As Native people we are taught to be grateful for the gifts that come with the seasons. This month we get to jump into a story that not only teaches the importance of the seasons but gives the Cherokee syllabary a spotlight. “We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga,” written by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Frané Lessac, uses colorful imagery to show the world how this nation celebrates life and the value of expressing gratitude— Otsaliheliga in their language. Join us for this Native lesson as we visit with the children’s book author Traci Sorell as our Book of the Month feature.

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Tribal justice, drag queens, sisters, Navajo politics, origin stories and grief are just a few of the themes highlighted in the films at this year’s Native Cinema Showcase put on by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. Once again we’ll review some of the cinematic work by Native filmmakers and discuss the inspiration and toil that goes into each one.

Guests:

Shaandiin Tome (Diné) – filmmaker

Cindy Benitez – program manager for the Native Cinema Showcase

Terril Calder (Métis) – visual artist, animator and director

Karen Cantor – director and producer of “Return”

Break 1 Music: Black Orpheus (song) Gabriel Ayala & Will Clipman (artist) Passion, Fire & Grace (album)

Break 2 Music: Ideal Dub (song) Casper Loma Da-Wa (artist) Honor the People (album)

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Indigenous wellness might refer to something as simple as managing stress. But it might also be as encompassing as addressing intergenerational trauma. Lately ‘wellness’ is a buzzword incorporated by everyone from your company’s human resources department to the World Health Organization. It’s a concept embraced by employers and caregivers. Tribal traditions often encourage working toward physical, spiritual and emotional balance. It’s much more than just being healthy. It’s making healthy choices hour by hour, day by day. In this hour we’ll hear from health professionals about the latest methods to achieve wellness.

Guests:

Leatrice Lewis (Zuni Pueblo) – independent contractor

Dr. Donald Warne (Lakota) – associate dean of diversity, equity and inclusion and director of the Indians into Medicine program at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Beverly Stabber Warne (Lakota) – coordinator, advisor and nurse mentor at the Native American Nursing Education Center at South Dakota State University College of Nursing

Break 1 Music: Chicken Dance (song) Sweetgrass (artist) Follow The Trial (album)

Break 2 Music: Ideal Dub (song) Casper Loma Da-Wa (artist) Honor the People (album)

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The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe formally welcomed home Celtics point guard, Kyrie Irving and his sister. Their mother has ties to the tribe. The Crow Tribe adopted President Barack Obama. A member of the Assiniboine Sioux Tribe adopted U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and a Comanche Nation member adopted actor Johnny Depp. We’ll explore the process and legacy of some high profile adoptions.

Guests:

Laura Harris (Comanche) – executive director of American for Indian Opportunity

Dr. Lanny Real Bird (Apsáalooke) – educator and consultant

Break 1 Music: Woman’s Song (song) Joanne Shenandoah (artist) Sounds Of Indian Summer: Contemporary Native Music From The National Museum Of The American Indian (album)

Break 2 Music: Ideal Dub (song) Casper Loma Da-Wa (artist) Honor the People (album)

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International visitors bring in almost $4,400 per trip to the United States on average according to the U.S. Travel Association. There are a number of tribes and organizations working for a share of those dollars. But attracting international visitors isn’t as easy as translating your website into another language. Tribes need to learn about the cultures they are trying to attract as well as offer a package of experiences instead of just one attraction. We’ll have a conversation with tribal tourism experts about what it takes to connect with international visitors.

Guests:

Darrell Norman (Blackfeet) – owner and founder of Lodgepole Gallery and Tipi village and artist

Emerson Vallo (Acoma Pueblo) – commissioner with the New Mexico Tourism Department and Southwest regional board member of AIANTA

Hannah Peterson – development director of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association

Break 1 Music: Drum I Carry (song) Pamyua (artist) Side A Side B (Side A)(album)

Break 2 Music: Ideal Dub (song) Casper Loma Da-Wa (artist) Honor the People (album)

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Waila music, or chicken scratch, is a mix of norteño and polka dance music. It typically features a button accordion, electric guitar, and sometimes saxophones. It’s not entirely traditional but it has deep roots in the Tohono O’odham Nation. It also hearkens back to early European fiddle bands. It’s spread from there, and Tucson, Ariz. hosts a waila music festival every year. In this entertaining encore presentation, we learn about the history and characteristics of waila music and listen to some of the classics.

