Native America Calling

Monday, March 20, 2023 – Behind the legal arguments for ICWA 

The Indian Child Welfare Act is more than a legal argument. The law, now more than 40 years old, is an important element in individual child development, family structure, and the continuation of culture. A decision is pending from the U.S. Supreme Court that could determine the fate of ICWA. Supporters of the law worry the decision could erode the most important legacy it has forged over the decades. Today on Native America Calling, in a special live broadcast from Washington, D.C., Shawn Spruce gets a perspective of ICWA from those who have lived it.

Coming Up on NATIVE AMERICA CALLING

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 – Native American Ramadan

As Muslims prepare for the holy month of Ramadan, a small number of Native Americans are among them. Whether they’ve converted to Islam or it was brought into their culture by marriage, Native people who practice Islam often have to seek out fellow Muslims. Tuesday on Native America Calling, we examine the intersection of Islam and Native culture.  

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 – “Welcome to Native America Calling”

The nation’s only live, call-in radio show is approaching its 28th year on the air. There have been many changes over the years, but one constant vision: to amplify the Native voices who are most needed when it comes to Native issues. Wednesday on a special edition of Native America Calling, live from Washington, D.C., we’ll hear from some of the people who make Native America Calling possible over the decades that you may not have heard from before and look to the future.   

The Menu

Native in the Spotlight

Through The Decades

Wednesday, July 27, 2022 — Through The Decades: 1990s

The U.S. Congress passed both the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and the Indian Arts And Crafts Act in 1990—two pieces of legislation with significant power to protect culture. On the international front, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation in Mexico rose up in an effort to reclaim their land and resist globalization. Dances With Wolves captured audiences’ attention with a Native cast and a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for Graham Greene, while a new generation of Native writers and directors made their voices heard. Today on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce remembers the Native ’90s, as part of our series Through The Decades. Shannon Keller O’Loughlin (Choctaw), executive director of the Association on American Indian Affairs, and Vincent Schilling (Akwesasne Mohawk), editor of NativeViewPoint.com and certified Rotten Tomatoes critic.

Wednesday, July 20, 2022 – Through the Decades: 1980s

The 1980s saw the rise of gaming on Native nations, a momentum that brought about the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988 with revenue quickly hitting $100 million. Wilma Mankiller became the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation and Ben Nighthorse Campbell started his long and historic career as an elected leader. Today on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce has the next installment of our new series Through the Decades with Dr. James Riding (Pawnee), a retired professor and founding member of the American Indian Studies program at Arizona State University focusing on repatriation, sacred sites protection, and Pawnee history and culture; Larry Nesper, Emeritus Professor of Anthropology and American Indian Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and author of the book The Walleye War: The Struggle for Ojibwe Spearfishing and Treaty Rights; America Meredith (Cherokee), writer, visual artist, independent curator, and publishing editor of “First American Art Magazine”.

Wednesday, July 13, 2022 – Through the Decades: the 1970s

Watergate, Vietnam, and disco are some of the major highlights that define the 1970s. For Native people, it’s the decade of the Wounded Knee occupation, Self-determination, the federal Boldt decision, and Redbone’s “Come and Get Your Love”. Today on Native America Calling, as we continue our trip through the decades, Shawn Spruce looks at some of the highs and lows of the ‘70s through a Native lens with Dr. David Wilkins (Lumbee), professor at the University of Richmond; Dr. LaNada War Jack (Shoshone-Bannock), writer, activist, and the chair of Indians of All Tribes in San Francisco, CA; Vincent Schilling (Akwesasne Mohawk), editor of NativeViewPoint.com and certified Rotten Tomatoes critic; and Pat Vegas (Mexican/Yaqui/Shoshone descent), singer, songwriter, producer, and bass player for the band Redbone.

Wednesday, July 6, 2022 — Through the Decades: The 1960s

The 1960s were the genesis of Native American activism. Urban Native communities, formed by the American Indian Urban Relocation program of the 1950s, were tough and deplorable places to live. The American Indian Movement formed as a result and by 1968, the Indian Civil Rights Act was passed. This decade is also marked by the arrival of the color TV, an explosion of (rock) music, and a new style of Native art. In the first episode in our new series “Through the Decades”, Shawn Spruce remembers the politics, significant events, and pop culture that helped shape Native America with Donovin Sprague (Sioux), author, historian, and professor of history at Sheridan College; actress Dawn Little Sky (Sioux); Dr. Jonathan Tomhave (MHA), lecturer at the University of Washington; America Meredith (Cherokee), publishing editor of First American Art Magazine, art writer, visual artist, and independent curator; and Deanna Aquiar (Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo), director of programs and development for the National Indian Youth Council.

