Native America Calling

On the cusp of what could be a new era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), some researchers are urging caution and the need for deliberate controls to keep the developing technology from robbing Indigenous people of their cultures and sovereignty. A project with three universities provides a framework of standards to prevent AI from stripping Native Americans and all other Indigenous peoples of their right to control images, language, cultural knowledge, and other components of their identities they’ve worked so hard to retain. We’ll hear about the potential benefits and threats of AI to Native people. This is an encore show so we won’t be taking calls from listeners. GUESTS Danielle Boyer (Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), robotics inventor Randy Kekoa Akee (Native Hawaiian), Julie Johnson Kidd Professor of Indigenous Governance and Development at Harvard University Michael Running Wolf (Lakota and Cheyenne), community leader in AI research Crystal Hill-Pennington, professor at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks Break 1 Music: Obsidian (song) Red-209 (artist) Break 2 Music: Coventry Carol (song) PIQSIQ (artist) Coventry Carol (album)

December is a traditional time for feasts, family, and giving, but the financial and time burdens of the holiday-heavy month, combined with the change of seasons and other factors, also make it a time ripe for breaks in a person’s mental health. We’ll find out how connections — with other people, cultural traditions, or spiritual foundations — can be a way to mitigate the added stresses of December — or any time. GUESTS Dr. Pamela End of Horn (Oglala Lakota), national suicide prevention consultant for the Indian Health Service Kristin Mitchell (Diné), assistant project director for Project AWARE Wildcats (PAWS) Dr. Jessica Saniguq Ullrich (Nome Eskimo Community and Native Village of Wales), assistant professor at the Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health (IREACH) at Washington State University Break 1 Music: Dreaming of A Christmas (song) Randall Paskemin (artist) Christmas Cheer (album) Break 2 Music: Coventry Carol (song) PIQSIQ (artist) Coventry Carol (album)

With the stroke of a pen, the U.S. welcomes more than 50,000 new federally recognized tribal citizens. After numerous failed attempts, the Lumbee Nation is the 575th federally recognized tribe — the fourth-largest overall in terms of population and the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River. The recognition brings a host of potential changes, including new political power, economic development opportunities, and a sense of pride for Lumbee citizens who have worked for nearly 140 years to be counted among the country’s established sovereign nations. GUESTS David E. Wilkins (Lumbee), professor at the University of Richmond Malinda Maynor Lowery (Lumbee), professor at Emory University, historian, and filmmaker Carrie Lowry Schuettpelz (Lumbee), professor at the University of Iowa and director of the Native Policy Lab Break 1 Music: Maple Leaf Rag (song) Lakota John (artist) Winds of Time (album) Break 2 Music: Coventry Carol (song) PIQSIQ (artist) Coventry Carol (album)

Leonard Peltier’s release after nearly 50 years in federal prison tops our list for the most momentous events of 2025. We’ll explore what the unrepentant elder activist’s relative freedom (he remains under house arrest) means nearly a year after President Joe Biden commuted his sentence. We’ll also revisit some of the other top news events including how President Donald Trump’s first year touched everything from Native health care to federal contracts, and federal recognition for the Lumbee Nation. GUESTS Jourdan Bennett-Begaye (Diné), managing editor of ICT Graham Lee Brewer (Cherokee), national reporter for The Associated Press Levi Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation), publisher and editor of Native News Online and Tribal Business News Melanie Henshaw (Mvskoke), Indigenous affairs reporter for InvestigateWest Break 1 Music: Ridin’ Out the Storm (song) Samantha Crain (artist) Break 2 Music: Coventry Carol (song) PIQSIQ (artist) Coventry Carol (album)

“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)