Native America Calling

The discussion over replacing President Andrew Jackson’s face on the $20 bill reminds us that what we know about history is always evolving. There are dozens of historical figures honored with murals, statues and place names who we now know were not as honorable as we first thought. Native Americans at the University of New Mexico are wondering how they relate to the official seal that depicts a Spanish conquistador and a white frontiersman. The Capitol building in Minnesota displays romanticized paintings that call to mind some of the worst atrocities in Native American history. Should painful historical references in public places be replaced? If so, where do they belong?

The 1950s Urban Relocation Program had the stated goal to help address poverty in rural reservations. The intent was to move Native American families to a handful of big cities where there were more job opportunities. The program failed to fix poverty. It also diminished Native communities. But it did create a new urban landscape for Native Americans. We’ll take a look inside these urban communities six decades later and see how the “relocatees” have created and maintained a strong Native connection.

Organizers of the Rezilience Indigenous Arts Experience say it will be like no other arts event. The new arts and performance celebration debuts during the Gathering of Nations weekend in Albuquerque. Musicians, authors, artists and motivational speakers come together to highlight the intersection of tradition, culture and inspiration. We talk with the founder of the event and some of the artists about what “Rezilience” means to them.

A number of Native candidates running for state and federal offices. We’ll get an update on elections in our news roundup. Also it’s Earth Day. We’ll examine the major environmental stories hitting Native America: Peabody Coal filed for bankruptcy, the Keystone pipeline sprung a leak, and the proposed PolyMet copper and nickel mine in Minnesota passes another hurdle.

Seeds. Soil. A patch of land or a container. Gardening should be that easy, right? Not for some wannabe gardeners. It can be difficult to grow flowers, vegetables or even grass for any number of reasons. Sometimes the problem is chemistry, the moisture, soil or pests. But that doesn’t stop a lot of people from getting out the shovels and seed packets in the spring time. We talk what it takes to start a garden and we’re opening the phone lines for your gardening questions.

What if a recreational activity like skateboarding could save a person’s life? In some communities it is. On this show, we look at how tribal leaders are seeing the value of skateboarding for their young people. It’s giving them hope. Shredding at the skate park is making connections that nothing else seems to for some kids. We’ll learn how formalizing an activity some youth turn to anyway is bringing about positive change.

We celebrate National Poetry Month with one of Native America’s poets. Tanaya Winder (Duckwater Shoshone/Southern Ute) is prompting people to redefine love and how they connect to its power. Her book, Words Like Love is a product of her own healing journey. It’s Winder’s hope that each of her poems helps to unpack the meaning of love for readers. Tanaya Winder is our April Book of the Month author.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes taking grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem off the list of Endangered Species. They say that the bears are a conservation success. Critics say the bears are still endangered and delisting will open up the possibility of trophy hunting outside of Yellowstone National Park. Some tribes, including the Shoshone Bannock Tribes, who retain a seat on the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, oppose the delisting. How much influence will tribes have in the process of delisting the grizzly bear?

The deadline for filing taxes is upon us. Since it’s on our minds we thought now is a good time for some expert tips and tricks. People living in Indian Country have unique tax requirements. What deductions make the most sense? How about artists and other self-employed workers? And we’ll confront the prevailing myth that Natives don’t pay taxes. We have an hour and will get to as many of your questions as we can.

There are pills, injections and implants. But what is the real access to birth control in Native America? Do Native women face more barriers, such as social pressure, when it comes to birth control? In this episode, we’ll also talk about court cases and legislation that affects access to birth control.