Monday, January 1 - Native Inspiration in the New Year:
Do you start each New Year trying to have a good outlook on life? Well, have you ever considered your Native heritage as a way to get the best grip on 2007? Whether it’s storied words or easy reminders of traditional thought, Native inspiration is where many Natives turn to balance their life. Which Native pillars of inspiration do you turn to in order to get yourself motivated? Guests are Carrie Koenig (Inupiaq) Alaska Eldercare Giver, Brian Frejo (Pawnee/Seminole) Culture Shock Camp, D.J. Eagle Bear Vanas (Odawa) Success Coach/ Native Discovery, and Jeri Brunoe (Wasco- Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs) Youth Trainer and Performing Artist.

Tuesday, January 2 - Current Events:
Ring in the New Year by being on top of all the things happening in Native America! We have an event featuring free training for parents of Native children with disabilities to tell you about. There’s also an event featuring Winona LaDuke (Ojibwe) that might pique your interest. A Native American Day is happening at one of our state capitols and we have some special information pertaining to Native Americans at the Sundance Film Festival. Don't miss your chance to tell everybody about your upcoming event!

Wednesday, January 3 - Indian Preference:
Indian preference laws that allow the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service, as well as tribes and village corporations, to hire qualified Native people before considering other qualified applicants are being challenged. Supporters of the laws say they are necessary to promote the self-determination of tribal governments and Native people and should be kept intact. Opponents say the laws are discriminatory and incompatible with equal rights laws. Should laws that provide Indian preference be strengthened or repealed? Guests are Thomas Bird Bear (Three Affiliated Tribes – Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara) of the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians and Lucy Simpson (Navajo) Attorney/ Indian Law Resource Center.

Thursday, January 4 - Stepping Out of Homelessness:
Homelessness is an issue many Native urban and rural communities face. For many Natives, homelessness is something that can be overcome. With the help of their families and community services Natives who have been homeless are finding their way out. Some community institutions have provided an alternative to the street so that Natives can have a better opportunity to deal with dependency issues, as well as find jobs. Has your community taken on the challenge of ending homelessness? How do we help a family or tribal member get back on their feet? Guests are Peter Sackaney (First Nation Cree) Traditional Councilor/ Anishnawbe Health Toronto and Gordon Thayer (Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwa) Executive Director and Co-Founder/ American Indian Community Development Corporation.

Friday, January 5 - Celebrating 20 Years of National Native News:
For 20 years people across the country have tuned in to National Native News to keep informed on issues important to Native America. The program has, at times, been under funded, understaffed and under appreciated, but that hasn’t kept NNN from sending out the news to more than 100 stations for two decades. Why is a daily radio news show about American Indians and Alaska Natives so important? What was the idea behind the genesis of the daily newscast and what have been the keys to its success? Guests include Diane Kaplan, Executive Director of the Rasmuson Foundation and one of the catalysts for getting National Native News on the airwaves, and Antonia Gonzales (Navajo) Host/ Producer of National Native News.

Monday, January 8: Alter-Native Energy:
A growing trend across North America is tribes, villages, and aboriginal corporations developing alternative energy sources such as solar power, wind-energy and biofuels. These projects are in response to the need for North America to become less dependent on foreign energy sources. Another goal, perhaps even more important, is to boost the economies and create jobs on and near tribal lands. Is the creation of alternative energy in Native America a key to North America’s energy independence? Guests are David Melton (Laguna Pueblo) Principal/ Sacred Power Corp., Matt Misra, team member of the First Nations Ethanol Development Corporation and Steve Many Deeds (Standing Rock Sioux) Division Chief/ BIA Division of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Tuesday, January 9: Cutting and Creating Life Scars:
The presence of a scar usually signifies the healing of a wound but, for some it is a sign that the pain has just begun. For the people who use a form of self injury called cutting, it is an unhealthy way to deal with strong emotions and overwhelming events. Often the person self inflicts the cuts or scratches on their wrists, arms, legs and bellies and then conceals them. Others use cutting as a way to call attention to themselves. What happens when it becomes addictive? Has the recent buzz about cutting, turned it into a fad or the new cool thing to do among youth? Our guest is Patricia Ogren, Superintendent/ Southern Oaks Girls School in Wisconsin.

Wednesday, January 10: Native Images and Symbols:
If you had to draw a picture of a Native American, and you had to make it unmistakably Native American, what would he or she look like? What kinds of clothes would they be wearing? Would you put a feather in his or her hair? Do Native artists properly use Native symbols when they include them in the art they sell to make a living? We know non-Natives misuse and appropriate our symbols all of the time, but do Native people ourselves sometimes misuse Native images and symbols? What’s the difference between a negative stereotype and our own use of the same imagery? Guests are Skawennati Tricia Fragnito (Mohawk) Native artist and R. Carlos Nakai (Navajo & Ute) Musician.

