Native America Calling

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tribal wildlife officials are trying to get a handle on the seemingly unstoppable increase in chronic wasting disease among large game animals. Now in at least three dozen states, the disease is always fatal for the deer, elk, and moose that contract it. Some public health officials are also cautioning about the potential for it to make the jump to humans. At the same time, measles cases have jumped over 1,000 in the United States. Decades after the highly contagious and easily preventable disease was all but eradicated, measles comes at at time when skepticism of scientifically proven vaccines is at an all time high. We’ll find out what wildlife managers and public health officials say about the threats from these two illnesses.

A tool to help finance housing, business, and other community development projects on tribal land is in President Donald Trump’s crosshairs. President Trump’s executive order eliminates funding for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI). It’s unclear what the order means in practicality. His budget reduces federal funding for CDFIs by almost $300 million. If the cuts to CDFIs are realized, it could significantly curtail progress on affordable housing, small businesses, green energy, and other projects.