Native America Calling

02/14/2025

There’s more Valentine’s Day than flowers and chocolates in heart-shaped boxes. Yupik storyteller Yaari Walker is thinking about the unique account of her own wedding and how it turned into a cultural lesson. She also thinks back about her grandmother’s arranged marriage, and the message that relationship continues to convey. We’ll hear those and other selections of traditional and contemporary stories about love by experienced Native storytellers.

GUESTS

Yaari Walker (Yup'ik), tribal healer and traditional storyteller

Sunny Dooley (Diné), Diné Hózhǫǫjí Hane' Teller

Perry Ground (Onondaga Nation, Turtle Clan member), Haudenosaunee storyteller and cultural educator

There’s more Valentine’s Day than flowers and chocolates in heart-shaped boxes. Yupik storyteller Yaari Walker is thinking about the unique account of her own wedding and how it turned into a cultural lesson. She also thinks back about her grandmother’s arranged marriage, and the message that ...

02/13/2025

A traditional violin maker, a regalia maker, and basket weavers are the six artists chosen for this year’s Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Award winners by the First Peoples Fund. The art they create tells only a part of their stories, as each helps revive and propel cultural knowledge that is sometimes endangered. We’ll hear from the artists and organizers about their passions for preserving culture and passing it on to future generations.

GUESTS

Julia Marden (Aquinnah Wampanoag of Gay Head), Aquinnah Wampanoag traditional artist, knowledge keeper, and 2025 Community Spirit Award Honoree

Lisa Morehead-Hillman (Karuk, Yurok, and Shasta). Karuk, Yurok, and Shasta basket weaver

Fox Spears (Karuk), program manager of fellowships for the First Peoples Fund

Terrill Goseyun (San Carlos Apache), Apache artist

A traditional violin maker, a regalia maker, and basket weavers are the six artists chosen for this year’s Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Award winners by the First Peoples Fund. The art they create tells only a part of their stories, as each helps revive and propel cultural knowledge that is so...

02/10/2025

The National Congress of American Indians annual winter conference comes as the federal government is actively dismantling the diversity initiatives that help establish Native representation in the workplace and in the public sphere. The nation’s oldest and largest Native advocacy group is shaping its strategy for carrying a unified voice to a fractured government and public on issues that matter most: sovereignty, consultation, environmental sustainability, the Trust Responsibility, and economic development. We’ll hear NCAI President Mark Macarro’s 2025 State of Indian Nations address and get perspectives on the organization’s coming year.

GUESTS

Tadd Johnson (Bois Forte Band of Chippewa), Regent at the University of Minnesota, professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and attorney

The National Congress of American Indians annual winter conference comes as the federal government is actively dismantling the diversity initiatives that help establish Native representation in the workplace and in the public sphere. The nation’s oldest and largest Native advocacy group is shaping...

02/07/2025

Calling all artists! Koahnic Broadcast Corporation’s annual Alaska Native Art Auction is back, and we’re seeking talented creators to donate their work! Donate your piece by Friday, Feb. 14 for a chance to be entered into our $500 art donor giveaway. Your art helps us amplify Alaska Native voices through KNBA 90.3 FM, the only Native urban public radio station, and helps fund programs like National Native News and Native America Calling. Showcase your work to more than 400 VIPs, be featured in our Artist Guide and help support our mission! Visit KNBA.org for more information on donating art, or connect with Cindy Hector at [email protected]!
Art Donation Deadline: March 14, 2025

02/07/2025

Tatanka Means (Lakota/Diné) maintains a busy schedule as a stand-up comedian, all while portraying serious on-screen roles in "Killers of the Flower Moon", "Echo", and "Reservation Dogs". He carries the name of his notable Lakota father, has close ties to his Navajo roots in Chinle, Ariz., and is fully embracing his role as a basketball dad. We’ll hear about his life and creative drive as our February Native in the Spotlight.

Tatanka Means (Lakota/Diné) maintains a busy schedule as a stand-up comedian, all while portraying serious on-screen roles in Killers of the Flower Moon, Echo, and Reservation Dogs. He carries the name of his notable Lakota father, has close ties to his Navajo roots in Chinle, Ariz., and is fully e...

02/06/2025

We’ll catch up with Dine/Lakota actor, Tatanka Means, for a discussion about working in film and exciting comedy work coming up. He’s our February Native in the Spotlight. Tune in at 11 a.m. Mountain Time tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 7.

02/06/2025

One possible change to Medicaid being floated in Congress right now includes a $2.3 trillion cut over the next 10 years. Other potential changes include adding certain work requirements and shifting costs and distribution of Medicaid funds to states, which have no trust obligations to tribes. As it is, Medicaid provides direct support to at least one million Native Americans. It’s also one of the secondary sources that help provide health care through the Indian Health Service. Advocates are bracing for changes as they continue to make the case for the program’s life-and-death importance in Indian Country.

