Native America Calling: Tribes insist on protections for wolves in the face of public pressures

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Native America Calling: Tribes insist on protections for wolves in the face of public pressures

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

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Tribes insist on protections for wolves in the face of public pressures

When the state of Idaho bowed out of a grey wolf reintroduction program and even proposed a major reduction in wolf populations, the Nez Perce Tribe stepped in to help the endangered animal’s fate.

With a deep spiritual and cultural connection to wolves, the tribe sought to improve wolf numbers over the objections of many decision makers and members of the public. Now the state is pushing a plan to cut wolf numbers by more than half.

Tribes in Wisconsin are also weighing in on proposals to end certain protections for wolves in that state. In Idaho, the tribes say the animals have cultural significance.

Tune into Native America Calling to hear about tribal efforts to help wolves, and get a picture of a film about the Cherokee connections to the red wolf.

A wolf in Yellowstone National Park. Photo: pedrik

Guests on Native America Calling

Michael Waasegiizhig Price (Anishinaabe), traditional ecological knowledge specialist for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission

Dr. Candessa Tehee (Cherokee Nation), tribal councilor for the Cherokee Nation, artist, and associate professor of Cherokee and Indigenous studies at Northeastern State University

Marcie Carter (Nez Perce), previous wolf project biologist with the Nez Perce Tribe

Allison Carl, wildlife biologist with the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission