Four Native Americans just received the nation’s highest honor recognizing work and dedication to enriching the community. President Joe Biden awarded the 2022-2023 National Humanities Medals to Muscogee poet Joy Harjo, long-time Cherokee educator Dr. Robert Martin, Potawatomi author and scientist Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, and Tlingit cultural advocate Dr. Rosita Worl. The awards, in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Humanities, honors individuals and organizations that deepen “the nation’s understanding of the humanities and broadened our citizens’ engagement with history, literature, languages, philosophy, and other humanities subjects.” Native America Calling was the first Native organization to receive a National Humanities Medal in 2021.

GUESTS

Dr. Rosita Worl (Tlingit), anthropologist, cultural leader, president of the Sealaska Heritage Institute, and a 2023 National Humanities Medalist

Joy Harjo (Muscogee), poet and 2022 National Humanities Medalist

Dr. Robert Martin (Cherokee), president of the Institute of American Indian Arts and a 2022 National Humanities Medalist

Shelly C. Lowe (Diné), chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities

Break 1 Music: I Saw the Witch Cry (song) Anasazi (artist)

Break 2 Music: Ksm Xaayda (song) Saltwater Hank (artist) Siip’nsk (album)