Native America Calling

President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to quell protests in Los Angeles has upped the ante when it comes to the response to direct action. Native Americans turned to civil disobedience during high profile protests at Standing Rock and following George Floyd’s death more recently, and during the formation of the American Indian Movement more than a half century ago. Will the equation for direct action include confrontations with the U.S. military from now on? We’ll discuss what Native activists see for the future of public protests. GUESTS Dr. Robert Warrior (Osage), Hall Distinguished Professor of American Literature and Culture at the University of Kansas Jacob Johns (Hopi and Akimel O’Odham), executive director of A Wisdom Keepers Delegation Joel Garcia (Huichol), artist and cultural organizer and director of Meztli Projects   Break 1 Music:  Get Up Stand Up (song) Bailey Wiley, Che Fu, King Kapisi, Laughton Kora, Maisey Rika & Tiki Taane (artist) Break 2 Music: Shawnee Stomp Dance (song) Little Axe Singers (artist) Traditional Voices: Historic Recordings of Traditional Native American Music (album)

In what is becoming an annual occurrence, numerous fires across at least three Canadian provinces are putting Indigenous nations residents at risk. The 3,000 citizens of the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation are affected by evacuations because of the fires. They are among the estimated 30,000 people forced to flee from some 200 wildfires. Many, like the Sandy Lake First Nation, had to be airlifted to safety. At one point, workers took refuge against the smoke and flames for several hours in a shipping container. Smoke from the fires are also degrading air quality in northern U.S. states. We’ll find out what is on the minds of Indigenous people affected by the fires and what long term solutions might be in store. GUESTS Tyson Wesley (Kashechewan Cree Nation), CEO of Creemergency Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson (Métis), senior fire advisor for Indigenous Leadership Initiative and board member of the International Association of Wildland Fire Jimmy Côté, president of Creemergency   Break 1 Music: Reverberation (song) Mike Bern (artist) Ancestors (album) Break 2 Music: Shawnee Stomp Dance (song) Little Axe Singers (artist) Traditional Voices: Historic Recordings of Traditional Native American Music (album)

At least two tribal relocation efforts foreshadow what can go wrong when even small communities are forced to contend with the increasing threats posed by climate change. A report by the Washington Post, ProPublica, and Bethel radio station KYUK documents the ongoing difficulties which the residents of Newtok, Alaska confront after moving their village to escape the effects of the rising sea and thawing permafrost. We’ll hear about that report and the worries about future efforts to react to changing landscapes. GUESTS Bernice John (Yup’ik), president of the Newtok Native Corporation Chantel Comardelle (Jean Charles Choctaw Nation), tribal secretary for the Jean Charles Choctaw Nation Emily Schwing, freelance reporter based in Alaska   Break 1 Music: Into the Light (song) Susan Aglukark (artist) The Crossing (album) Break 2 Music: Shawnee Stomp Dance (song) Little Axe Singers (artist) Traditional Voices: Historic Recordings of Traditional Native American Music (album)

An exhibit at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History in Eugene, Oreg. assembles works by Native LGBTQ2 artists that express this moment in time. It is among the hundreds of events, including parades and panel discussions, to mark Pride Month. This year’s push for awareness will have to go on without acknowledgement by the federal government, which is foregoing any mention of Pride. And the annual report by the advocacy group, GLAAD, notes that while violent incidents against gay and lesbian people are down as a whole in the past year, attacks against trans citizens has significantly increased. We’ll check on the status of Native Pride. Plus, we’ll get career highlights of the late actor Jonathan Joss (Comanche and White Mountain Apache) who died this week. GUESTS Felix Furby (Chinook and Grand Ronde), co-curator of the exhibit Transgressors Calvin Crosby (Cherokee), owner of the King’s English Bookshop and executive director of Brain Food Books Vincent Schilling (Akwesasne), editor and founder of NativeViewPoint.com and a certified Rotten Tomatoes critic   Break 1 Music: Out Loud (song) Ailani (artist) Heartbroken Bones (album) Break 2 Music: Butterfly Clouds (song) Clark Tenakhongva (artist) Su’Vu’Yo’Yungw (album)

Today marks the 30th anniversary of Native America Calling’s first national radio broadcast. Started in the studios in Albuquerque public radio station, KUNM, NAC has been the daily voice for Native issues, politics, entertainment, and arts ever since. Tribal leaders, activists, educators, bureaucrats, aunties, presidents, and everyday people have all made their way onto the airwaves on NAC, all with one common thread: to talk about the things that are important to Native Americans from a Native point of view. We’ll mark the occasion by hearing from some of the voices associated with Native America Calling over the years. GUESTS Tara Gatewood (Isleta Pueblo and Diné), director of the Fund for Indigenous Journalists with the International Women’s Media Foundation George Tiger (Muscogee), former principal chief of the Muscogee Nation and the host of KOKL The Brew’s oldies rock-n-roll show Shelley McKosato Haupt (Sac and Fox), sister of former Native America Calling host, Harlan McKosato Jaclyn Sallee (Iñupiaq), president and CEO of Koahnic Broadcast Corporation   Break 1 Music: Creator (song) Chuck Copenace (artist) Oshki Manitou (album) Break 2 Music: Butterfly Clouds (song) Clark Tenakhongva (artist) Su’Vu’Yo’Yungw (album)

