Friday, July 25, 2025 – A unique festival celebrates Indigenous literature and arts

Missoula, Mont. is the setting for the inaugural festival of literature, music, and other arts known as Indigipalooza. Musician and former U.S. poet laureate Joy Harjo (Mvskoke) headlines the list of talent offering their perspectives on the state of Indigenous storytelling.

We’ll also hear from filmmaker Adam Piron about his curated selection of films screened in New York highlighting Native American urban relocation.

And we’ll get context for President Donald Trump’s demand that sports teams return to their offensive names and mascots.

GUESTS

James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe), author and speaker

Carrie Lowry Schuettpelz (Lumbee Tribe), assistant professor at the University of Iowa and director of the Native Policy Lab

Chris La Tray (citizen of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians and a descendent of the Pembina Band of Chippewa Indians), author, Poet Laureate of Montana, and a coordinator for IndigiPalooza

Adam Piron (Kiowa and Mohawk), filmmaker and film curator

Larry Wright Jr. (Ponca), executive director of the National Congress of American Indians

 

Break 1 Music: The Wild One (song) Link Wray (artist)

Break 2 Music: Steamboat Akalii Song (song) Jay Begaye (artist) Horses Are Our Journey World (album)