Native America Calling

The 3,300-member Chinook Tribe in Washington State just scrapped their support of legislation for federal recognition tribal leaders had been working on for more than two years. The rejection comes after the key author of the bill added a series of onerous conditions at the last minute. A handful of other tribes around the country are working through the long, complicated process to secure recognition. Meanwhile, efforts to follow through on President Donald Trump’s promise of federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe is encountering criticism from other tribes who say the process ignores important considerations that most other tribes have to contend with. We’ll get status updates on tribes awaiting federal recognition. GUESTS Sam Robinson, vice chairman of the Chinook Indian Nation John Lowery, chairman of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina Robert Brevelle (Adai Caddo Indian Nation), Tribal Councilman At-Large   Break 1 Music: Lost and Found [Feat. Shannon Thunderbird] (song) Sultans of String (artist) Break 2 Music: Medicine Man (song) Blue Moon Marquee (artist) Scream, Holler, and Howl (album)

The Trump administration cut a quarter of the staff at Haskell Indian Nations University in February. A little over a month later a judge reinstated those positions. Even though the jobs at Haskell and other Bureau of Indian Education schools were restored, uncertainty over the future of those institutions prevails. Similar anxiety accompanies dozens of other important programs and institutions including libraries, museums, low-income heat assistance, and Medicaid. We’ll get updates from places feeling the effects of fast-changing federal support. GUESTS Shaun Griswold (Laguna, Zuni, and Jemez), correspondent at High Country News Danelle Springer (Comanche), legislative associate for American Indian Higher Education Consortium Aziza Smith (Eastern Shoshone), senior at Haskell Indian Nations University Roberta Turner, social services supervisor at Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s Na’ini Family and Social Services U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) Listen to an extended interview with Sen. Lisa Murkowski here: https://nativeamericacalling-offload-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Murkowski-extended-web.mp3 Break 1 Music: On the Road Missing Home (Corn Dance) (song) Sheldon Sundown (artist) Hand Drum/Smoke N’ Round Dance (album) Break 2 Music: Medicine Man (song) Blue Moon Marquee (artist) Scream, Holler, and Howl (album)

More than 42,000 Native Americans served in the military during the Vietnam War, the vast majority as volunteers. They faced racist and stereotypical taunts from fellow service members. After their service, veterans suffered psychological and emotional trauma at a higher rate than other populations. As the nation marks 50 years since the fall of Saigon and the end of the war, we’ll hear from Native Vietnam veterans about what the conflict means to them now. This is an encore show so we won’t be taking live calls from listeners. GUESTS Frank Sewell (Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and Creek), Vietnam War veteran Harvey Pratt (Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes), artist and Vietnam War Marine veteran Rachelle Pablo (Diné), museum specialist for the National Native American Veterans Memorial at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian Francis Whitebird (Rosebud Sioux Tribe), Army Vietnam War veteran Allen Hoe (Native Hawaiian), attorney and Vietnam veteran   Break 1 Music: Flag Song (song) Black Lodge (artist) Veteran’s Honor Song (album) Break 2 Music: Crow Push Dance Song (song) Authentic Native American Music (artist) Authentic Native American Music (album)

On the eve of the five-year commemoration of George Floyd’s death, the Trump administration is withdrawing Department of Justice (DOJ) oversight for police departments in Minneapolis, Phoenix, Louisville, and other cities where the DOJ previously found civil rights violations against Native Americans and other people of color. Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis police officer prompted global calls for accountability for long standing inequities. Now, Native American racial justice advocates say any progress toward improving unbalanced treatment by law enforcement agencies is stalled, at best. We’ll assess the direction of racial equity in the criminal justice system over the five years since George Floyd’s high-profile death. GUESTS Mary LaGarde (White Earth Band of Ojibwe), executive director of Minneapolis Indian Center Yohuru Williams, distinguished university chair and professor of history and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs (Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians), program director for Racial Justice at the Minnesota Council of Churches   Break 1 Music: Oshki Manitou (song) Chuck Copenace (artist) Oshki Manitou (album) Break 2 Music: BALDH3AD! (song) Theia (artist)

The federal government is poised to open up an extra 112 million acres of land to cover what Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins labels an “emergency”. Tribes concerned about sacred places, wildlife habitat, and conservation complain they were left out of the decision-making process to get here. And while there’s potentially opportunities for tribes that look to logging for economic development, many worry about how the expedited federal push will affect the market for timber. We’ll talk with experts from the timber industry about balancing production, land management, and economics. GUESTS John Awonohopay (Menominee), Menominee Tribal Enterprise sales manager Cody Desautel (Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation), president of the Intertribal Timber Council and the executive director of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Tim Miller, director of forestry for the Grand Portage Tribe Forestry and Fire Management Department and treasurer of the Intertribal Timber Council   Break 1 Music: Edge of The Rez, Part 2 (song) The Blue Stone Project (artist) Blue Stone (album) Break 2 Music: BALDH3AD! (song) Theia (artist)