Thursday, January 11: Earth Keepers:
For centuries, even millennia, indigenous people of the Americas built earthen mounds, and most famously up and down the Mississippi Valley. Recently, an organization called EarthKeepers held a successful "Sacred Sites Run" from Native-made mounds in Tennessee to mounds in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Their runners carried a handful of soil in a pouch, along with a staff across the route to bring attention to the sacredness of these shrines. Who were the people who built these ancient mounds and what meaning do they have for Native people today? Guests are Ben Yahola of the Muscogee Creek Nation, Run Coordinator of the EarthKeepers and landscape historian Lance Foster of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas.

Friday, January 12: Music Maker: Paula Nelson
Paula Nelson of the Eastern Band of Cherokee has released two CD’s within the last year. The lyrics for the album “Project Songbird” are recorded entirely in Cherokee and includes the Cherokee national anthem. The other CD is called “C.H.A.N.T. – Cherokee Hope and New Traditions” and includes new songs sung in the Cherokee language, with only a few words spoken in English. Both CD’s include the signature song “Everybody Indian Dance” which is destined to become a favorite in Indian Country. Join us for our Music Maker edition featuring Paula Nelson.

Monday, January 15 : Tribes vs. United States :
The Native American Rights Fund, on behalf of more than 250 American Indian tribes, filed a class action lawsuit against the federal government seeking full and complete accountings of hundreds of tribal accounts worth billions of dollars. The accounts are held in trust by the U.S. Department of Interior and funds come from tribal natural resources, court judgments and income from investments. NARF and the tribes claim the government has grossly mismanaged the accounts. Can the government be trusted? Guests are NARF Executive Director John Echohawk of the Pawnee Nation, and Nez Perce Chairwoman Rebecca Miles.

Tuesday, January 16 : Prez on the Rez :
If the next President of the United States came to your reservation, what would you like to ask him or her? Would it be along the lines of healthcare, education or employment? The possibility of the next President coming to your tribal community may seem far-fetched but it could be a reality for one tribe in late summer. A group called INDN’s List will select one tribe to host a historic Presidential Forum on Indian Issues with the contenders for the Democratic Presidential nomination. Do you want the Prez on your rez? Guests are Kalyn Free of the Choctaw Nation and founder of INDN’s List and Frank LaMere of the Winnebago Tribe who is a long time member of the Democratic National Committee and chair of the Native American Advisory Committee of the DNC.

Wednesday, January 17 : Banishment from Tribal Lands
Prior to European contact, many tribes practiced a form of banishment for members who broke tribal laws or customs. With the growing drug problem, tribes are banishing non-natives from tribal land who participate in the illegal drug trade. One Alaska Native village successfully banished a member for alcohol-fueled violence against other members. Do you support banishment against tribal members for drugs or violence? Does the threat of banishment make people think twice? Guests are Rochanne Downs, Vice-Chair of the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe and Tito Naranjo of Santa Clara Pueblo who was banished from Taos Pueblo.

Thursday, January 18 : Wiping Away the Tears :
Buildings that once created harsh memories for Native people are getting a makeover. Structures like boarding schools and Indian hospitals where cruel incidents of abuse and assimilation were common are seeking new legacies. Instead of holding onto the bad memories, Native people are wiping away the tears by turning these places into hubs that strengthen and heal their communities. Can revamping institutions aimed at bringing down Native culture build it back up? Guests are Dawna Hare, Executive Director of the Pawnee Nation and Charles Clement, a Tsimshian and Athabascan who is Vice President of Operations for the Southcentral Foundation.

Friday, January 19 : To Rez or Not To Rez :
Whether or not to live on an American Indian reservation or in an Alaska Native village is a choice many Native people have to make at some point in their lives. Often times, young people are not given an option where they live, but as they grow up the pressure to make a decision is heightened. What are the advantages and disadvantages of moving away or staying on the rez? Comments from Spokane writer Sherman Alexie, Nez Perce journalist Hattie Kauffman and Blackfeet banker Eloise Cobell will serve as the impetus for our discussion.

Monday, January 22 : Crossing the U.S.-Mexico Border:
The flow of millions of Mexican immigrants into the U.S. is weighing heavy on the decision makers of both countries. The people crossing the border are looking for a slice of the American Dream, largely because there is little economic opportunity in their own country. At the moment, funding for the proposed U.S.-Mexico Wall is likely to be denied by the new U.S. Congress. What responsibility does the Mexican government have to their people who are fleeing the country, and to the U.S.? Our guest is Mike Wilson (Tohono O'odham) Human Rights Activist.