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“Here we go sister.” That’s the friendly challenge Peggy Flanagan (White Earth Nation) issued to her opponent Donna Bergstrom (Red Lake Nation) after the Minnesota primary this month. The women are facing off as running mates for opposing parties in the Minnesota governor’s race. Whichever ticket wins will make history as electing the first Native woman in the position. Theirs is just one story of many Native women running for office this year. We’ll talk with Indian Country Today editor Mark Trahant (Shoshone Bannock) about this groundbreaking year and the other news stories from Native America.

Mentioned on the show today:

ICT: Surrounded by politics: Who will lead the Navajo Nation?

Franklin/Hiawatha Encampment

ICT: John McCain: The ‘imperfect’ servant who (mostly) championed tribal sovereignty

Guests:

Tom Arviso (Navajo) – CEO and publisher of the Navajo Times

Mark Trahant (Shoshone Bannock) – editor of Indian Country Today and host of Wassaja

Robert Lilligren (White Earth Ojibway Nation) – CEO of Native American Community Development Institute and vice-chair of Metro Urban Indian Directors

Break 1 Music: Treaty Six and Coastal Hand Game Song (song) Fawn Wood & Dallas Waskahat (artist) Blessings (album)

Break 2 Music: Joy (song) RiverFlowz (artist) RiverFlowz Rural Recordings Atauciq (album)

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Some $266 million from the historic Keepseagle settlement will now start making its way to Native farmers and ranchers. The Native American Agriculture Fund is up and running this month with the money left from the original $760 million settlement. The fund is made up of money that didn’t go to the hundreds of Native farmers and ranchers who complained of biased treatment by the USDA. The NAAF is already the largest charitable organization serving the Native community. Its purpose is to administer grants that support and promote Native farming. We’ll hear from stakeholders about what this might mean for Native agriculture.

Guests:

Janie Hipp (Chickasaw) – executive director for the Native American Agriculture Fund

Michael Roberts (Tlingit) – president and CEO of First Nations Development Institute

Christine Webber  – partner at Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll

Porter Holder (Choctaw) – one of the lead plaintiffs in the keeps eagle

Break 1 Music: Generations (song) P. Town Boyz (artist) P. Town Boyz (album)

Break 2 Music: Joy (song) RiverFlowz (artist) RiverFlowz Rural Recordings Atauciq (album)

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Hopi recording artist and tribal leader Clark Tenakhongva pays tribute to his cultural connections to the Grand Canyon in his new album, “Öngtupqa”. Many different elements—like the thunder and rain, ancestors and the animals—are the inspirations for the songs on this 10-track album. His vocals are hugged with the sound of the flute and gentle percussion and produce a soft melodic stage for story. We hear more about this special recording with our August Music Maker.

 

Break 2 Music: Joy (song) RiverFlowz (artist) RiverFlowz Rural Recordings Atauciq (album)

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Three tribes are taking over the failing Sioux San hospital in Rapid City South Dakota from Indian Health Service . The hospital had closed its emergency room and was placed on the “immediate jeopardy” list by CMS. After enduring years of substandard care, the tribes believe the best way forward is through a 638 contract under the Indian Self Determination Act. The Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Health Board will head up the move with support from the Cheyenne River, Oglala and Rosebud Sioux tribes. But the process of moving from an IHS facility to a Tribal Health Provider (638) is complex and sometimes costly.

Guests:

Kay Rhoades (Sac and Fox) –  Principal Chief of the Sac and Fox Nation

Jerilyn Church (Cheyenne River Sioux) – CEO of the Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Health Board

Eileen Briggs (Cheyenne River Lakota) – nation building and government redesign portfolio director for the Bush Foundation

Break 1 Music: Aroha – Love (song) Mika (artist) Mika Versus Fashion (album)

Break 2 Music: Joy (song) RiverFlowz (artist) RiverFlowz Rural Recordings Atauciq (album)