Native America Calling

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 for Change Lourdes Pereira (Hia-Ced O’odham and Yoeme and a citizen of the Tohono O’odham Nation), 2025 Champion for Change and community memory protector Katie Lynch (Citizen Band Potawatomi Nation), 2025 Champion for Change and PhD student at the University of Michigan Joshua Ching (Native Hawaiian), 2025 Champion for Change and student at Yale University

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 Iñupiat Evon Peter (Gwich’in and Koyukon), board member of the Gwich’in Council International and former chief of Arctic Village, Alaska Nazune Menka (Koyukon 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   Break 1 Music: Crossroad Blues (song) Lakota John (artist) Lakota John and Kin (album) Break 2 Music: Come On Down (song) Blue Moon Marquee (artist) Scream, Holler, and Howl (album)

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   Break 1 Music: In the River: A Protest Song (song) Raye Zaragoza (artist) Break 2 Music: Come On Down (song) Blue Moon Marquee (artist) Scream, Holler, and Howl (album)

Leonard Peltier will spend the remainder of his prison sentence at home after the 11th-hour action by President Joe Biden. Friends, family and supporters expressed surprise and relief as they heard the news Monday. National Congress of American Indians President Mark Macarro said Biden’s decision comes after “50 years of unjust imprisonment,” and is a powerful act of compassion and an important step toward healing.” In December, Macarro personally asked Biden to take action on Peltier’s behalf. Among the many advocates for Peltier’s release over the past five decades include South African President Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights. We’ll hear from Peltier’s family and others who have followed his case about what this action means for him and how it will be viewed historically.   Break 1 Music: Ojibwe Honor Song (song) Darren Thompson (artist) Break 2 Music: Come On Down (song) Blue Moon Marquee (artist) Scream, Holler, and Howl (album)

Seven children died in the first year of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School’s operation. Another 220 died over the school’s next 38 years. They are among the more than 3,100 students a year-long Washington Post investigation finds died while separated from their families in Indian Boarding Schools. Their tally is three times that of the recent investigation by the U.S. Department of Interior. Many of the deaths are attributed to illness, accidents, or neglect. Others have no official explanation or remain suspicious. We’ll discuss the Post’s investigation and why having an accurate accounting is important. Plus, Jeni GUESTS Jim LaBelle (Iñupiaq), board member for the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition Benjamin Jacuk (Dena’ina Athabascan and Sugpiaq), researcher at the Alaska Native Heritage Center Dana Hedgpeth (Haliwa-Saponi), reporter at the Washington Post   Break 1 Music: Reservation of Education (song) XIT (artist) Silent Warrior (album) Break 2 Music: Come On Down (song) Blue Moon Marquee (artist) Scream, Holler, and Howl (album)

Ted Nolan conducts a youth hockey camp in northern Ontario (Photo: courtesy Ted Nolan) Ted Nolan’s home on the Garden River First Nation reserve in northern Ontario didn’t have electricity or running water, but it did have a hockey rink in the backyard that Nolan built to satisfy his own passion to play. That passion grew into a successful hockey playing and coaching career that included the Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year. In his book, Life in Two Worlds: A Coach’s Journey from the Reserve to the NHL and Back, Nolan recounts both pride in his Indigenous identity and overt racism as he worked to excel in his sport. GUEST Ted Nolan (Garden River First Nation), President of 3Nolans, former NHL player, award-winning NHL coach, and former Olympian   Break 1 Music: My Wild Rose (song) Blue Moon Marquee (artist) Scream, Holler, and Howl (album) Break 2 music: Intertribal Song (song) Dakota Nation (artist) Home of the Champions (album)

President-elect Donald Trump has promised at least 100 executive orders as soon as he takes office. Many of those are, in his words, aimed at undoing “much of what Biden did”. Tribes and Native organizations are preparing to fight, and in some cases benefit from, what they expect based on Trump’s comments and his record during his first term. We’ll look at what those expectations are – from fewer protections for important land to greater access to extraction resources. GUESTS Donald Medart Jr., a tribal council member for the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe Myron Lizer (Diné), former Navajo Nation Vice President and professional development consultant for Prestige with Partners LLC Curtis Yanito (Diné), Navajo Nation council delegate and a co-chair of the Bears Ears Commission   Break 1 Music: Someone Drew a Line (song) Vincent Craig (artist) Vol. 1 (album) Break 1 Music: Strongheart (song) Sissy Goodhouse (artist) The Third Circle (album)

Wildfires in Los Angeles have killed at least 24 people and destroyed thousands of homes. The traditional homelands of the Tongva and Chumash people, among others, is now home to the largest urban Native American population in the U.S. United American Indian Involvement, Inc. and Pukúu Cultural Community Services (Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians) are providing support for displaced locals. Tribes across the country are sending firefighting crews, supplies and cash. Amid the chaos, incoming President Donald Trump falsely blamed water management policies in Northern California for inoperable fire hydrants in Los Angeles. Conservative commentators extended that complaint to include the decision to remove Klamath River dams in favor of salmon restoration. We’ll talk with those affected by the fires and learn more about the political rhetoric arising from it. GUESTS Courage Escamilla (Tarahumara and Lakota), activist Johnnie Jae (Otoe-Missouria and Choctaw), founder of Grim Native Bodie Shaw (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs), deputy regional director for the Northwest Region of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Don Gentry (Klamath Tribes), natural resources specialist and former chairman of the Klamath Tribes Pamela Villaseñor (member of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians), executive director of Pukúu Cultural Community Services   Break 1 Music: Strongheart (song) Sissy Goodhouse (artist) The Third Circle (album) Break 2 Music: Intertribal Song (song) Dakota Nation (artist) Home of The Champions (album)

The Orthodox New Year in Alaska is a mix of seal meat, tea cakes, and Alaska Native and Slavonic languages. It’s a cultural blend more than 150 years after Russia formally withdrew from what would become America’s 49th state. In that time, the Orthodox Christian customs continued to flourish and merged with Native traditions. In many ways, they are more established than in their home country, which saw religious persecution during the time of the Soviet Union. We’ll hear from Alaska Native adherents of Russian Orthodox Christianity about how they’re welcoming the New Year on January 14. GUESTS Benjamin Jacuk (Dena’ina Athabascan and Sugpiaq), director of Indigenous research at the Alaska Native Heritage Center Jill Fratis (Unangan), news producer and reporter for KNBA and Koahnic Broadcast Corporation Sperry Ash (Sugpiaq), educator and Russian Orthodox deacon   Break 1 Music: Ataniq Qujaqiliqpagit [Thank You Lord] (song) Susan Aglukark (artist) The Crossing (album) Break 2 Music: Intertribal Song (song) Dakota Nation (artist) Home of The Champions (album)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation announcement halts any progress on a $48 billion proposal to reform child welfare systems on reserves. It also stalls a First Nations clean drinking water bill. Trudeau received both praise and criticism from Indigenous leaders following his resignation announcement. We’ll look at how Trudeau delivered on Indigenous issues in Canada. This is an encore show so we will not be taking calls. GUESTS Russ Diabo (Kahnawake Mohawk), policy analyst Matthew Wildcat (Cree), assistant professor of Native Studies and director of Indigenous Governance and Partnership at the University of Alberta   Break 1 Music: Country Man (song) Blue Moon Marquee (artist) Scream, Holler, and Howl (album) Break 2 Music: Buckskin Boy (song) Hataałii (artist) Waiting for a Sign (album)