Stay up to date this week with Native America Calling!

Here’s the latest schedule Your National Electronic Talking Circle. You can listen LIVE every day at 1pm Eastern.

Monday, June 22, 2020 – Toppling monuments to one-sided history

After little progress from decades of pressure through official channels, dozens of statues of Confederate war figures are coming down across the South over fear of vandalism by groups of protestors. The same is true of monuments to Christopher Columbus, early Spanish conquistadors and other figures with troublesome histories with Native Americans. Is the time of honoring history through the lens that excludes people of color coming to an end? We will explore this latest chapter in the national conversation about racism.

Tuesday, June 23, 2020 – Two pivotal moments for LGBTQ2 Native people

As the nation marks Pride Month, we’ll take a look at two key issues affecting LGBTQ2 people. A Supreme Court decision bars discrimination against LGBTQ2 employees in the workplace. At the same time, the Trump Administration rolled back Obama-era protections against health care discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identification. Both decisions come as Native LGBTQ2 people face unique challenges accessing health care during the coronavirus pandemic.

Wednesday, June 24, 2020 – Event cancelled: Native performers seek an audience

Since March, Indigenous musicians, comedians and other entertainers suddenly found their calendars empty as coronavirus fears cancelled their gigs. Some states are slowly opening up, but most entertainment venues remain closed and there’s no prediction for when they will be back in business. For some entertainers, the show goes on digitally through Facebook and Instagram videos, Zoom, YouTube and TikTok. We’ll get Native entertainers’ perspective on performing during the coronavirus pandemic.

Thursday, June 25, 2020 – Keeping elders safe and engaged

As businesses and public gatherings start opening up, elders face a unique dilemma. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people 65 years and older are at higher risks from COVID-19. At the same time, socializing with others face-to-face and services like senior center meals help elders stay engaged and connected. We’ll check in with elders to see what specific challenges they face and how elder services are adjusting to keep elders in their communities healthy and connected.

Friday, June 26, 2020 – June in the news

Pregnant Native American women were singled out for coronavirus testing by a hospital in Albuquerque. Some new Native mothers were also separated from their newborns until test results came back. Those are troubling findings in an investigation by ProPublica and New Mexico In Depth. We’ll talk to the reporters. In Montana a federal court cancelled oil leases in an area sacred to the Blackfeet. The ruling reverses the Trump administration’s decision to push the leases through. And some tribes are still waiting on CARES Act funding even after a federal judge ordered the Trump Administration to release $679-million allocated to tribes. We’ll get the inside story on these and other news important to Native Americans on our regular news round up.