Podcast
Native America Calling
Hosted by Koahnic · EN
Interactive, daily program featuring Native and Indigenous voices, insights, and stories from across the U.S. and around the world.
134episodes
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Friday, August 14, 2026 — Live at Santa Fe Indian Market 2026
2d ago00:56:30Tap to summarizeChugach Sugpiaq jeweler Denise Wallace says she tells stories through her pieces. This year, she’s presenting an elaborate belt she made with her family, featuring ornate, detailed figures, each holding significant meaning, along with intricate designs crafted from ivory, silver, and gold. Wallace has long been a fixture at the Santa Fe Indian Market, now in its 104th year, as nearly a thousand talented Native artists set up to showcase their work. Also among the longtime artists is professional painter Merlin Little Thunder, known for detailed portraits and landscapes that often depict traditional Cheyenne life. For our series of arts interviews, we’ll speak with these artists along with last year’s Best of Show winner Regina Free and event organizers. We’ll also get an update on the Artist Act that was just signed into federal law. The act prevents states from banning Alaska Native crafts made from materials like walrus ivory and baleen. GUESTS Leslie Wheelock (Oneida), board chair of the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts Denise Wallace (Chugach Sugpiaq), artist, jeweler, and storyteller Merlin Little Thunder (Southern Cheyenne), artist Regina Free (Chickasaw), interdisciplinary artist and 2025 Santa Fe Indian Market Best of Show winner Steve MacLean (Iñupiaq), managing director of the World Wildlife Fund U.S. Arctic Program
Transcribe →Thursday, August 13, 2026 — Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival grows its presence and influence
2d ago00:56:30Tap to summarizeMore than 350 Indigenous artists will gather as the Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival marks its sixth year at the Pueblo of Pojoaque. It continues to grow its draw and reputation on what is a busy time for Native arts in northern New Mexico. In addition to individual booths for artists across disciplines, the event includes a substantial Native-centered film and media celebration and live musical performances from a number of notable Native acts including Gary Farmer and the Troublemakers. We will broadcast live from the event, speaking with organizers and artists such as Chad Yellowjohn, a 2019 graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts, whose artwork centers on a philosophy of “optimistic activism”, featuring vibrant, colorful depictions of Indigenous people and Indigenized pop-culture characters. GUESTS Cheyenne Duran (Pojoaque and Santa Clara Pueblo), outreach coordinator for the Poeh Cultural Center and Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival artist coordinator Franki Maestas-Chavez (Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo), marketing manager for the Poeh Cultural Center Chad Yellowjohn (Shoshone-Bannock/Spokane and Ho-Chunk), artist Ashley Browning (Pojoaque and Santa Clara Pueblo), film festival coordinator for the Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival Jacob Shije (Santa Clara Pueblo), musician Break 1 Music: Horseback Riding Song (song) The Tewa Indian Women’s Choir (artist) The Tewa Indian Women’s Social Choir: Fun and Social Songs From San Juan Pueblo (album) Break 2 Music: Wolastoq Song by Saqatay (song) Mawi Sakolikapuwicik Singers (artist)
Transcribe →Wednesday, August 12, 2026 — Native Playlist: Thomas Michael Swensen and Debora Iyall
3d ago00:56:30Tap to summarizeResearcher and writer Thomas Michael Swensen (Tangirnaq Native Village) takes music fans to the fascinating intersection of punk music and Native America in his new book, “Where Next, Columbus?: A Native Punk Mixtape“. He explores some of the unlikely places where this intersection appears, from Alaska to the Southwest to the Black Hills of South Dakota. He thoroughly dissects Native punk music, zines, videos, and art installations, examining recurring themes of individualism versus collectivism, DIY culture, and sovereignty. We’ll speak with Swensen about the new book and listen to some of his favorite Native punk songs he found during his research. A new album, “Live From ’81–’85“, collects live recordings from the legendary 1980s New Wave band Romeo Void, from the height of their popularity and creative power. Fronted by singer Debora Iyall (Cowlitz), the group is known for edgy, pointed lyrics and standout saxophone solos. Songs like “A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)” and “Never Say Never”, which was named one the 200 Best Songs of the 1980s by Rolling Stone, have been featured in movie soundtracks and the Billboard Top 40. Iyall remains active in the arts and performs as part of a new creative project. We’ll speak with her about music, art, and activism. Thomas Sewell recommended Native punk tracks: Ya Tseen “Back in that Time” Bastard Fairies “Guns and Dolls” Pisswalker “Crudo y Confundido” Weedrat “Don’t Tell Me” Friends of Cesar Romero “Baby Razorblades” Dead Pioneers “My Spirit Animal Ate Your Spirit Animal” Lozen “Unnatural Disaster” Break 1 Music: 500 Años (song) Los Crudos (artist) Doble LP Discografía (album) Break 2 Music: Wolastoq Song by Saqatay (song) Mawi Sakolikapuwicik Singers (artist)
