Native America Calling

“Cruel Joke”, the new album by Cherokee singer-songwriter Ken Pomeroy, scored celebratory reviews from Rolling Stone and NPR’s World Café among many other outlets. Chickasaw classical composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate puts an Indigenous twist on classical music, teaming up with the Dover Quartet, which BBC Music magazine calls one of the greatest quartets of the last 100 years. And the popular First Nations powwow group Northern Cree released two singles with Juno-award winning blues duo Blue Moon Marquee. They are among the countless talented Native musicians who are mastering their craft and reaching new audiences in 2025. We’ll review some of the notable music from this past year. GUESTS Brett Maybee (Seneca), host of “The Mainstream”, “Gaënö’”, and Full Moon Radio; multi-instrumentalist; and singer- songwriter Larry K (Ho-Chunk), CEO and program host of “Indigenous in Music” Tory J (Quinault), host of “Sounds of Survivance” on KEXP Break 1 Music: LUCKY8 (song) Ribbon Skirt (artist) Pensacola Break 2 Music: Hug Room (song) Chuck Copenace (artist) Oshki Manitou (album)

The prime minister of Denmark apologized for the forced contraception of thousands of Indigenous women in Greenland dating back to the 1960s. The Danish government is also ending problematic parent competency tests associated with disproportionately high numbers of babies being taken away from Indigenous mothers. Both milestones come as Greenland — an autonomous territory of Danish rule — is making strides toward independence. The Trump administration has also made public comments about exerting U.S. control over the mineral-rich territory occupied almost entirely by Indigenous Inuit residents. We’ll talk with Greenlanders about how these developments address Denmark’s complicated past and what remains to be done. GUESTS Najannguaq Hegelund, chair for SILA 360 Johannes Geisler (Inuk), Greenlandic parent Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam, Member of the Parliament of Greenland Ujammiugaq Engell, museum director for the Nuuk Local Museum Break 1 Music: Ikitaa (song) PIQSIQ (artist) Break 2 Music: Hug Room (song) Chuck Copenace (artist) Oshki Manitou (album)

During the brief time it was open, the Turtle building in Niagara Falls, N.Y. served as the Native American Center for the Living Arts. It was designed by Northern Arapaho architect Dennis Sun Rhodes. Now it stands vacant and is in the way of a proposal for a high-rise hotel. It is on the most recent list of Most Endangered Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Another place on the list is the Pamunkey Indian Reservation. Tribal leaders say their land will be underwater within the next 65 years. We’ll hear about some of the threatened historic places and the efforts to save them. GUESTS Chief Kevin Brown (Pamunkey) Shaun Wilson (Mohawk), president of the board of directors for the Friends of the Niagara Turtle Emma Wilson (Mohawk), student and social media manager for the Friends of the Niagara Turtle Charles Vaughn (Hualapai), council member and former chairman of the Hualapai Tribe Break 1 Music: Stomp Dance (song) George Hunter (artist) Haven (album) Break 2 Music: Hug Room (song) Chuck Copenace (artist) Oshki Manitou (album)

Rodeo announcer Randy Taylor (Cherokee) knows what he’s talking about. He was a bareback rider for nearly 20 years. Forty years ago, the Oklahoma native was the first rider out of the chute at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nev. After a stint in college and then as a chiropractor, Taylor turned to announcing. His voice is now recognizable all over and on his nationally syndicated show, “Word With A Champ“. He just received the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism. He is also a dedicated advocate for Native American youth. Taylor is our December Native in the Spotlight. Break 1 Music: Hooked on an 8 Second Ride (song) Chris LeDoux (artist) Chris LeDoux and The Saddle Boogie Band (album) Break 2 Music: Hug Room (song) Chuck Copenace (artist) Oshki Manitou (album)

The holiday gift-giving time is when many retailers make a bulk of their annual profit. Several Native entrepreneurs have just opened their doors and are hopeful that this season will propel them forward, despite some indications that shoppers are cautious. Others are veterans of the business world, but are also pinning a lot of hope on the public’s ability to make the most of holiday shopping. We’ll hear from both rookies and long-time Native retailers about what it takes to start and stay in business. GUESTS Amy Denet Deal (Diné), founder of 4KINSHIP Ruth-Ann Thorn (Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians), entrepreneur and owner of Native Star Jeremy Arviso (Diné, Hopi, Akimel O’odham, and Tohono O’odham), artist, designer, and entrepreneur Break 1 Music: Dat One (song) The Delbert Anderson Trio (artist) MANITOU (album) Break 2 Music: Hug Room (song) Chuck Copenace (artist) Oshki Manitou (album)