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The commitment to help others as a psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor takes more than just a diploma. Dr. Shilo R. Tippett (Wasco/Tlingit) says it takes natural empathy and an ability to set boundaries. Shilo says helping people in her community as a clinical psychologist is her dream job. But there’s a national shortage of others willing to take on the challenge, according to the National Council for Behavioral Health. We touch in with Tippett and other Native mental health professionals about the rewards and constraints of working in the behavioral health field.

Guests:

Dr. Shilo Tippett (Wasco/Tlingit) – clinical psychologist at St. Charles Health Care System

Dr. Kee Straits (Quechua) – clinical and community psychologist and CEO of TLC Transformations

Noel Altaha (White Mountain Apache) – licensed social worker

Break 1 music: Duck and Dive (song) Black Thunder Singers (artist) Black Thunder

Break 2 music: Tapwe Oma (song) Fawn Wood (artist) Iskwewak (album)

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Is humiliation an effective way to preserve traditional culture? Language, ceremony, community service, and even dress are all factors in connecting with and carrying on tribal cultures. Elders pass on their knowledge. Young people pick up the torch. Or not. There’s an age-old tug-of-war over how to set the boundaries of what’s acceptable. Some tradition keepers turn to private—and sometimes public—shaming.

Guests:

Radmilla Cody (Diné) – advocate, recording artist and mom

Dr. Lanny Real Bird (Apsáalooke) – educator, consultant and Native language advocate

Tamee Livermont (Oglala Lakota) – youth fellow with the Center for Native American Youth and a graduate student

Break 1 music:  Unconquered (song) Injunuity (artist) Unconquered (album)

Break 2 music: Tapwe Oma (song) Fawn Wood (artist) Iskwewak (album)

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Pleas from tribes, elected leaders and the Association on American Indian Affairs were not enough to stop an auction house in France from going ahead with a sale of cultural items earlier this summer. It’s one in a string of auctions by the Paris auction house that chooses to ignore admonitions against the harm they’re causing. The Yaqui Nation has been working for almost two decades to repatriate a sacred Maaso Kova that the tribe says was never meant to be out of the tribe’s possession or on public display. We’ll get an update on some repatriation efforts and what’s being done to influence international traders in cultural items.

Guests:

Andrea Carmen (Yaqui Indian Nation) – executive director of the International Indian Treaty Council

Peter Yocupicio (member of the Pascua Yaqui) – vice chairman of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe

Shannon Keller O’Loughlin (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) – executive director of the Association on American Indian Affairs

Break 1 music: Stadium Pow Wow (feat. Black Bear) (song) A Tribe Called Red (artist) Stadium Pow Wow (feat. Black Bear) (single)

Break 2 music: Awita Noosisim (song) Violet Naytowhow (artist) Wind Of The North (album)

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Native media producers are making their mark in the growing podcast movement, taking Native perspectives directly to the public. Whether they’re polished and professional or decidedly DIY, dozens of Indigenous podcasts focus on issues ranging from food to comic books to true crime. With more than 700,000 active podcasts, on this International Podcast Day we’ll take time out to highlight some notable Native people using their podcasts to educate, inform and entertain.

Guests:

Alice Qannik Glenn (Inupiaq from the north slope of Alaska) – host and producer of the “Coffee and Quaq” podcast

Jana Schmieding (Cheyenne River Lakota) – comedy writer, performer and host of the “Woman of Size” podcast

Michael Ojibwe (enrolled member of the Red Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe) – host and creator of “Invisible Choir”

Melissa Townsend – a producer of the “Native Lights” podcast

Break 1 music: Honor Song (song) Sweetgrass (album) Follow The Trial (album)

Break 2 music: Tapwe Oma (song) Fawn Wood (artist) Iskwewak (album)

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They Boy Scouts of America continue to resist the protests of numerous tribes, using Native terminology, ceremonies, regalia and sacred dances. Indian Country Today examines the Boy Scouts of America’s ongoing use of Native imagery in a five-part series. We’ll hear from associate editor Vincent Schilling about what inspired the series. We’ll also check in on recent news highlights affecting Native Americans.