The increase in highly publicized deportations is unnerving both undocumented and documented migrants in the United States. Indigenous people from other countries, some who have visas or are awaiting decisions from immigration proceedings, are among those caught up in the Trump administration’s focus on mass deportations. Many of those who remain say they live in fear of being apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The New York Times reports immigration actions appear to have ramped up in May. The top deportation destination are Guatemala and Honduras, places where Indigenous people are fleeing violence and poverty. We’ll talk with people working with migrants about what is happening on the ground and what is different than actions in the past. GUESTS Juanita (Mam Nation), director of the International Mayan League Nola (Maya Q’eqchi’), Maya Q’eqchi’, Spanish, and English Interpreter Danny Chrisney (Maya Q’eqchi’ descent), managing attorney of Wilner O’Reilly Phoenix office Dr. David Martinez (Gila River Indian Community, Akimel O’odham), professor of American Indian Studies and Transborder Studies and the director and founder of the Institute for Transborder Indigenous Nations at Arizona State University   Break 1 Music: Copal Offering to the Four Directions (song) Xavier Quijas Yxayotl (artist) Aztec Dances (album) Break 2 Music: Butterfly Clouds (song) Clark Tenakhongva (artist) Su’Vu’Yo’Yungw (album)

Three Alaska Native tribes filed a lawsuit to stop a controversial gold mining operation east of Nome. The tribes say a permit just granted by the U.S. Corps of Engineers will allow the destruction of salmon habitat and other important environmental elements in a pristine estuary. The mining process involves extracting ore from material dredged from river and ocean beds. On the other side of the state, residents of Wrangell are concerned about a gold mine just over the border in Canada. A new report finds heavy metals in groundwater on the Alaska side. GUESTS Esther Aaltséen Reese (Tlingit), tribal administrator for the Wrangell Cooperative Association and president of the Southeast Alaska Indigenous Transboundary Commission Deilah Johnson (Iñupiaq), tribal resources director and council member for the Village of Solomon Stephanie Barclay, professor of law at Georgetown Law School Vanessa Nosie (San Carlos Apache), member of Apache Stronghold   Break 1 Music: They Sing to Each Other (song) Pamyua (artist) Side A Side B (album) Break 2 Music: Butterfly Clouds (song) Clark Tenakhongva (artist) Su’Vu’Yo’Yungw (album)

David A. Robertson (Norway House Cree Nation) gives us 52 practical suggestions — one for each week of the year — to support and connect with Indigenous people. 52 Ways to Reconcile lists tasks as simple and enjoyable as making Bannock, to as challenging as taking personal action toward reconciliation. Matthew Fletcher (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians) has devoted himself to the legal profession, becoming one of the most respected experts in Indian Law. In his spare time he has written and published a collection of fictional short stories, Stick Houses. He draws from his own observations and stories from his family to illustrate the lives of modern Native Americans. We’ll add Matthew Fletcher’s Stick Houses, and David A. Robertson’s 52 Ways to Reconcile to the Native Bookshelf.   Break 1 Music: Bad Indian (song) Dead Pioneers (artist) Dead Pioneers (album) Break 2 Music: Butterfly Clouds (song) Clark Tenakhongva (artist) Su’Vu’Yo’Yungw (album)

President Donald Trump’s proposed spending plan, dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” would cut about $300 billion from the program that provides food to low-income residents. If it survives Congress intact, thousands of Native people will lose eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Tribes and conservation groups worry the Trump administration’s push for expanded logging of federal land poses a threat to Indigenous foods, like salmon. Nicole Livingston is one of a handful of students who graduated this semester from the only tribal college culinary arts program at Navajo Technical University. She’s off to an internship at the country’s most renown Indigenous restaurant: Owamni by the Sioux Chef. We’ll talk about these topics on The Menu, our regular feature on Indigenous food sovereignty hosted by Andi Murphy. GUESTS Kelli Case (Chickasaw), staff attorney at the Indigenous Food & Agriculture Initiative Brian Tatsukawa, culinary arts instructor at Navajo Technical University Nicole Livingston (Diné), culinary arts program graduate at Navajo Technical University Erik Holt (Nez Perce), chairman of the Nez Perce Tribe Fish and Wildlife Commission   Break 1 Music: BALDH3AD! (song) Theia (artist) Break 2 Music: Medicine Man (song) Blue Moon Marquee (artist) Scream, Holler, and Howl (album)

Tornados and other severe storms that stretched across three states killed nearly 30 people this month. Before that, storms left at least 37 people dead and damaged hundreds of homes. Early warnings are key to saving lives during tornados and other damaging weather events. We’ll talk with people who are part of the process to spot severe weather and get the word out when minutes save lives. GUESTS Sequoyah Quinton (Cherokee), storm tracker with KOTV News Channel 6 Jeff Robbins (Cherokee), storm chaser with KTUL News Channel 8 Chris Nunley (Choctaw), professor at Mississippi State University, meteorologist, and emergency management coordinator for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Brian Brashier, meteorologist and director of broadcast productions for the Chickasaw Nation   Break 1 Music: Rumble [Remastered] (song) Link Wray (artist) Rumble [Remastered] (single) Break 2 Music: Medicine Man (song) Blue Moon Marquee (artist) Scream, Holler, and Howl (album)