Transcribe →Tuesday, August 11, 2026 — Tribes face record-setting wildfire destruction
4d ago00:56:30Tap to summarizeA frequent location of summer wildfires, eastern Washington State, is suffering one of the most destructive fires seasons in memory. Fires on the Confederate Tribes of Colville Reservation have prompted evacuations and destroyed more than 50 homes and other structures. They are among the some 700 buildings destroyed in the current fire season in the state. On Oregon’s Warm Springs Reservation, fires started early and were fueled by persistent winds. In addition to coping with the fires, the community is now facing worries about having adequate clean drinking water. Fires in Washington and Oregon have charred more than three million acres so far. We’ll talk with tribal officials working to save people, buildings, and land during an unusually destructive wildfire season. GUESTS Monica Simeon (Spokane and Pauquachin First Nation), co-founder of Sister Sky Dan Martinez (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs), tribal emergency manager for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Faith Zacherle Tonasket (Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation), executive director and founder of xa?xa? Indigenous Birth Justice and a board member of the River Warrior Society Tim Sexton, fire program manager for the Klamath Tribes Break 1 Music: War Dance Song (song) Sander Heath, Ed Spino, Byton Patt, Nathan Jim, Duane Miller, and Rudy Clements (artist) 16 Songs by Warm Springs Confederated Tribes (album) Break 2 Music: Wolastoq Song by Saqatay (song) Mawi Sakolikapuwicik Singers (artist)
Transcribe →Monday, August 10, 2026 — August primary elections offer insights on Native candidates’ prospects
5d ago00:56:30Tap to summarizeVoters will soon find out whether the bid by Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (White Earth Ojibwe/D-MN) to become the first Native American woman elected to the U.S. Senate clears the primary election hurdle in a hotly-contested race. It is one of the many races with Native candidates that are coming into clearer focus after a summer of primaries. Native women are particularly well represented in national and statewide races and some progressive Democratic wins might offer clues about what’s on voters’ minds. We’ll look at some key national, state, and tribal races as the midterm election draws closer. GUESTS Kevin Killer (Oglala Lakota), co-founder of Advance Native Political Leadership and former president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe Jourdan Bennett-Begaye (Diné), digital news director of ICT Amelia Schafer (Brothertown Indian Nation descendant), north central bureau correspondent for ICT Break 1 Music: Nakoda Healing Song (song) YB Nakota (artist) Break 2 Music: Wolastoq Song by Saqatay (song) Mawi Sakolikapuwicik Singers (artist)
Transcribe →Friday, August 7, 2026 — Notable Native theater events range from horror to historic
1w ago00:56:30Tap to summarizeA dangerous secret lurks just under the surface in the play, “Bad Medicine,” making its debut at the Santa Fe Playhouse. Written by P.C. Verrone (Osage and Kiowa) and produced with a largely Native cast, it is a live production that claims elements of both horror and comedy. It comes with a warning that it “sheds light on how settler colonialism dehumanizes and exploits Indigenous peoples.” Brooklyn, N.Y.’s renowned Spiderwoman Theater is marking 50 years of Indigenous plays, outreach, and education. Rising from the feminist movement of the 1970s, its core leadership under Lisa Mayo, Gloria Miguel, and Muriel Miguel have built the space into a destination for urban Native storytelling. We’ll talk with the organizers about the the mission and legacy of this groundbreaking theater. GUESTS P.C. Verrone (Osage and Kiowa descendant), playwright Tara Moses (Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and Mvskoke), playwright, director, and actor Muriel Miguel (Kuna and Rappahannock), artistic director of Spiderwoman Theater Gloria Miguel (Kuna and Rappahannock), founding member of Spiderwoman Theater Break 1 Music: Jesous Ahatonhia (song) Geneviève Gros-Louis (artist) Break 2 Music: Aia lā ‘o Pele [Mele Honoring Pele] (song) ‘Iolani Luahine (artist) Ancient Hula Hawaiian Style: Vol. 1 Hula Kuahu (album)
Transcribe →Thursday, August 6, 2026 — Testing the limits of religious freedom
1w ago00:56:30Tap to summarizeTwo separate instances are putting Native authority related to religious freedom to the test. The Northern Arapaho Tribe demands the Christian ministry, Foundations Nations Church, leave the Wyoming reservation. The demand comes after video circulated on social media showed one of the church’s pastors characterizing Native sacred practices — including the Sun Dance — as “idol worship” and “demonic.” Top tribal leadership calls the comments “despicable” and link them to past abuses of Native Americans at the hands of Christian church officials. The Foundations Church leaders say they’ll fight the tribe’s efforts to remove them. We’ll hear about what’s next in the dispute. At the same time, Native American inmates in a Nebraska state prison scored a victory in securing access to religious ceremonies. In a settlement of a federal civil rights lawsuit, corrections officials lifted a temporary ban on accessing a place where Native men conducted ceremonies like sweats and smudges. They instituted the ban after finding contraband at the site. We’ll hear about the legal principles behind the outcome. GUESTS Keenan Groesbeck (Northern Arapaho), chairman of the Northern Arapaho Business Council Jesse Crispin (Northern Arapaho), council member of the Northern Arapaho Business Council Andi Snowball (Muscogee and Winnebago), associate attorney with Big Fire Law and Policy Group LLP Carter Matt, staff attorney with ACLU Nebraska Break 1 Music: Northern Arapaho Fast Wolf Dance (song) Otto Hungary, White O. Goggles, Helen Crispin, Francis Goggles, Rose Moss (artist) Traditional Voices: Historic Recordings of Traditional Native American Music (album) Break 2 Music: Aia lā ‘o Pele [Mele Honoring Pele] (song) ‘Iolani Luahine (artist) Ancient Hula Hawaiian Style: Vol. 1 Hula Kuahu (album)
