Native America Calling

Many of our elders have vivid memories of the Dust Bowl, the start of World War II and Elvis Presley. Do you wonder what life was like before air conditioning or penicillin? Do you know what kinds of adventures your great-grandfather had when he was a kid? The only way to hear stories from elders is to ask. And the only way to save them for future generations is to record them.

We're taking a cue from the organization, StoryCorps, which is asking students to record the voices of older generations over the Thanksgiving weekend. We will share a few of their stories and get tips on how to document stories for the future.

U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin (Cherokee Nation) represents Oklahoma’s Second Congressional District. He is one of two Native Americans currently serving in the House of Representatives. He is a small business owner, a husband and father of five. Did you know he is a former MMA fighter? Roll Call describes the Republican Rep. Mullin as a “tea party favorite”. Join us for a conversation with Rep. Mullin. He is our November Native in the Spotlight. You can email your questions for Rep. Mullin to [email protected].

Getting a diabetes diagnosis is scary. On top of the implications for your health, there’s an overwhelming barrage of instructions and medical advice. The information on diabetes is constantly evolving. American Indians and Alaska Natives are twice as likely to have type 2 diabetes as whites, according to the CDC. The truth is—while the diagnosis is shocking—the disease can be managed with the right information and lifestyle changes. Is there more to managing diabetes than nutrition and blood sugar levels? What role does attitude play in keeping diabetes in check. What questions do you have about making sure diabetes is under control?

The Badger-Two Medicine traditional cultural district of Montana is considered sacred to the Blackfeet tribe. Earlier this month, Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack sent a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewel urging her to cancel the energy leases for the area. The Blackfeet Tribe of Montana said the leases were granted illegally and the tribe has a “deep spiritual connection to this profoundly spiritual region.” Is your community working to protect a sacred place from energy development? What challenges do tribes face when fighting for their sacred places?

It’s the time of year to take out all the stops and spend a little extra time in the kitchen. A special meal can bring families together and make cherished memories. But creating a celebratory feast is fraught with challenges. If you need some help and advice in the kitchen, we’re here for you. In this episode, we invite two expert Native chefs to answer your cooking questions. So if your last batch of wild rice risotto was a disaster, our guest chefs might have some advice for you.

The birth of a child is a sacred and cherished event. The weeks and months that follow are a whirlwind of joy and anxiety for new mothers. But there are times when dark thoughts persist. Some mothers suffer negative emotions, constant crying, and difficulty establishing attachment to the baby. Between 10 to 15 percent of women get postpartum depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Studies by the University of North Carolina suggest Native American women experience even more instances of postpartum depression than other populations. How does postpartum depression effect children, families and Native communities? Are Native American mothers getting the help they need when experiencing postpartum depression?

Kimberley Dawn’s album “'Til the Cowboys Come Home,” is packed with the driving rhythms and tough-love lyrics country music fans cherish like a pair of favorite jeans. Dawn (Métis Cree) will be with us for our next look at Native music. Join us for another hour of musical delight from First Nations singer Kimberley Dawn, our November Music Maker.

Follow this conversation with the hastag: #MusicMakerKimberleyDawn

From Canadian First Nations to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, pressure from Native sources was instrumental in helping torpedo the Keystone XL oil pipeline. President Barack Obama rejected the pipeline proposal that would have pumped crude oil from Canada to Illinois and eventually, the Gulf of Mexico.

The rejection is victory for environmentalists and tribes who have been fighting the proposal since 2008. How does stopping the pipeline help Native America? Did the president take tribal concerns into account in his decision? The lack of an oil pipeline means more oil shipped by rail and highway. What does Indian Country say to that?

From Canadian First Nations to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, pressure from Native sources was instrumental in helping torpedo the Keystone XL oil pipeline. President Barack Obama rejected the pipeline proposal that would have pumped crude oil from Canada to Illinois and eventually, the Gulf of Mexico.

The rejection is victory for environmentalists and tribes who have been fighting the proposal since 2008. How does stopping the pipeline help Native America? Did the president take tribal concerns into account in his decision? The lack of an oil pipeline means more oil shipped by rail and highway. What does Indian Country say to that?

The focus was on Native youth for this year’s White House Tribal Nations Conference. It’s President Barack Obama’s seventh—and possibly last—conference with tribal leaders. We will go over the important moments from the conference. We’ll also discuss the importance of the past White House gatherings and the future of tribal relations with the president. What is the president’s legacy with Native America? What’s the outlook for relations with future administrations?