Native America Calling

For the first time, the federal government acknowledges the devastation to Native America tribes caused by a century of dam building on rivers in the Pacific Northwest. The report by the U.S. Department of Interior notes the benefits for the region’s burgeoning population in need of cheap power, irrigation, and steady jobs. But that same push dismissed the needs of the tribes that already occupied the land, resulting in flooding homes and sacred sites, and the decimation of salmon runs, their chief reliable food source.

Iñupiaq and Yup'ik writer Laureli Ivanoff illuminating Alaska Native foodways is recognized with a 2024 James Beard Media Award. Dakota gardener Teresa Peterson’s new book, Perennial Ceremony: Lessons and Gifts from a Dakota Garden, is a tour through the seasons and a story about how gardening, and resulting recipes, affect everyday life, family, healing, and wellness. And a pilot program by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Education at a New Mexico high school puts agriculture into the curriculum. That’s all on The Menu on Native America Calling, a special feature hosted and produced by Andi Murphy.

Hubert Logan, Mega Bear, Wampum Baggs, and Tad Nugget are all back for Volume 3 of the Super Indian saga. Creator Arigon Starr (Kickapoo and Muscogee Creek) continues the tale of the Native boy who developed super powers after eating commodity cheese tainted with “Rezium”. We’ll talk with Starr about the new comics and what else she’s been up to since the last edition of Super Indian.

The state of California has agreed to return 2,800 acres of land to the Shasta Indian Nation. It’s not just any 2,800 acres. It was home to the Shasta people, but was flooded by a series of dams in a giant hydroelectric project more than a century ago. And Congress just approved a similar transfer of 1,600 acres of land along the Missouri River for the Winnebago Tribe that the federal government acquired through eminent domain in 1970. We’ll hear about the latest transactions and other noteworthy progress in tribal land returns.

Phoenix, Ariz. is the latest city to face federal allegation of police discrimination against Native Americans and other people of color. A U.S. Department of Justice investigation cites serious statistical disparities when it comes to police interacting with and charging Native people compared to other residents. The report also accuses the department of using unnecessary and excessive force. We'll hear from Native community members about how the report compares with what they know about law enforcement disparities in and around Phoenix. We'll also talk with Native advocates in other places where the Department of Justice has investigated discrimination complaints.

Singer-songwriter Quinn Christopherson (Ahtna Athabascan and Iñupiaq) is on a cross-country tour along with GRAMMY award-winning Alaska (by way of Portland, Ore.) band Portugal. The Man and winning over audiences with his insightful music delivered with passion and a charismatic optimism. Christopherson burst into people’s consciousness after winning the 2019 Tiny Desk Contest. He is part of Alisa Amador’s new single "I Need to Believe" and he collaborated with Pattie Gonia and Yo Yo Ma in what might be the most hopeful song about climate change anyone’s ever heard. Sound artist Edzi’u (Taku River Tlingit and Tahltan) builds complex layers of music from instruments, their own voice, and environmental sounds in a welcoming, emotional atmospheric storytelling. They’re releasing a new album Tunnel Vision with the new single “This Love”. Both artists join Native America Calling this Monday in the latest edition of our regular feature Native Playlist.

Skateboarding has gone from a rebellious alternative culture to an Olympic sport. It’s also becoming increasingly popular among Native athletes and recreational boarders and organizers are stepping up their support with places to skate. Skateboarding has roots in Native Hawaiian surf culture, and Navajo, Hopi, and Oglala Lakota nations are among those that see the benefits of dedicated skate parks. Advocates point to the increasing knowledge about the benefits of skateboarding, especially for young people of color. It’s National Go Skate Day and we’ll hear from skaters and skating advocates about what the sport does for people and communities.

The superintendent of schools for Rapid City, S.D. just issued an apology after a federal investigation found “persistent and statistically significant disparities” when it comes to Native American students. The report specifically cited the superintendent saying tribes don’t value education and complaining about Native students running on "Indian time".  The report comes after a series of incidents drawing the ire of tribes, including a requirement by the Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) Administration that state employees remove their tribal affiliations from email signatures. Is South Dakota peculiar or are they driving a trend?

As digital technology increasingly becomes the main infrastructure for information and commerce, tribes will need to create an informed strategy to make sure their voices are included. That is one of the driving factors behind the new Center for Tribal Digital Sovereignty that just launched by Arizona State University and the National Congress of American Indians. The project will research and help tribes navigate important trends and issues including broadband connectivity, AI, and data privacy protection.

More than 30 pieces of century-old Hopi pottery, baskets, and other items are making a return visit to the Hopi community, making them available to the descendants of the artists for the first time. The project is called Tuma Angwu Owya. The pieces were originally acquired by a wealthy Massachusetts family who visited the Hopi reservation during cross-country trip in the late 1920s. They forged a lasting relationship with some Hopi community members. Their collection is now housed at Wesleyan University, which is helping facilitate this unique return to their place of origin for a weekend. We’ll talk with the event organizers about bringing these works back to the Hopi reservation.