Friday, May 30, 2025 — The Menu: The future of SNAP, logging’s effects on food, and Native culinary arts grads
President Donald Trump’s proposed spending plan, dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” would cut about $300 billion from the program that provides food to low-income residents. If it survives Congress intact, thousands of Native people will lose eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Tribes and conservation groups worry the Trump administration’s push for expanded logging of federal land poses a threat to Indigenous foods, like salmon.
Nicole Livingston is one of a handful of students who graduated this semester from the only tribal college culinary arts program at Navajo Technical University. She’s off to an internship at the country’s most renown Indigenous restaurant: Owamni by the Sioux Chef.
We’ll talk about these topics on The Menu, our regular feature on Indigenous food sovereignty hosted by Andi Murphy.
GUESTS
Kelli Case (Chickasaw), staff attorney at the Indigenous Food & Agriculture Initiative
Brian Tatsukawa, culinary arts instructor at Navajo Technical University
Nicole Livingston (Diné), culinary arts program graduate at Navajo Technical University
Erik Holt (Nez Perce), chairman of the Nez Perce Tribe Fish and Wildlife Commission
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Thursday, May 29, 2025 – Native storm trackers make the difference when every second counts
Tornados and other severe storms that stretched across three states killed nearly 30 people this month. Before that, storms left at least 37 people dead and damaged hundreds of homes. Early warnings are key to saving lives during tornados and other damaging weather events. We’ll talk with people who are part of the process to spot severe weather and get the word out when minutes save lives.
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Wednesday, May 28, 2025 – Hurdles, opposition confront tribes on the cusp of federal recognition
The 3,300-member Chinook Tribe in Washington State just scrapped their support of legislation for federal recognition tribal leaders had been working on for more than two years. The rejection comes after the key author of the bill added a series of onerous conditions at the last minute. A handful of other tribes around the country are working through the long, complicated process to secure recognition. Meanwhile, efforts to follow through on President Donald Trump’s promise of federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe is encountering criticism from other tribes who say the process ignores important considerations that most other tribes have to contend with. We’ll get status updates on tribes awaiting federal recognition.
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Tuesday, May 27, 2025 – Confusion reigns following federal staff, service cuts
The Trump administration cut a quarter of the staff at Haskell Indian Nations University in February. A little over a month later a judge reinstated those positions. Even though the jobs at Haskell and other Bureau of Indian Education schools were restored, uncertainty over the future of those institutions prevails. Similar anxiety accompanies dozens of other important programs and institutions including libraries, museums, low-income heat assistance, and Medicaid. We’ll get updates from places feeling the effects of fast-changing federal support.
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Monday, May 26, 2025 – Native American veterans reflect on the lessons learned in the 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War
More than 42,000 Native Americans served in the military during the Vietnam War, the vast majority as volunteers. They faced racist and stereotypical taunts from fellow service members. After their service, veterans suffered psychological and emotional trauma at a higher rate than other populations. As the nation marks 50 years since the fall of Saigon and the end of the war, we’ll hear from Native Vietnam veterans about what the conflict means to them now. This is an encore show so we won’t be taking live calls from listeners.
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