Tuesday, January 23 : Sundance Native Forum:
The Sundance Film Festival is holding a weeklong forum pertaining to Native and Indigenous filmmakers. The 2007 Native Forum has a host of events ranging from panel discussions, workshops, receptions and socials to film competitions for dramas and shorts. Do Native filmmakers have a responsibility to their tribal communities or to their own personal vision first? Guests include Billy Luther (Navajo/Hopi/Laguna Pueblo) director of the film "Miss Navajo," Sterlin Harjo (Creek/Seminole) director of "Four Sheets to the Wind" and Nanobah Becker (Dine) Director of "Conversion."

Wednesday, January 24 : Male Menopause:
As we age, our body changes and so do our hormones. Contrary to the assumption that "the change" only happens to women, men also experience changes similar to women’s menopause as they get older. One condition is called Adrenopause in which men experience a change in hormonal, physiological and chemical changes. At what age should men be ready for these changes, and does this mean men should expect hot flashes? Guests are Dr. Charles Rhodes, Diabetes Consultant for the Phoenix Area Indian Health Service and Dr. Joseph Calac (Pauma Band of Luiseno Indians) Medical Director/ Indian Health Council in California.

Thursday, January 25 : State of Indian Nations:
In 1944, the National Congress of American Indians set up shop in our nation’s capital to lobby for Native rights through the enlightenment of both the general public and Congress. More than sixty years later, NCAI President Joe Garcia of Ohkay Owingeh will deliver the 5th annual State of Indian Nations Address from the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. (You can listen live to the speech at 12 noon eastern time at www.nv1.org). Does NCAI’s agenda represent Native America’s needs? Guest analysts include Suzan Harjo of the Cheyenne and Muscogee Nations, and columnist for Indian Country Today newspaper and Joe Orozco, Station Manager for KIDE in Hoopa, California.

Friday, January 26 : Native in the Spotlight:
Dorothy FireCloud, a Lakota from Rosebud, has been named Superintendent of Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming. She is the first Native woman to fill this position. The monolith rises nearly a quarter-mile from its base and is noted for its use in the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It is a significant and sacred site for tribes across the Northern Plains, many of whom refer to it as Bears Lodge. How will having an American Indian as Superintendent change the complexion of America’s first national monument?

Monday, January 29: The Women Are Drumming:
When women sit and sing at the pow wow drum their voices resonate through anyone in hearing range. Not only does their sound bring attention, so does their mere presence at the drum. How are differing beliefs and traditions translated when it comes to women and the drum? Are women drum groups an extension of the debate over gender equality or are they a revival of lost traditions? What happens when the inspiration to drum and sing conflicts with tradition? Guests are Michon Eben (Paiute & Shoshone) a member of the drum group Mankillers, Ellie Symonevich (Abenaki) founding member and drum keeper of Red Hawk Medicine Drum group and Mel Charlton-Smith (Cherokee) a founding member of Mother Earth Beat.

Tuesday, January 30: Peltier’s New Appeal:
For many people across the U.S. and throughout the world, and especially Native people, Leonard Peltier is a political prisoner and stands as a symbol of the injustice and the oppression indigenous people have suffered at the hands of colonizers. Others believe Peltier is a murderous thug and represents all that was wrong with the American Indian Movement in the early 70’s. Peltier’s lawyer recently filed a new appeal on his behalf in the U.S. Court of Appeals. Free Peltier? Or keep him behind bars? Our Guest is Barry Bachrach, attorney for Leonard Peltier.

Wednesday, January 31: Book of the Month:
“Children Left Behind" is a sad story of a nation’s best intentions gone awry. Tim Giago’s personal accounts reveal an untold tragedy of abuse of helpless children by those who had the responsibility to protect them. To fully understand the calamity, you need only to visit the graveyards of the old boarding schools and see the hundreds of graves of Indian children who did not survive the misguided assimilation efforts,” writes Richard B. Williams, President of the American Indian College Fund. Join our conversation with Tim Giago (Oglala Lakota), our Book of the Month author for January.

Thursday, February 1: Tax Help for Natives:
Being able to keep more of your money at tax time is the goal of most taxpayers. But many Native people are missing some of the tax credits they are entitled to. For example, the IRS estimates that up to 25-percent of the eligible low to moderate income earners are not filing for the Earned Income Tax Credit. And last year, over $7.6 billion went unclaimed by families who could really use this additional income. Are you getting your full refund? Guests are Elsie Meeks (Oglala Lakota) Executive Director of the First Nations Oweesta Corporation and Linda Cortez, Director of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program with the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo.

Friday, February 2: Offshore Drilling in Alaska:
Earlier this month President Bush executed his presidential authority to remove protection of Alaska’s Bristol Bay from offshore oil and gas development. This will allow drilling in an area described as one of the nation’s most important subsistence use areas. What does this change mean for Natives who depend on the North Aleutian Basin for their way of life? What does this mean in terms of economic development in the area? How does this authorization fit in to Bush’s push to curb U.S. consumption of foreign oil? Guests include Aleut fisherman Norman Anderson of Nak Nek, a member of the REDOIL network.

