Native America Calling

Claire Valdez (Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo) is a member of the New York Assembly running for a seat in Congress. She’s also a proud Democratic Socialist, a progressive wing of the party gaining ground in the success of elected leaders like New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). U.S. Senate candidate and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (White Earth Ojibwe/D-MN) is considered a progressive Democrat and won the backing of Sen. Sanders and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez in her decisive primary win in Minnesota. We’ll speak with Native Democratic organizers about how the pressure to move to the left is being received by Native voters and also whether it is a viable long-term strategy.

GUESTS

Kalyn Free (Choctaw), Democratic National Committee (DNC) member from Oklahoma and DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee (RBC)

Kevin Killer (Oglala Lakota), co-founder of Advanced Native Political Leadership and former president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe

Judith LeBlanc (Caddo), executive director of the Native Organizers Alliance Action Fund



Break 1 Music: Ten Morning Dance Songs (song) Lowell Wimpy Edmonds & Singers (artist) Songs of the Caddo: Ceremonial and Social Dance Music (album)

Break 2 Music: Another Night to Cry (song) Blue Moon Marquee (artist) Scream, Holler, and Howl (album)

Elisabeth Pierite (Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana) was a teenager when Hurricane Katrina tore through New Orleans in August 2005. Her family’s home was destroyed and they relocated a few hours north to Marksville, La., the hub of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. Miles away, then-principal chief of the United Houma Nation, Brenda Dardar Robichaux, was thrust into the role of helping her community that she says was abandoned by disaster response and recovery efforts. Hurricane Katrina bested local, state, and national emergency response abilities and also exposed racial and socioeconomic inequalities. It also brought to light a gap in how disaster resources are allocated to tribes. We’ll talk with Louisiana tribal leaders and citizens about surviving the 2005 disaster, what it took to rebuild, and what they reflect on 20 years later.

GUESTS

Lora Ann Chaisson (United Houma Nation), principal chief of the United Houma Nation @united_houma_nation

Brenda Dardar Robichaux (United Houma Nation), former principal chief of the United Houma Nation

Elisabeth Pierite (Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana), cultural specialist for the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana

Marshall Pierite (Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana), chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana



Break 1 Music: 500 Years O’ Blues (song) Digging Roots (artist) Seeds (album)

Break 2 Music: Another Night to Cry (song) Blue Moon Marquee (artist) Scream, Holler, and Howl (album)

Chugach 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

More 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)

Researcher 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)