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The Gila River Indian Community in Arizona is considering a new law to banish tribal members convicted of violent crimes. A bill awaits a signature from the New York governor that aims to strengthen the Seneca Nation’s ability to enforce tribal laws, which includes removing people convicted of drug trafficking and other crimes. Those are among efforts by tribes to formalize the traditional practice of banishment as tool to combat crime, but such efforts sometimes conflict with modern legal systems. In Alaska, the Native Village of Togiak faces a legal challenge after tribal members forced a man suspected of illicit alcohol sales onto an airplane to another city. We’ll get insights from tribal leaders and Native legal experts on how banishment fits in with modern justice.

GUESTS

David E. Wilkins (Lumbee), professor at the University of Richmond

Matthew Fletcher (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians), law professor at the University of Michigan Law School and author of the “Turtle Talk” blog

J.C. Seneca (Seneca), president of the Seneca Nation

Anecia Kritz (Yup’ik), president of Togiak Traditional Council

Alex Cleghorn (Tangirnaq Native Village), chief operating officer for the Alaska Native Justice Center and Tangirnaq Native Village council member

Break 1 Music: This Land (song) Keith Secola (artist) Native Americana – A Coup Stick (album)

Break 2 Music: Capoeirablues (song) XOCÔ (artist) XOCÔ (album)

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In life, Charlie Kirk espoused controversial opinions that many people consider repugnant. His violent and public death is now becoming a test for what other public figures—and ordinary citizens—are able to say without severe consequences. Dozens of people, including a Washington Post columnist and a U.S. Army colonel, are facing repercussions after speaking out about Kirk on social media. A Manitoba First Nations cabinet member is facing calls to resign after sharing a post criticizing Kirk for his views. One effort is collecting information on thousands of people for possible retribution for their comments about Kirk. We’ll explore some of the limits of social media posts Native Americans should be aware of in their personal and professional lives.

GUESTS

Che Jim (Diné), content creator

Kodee Artis (Navajo), tribal advocate, Navajo law practitioner, bladesmith, actor, and comedian

Judith Wright (San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians), president of the National Native American Human Resources Association board

Break 1 Music: Mean Things Happenin’ in This World (song) Blackfire (artist) Woody Guthrie Singles (album)

Break 2 Music: Capoeirablues (song) XOCÔ (artist) XOCÔ (album)

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The advocacy group, Tewa Women United, is warning nearby Pueblo citizens and other local residents about Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in New Mexico releasing gas containing the weak radioactive substance, tritium. The group says, despite assurances by lab experts and regulators that the substance is safe in relatively small doses, it is a dangerous substance and could pose a threat to pregnant women and others. Tritium is a naturally occuring substance, but is also produced in quantities during nuclear power generation and is a key component in nuclear weapons. LANL says it is forced to release the radioactive gas because the containers they’ve been in for decades pose a risk. We’ll discuss what tritium does and whatever threat, if any, it poses.

GUESTS

Marissa Naranjo (Santa Clara Pueblo), deputy director of Sovereign Energy and a board member for Honor Our Pueblo Existence (HOPE)

Pat Moss, deputy manager of National Nuclear Security Administration’s Los Alamos field office

Arjun Makhijani, Ph.D. in nuclear fusion from the University of California at Berkeley and the president of the Institute of Energy and Environmental Research

Martha Izenson, a tribal attorney for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

Break 1 Music: Current (song) Chuck Copenace (artist) Oshki Manitou (album)

Break 2 Music: Capoeirablues (song) XOCÔ (artist) XOCÔ (album)

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The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians just elected four women to what had been an all-male tribal council. The Seminole Tribe of Oklahoma just installed women in their top two leadership positions for the first time in history. As with the general population, Native women lag behind men when it comes to elected political power. The non-profit RepresentWomen finds Native women have a slightly higher average representation on tribal councils than non-Native women on local municipal elected bodies. We’ll talk with some Native women about their progress in tribal and community leadership.

GUESTS

Shelly Fyant (Bitterroot Salish),  Representative for Montana’s House District 91; former Chairwoman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Shennelle Feather (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), councilwoman-elect for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tribal council.

Shannon Swimmer (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), councilwoman-elect for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tribal council.

Rep. Michelle Abeyta (Diné), Representative for New Mexico’s House District 69.

Break 1 Music: Women’s Honoring Song (song) Red Hawk Medicine Drum (artist) New Beginnings (album)

Break 2 Music: Capoeirablues (song) XOCÔ (artist) XOCÔ (album)

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Just as coronavirus infections are on the rise, federal authorities are throwing confusing recommendations about vaccinations into the mix. Many people are wondering whether they are eligible for a COVID shot, where to get one, and whether it’s covered by insurance. The answer, at least partly, depends on whether your state or tribe is filling in gaps opening up following the federal Food and Drug Administration abruptly changing its view of who should get the shot, drawing criticism and even defiance by established medial groups.