Transcribe →Wednesday, August 5, 2026 — Tribes condemn federal Colorado River water use plan
1w ago00:56:30Tap to summarizeTribes that collectively make up the largest water rights holders along the Colorado River say the Trump Administration’s newest plan to deal with diminishing water levels is inadequate. Tribal leaders say they were left out of the decision making process and are now in store for serious water use cuts that violate existing water rights agreements as well as the federal government’s trust responsibility. We’ll hear from some of those tribal leaders. We’ll also find out what’s next following the Michigan Supreme Court’s ruling to deny a permit to the company aiming to construct a new underwater oil pipeline to replace the aging existing structure. GUESTS Bidtah Becker (Diné), chief legal counsel for the Office of the President and Vice President of the Navajo Nation David Gover (Pawnee and Choctaw), managing attorney with the Native American Rights Fund Governor Stephen Roe Lewis, Gila River Indian Community Jennifer Smith, director of tribal engagement for Enbridge Break 1 Music: Water Is Life (single song) Native Roots, Joy Harjo, Def-I & Innastate (artist) Break 2 Music: Aia lā ‘o Pele [Mele Honoring Pele] (song) ‘Iolani Luahine (artist) Ancient Hula Hawaiian Style: Vol. 1 Hula Kuahu (album)
Transcribe →Tuesday, August 4, 2026 — When is it OK to let a Native language die?
2w ago00:56:30Tap to summarizeThe Osage language was declared dead in 2005 after its last fluent speaker died, but revitalization efforts since then have built the number of proficient speakers to about 40. The Caddo Nation continues its extensive language revitalization efforts more than a year after its last fluent speaker walked on. It’s an uphill battle for most tribes in the U.S. to retain their language. The new book, “How to Kill a Language: Power, Resistance, and the Race to Save Our Words”, examines the global crisis of cultures losing their languages. In a New Yorker review of the book, philosophy instructor Nikhil Krishnan uses the book’s premise to argue that the death of a language is sometimes “just how things go.” That touched off strong opposition from the language advocacy organization, The Endangered Languages Project. They and other organizations say such fatalistic thinking promotes misleading and harmful narratives and undermines efforts to preserve languages globally. We’ll hear from Indigenous language advocates who argue no expense should be spared to revive languages before we lose them. GUESTS N. Ha’alilio Solomon (Native Hawaiian), assistant professor of Hawaiian language at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Dr. Myrna Cunningham (Miskito), Indigenous Peoples rights activist and educator Skyler Kuczaboski (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe), grants administration support for the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Break 1 Music: Caddo Victory Song (song) Break 2 Music: Aia lā ‘o Pele [Mele Honoring Pele] (song) ‘Iolani Luahine (artist) Ancient Hula Hawaiian Style: Vol. 1 Hula Kuahu (album)
Transcribe →Monday, August 3, 2026 — New outbreak of food-borne illness shakes public confidence in food supply
2w ago00:56:30Tap to summarizeTribal public health officials are among those reassuring citizens about the safety of their food as reports of new cases of cyclospora infections continue to rise. Michigan continues to be a hotspot with state officials reporting more than 11,000 cases. The actual number is likely much higher than that. One hurdle in tracking the cyclosporiasis outbreak is it has a long incubation period and it can’t be traced through the genetic markers that some other food-borne illnesses have. The infections are traced mainly to tainted lettuce from Mexico. Nearly all other states are also reporting cyclospora cases, many of them from a variety of sources. GUESTS Harleigh Moore-Wilson (Osage), director of agriculture for Flower Hill Institute Dr. Matthew Clark, chief medical officer for the Alaska Area Native Health Service, acting deputy chief medical officer for the Indian Health Service (IHS), and chair of the IHS National Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee Will Seeley, tribal enterprise manager for the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative Break 1 Music: Ch’iya’a’n Biyiin/Native Food Song (song) Radmilla & Herman Cody (artist) Shi Kéyah (album) Break 2 Music: Aia lā ‘o Pele [Mele Honoring Pele] (song) ‘Iolani Luahine (artist) Ancient Hula Hawaiian Style: Vol. 1 Hula Kuahu (album)
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