Past Shows

Friday, March 17, 2023 – Native playlist: THRONE, Pete Sands & the Drifters, Jade Turner, Hataalii Wheeler

YVHIKV (Mvskoke) and Hayatheus make up the group T H R O N E and they’re out introducing audiences to their latest single “Eels in the Water//Night”. Since their debut album “Lionfish,” released last year, T H R O N E has been garnering a big following on social media with their soulful and melodic sound. Pete Sands (Diné) & the Drifters keep releasing new singles and even ended up on the popular series “Yellowstone”. The band says it embodies the true spirit of the term “Dirt Floor Honky Tonks”. Today on Native America Calling, we sample new music with T H R O N E and Pete Sands as well as country artist Jade Turner (member of Misipawistik Cree Nation) and Hataaliinez “Hataałii” Wheeler (Diné) on our regular feature Native Playlist.

Thursday, March 16, 2023 – Remembering Navajo leader Peterson Zah

Peterson Zah is known as the first president of the Navajo Nation and a leader with foresight and intelligence that ushered in a new era for his people. Zah died at the age of 85 and was laid to rest at his birthplace in Low Mountain, Ariz. after a memorial service and funeral procession. His legacy includes starting a permanent fund that has reached into the multiple billions and advocacy that dramatically boosted the number of Navajo students in higher education. Today on Native America Calling, we honor his life with those who knew him: Stephen Roe Lewis (Gila River), Governor of the Gila River Indian Community; Marley Shebala (Diné and Zuni), investigative journalist; Marcus Denetdale (Citizen of the Navajo Nation), program manager for the Construction in Indian Country program at Arizona State University; Jaynie Parrish (Diné), president and founder of Arizona Native Vote; and Robert Joe (Diné), managing partner with Towerhouse Group and partner Tribal Carbon.

Wednesday, March 15, 2023 – Engaged Native youth increasing their profile

Representatives from the National Congress of American Indian (NCAI) Youth Commission say they are ready to pick up the torch on critical issues like climate change, missing and murdered Indigenous people, tribal consultation, and health disparities. The two co-presidents of the commission expressed their enthusiasm for tackling Native issues during NCAI’s State of Indian Nations Address event. Today on Native America Calling, we hear from NCAI Youth Commission Co-Presidents Yanenowi Logan (Seneca Nation of Indians) and Caleb Dash (Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community) about their coming priorities on behalf of Native people.

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 – Federal heating funds seek eligible recipients

The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is one of those programs that flies under the radar for a lot of tribal citizens. But as much as $1 billion is going out to states and tribes right now to help pay household heating and cooling costs. Program administrators say many of the people who are eligible neglect to sign up or they might not even know it exists. Today on Native America Calling, find out if you can get some financial help for those soaring utility bills with LIHEAP program specialist Vikki Pretlow; Melanie Conners (Akwesasne Mohawk), LIHEAP Coordinator for St. Regis Mohawk; Margaret Zientek (Citizen Potawatomi Nation tribal member), director for Workforce and Social Services at Citizen Potawatomi Nation; Mary Simon (Yup’ik), 477 director for Orutsararmiut Native Council; Richard Tonasket (Colville tribal member), LIHEAP program manager; and Ann Jagger (Jamestown S’Klallam tribal member), Housing Manager for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe.

Monday, March 13, 2023 – Anticipation for Avi Kwa Ame

President Joe Biden is expected to designate Avi Kwa Ame a national monument, but the action will have to wait. Tribes and environmental organizations pushed for the federal designation for a number of years before President Biden expressed his intentions to protect the 450,000 acre site last November. The White House announced he would make the trip to the Nevada location to formally make the designation this week, but subsequently cancelled those plans. Today on Native America Calling, we get an update on the status of the sacred space also known as Spirit Mountain with Alan O’Neill, advisor for the National Parks Conservation Association and founder of Get Outdoors Nevada, and Taylor Patterson (Bishop Paiute), executive director of the Native Voters Alliance Nevada.

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