GUESTS

Dr. Damian Chase-Begay (Mandan and Arikara), associate research professor of public health at the University of Montana

Kristen Bitsuie (Navajo), tribal health care outreach and education policy manager for the National Indian Health Board

Nanette Star (Choctaw descendant), director of policy and planning at the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health - ccuih

Winn Davis, congressional relations director at the National Indian Health Board

One possible change to Medicaid being floated in Congress right now includes a $2.3 trillion cut over the next 10 years. Other potential changes include adding certain work requirements and shifting costs and distribution of Medicaid funds to states, which have no trust obligations to tribes. As it....

02/05/2025

Even before the recent wildfires in California, soaring home insurance rates were pushing homeowners to go without. Now State Farm, the country’s largest home insurer, is asking for a 22% rate hike in California. That’s on top of a 30% increase request last summer. Increasing natural disasters, rising home values, and the high cost of rebuilding are putting insurance out of reach for more homeowners nationwide. Native Americans already have the highest uninsured rate for homeowners. We’ll discuss alternatives to a future without coverage for people’s biggest financial asset.

GUESTS

Leah Cristobal (Santa Ana Pueblo, Tlingit, and Tsimshian), business development specialist at AMERIND

Jerri Killer (citizen of the Cherokee nation), senior deputy executive director of the Housing Authority of The Cherokee Nation

Michael Vanderwerker, licensed insurance broker with HUB International Insurance

Even before the recent wildfires in California, soaring home insurance rates were pushing homeowners to go without. Now State Farm, the country’s largest home insurer, is asking for a 22% rate hike in California. That’s on top of a 30% increase request last summer. Increasing natural disasters, ...

02/04/2025

In a pre-interview yesterday, we asked Ann-Helén about the cover of her book “Punished.” Tune in today for our live Native Bookshelf discussion with the Sámi author at 11am MT.

02/04/2025

Samí journalist and author Ann-Helén Laestadius offers readers a glimpse into the government-backed school system for the Indigenous children of Sweden that has parallels with the U.S. Indian Boarding School Era. Her novel "Punished" follows five Sami children forced to attend a nomad school in the 1950s. The story stays with them into adulthood, where each copes with the physical, mental, and cultural abuse scars just below the surface. Originally published in Swedish, the English translation of "Punished" is now available from Simon & Schuster. Laestadius joins us for this month’s Native Bookshelf discussion.

Samí journalist and author Ann-Helén Laestadius offers readers a glimpse into the government-backed school system for the Indigenous children of Sweden that has parallels with the U.S. Indian Boarding School Era. Her novel, Punished, follows five Sami children forced to attend a nomad school in th...

02/03/2025

A Wisconsin tribe agreed to stop operating an online high-interest loan operation in neighboring Minnesota in a lawsuit settlement just announced. But the Lac du Flambeau tribe and several others still insist on their sovereign ability to operate the businesses, despite laws in several states working to prevent consumers from falling victim to interest rates that reach up to 800% in some cases. We’ll talk about the struggle between tribes’ ability to operate unrestricted payday loan business – and the ongoing efforts to regulate damaging loan businesses.

GUESTS

Miranda Lente (Isleta Pueblo), loan officer for Tiwa Lending Services

Barry Brandon (Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma), commissioner for The Muscogee Nation Office of Public Gaming

Nathalie Martin, professor of law at the University of New Mexico School of Law

A Wisconsin tribe agreed to stop operating an online high-interest loan operation in neighboring Minnesota in a lawsuit settlement just announced. But the Lac du Flambeau tribe and several others still insist on their sovereign ability to operate the businesses, despite laws in several states workin...

01/31/2025

Aaaaand, we’re live (11 a.m. Mountain Time zone)! Today, Andi talks with Tawnya Brant about her new APTN show, “One Dish One Spoon,” Zach Ducheneaux about his time as the administrator of the USDA FSA in the previous administration, and Mariah Gladstone of Indigikitchen about her new kids’ cookbook.
Photo: still from “One Dish One Spoon”

01/30/2025

President Donald Trump’s sudden freeze on federal grants rattled tribes and Native American organizations that depend on those funds. His just-as-sudden retreat is little reassurance to those institutions, some of whom are preparing for a worst-case future for funding.

A prime target for President Trump’s directives is anything associated with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. That has implications for everything from Native pre-school students to contractors.

Organizations in Los Angeles that work with Native urban residents are assessing the damage after the recent fires and how to look ahead to future threats.

We'll get updates on recent fast-moving news that affects Native Americans.

GUESTS

President J.C. Seneca (Seneca Nation)

Aaron Payment (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), tribal councilman and former chairperson for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians

Andrea Pesena (Isleta Pueblo), executive director for Isleta Pueblo Head Start and Child Care Program

Pamela Villaseñor (Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians), executive director of Pukuu Cultural Community Services

Hope Craig-Corlew (Muscogee Nation), board chairwoman and executive advisory chair of the United American Indian Involvement, Inc.

President Donald Trump’s sudden freeze on federal grants rattled tribes and Native American organizations that depend on those funds. His just-as-sudden retreat is little reassurance to those institutions, some of whom are preparing for a worst-case future for funding. A prime target for President...

01/28/2025

Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians say it will keep road access open for now on tribal land. The announcement comes in a dispute with a nearby town over easements to non-Native homeowners on tribal land.