GUESTS

Janet Johnson (Nambe and Santa Clara Pueblos and Mandan-Hidatsa), tribal liaison for the New Mexico Department of Health

Dr. Beth Harp (Cherokee), executive medical director for Cherokee Nation Health Services

Dr. Miranda Durham, chief medical officer for the New Mexico Department of Health

Here is a statement from the U.S. Health and Human Services press secretary in response to a request for their participation in today’s show:

“Under the leadership of Secretary Kennedy, HHS is returning focus to the doctor-patient relationship. The Department encourages individuals to talk with their healthcare provider about any personal medical decision, including vaccines.

To be clear, HHS is not limiting vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccine remains available to anyone who chooses it in consultation with their healthcare provider. The FDA approved four COVID-19 vaccines with 2025-2026 formulas under the traditional approval processes. All four approved vaccines provide important protection against COVID-19. The specific vaccine you may choose to receive may depend on various factors. Consult with your healthcare provider about which vaccine is most appropriate for your individual circumstances.

Approved COVID-19 vaccines are available through healthcare providers, pharmacies, and other vaccination sites. Contact your healthcare provider or check local health department websites for vaccination locations and availability.

ACIP, the scientific body guiding immunization recommendations in this country, will meet next week to discuss COVID-19 vaccines. Please see: Federal Register :: Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.”

 

Break 1 Music: Shrine of Shirl (song) Mike Bern (artist) Ancestors (album)

Break 2 Music: Rodeo Song [Skip Dance Song] (song) Sweethearts of Navajoland (artist) From the Heart of Diné Nation Traditional Songs of the Navajo (album)

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Tribes are seeking to flex whatever legal muscle they have to secure Colorado River water protections, just as forecasts show the resource to continue to disappear in the foreseeable future. The tribes are hoping to gain whatever leverage they can as policymakers negotiate new water plans. More than 30 tribes and seven states utilize water from the Colorado River, which has been experiencing record low water levels from a decades-long drought. Stakeholders are having to rethink their water use and flex their legal claims to the resource as existing water use plans are set to expire. In one case, the Colorado River Indian Tribes are pursuing their own declaration, giving the river the same rights as a person. Tribal advocates say it could better protect the important lifeline that carves through several tribal lands in the arid Southwest.

GUESTS

Heather Tanana (Diné), initiative lead of the Universal Access to Clean Water for Tribal Communities and a law professor at the University of Denver

Daryl Vigil (Jicarilla Apache), co-director of the Water & Tribes Initiative

Amelia Flores (Colorado River Indian Tribe), chairwoman of the Colorado River Indian Tribes

John Bezdek, water attorney for the Colorado River Indian Tribes and a shareholder of the Water and Power Law Group

Break 1 Music: Raindrops (song) Clark Tenakhongva (artist) Su’Vu’Yo’Yungw (album)

Break 2 Music: Rodeo Song [Skip Dance Song] (song) Sweethearts of Navajoland (artist) From the Heart of Diné Nation Traditional Songs of the Navajo (album)

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President Donald Trump is going to defend his tariff policy before the U.S. Supreme Court. Lower federal courts recently ruled that President Trump does not have the authority to impose tariffs under the national emergency powers. A new Pew Research Center poll found that 61% of Americans disapprove of his tariff policies. Businesses like Sisseton-Wahpeton fabric designer Denise Hill are faced with having to raise prices to make up for rising costs on goods from other countries. We’ll get a reading on the effect tariffs have had on Native-owned businesses so far.

GUESTS

State Sen. Susan Webber (Blackfeet/D-MT [Browning])

Larry Chavis (Lumbee), economist and business school professor

Jeff St. Louis (Sault Ste. Marie Band of Chippewa Indians), CEO and founder of Native Purchasing Group

Denise Hill (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate), owner of Family Affair

Break 1 Music: Mr. Businessman’s Blues (song) DM Lafortune (artist) Beauty and Hard Times (album)

Break 2 Music: Rodeo Song [Skip Dance Song] (song) Sweethearts of Navajoland (artist) From the Heart of Diné Nation Traditional Songs of the Navajo (album)

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Suicide numbers are lower in places with higher incomes, better access to broadband internet, and good health insurance coverage. Unfortunately, those are all factors that are statistically lacking for many Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Development of the nationwide 988 Suicide and Lifeline has improved the persistently high Native suicide rate, and efforts to introduce culturally sensitive prevention and intervention methods are showing promise. As the federal government dissolves much of its support for mental health services and suicide prevention efforts, we’ll highlight some of the work that is making a difference for Native populations.

GUESTS

Rachael Bogacz (Ponca and Omaha), director of Integrated Care for the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska

LuAnn Even, chief behavioral health officer for the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska

Stephanie Pasternak, director of State Affairs for National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Kim Farris, director of Behavioral Health for the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic

Break 1 Music: Hindsight 20/20 (song) Cris Derksen (artist)

Break 2 Music: Rodeo Song [Skip Dance Song] (song) Sweethearts of Navajoland (artist) From the Heart of Diné Nation Traditional Songs of the Navajo (album)