Monday, February 5 – Minimum Wage:
The minimum wage of $5.15 an hour set by the U.S. government has not increased in a decade. The U.S. House voted to increase the minimum wage to $7.25 by 2009, and the Senate voted for the same increase with tax breaks for small businesses and tax increases for millionaires in their version. Both states and tribes have taken it upon themselves to raise the pay for their employees. Will raising the minimum wage lift America’s working poor out of poverty? Will it force small businesses to lay off workers or shut down? Guests include Scott Paisano, Lt. Governor of Sandia Pueblo.

Tuesday, February 6 – Current Events:
The Office of National Drug Control Policy has funds for tribes to fight substance abuse. Navajos are still protesting the Desert Rock Power Plant near Shiprock, New Mexico. The South Central Foundation in Alaska is celebrating 25 years of family wellness. A conference honoring Spiderwoman Theater and Native American theater will be held in Ohio. And Native American finance professionals will gather in Las Vegas. Don’t forget our monthly presentation of social gatherings, pow wows and parties. Call in if you have an event you’d like to promote over the airwaves.

Wednesday, February 7 – Hualapai Skywalk:
Have you ever wanted to walk on air? Next month visitors of the Hualapai reservation in Arizona will have the opportunity to simulate what it feels like to walk on air on the tribe’s new Skywalk. A glass-bottom observation deck extending from the Grand Canyon and resting 4,000 feet above the Colorado River will open to the public in March. Supporters say the Skywalk will provide a much needed boost to the tribal economy by drawing tourists. Others are worried the project is disturbing sacred ground. Guests include Chairman Charles Vaughn of the Haulapai Tribe.

Thursday, February 8 – Klamath River Dams:
At one time, the Klamath River was the west coast's third most productive river basin for salmon. But dams installed by hydropower companies have severely affected the salmon runs. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently re-licensed PacifiCorp, owner of the Klamath dams, but with expensive conditions. Tribal leaders, environmentalists and fishermen are calling it a victory, pointing out it will cost more to install the mandated fishways and ladders then it will to remove the dams. Will the dams come down? Guests include Craig Tucker, Klamath Coordinator for the Karuk Tribe and Troy Fletcher of the Yurok Tribe.

Friday, February 9 – Elder Abuse:
As the methamphetamine epidemic spreads across Indian Country, reports of elder abuse are on the rise. In some cases, elders are having their retirement checks and supplementary tribal checks stolen by relatives addicted to meth and other drugs. Tribal officials across the nation are putting together infrastructures designed to protect the welfare of our grandmothers and grandfathers. Whatever happened to respecting our elders? Guests include Wilson Wewa (Northern Paiute) Team Leader with the Warm Springs Reservation Senior Program.

Monday, February 12 – Music Maker:
And the winner is… The Grammy’s will announce this year’s Best Native American Album on Sunday, Feb. 11 and we will get the word out to and present the winner to Indian Country the very next day. The nominees include Black Eagle for Voice of the Drum; Robert Tree Cody & Will Clipman for Heart of the Wind; Jana for American Indian Story; Northern Cree & Friends for Long Winter Nights; and Mary Youngblood for Dance With the Wind. Our guest is Mary Youngblood, winner of the 2007 Grammy for Best Native American Album.

Tuesday, February 13 – Pumping Life Into Your Heart:
Valentine’s Day cards and decorations remind us of the heart. From birth, we are all given one heart to take care of and nurture. If kept healthy, the heart can give back a vigorous and full life. If not, you could be shortchanged. What should you know to keep your heart working at its optimum? What are the different types of heart problems to be on the alert for? And what are the symptoms that might cause concern for heart disease? Guests are Dr. Beth Malaskey, a cardiologist with the Native American Cardiology Program, and Phyllis Sanderson, NACP’s cultural liaison from the Navajo Nation.

Wednesday, February 14 – Snaggin’ on the Net:
Happy Valentines Day! In honor of Cupid, the Roman god of erotic love, we’re going to take a look at how many Natives are finding dates on the internet! Sites like e-snag.com and gay-snag.com are offering a host of new opportunities for Natives looking for relationships. What are the benefits and drawbacks of putting your profile online? Should Native people only date other Native people? Can you remain an anonymous Romeo or Juliet in Indian Country? Are you looking for love in all the right places? Guests are David Underwood, owner of e-snag.com and Cheryl Miller (Cayuga 6 Nations) e-snag user.