One out of every ten children in Oklahoma’s foster care system are Cherokee citizens. Cherokee leadership’s message for National Foster Care Awareness Month is that Native foster parents are vital to finding solutions that work best for Native children. The Cherokee Nation is among the many tribes working to build a strong system of support for foster children and foster parents. The effort comes as many Native child advocates warn of a potential increase in need as federal social service programs are disappearing. GUESTS Stephanie Benally (Navajo), Native American specialist for Utah Foster Care Sally Wilson (Cherokee Nation), senior director for Cherokee Nation Indian Child Welfare Gaynell Realbird (Shoshone Bannock and Blackfeet), board member for the Mountain Shadow Association David Simmons, director of government affairs and advocacy for the National Indian Child Welfare Association   Break 1 Music: Generations (song) P. Town Boyz (artist) P. Town Boyz (album) Break 2 Music: BALDH3AD! (song) Theia (artist)

The San Carlos Apache Tribe is fighting to stop the planned June 16, 2025 transfer to the sacred Oak Flat land in Arizona to the companies that intend to turn it into a copper mine. There’s a flurry of activity around the ongoing fight over the land, known to the Apache as Chi’chil Biłdagoteel. The Trump Administration announced its intention to rush the land swap involving 2,400 acres of land to hasten the two mile wide open pit mine. A federal judge this month halted the transfer, saying the tribes have a prevailing interest. San Carlos Apache just requested an injunction to stop any movement until the legal issues are settled. We’ll also get perspectives on what needs to be considered if, as President Donald Trump suggests, the federal government moves ahead with re-opening the prison on Alcatraz Island in California. GUESTS Naelyn Pike (enrolled member of the San Carlos Apache), spokesperson of the Apache Stronghold Su:k Chu:vak Fulwilder (Onk Akimel O’odham, Xalchidom Piipaash, Tlingit, Aleut and Little Lake Pomo), council member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Morning Star Gali (Pit River Tribe), executive director of Indigenous Justice   Break 1 Music: In the River: A Protest Song (song) Raye Zaragoza (artist) Break 2 Music: BALDH3AD! (song) Theia (artist)

Natalie Benally (Diné) knew early on she was a performer. She has channeled her determined creative spirit in any number of disciplines for the stage and screen. She has performed and taught dance after honing her craft at Fort Lewis College in Colorado. Along the way, she has embodied enduring characters in film and television, including Natalie Bluehouse on the AMC series, Dark Winds, and was the delightful voice of Dory, in the Navajo version of “Finding Nemo”. She is also the driving force behind her own production company, Tse’Nato’. Natalie Benally is the May Native in the Spotlight.   Break 1 Music: Opener (song) DDAT (artist) DDAT (album) Break 2 Music: BALDH3AD! (song) Theia (artist)

Two musicians with Diné roots give audiences distinctly different takes on their desert Southwest origins. The Phoenix-based band Mogley and the Zoniez have built their sound playing for years in the Southwest café and bar circuit. The melodic and energetic indie-alt sound and distinctive vocals have become a favorite for a growing number of fans. They have a new EP to add to their set list, Better Late Than Never. We’ll hear from lead singer Quenton Oney about how they reach their audience and what’s next. Hataałii’s new album, “I’ll Be Around“, is an affirming and beautifully dark low-fi project. He ditched the professional studio route for a DIY production in a shed in Albuquerque. The result is a personal and intimate set of songs sure to find far-reaching resonance. GUESTS Quenton Oney aka Mogley from Mogley and The Zoniez (Diné and Inuit), lead singer and guitar player for Mogley and The Zoniez Hitaałiinez Wheeler (Diné), singer and songwriter   Break 1 Music: Love Is Over (song) Hataałii (artist) Waiting for a Sign (album) Break 2 Music: Crow Push Dance Song (song) Authentic Native American Music (artist) Authentic Native American Music (album)

More than 42,000 Native Americans served in the military during the Vietnam War, the vast majority as volunteers. They faced racist and stereotypical taunts from fellow service members. After their service, veterans suffered psychological and emotional trauma at a higher rate than other populations. As the nation marks 50 years since the fall of Saigon and the end of the war, we’ll hear from Native Vietnam veterans about what the conflict means to them now. GUESTS Frank Sewell (Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and Creek), Vietnam War veteran Harvey Pratt (Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes), artist and Vietnam War Marine veteran Rachelle Pablo (Diné), museum specialist for the National Native American Veterans Memorial at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian Francis Whitebird (Rosebud Sioux Tribe), Army Vietnam War veteran Allen Hoe (Native Hawaiian), attorney and Vietnam veteran   Break 1 Music: Flag Song (song) Black Lodge (artist) Veteran’s Honor Song (album) Break 2 Music: Crow Push Dance Song (song) Authentic Native American Music (artist) Authentic Native American Music (album)