Guests:

Vincent Shilling (Akwesasne Mohawk) – associate editor of Indian Country Today

Mary Annette Pember (Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) – Independent journalist and writer

Andi Murphy (Diné) – associate producer for Native America Calling, freelance journalist and overlord at Toasted Sister Podcast

Paul DeMain (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and Ojibwe descent) – editor of News for Indian Country

Break 1 music: Grass Dance (song) Tha Tribe (artist) Warriors In The Mist (album)

Break 2 music: Sunshine (song) Audiopharmacy (artist) U Forgot About Us (album)

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Teaching younger generations about their Native heritage is one way to keep the stories going. The children’s book “The Forever Sky” by author Thomas Peacock (Fond du Lac Anishinaabe) and illustrator Annettee S. Lee (Ojibwe/Lakota) follows two young brothers as they learn how the stars can bring them closer to their ancestors including their late grandmother. Through artistic interpretations of the dancing northern lights the siblings pay tribute to star knowledge and a story that was passed on to them by their uncle. We’ll learn the inspirations and creative drive behind our September Book of the Month creators.

Break 1 music: Track 08 (song) Red Lake Singers (artist) Old Times (album)

Break 2 music: Sunshine (song) Audiopharmacy (artist) U Forgot About Us (album)

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Native mothers are looking for ways to start their babies off right when it comes to solid food after breast milk and formula. The World Health Organization recommends babies start getting complimentary foods around 6 months. That could be anything from cereal, mashed vegetables and fruit, and some traditional Indigenous foods. It’s never too early to think about starting good eating habits to fight the statistics showing a high percentage of Native American infants grow up to be overweight or obese. We’ll go over what is a nutritious diet for babies and ways to introduce health foods for the first time.

Guests:

Camie Goldhammer (Sisseton Wahpeton) – clinical social worker and lactation consultant, founder and chair of the Native American Breast-feeding Coalition of Washington, and creator of the Indigenous Breast-feeding Counselor Training

Dr. Sharon McKiernan – deputy director, division of clinical and community services and the Indian Health Service maternal/child health consultant

Michelle Brass (Saulteaux) – writer, speaker, mother

Break 1 music: ’96 Love Song (song) Black Lodge (artist) Enter the Circle – Pow-Wow Songs Recorded Live At Coeur D’Alene (album)

Break 2 music: Sunshine (song) Audiopharmacy (artist) U Forgot About Us (album)

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists falls as the leading cause of death for Native American adults over 65. Falls can end up taking away an elder’s independence and force them into a nursing home. But there are some simple things that can greatly reduce the possibility of a devastating fall. Putting non-skid mats on the floor and installing handrails are two suggestions for preventing falls. Also doing daily balance exercises and getting your eyes checked are other ways elders can prevent a fall. The first day of fall is also National Falls Prevention Day. We’ll talk with experts about the latest ideas for avoiding unnecessary injuries.

Additional resources:

Funding Sources for Home Modification

Falls Prevention Conversation Guide for Caregivers

Home Safety Assessment for Individuals and Families

Guests:

Allen Sixtus Dominguez (Raramuri/Apache) –  tribal injury prevention program coordinator Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center

Rebecca Morgan (Eastern Band of Cherokee/Choctaw) – project coordinator of the elder equity program at National Indian Council on Aging

Chelsea Gilchrist – gerontologist and senior program manager for the Center for Healthy Aging at National Council on Aging 

Break 1 music: Change of Life (song) Young Bird (artist) Change Of Life (album)

Break 2 music: Sunshine (song) Audiopharmacy (artist) U Forgot About Us (album)

 

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The cosmetics and beauty industry is a $532 billion global business. Over the years it’s changed to include smaller, boutique makeup companies that sell directly to customers. We’ll take a look at gearing products to Native consumers how some Native cosmetic entrepreneurs and makeup artists carve out a space for themselves.

Guests:

Jennifer Harper (Ojibwe) – founder and CEO Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics INC.

Amy Thoman (Chippewa Cree/Lakota) – owner of Indigenous Cosmetics

Isaac Meyers (Kodiak Native) – makeup artist

Break 1 music: Yas (feat. Nukathadiva) (song) Uyarakq (artist) Miseraq (album)

Break 2 music: Happy Sundance (song) Dallas Arcand (artist) Modern Day Warrior (album)