Native America Calling

The proposed 1,168-mile Dakota Access Pipeline already has approval from four states and a majority of private landowners in its path. Supporters say it will bring hundreds of jobs and will boost the economy. But tribes and others oppose the plan. They’re worried about the possibility of a catastrophic leak endangering precious water resources. Where’s the line between job-creation and environmental protection? Why do you support or oppose the Dakota Access Pipeline?

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. How can you tell if a mole is cancerous? Do you put on sunscreen every day? What is the best SPF number to use? We’ll speak with an expert about the best ways to prevent and detect skin cancer.

State and tribal governments are currently clashing over a sacred area known as Pe’ Sla or ‘The Heart of All That Is’. The Bureau of Indian Affairs approved putting the 2,000-acre parcel of South Dakota Black Hills land into trust. A coalition of the Shakopee Mdewakanton, Rosebud, Crow Creek, and Standing Rock Sioux tribes purchased it in 2012. Governor Dennis Daugaard, opposes the tribes’ effort. In addition he suggested the tribes had more important things to invest their money in, like caring for their elders. How does the trust designation help tribes? Will this set a precedent for other tribes buying back sacred land?

It’s graduation season and it’s time to celebrate graduates. They worked hard for years to get a piece of paper, a stamped seal, a tassel and a change in their educational status. We celebrate Native graduates and find out how their culture mixes in with “Pomp and Circumstance.” Do you have a graduate in your family that you’re proud of? Tune in, call in and shout out.

Doctor shortages in Indian country make it difficult for patients to get the health care they were promised. The agency overseeing the Indian Health Service acknowledged in a hearing last year, that IHS is short on providers. Officials revealed then that vacancy rates for physicians at IHS reached 20 percent in 2013. The number is even higher in certain areas. What are the long term impacts to doctor and other medical care provider shortages in Indian country? Is more money the answer?

The producers of “Frontier of Change” gathered stories from Alaska Native people whose lives are being affected by climate change. The project includes interviews, environmental audio and other sounds that bring this important story to life. We’ll hear from the producers about the project and how Indigenous communities are struggling with disappearing land, vanishing wildlife, erosion, and other catastrophes brought on by climate change. Are you seeing the effects of climate change in your Native community? How can storytelling address the issue?

Cradleboards are useful, beautiful and can tell stories about the communities from which they come. For millennia, Native parents have been securely wrapping up their babies in adorned carriers. On this show we’ll explore the history of cradleboards and other baby baskets across tribal nations. We’ll also talk about how some parents are returning to these traditional baby carriers today.

First we learn to talk. And then comes reading and writing. In Native America, tribes and tribal members are working hard to revitalize and speak our Native languages. But what about the written word? In the mid-19th century, a Cherokee named Sequoyah invented a syllabary for the Cherokee language, which is still used today in publications and signs across the three Cherokee tribes. Where does the written word fit into your language? Is learning to read or write critical to the future of our languages?

Thousands of dancers, hundreds of tribes: the annual Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque is among the biggest powwows in North America. We’ll take you inside the Gathering with a special live broadcast. We’ll learn about the history of the event and preview a few of the dozens of great musicians. We’ll get insights on what makes a great competitor and talk with the reigning Miss Indian World. We take a snapshot of the powwow experience at the 2016 Gathering of Nations.

We are bringing you a double shot of rocking Native music as we are joined live in studio by two greats. Gary Farmer (Cayuga/Tuscarora/Mohawk) and Derek Miller (Mohawk) have shared the stage many times including a recent tour with stops in several Native nations. We’ll hear about their journeys and their shared love of music. Gary will share some of his latest album "Road Songs" and Derek will give us some of his "Rumble: A Tribute to Native Music Icons." What kind of influence have these musicians had on on your life? When it comes to rock and blues what kind of hold have they had on your soul? Are the type of sounds that get you out on the dance floor or make you pick up a pick and guitar? Join us for our special Music Maker edition with Gary Farmer and the Trouble Makers and Derek Miller.