the Native perspective included?

Do you stand with Colin Kaepernick? The San Francisco 49ers quarterback decided to remain seated for the national anthem during football games. He says it’s in protest over the United States’ treatment of people of color. His actions are creating a national conversation about patriotism, free speech and racism. It’s customary to stand during veterans’ songs at Native gatherings. Is it possible to honor those traditions and still remain critical of the United States? Are you ambivalent about honoring the Stars and Stripes?

From the head of Fox News to tribal council chambers to the everyday office environment, sexual harassment is a pervasive problem. Branches of the Navajo Nation are reviewing their policies and training after the only female delegate recently went public with harassment allegations. We’ll brush up on what sexual harassment is and how to prevent it. We’ll also discuss whether tribal laws provide better or worse protections for women who speak up in their workplace.