Native America Calling

This year’s published works included a fictional account of Sacajawea, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated historical analysis of northern Anishinaabe people, a creepy anthology, and a sequel to a best-selling story. We’ll hear from both readers and writers about the standout books by Native authors from 2023.

Indigenous leaders from around the world are assessing the results – and lack thereof – from the annual international conference to determine the direction of environmental policy. Climate activists are severely criticizing the key document that emerged from the meeting hosted by one of the world’s biggest oil producers for ignoring future petroleum phase-outs to fight climate change. We’ll take on the 28th Annual Conference of Parties from an Indigenous perspective.

From voting rights to drinking water access to respecting important Native land, Laurie Weahkee (Diné, Cochiti, and Zuni Pueblo) has been a force to improve policies that affect Native people. She was the long-time director of the Native Voters Alliance and has worked on political campaigns and local and national issues. She's our Native In The Spotlight.

The Biden Administration just announced more than $4.3 million in federal money for a handful of tribes to bolster meat processing. Officials say the Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are designed to improve connections to traditional food sources. It’s part of a larger $68 million federal appropriation just announced that includes cooperative land management to improve wildlife habitat and fire protection. We’ll find out how tribes will utilize money to improve food sovereignty.

President Joe Biden signed an executive order during the White House Tribal Nations Summit that his administration says will provide tribes with better access to federal funds as part of the ongoing efforts to “heal the wrongs of the past”. Other topics at the summit centered on consultation, climate change, the scourge of fentanyl, and President Biden's endorsement of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy lacrosse team competing under their own flag in the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. We’ll talk with tribal leaders about the summit and the Biden Administration’s track record on its nation-to-nation relationship with tribes.

The Barbie brand has experienced a banner year with the record-breaking success of the Greta Gerwig film. However, the Barbie Inspiring Women collectible dolls, which includes the former Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Wilma Mankiller, is getting praise and criticism - and spurring conversations about how non-Native companies accurately honor Native individuals and tribes. We’ll dive into the controversy.

For fans and Native communities, volleyball matches and tournaments are sometimes as popular as football and basketball games. It’s fast-paced and rivalries are fierce. Especially popular for girls at the high school level, volleyball instills a long list of valuable lessons including the importance of fitness and exercises. Shawn Spruce talks with Native volleyball players and coaches about the 2023 season and how the sport is a dear part of Native community.

Mainstream audiences are starting to get a taste of Native humor on television shows like Rutherford Falls and Reservation Dogs. Native stand-up comics are also receiving more recognition like Brian Bahe (Tohono O'odham, Hopi, and Navajo), who was named by the news site Vulture as a new comedian to watch out for in 2023. We’ll hear from some Native comedians about breaking into the industry and making people laugh.

It’s that time of year when we gather around the table to share a holiday dinner with family and friends for harvest feasts and winter community meals. To keep everyone safe from foodborne illnesses like Salmonella and E. Coli, home cooks must remember some simple, but important, food safety rules. Viruses and bacteria spread by contaminated food not only cause unpleasant gastrointestinal issues, foodborne illnesses can be life-threatening for elders and those with weak immune systems. We’ll talk with food safety and medical experts about safe food handling.

The American Revolution is mostly portrayed as an epic struggle between the colonies and the British. But Native tribes and individuals played a significant role in the historic War of Independence. It was a difficult choice for tribes, who were neither British subjects nor supporters of the encroaching colonies. We’ll get the Native perspective on America’s first war.