Friday, February 13, 2026 – Indigenous Winter Olympians compete for gold in Italy

Inuit siblings Ukaleq and Sondre Slettermark are competing for Greenland in the biathlon at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. In addition to making their mark in elite athletic competition, they have used their platform to speak out against the Trump administration’s threats to take over their homeland. The Slettermarks are among the handful of Indigenous athletes at this year’s Winter Games. Other athletes include a Métis luge competitor and a Māori freestyle skier. We’ll get insights from Indigenous journalists and athletes keeping up with the high level competition in Milan.

We’ll also get hear from Native activists in Minneapolis about a prayer camp set up outside a federal building.

GUESTS

Dan Ninham (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin), freelance reporter for ICT News and co-director of the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame

Eric Varderman (Cherokee Nation), founder and president of the Tulsa Curling Club

Mike Forcia (Bad River Tribe), American Indigenous Movement (formerly American Indian Movement) Twin Cities chairman

Tall Paul (Anishinaabe and Oneida), hip-hop artist

Break 1 Music: Ain’t That Lovin’ You Baby (song) Link Wray (artist) Rumble! The Best of Link Wray (album)

Break 2 Music: Taste Of Red Bull [Crow Hop] (song) Cree Confederation (artist) Horse Dance – Mistamim Simoowin (album)