Thursday, February 15 – Urban Indian Health Cuts:
For the second straight year the Bush Administration is calling for elimination of Urban Indian Health Program (known as Title V) funding in their annual budget. The White House claims that Native health needs in urban areas could be met by state, federal and community health programs and that funding urban Indian health programs separately is not needed. With nearly 2 out of every 3 Natives now living in so-called urban areas, what affect could this have on the overall health of Native people? Invited guests include Geoffrey Roth, Executive Director of the National Council of Urban Indian Health.

Friday, February 16 – Native Civil Rights in ‘07:
Elizabeth Peratrovich Day is an important state holiday for Alaskans, and all Americans, to recall the life of one of their own who believed in and fought for civil rights. As Alaska Natives remember this important figure in their state’s history, how does the rest of Native America feel about civil rights for Natives? Have we arrived at our destination, or do we still have a long way to go when it comes to achieving equality? Has your tribe adopted its own version of the Indian Civil Rights Act? Invited guests include Blair Paul, whose Tlingit grandfather, William Paul, Sr., championed Native voting rights in Alaska.

Monday, February 19 – Mardi Gras Indians Go Marching In:
As thousands pour into the city of New Orleans for the annual Mardi Gras celebration this week, several groups will bring Native American influence and flair to the forefront. For many decades so-called Mardi Gras Indians, primarily of African American descent, gather during this time of year adorned in elaborate costumes. Led by their Big Chief, tribes from different parts of the city move through the masses celebrating with dance and song. What are the origins of Mardi Gras Indians? Guests are Chief Monk Boudreaux, Mardi Gras Indian Chief of the Golden Eagle tribe, and Brenda Dardar Robichaux Principal Chief of the United Houma Nation.

Tuesday, February 20 – See Baby Drink:
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is the leading known preventable cause of mental retardation and birth defects. It affects one-in-100 live births. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol so does her baby. Alcohol passes through the placenta right into a developing child. Sadly, those afflicted with FAS cannot be cured. There is no pill, no surgery, and no therapy. Equally as sad, it is completely preventable. What happens to FAS babies when they grow up? Guests include Margo Manaraze Wagner, founder of Extol! and co-producer of the DVD “Gary and the Angels.”

Wednesday, February 21 – Native in the Spotlight:
A week ago Inuit global warming activist Sheila Watt-Cloutier was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Although this nomination may introduce her knowledge to the world, her efforts date back many years. The former Inuit Circumpolar Conference chair is noted for her efforts to bring light to the problem of climate change and its affects on Native peoples’ human rights. How have her efforts protected the right to practice and enjoy traditional ways of life for indigenous people? What has been the driving force that has guided Sheila Watt-Cloutier on a life’s journey to bring about environmental and indigenous justice?

Thursday, February 22 – Cleaning Up Uranium Mines:
From World War II until the mid-1980’s nearly 4 million tons of uranium were mined from Navajo land. Across the reservation people inhaled the radioactive dust, drank contaminated water and built homes using rocks from the mines. Uranium mining in South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota began in the middle of the 1960’s as the price of uranium was rising. As the price rises once again, tribal lands are being targeted. Should uranium mining be banned throughout Indian Country? Guests include Charmaine White Face of the Oglala Nation and Defenders of the Black Hills.

Friday, February 23 – Black Vibe, Native Beat:
Black history month helps to bring attention to important people, events and influence of African American culture. Among the many things Black culture has touched is Native music. From genres to instruments to composition, African American music is at the core of many contemporary Native musicians' work. How has the blending of cultures played out in Native music and among Native audiences? Why has the influence of African American music touched so many Native people? Guests are Anishinabe recording artist Keith Secola, Andrea Menard, a Metis recording artist and Happy Frejo, a Pawnee/Seminole recording artist.

Monday, February 26 – The Fate of the Cherokee Freedmen:
Historically, Cherokee people were black slave owners. After the Civil War the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma was given orders by the federal government to take in their former slaves as tribal members. They became known as the Freedmen. The Cherokee Nation may change this in a referendum by giving the Freedmen the boot. Does a sovereign tribal government have the right to say who is a tribal member? Or is it up to the people to vote? Guests are Marilyn Vann, President of the Descendants of the Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes Association and Jodie Fishinghawk of the Oklahoma Cherokee Tribe.

Tuesday, February 27 - Chief Illiniwek’s Last Dance:
The University of Illinois sports mascot Chief Illiniwek took his final march before a packed crowd at a home basketball game. As fans stood and cheered, the Chief closed the school’s books on this mascot issue. For those that have been protesting the existence of this Native-mocking mascot, no tears were shed. How will the University’s decision to remove a mascot deemed offensive to Natives influence other schools and teams? Guests are Charlene Teters of the Spokane Tribe and former student at the University of Illinois and Debbie Reese from the Pueblo of Nambe who is an Assistant Professor of American Indian Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Wednesday, February 28 – Book of the Month : The True Story of Pocahontas:
For the first time in 400 years, the true account of Pocahontas and the tragic events surrounding her life, her capture, and her romance with John Smith is told by her own people. This significant book shares the sacred and previously unpublished oral history of the Mattaponi Tribe, one of the original tribes of the Powhatan chiefdom encountered by the founders of Jamestown. Passed down from generation to generation, The True Story of Pocahontas contains powerful gems of Powhatan knowledge. Guests include authors Dr. Linwood “Little Bear” Custalow (Mattaponi) and Angela L. Daniel.

