Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:40 — 38.2MB) | Embed

Sturgeon survive from the time dinosaurs roamed the earth, but some species are having a tough time weathering human-made encroachment. While some lake sturgeon live to be 100 years old, the species is on track to be designated endangered next year, threatening traditional Native fishing methods. Today on Native America Calling, as the brief sturgeon spearfishing seasons are getting underway, we look at the ecological status of sturgeons, the traditional harvest methods, and tribal efforts to protect them with elder Marvin DeFoe (Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians), tribal historic preservation officer for the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Indians; Douglas Cox (member of the Menominee Indian Tribe), land management director for the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin; and Biskakone Johnson (Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe), language and art teacher for the Lac du Flambeau Tribe.

Break 1 music: Edge of The Rez, Part 2 (song) The Blue Stone Project (artist) Blue Stone (album)

Break 1 music: El Danzante (song) Xavier Quijas Yxayotl (artist) Aztec Dances (album)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:57 — 38.4MB) | Embed

The fatal polar bear attack in western Alaska in January is an anomaly. There hasn’t been one in the state for more than 30 years. Alaska Natives have always coexisted with the large predator, but polar bears are in a fight for survival as climate change robs them of the sea ice that serves as their primary hunting habitat. Today on Native America Calling, we explore what living in the proximity of polar bears is like and what the trends are for their immediate future with whaling captain Herman Ahsoak (Inupiaq); Kiliii Yuyan (Nanai/Hèzhé and Chinese), National Geographic photographer; Mary Patkotak (Inupiaq); and Allison Warden (Inupiaq).

Break 1 music: Cauyaqa Nauwa (Where’s My Drum) (song) Pamyua (artist) Drums of The North: Traditional Yup’ik Songs (album)

Break 2 music: Kakiyaw Iyisinowak (All the People) (song) Young Spirit (artist) Akameyimoh Baby Boy (album)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:03 — 38.5MB) | Embed

Organizers say this year’s Sundance Film Festival line-up is among the strongest in terms of number and scope of Indigenous films. They include a powerful documentary and a dramatic take on the MMIP issue, a review of a tribal media’s fight for editorial control, and a collection of shorts about Native history. Today on Native America Calling, we sample some of the eleven films by Indigenous producers presented to audiences at the seminal Park City, UT event with Razelle Benally (Diné and Oglala Lakota) and Matthew Galkin, directors and producers of “Murder in Big Horn”; Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk and Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians); and Kymon Greyhorse (Diné and Tongan), film director and writer.

Break 1 music: Happy Sundance (song) Dallas Arcand (artist) Modern Day Warrior (album)

Break 2 music: Kakiyaw Iyisinowak (All the People) (song) Young Spirit (artist) Akameyimoh Baby Boy (album)

Watch our #Indigenous Sundance special recorded live in 2022

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:26 — 38.1MB) | Embed

For Native people in the service industry, tips are a sizable part of their income. But there’s a lot of gray area and confusion when it comes to how much—and who—to tip. Food servers is an easy one. But what about tattoo artists? FedEx drivers? Roofing contractors? Today on Native America Calling, we get the latest recommendations on gratuity and explore the stereotype that Native customers are bad tippers with Kimberly Tilsen-Brave Heart (Oglala Lakota), owner and executive chef of Chef Brave Heart; taxi driver Lynette Hinz (Tlingit); housekeeper Katalina Kellywood (Diné); and Professor Courtney Lewis (citizen of Cherokee Nation).

Break 1 music: Intertribal (song) Thunderhill (artist) The Clash of The Titans (album)

Break 2 music: Kakiyaw Iyisinowak (All the People) (song) Young Spirit (artist) Akameyimoh Baby Boy (album)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:25 — 38.1MB) | Embed

A city lot in Juneau recently became the first land ever put into trust for the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. It’s only the second tribal land put into trust in the country’s largest state. The trouble is, the state believes the trust designation by the U.S. Department of Interior undermines the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, that specifically prohibits the federal government from considering land-into-trust applications in Alaska. Today on Native America Calling, we get the back story on the Alaska trust land process and what it means for Alaska Natives with Richard Peterson (Tlingit from the Kaagwaantaan clan), president of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska; Joe Nelson (Tlingit), board chair of Sealaska; and Lloyd Miller, partner of Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Miller, and Monkman.

Break 1 music: Seal Hunt (song) Pamyua (artist) Side A Side B (Side A) (album)

Break 2 music: Kakiyaw Iyisinowak (All the People) (song) Young Spirit (artist) Akameyimoh Baby Boy (album)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:38 — 38.2MB) | Embed

By now you might be wondering if you can follow through on your New Year’s resolution to get in shape and go to the gym more. Even the most dedicated fitness enthusiasts are tempted to skip a workout to accommodate busy schedules and those days they just aren’t up for lifting. Today on Native America Calling, we get some tips from Native exercise experts about making the most of your regimen and for keeping the motivation going with Orien Fiander (enrolled member of the Grand Ronde Tribe), founder of Native Fitness; powerlifter Ray Fougnier (member of the Oneida Indian Nation): and community warrior Loren Anthony (Diné).

Break 1 music: Sacrifice (song) Bloodline (artist)

Break 2 music: Kakiyaw Iyisinowak (All the People) (song) Young Spirit (artist) Akameyimoh Baby Boy (album)