Native America Calling: Native professionals inspire change and excellence in their communities

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Native America Calling

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Native America Calling: Native professionals inspire change and excellence in their communities

Friday, January 16, 2026

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Native professionals inspire change and excellence in their communities

Dakota Louis (Northern Cheyenne) and his family’s bull riding roots go back five generations. His father was a two-time champion at the Indian National Finals Rodeo.

Now, Louis is a top competitor at the same rodeo and other events around the country. He hopes to pass down his skills and inspiration to a younger generation on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana where he grew up.

On the Qualla Boundary in North Carolina, Jade Blankenship (Colville Tribes/Eastern Band of Cherokee) opened a spa and boutique with her sister. Together they are sharing their business knowledge with budding Native entrepreneurs.

Louis and Blankenship are among the names on this year’s 40 under 40 list by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.

Tune in to hear from some of the Native people on a variety of career paths recognized for their contributions to their communities.

Guests on Native America Calling

Dakota Louis (Northern Cheyenne, Cree, and Blackfeet), professional bull rider based in Montana

Jade Blankenship (Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Spokane and Eastern Band of Cherokee), co-owner of Indigenous Boutique and Spa in North Carolina and founder of UWENA, an economic development firm

Corey Hinton (Passamaquoddy), attorney and lead of Tribal Nations Practice Group at the Drummond Woodsum law firm, based in Maine

Michael Charles (Diné), assistant professor in the department of Biological and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University in New York