Thursday, March 1- Native Words, Native Warriors:
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., is not easily accessible for most Native people. So NMAI’s traveling exhibition services are bringing the museum to the Natives. An exhibit called “Native Words, Native Warriors” is making its way across Indian Country. It tells the remarkable story of code talkers – Native soldiers who used their Native languages in service to the U.S. military. Guests are W. Richard West Jr. of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes and founding director of NMAI, George Horse Capture from the Gro Von Tribe of Fort Belnap, Montana who is the curator of the "Native Words, Native Warriors" exibit and Samuel Tso of the Navajo Nation who is one the surviving code talkers.

Friday, March 2 – Bingo to the Bone:
Bingo is like an old friend when it comes to Native communities. For some tribal members, bingo is the buddy that keeps them company. Bingo can also provide that thrill that can cure boredom or the urge for an instant adrenaline rush. Hard core bingo players clear their schedules to hear that magic letter followed by that lucky number in hopes of hitting the jackpot. Why are so many Indians addicted to bingo? What has made bingo a subculture within the tribal culture? And what is bingo etiquette? Guests include Amy Jacobs, Radio Bingo Coordinator for CKRZ in Southern Ontario and Eloise Begay from the Navajo Nation who is a bingo player.

Monday, March 5 – The Art of Survival:
In order to survive, sometimes you have to draw upon what you know. Many Native artists make their living off of selling their artwork. Having to depend on artwork for livelihood presents challenges and rewards. For some artists, it brings them closer to their culture and gives them a better understanding of their ancestors. For others, it calls on their creativity to improvise to pay the bills and keep everyone fed. What is the secret to success when you rely on your artwork to put the bread on your table? Guests are Tlingit totem pole and dugout canoe carver Wayne Price and Herbert Anungazuk, an Inupiak, who is a Cultural Anthropologist with the National Park Service.

Tuesday, March 6 – Current Events:
The National Indian Gaming Association’s ’07 Trade Show & Convention, one of the biggest gaming conventions in the nation, is set to take place in Phoenix. We’ll tell you about a new initiative to help Native governments and tribal enterprises conduct background checks on prospective employees. A new online tribal business directory has a mission of ‘Keeping tribal dollars in tribal communities.’ Plus, there’s a new play opening this month about the life and times of Anishinabe prisoner Leonard Peltier. Do you have a current event taking place in Native America?

Wednesday, March 7 – Oklahoma Centennial Celebration:
The Sooner State celebrates 100 years of statehood and much is being done to remember the significant role of Native tribes and people during this important milestone. The Oklahoma Centennial Commission is working with tribal leaders to preserve and share Native images and history with the public. It is also hoped that this effort will help people to better understand Natives and to clear up age-old misconceptions. How are Native people supposed to act when Americans celebrate our demise? Guests include J. Blake Wade, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Centennial Commission and Comanche Tribal Chairman Wallace Coffey.

Thursday, March 8 – I Am (Native) Woman, Hear Me Roar:
Some Native American women scholars argue that the concept of feminism originated in indigenous societies. From nation to nation, Native women are traditionally honored for their abilities and roles. As International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world, we will highlight the contributions and efforts of indigenous women. What are the issues that face Native feminism and how does contemporary feminism compare to its origins in Native societies? Guests include Paula Gunn Allen, poet, novelist and critic who is Laguna Pueblo and Sioux.

Friday, March 9 – Missing From the Circle:
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights reports that Native people have the highest per capita murder rates of any racial group in the nation. Many Native people have disappeared without a trace and their cases have gone cold. A new initiative called ‘Missing from the Circle’ will offer assistance to help trace missing Natives. Do you have a missing relative you’d like to find? Guests are Walter Lamar of the Blackfeet and Wichita Tribes, President and CEO of Lamar Associates, and Jackye Jacobs of the Lumbee Tribe, whose brother has been missing for five years.

Monday, March 12 – Music Maker – Northern Cree:
Northern Cree is one of the hottest groups on the pow wow circuit today. Their latest CD Northern Cree and Friends: Long Winter Nights Volume 5 recently received a Grammy nomination. On this recording the group shares a host of round dance songs featuring some of Native America’s finest round dance singers. This live recording captures all the sounds, humor and lively singing of one the largest round dances in North America at Louis Bull Reserve in Alberta, Canada. Guests include singer/drummer Steve Wood of the Cree Nation.

Tuesday, March 13 – Indian Health Care Improvement Act:
Report after report has found that the health status of American Indians and Alaska Natives is far below that of the general U.S. population. The Indian Health Care Improvement Act was first approved in 1976 by President Ford and was reauthorized by each President thereafter until the law expired in 2000. Since then tribal health officials have battled federal agencies and the White House. Will the IHCIA finally be reauthorized by the 110th Congress? Guests include Rachel Joseph of the Shoshone and Paiute tribes, co-chair of the National Steering Committee on the Reauthorization of the IHCIA.

Wednesday, March 14 : **PROGRAM CHANGE** Bush's Visit to Latin America:
As President Bush makes his way through Latin America reactions to his visit have raised much attention. Currently the White House is touting the President's trip to Latin America as a compassionate fight against poverty and illiteracy. But passionate protests have demonstrated that his visit is unwelcome and his offer of help is unwanted. What does this visit mean for the indigenous movements happening across Latin America? Is this a call for Natives in the U.S. to begin building alliances with Latin American countries? And just how American would that be? Guests are Jose Barreiro of the Taino Nation, assistant director of research for the National Museum of the American Indian and JuanCarlos Llorca, a writer for the Associated Press.

Thursday, March 15 – Springtime Allergies:
Are you ready for the itchy, watery eyes and runny nose season? Ready or not here it comes! As Mother Nature sounds the horn for spring to begin, many people brace themselves for another allergy season. As the season gets underway, what can you do to decrease seasonal allergies? How do prescription medications compare to herbal forms of allergy treatment? And how do you tell the difference between an allergy and the common cold? Our guest is Dr. Paul Avritt, pediatrician for the Albuquerque Indian Health Service.

Friday, March 16 – Pow Wow Protocol:
Did mama teach you to mind your manners? Did she tell you to mind them at a pow wow? As pow wows moved from small community get-togethers to large intertribal gatherings the do’s and don’ts have evolved both in and out of the arena. Some of these changes have stretched the limits of what is and what is not acceptable in the pow wow circle. Who sets the rules when it comes to pow wow etiquette? How are Native people dealing with the changes? Guests include pow wow MC Dale Old Horn of the Crow Tribe.

Monday, March 19 – Saving the San Francisco Peaks:
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said no to the Arizona Snowbowl’s plans to expand their ski resort on the San Francisco Peaks in northern Arizona. The plan called for using treated wastewater to make artificial snow. The 13 tribes in the area that hold the mountain range sacred view this decision as a victory. But operators of the Arizona Snowbowl say the fight is far from over. Snowbowl officials say they intend to vigorously pursue further judicial review. Guests are Vincent Randall who is the former Chairman of the Yavapai Apache Nation and tribe's current Cultural Manager and Andy Bessler representing the Sierra Club and its' Tribal Partnership program.

Tuesday, March 20 – National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day:
Tomorrow marks the beginning of spring, and for many tribal people, it is a time of renewal and new beginnings. It also marks the first National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Organizers are hoping to raise awareness and eliminate the silence that surrounds this deadly disease. Are prevention, screening, and treatments working to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS? Should testing be mandatory? Our guest is Alaska Native Tim Juliesson, who is HIV positive.

Wednesday, March 21 – Tribal Clan Systems:
The clan systems of Native tribes were once very sophisticated and closely integrated within the tribal structure. Clans still play a very significant part of all political, economic, religious and social activities within the tribe. Each clan carries important knowledge and expertise in specific areas and is called upon to perform certain duties and functions. But many of the clan ways have gone astray. How can Native clans be restructured and rejuvenated to fit into our 21st Century lifestyles? Guests are Andy Hope of the Tlingit Nation and Randy Cornelius, a member of the Oneida Nation and the Language and Cultural Archivist for the Oneida Tribe's Cultural Heritage Department.

Thursday, March 22 – Skateboard Wave on the Rez:
One of the fastest sports to surf Native America in the 21st Century is skateboarding. Native youth can be seen zooming through the villages and reservations of many Native communities. As this exciting wave continues to hit more Native youth, what is drawing them to the sport? What indigenous ties do skateboards possess? And why is there a growing trend among Native youth to a sport that began in the 50’s? Guests include Native Hawaiian skateboard legend Christian Hosoi and Douglas Miles, owner of Apache Skateboards.

Friday, March 23 – Native in the Spotlight: Arigon Starr:
March is Women’s History Month and Native performer and diva Arigon Starr gives credit to the women who inspired her life and career. This actor, singer and songwriter is now expanding her bag of tricks to include writing plays. Arigon’s wacky radio comedy “Super Indian” will be staged as live theater at the Autry National Center in California. You never know what this gal is going to say or do next! Join us for our Native in the Spotlight with the immensely talented and funny Arigon Starr of the Kickapoo Nation.