Tribes are advising members of their constitutional rights after reports that Native people are among those being questioned and detained by ICE agents in ramped up immigration raids.

GUESTS

Matthew Fletcher (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians), law professor at the University of Michigan Law School and author of the Turtle Talk: Official Blog of the IL&PC

Danielle Kaeding, reporter with Wisconsin Public Radio

State Sen. Theresa Hatathlie (Diné/D-AZ-Coal Mine Mesa)

Justin Ahasteen (Diné), executive director of the Navajo Nation Washington Office

Thomas Badamo (Nansemond Indian Nation), Nansemond tribal council treasurer

Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians say it will keep road access open for now on tribal land. The announcement comes in a dispute with a nearby town over easements to non-Native homeowners on tribal land. Tribes are advising members of their constitutional rights after reports tha...

01/27/2025

Even as digital sources dominate the way people get their information, television news remains a go-to source for people looking to stay up-to-date. Representation on TV is a powerful medium to provide the public with a more rounded view of Native Americans. It’s a competitive and high-skilled line of work and we’ll talk to some talented Native professionals about what it takes to be in front of the camera.

GUESTS

Aliyah Chavez (Santa Domingo Pueblo and Jemez Pueblo), reporter at KOAT Action 7 News

Victor Organista (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Kickapoo, and Sac and Fox), student at Haskell Indian Nations University and news anchor for "Good Morning Indian Country" and "UNITY News"

Dr. Melissa Greene-Blye (Miami Tribe of Oklahoma), professor at the KU William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications

Colton Shone (Diné), co-anchor and reporter for "Good Morning Arizona" on azfamily 3TV CBS 5

Even as digital sources dominate the way people get their information, television news remains a go-to source for people looking to stay up-to-date. Representation on TV is a powerful medium to provide the public with a more rounded view of Native Americans. It’s a competitive and high-skilled lin...

01/24/2025

A Kanaka Maoli student at Yale is working on an AI tool to help clear criminal records of fellow Native Hawaiians. A Kiowa writer and artist is developing creative pathways to address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives. And a Tohono O’odham knowledge protector is archiving recordings and pictures from her tribe. Those are among this year’s young people selected as Champions for Change by the Center for Native American Youth. We’ll hear from them and get their stories of inspiration.

GUESTS

Lily Painter Kiowa name is Brings Water (Kiowa & Winnebago), 2025 Champion of Change

Lourdes Pereira (Hia-Ced O’odham and Yoeme and a citizen of the Tohono O’odham Nation), 2025 Champion of Change and community memory protector

Katie Lynch (Citizen Band Potawatomi Nation), 2025 Champion of Change and PhD student at the University of Michigan

Joshua Ching (Native Hawaiian), 2025 Champion of Change and student at Yale University

A Kanaka Maoli student at Yale is working on an AI tool to help clear criminal records of fellow Native Hawaiians. A Kiowa writer and artist is developing creative pathways to address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives. And a Tohono O’odham knowledge protector is archiving recordings and pi...

01/23/2025

Before taking office this week, President Donald Trump promised swift and decisive actions to get his agenda moving. In addition to major reforms for immigration and pardons for participants in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the Capitol, he also signaled policy directions that affect Native Americans. Among them are proposed cuts to Medicaid, changes that affect Native foster care, and reductions in protected lands. He also eliminated federal government diversity programs and took steps to reverse the decision to name North America’s highest peak that refers to the traditional Koyukon Athabascan word. We’ll take stock of some of Trump’s immediate priorities.

GUESTS

Nagruk Harcharek (Iñupiaq), president of the Voice of the Arctic Inupiat

Evon Peter (Gwich’in and Koyukon), board member of the Gwich'in Council International and former chief of Arctic Village, Alaska

Nazune Menka (KoyukonX and Lumbee), assistant professor of law and faculty director at the center for Indian Law and Policy at Seattle University School of Law

Juanita Cabrera Lopez (Maya Mam), executive director of the International Mayan League/USA

Before taking office this week, President Donald Trump promised swift and decisive actions to get his agenda moving. In addition to major reforms for immigration and pardons for participants in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the Capitol, he also signaled policy directions that affect Native Americans. Amo...

01/22/2025

With the support of area tribes, President Joe Biden just designated the Chuckwalla National Monument using his authority under the Antiquities Act. That same law created the path for President Barack Obama to designate the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. Both actions stirred opposition from ranchers, oil drillers, and other profit-driven entities who see a better use for that land. Now, that opposition is surfacing in Congress, as a bill to strip the president’s use of Antiquities. We’ll talk about what the Antiquities Act does, and how it protects — and hinders — Native American interests.

GUESTS

Shannon O’Loughlin (citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma), chief executive and attorney for the Association on American Indian Affairs

Arnold Thomas, tribal vice-chairman for the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation

Matthew Campbell (enrolled member of the Native Village of Gambell on the Saint Lawrence Island in Alaska), deputy director of the Native American Rights Fund

With the support of area tribes, President Joe Biden just designated the Chuckwalla National Monument using his authority under the Antiquities Act. That same law created the path for President Barack Obama to designate the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. Both actions stirred opposition from r...