Native America Calling

An intensive traditional foods program aimed at curbing diabetes is credited with major weight loss and health benefits for some of its participants. Native Food for Life is a collaboration between tribal health officials and the Physicians Committee on Responsible Medicine. Native America Calling had an inadvertent role in the program’s inception on the Navajo Nation almost two decades ago. It has since expanded beyond the Southwest.

Did pemmican bread pudding sway the judges who awarded Diné chef Justin Pioche champion of the “Indigenous Inspiration” episode of the Food Network’s “Chopped” cooking competition? Pioche is busy back to work at his Fruitland, N.M.-based Pioche Food Group business, but is taking time out to reach out to his fans, both new and old, after his high-profile success.

GUESTS

Justin Pioche (Diné), chef and owner of Pioche Food Group and James Beard Award Best Chef finalist

Jenson Yazzie (Diné), photographer

Dr. Josie Howard (Cherokee), psychiatrist

Dr. Neal Barnard, adjunct professor of medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine



Break 1 Music: Ch’iya’a’n Biyiin/Native Food Song (song) Radmilla & Herman Cody (artist) Shi Kéyah (album)

Break 2 Music: Heartbreaker (song) Sage Lacapa (artist) Heartbreaker (single)

The Oklahoma State Legislature is taking steps to gain more control of the state’s Medicaid payments, drawing concerns from tribal leaders and healthcare advocates. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. warns that the predicted scaling back of expanded Medicaid eligibility enshrined in the state constitution in 2020 would disproportionately affect Native patients. He says dismantling the expansion would cost his tribe alone more than $162 million. The state’s actions come as both tribal health providers and Medicaid recipients brace for looming federal funding cuts and stricter eligibility requirements.

Also, we’ll hear from Alannah Acaq Hurley (Yup’ik). The executive director of the United Tribes of Bristol Bay recently won the Goldman Environmental Prize for her work raising awareness about a controversial open-pit copper and gold mine in the Bristol Bay region of Southwest Alaska.

GUESTS

Chuck Hoskin Jr. (Cherokee), principal chief of the Cherokee Nation

Yvonne Myers, Affordable Care Act and Medicaid consultant for Citizen Potawatomi Nation Health Services

Alannah Acaq Hurley (Yup’ik), executive director for the United Tribes of Bristol Bay



Break 1 Music: Thunder Medicine (song) Geneviève Gros-Louis (artist)

Break 2 Music: Heartbreaker (song) Sage Lacapa (artist) Heartbreaker (single)

Construction crews at the University of California, Berkeley immediately halted construction of an outdoor volleyball court when they encountered human remains. Under California law, notifications go out to state officials and to any tribes that might be descendants. Such procedures are not always followed, even when the law is clear cut. A number of recent discoveries of remains in California and elsewhere have drawn criticism from graves protections advocates and others for how they were handled. We’ll look at some recent cases and assess the current state of the public’s understanding of sacred ancestors’ remains.

GUESTS

Tanya Hill-Montour (Mohawk of Six Nations of the Grand River), Six Nations of the Grand River archaeological supervisor

Clare Apana (Kanaka Maoli), president and founder of Mālama Kakanilua

Gabriel Duncan (descendent of a federally recognized California Paiute tribe), founder of the Alameda Native History Project

Eva Cardenas (Mexica Chicana of Mazahua and Zapotec descent), director of organizing at NDN Collective



Break 1 Music: Lost and Found [Feat. Shannon Thunderbird] (song) Sultans of String (artist)

Break 2 Music: Heartbreaker (song) Sage Lacapa (artist) Heartbreaker (single)

Native Guitars Tour keeps up their busy schedule of performances with the annual signature appearance during the Gathering of Nations Powwow in Albuquerque, N.M. It is a night Under the Native Stars featuring a diverse musical line-up, a fashion show, and traditional tattoo demonstrations. It’s an annual Native America Calling tradition to get a sampling of what’s in store. The Guitars Tour is coming off a series of dates in Las Vegas. We’ll find out what’s in store for the future.

GUESTS

Jir Anderson (Cochiti Pueblo), founder and executive director of Native Guitars Tour and lead singer for the Jir Project

Cameron Osceola (Seminole and Kiowa), guitarist and singer for the Osceola Brothers

Sheldon Osceola (Seminole and Kiowa), drummer for the Oseceola Brothers

Sage Lacapa (White Mountain Apache), musician

Kirin Lacapa (Jicarilla Apache), musician

Arianna Lauren (Cowichan Tribes), traditional tattooist



Billboard Music: Heartbreaker (song) Sage Lacapa (artist)

Break 1 Music: One To Hold On To (song) The Osceola Brothers (artist) One To Hold On To (album)

Break 2 Music: Feels Like [feat. Sheena Shandea] (song) Nataanii Means (artist)

Diné hip-hop artist and educator Def-i has been a singular, independent voice in elevating Native hip-hop and championing other Native artists. This year makes 14 years that he has spearheaded the annual two-day competition, Gathering of MCs. Some of the top Native rappers from around the country bring their best beats, bars, and freestyles to vie for cash prizes. This year’s event takes place alongside what organizers say is the final Gathering of Nations Powwow in Albuquerque, N.M. We’ll speak with Def-i and other performers about the power and importance of Native hip-hop.

GUESTS

Def-i (Diné), hip-hop artist and educator

Illmac (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians), hip-hop artist

She Real, hip-hop artist



Billboard Music: Mmhmm feat. Paul Wall [remix] (song) Stella Standingbear (artist)

Break 1 Music: Small Things (song) Illmac (artist) Small Things (single)

Break 2 Music: Feels Like [feat. Sheena Shandea] (song) Nataanii Means (artist)