Monday, March 26 – Protect the Water:
“Honor the Water, Respect the Water, be Thankful for the Water, Protect the Water.” That is the theme of the first annual Indigenous World Water Day. Communities from the Americas, Asia and New Zealand recently held events with a strong message of protecting local sources of water. Is access to adequate clean water a basic human right? How can indigenous communities throughout the world pull together to make a difference? Guests are Robert Shimek, Mining Campaign Organizer for the Indigenous Environmental Network from the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and Enai Begay, Director of the Black Mesa Water Coalition and a member of the Dine' Tribe.

Tuesday, March 27 – Teen Drinking & Driving:
Drinking and driving kills more teens than anything else. But the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has a new program that is making a difference. The Project Child program has an initiative called “I Died. Who’s Next?” which stages reenactments of teen alcohol-related crashes. The project uses student actors, real police and real first-responders to bring the message home. Can seeing turn into believing? Guests are Todd Baughman, Director of Project Child and Gary Batton, who is an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the tribe's executive director of health.


Wednesday, March 28 – Book of the Month: The Wonder Bull:
“The Wonder Bull” by Ojibwe author Mark Anthony Rolo is the story of one man’s search for his tribal identity. The main character, Martin, is an emotionally disabled young man who wants nothing more than to get in touch with his tribal roots back in Oklahoma, but he can’t afford the $99 bus ticket. Hustling seems to be his only option, but still he can’t hold on to his money when there are addictions to feed. Join us as we discuss Rolo’s new book and the plight of today’s Natives seeking a different life.

Thursday, March 29 – Planting the Seeds of Time:
Our Native ancestors have bequeathed us many heirlooms for our continued survival. Some have planted the legacy of life in the fruits of their labor in tiny little vessels – seeds. The revival of these time capsules has again made their way into the backyards and fields of many Native communities. For those that are reintegrating these ancient seeds, some of which date back over 2,000 years, what are the hidden lessons? What can reintroducing ancient seeds bring to a native community’s health and culture? Guests include Amy Mosset who is a traditional Mandan Hidatsa gardner and Alex Sando of Jemez Pueblo who is the Native American Coordinator for Native Seed SEARCH.

Friday, March 30 – Tribal Policing:
What does it mean to be a tribal police officer? What are the complexities of policing the rez or a village? How do tribal communities, tribal police departments and other law enforcement agencies collaborate to address the alarmingly high rate of violent crime in Native America? Or guests are University of Arizona Associate Professor Eileen Luna-Firebaugh who is Choctaw and Cherokee and Tohono O'odham Police Chief Richard Saunders, who is Tohono O'odham.

Monday, April 2 – Saving the Klingon Tribal Culture:
They have endured many challenges to their tribalism. They are painted as the most fearsome warriors in all of the galaxy. They are the Klingons. Due to leaving their home planet of Kronos and intermingling with outside cultures, Klingons are now facing a dying race, culture and language. Although their customs are strong and have carried them through the years, the conformity to the modern galaxy confronts their every move. To what lengths will Klingons go to ensure their survival? Guests are Klingon Warrior Willy and Terusa, one of the powerful Klingon Duras Sisters.

Tuesday, April 3 – Current Events:
The Native American Rights Fund has unveiled its new national campaign featuring a public service announcement titled “The Indian Wars Never Ended.” Actor and narrator Peter Coyote has given a generous and significant gift to the Hopi people. The Pueblos of Acoma and Zuni and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center have teamed up for a new venture called “Into the Sunset Western Pueblo Tours.” The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians are having an important economic summit and the National Indian Child Welfare Association is celebrating 25 years of protecting Native children.

Wednesday, April 4 – New Leader at the BIA:
After more than two years of having a non-Indian directing the most important federal agency serving Native people, the Senate recently confirmed a tribal member, Carl Artman, to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. After being officially sworn in what are his top priorities? And how will he deal with the age-old problem of representing tribal concerns while working for the U.S. Government? Carl Artman of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin will be in Studio 49 as our guest.

Thursday, April 5 – Bering Strait Theory: Fact or Fiction?:
The long standing Bering Strait land bridge theory is now up for debate. Do Native Americans descend from Mongolians who walked across a temporary land bridge and into the rest of the Americas some 11,000 years ago? Recent archaeological discoveries show the Americas to be inhabited long before then. These findings support many Native spiritual beliefs and oral histories. Does one theory cancel out the other, or could both be applicable? You decide. Our guest is Dr. E. James Dixon, Fellow of the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research; Professor of Anthropology; Curator of Museum and Field Studies, University of Colorado at Boulder.