“Calling for a Blanket Dance” is Oscar Hokeah first novel. Released last year, it’s been critically acclaimed across the country. At the heart of the book is family. Hokeah’s characters are Kiowa, Cherokee and Mexican identity, which carry forth intergenerational trauma.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Melissa Buffalo joins us to talk about the impact cancer has on Indigenous communities. She’s CEO of the American Indian Cancer Foundation in Minneapolis. Buffalo is committed to working with and for tribal communities, both urban and rural, supporting our Indigenous people with opportunities to heal; emotionally, historically, spiritually, and physically from the burdens of cancer.

ICT’s Pauly Denetclaw has been covering the historic moments in Navajo Nation politics this year. She is back to talk with us about the most recent updates, including the first female Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council.

A slice of our Indigenous world

  • Millions in federal funding allocated to tribal lands to support clean energy developments. The Department of Energy issued a Notice of Intent to release $50 million in funding this spring. This funding opportunity will be available to tribes who submit an application to The Office of Indian Energy.
  • Earlier this month, 50 First Nation children and their parents celebrated Indigenous culture. Indigenous Tourism Ontario provided an all-inclusive trip for families to provide a full circle Native tourism experience.
  • Last week, tribes and lawmakers celebrated James Ramos becoming the first Native American chair of the Assembly Rules Committee. The celebration of this appointment took place at the California State Capitol.
  • The use of artificial intelligence could help to reclaim Native languages from extinction. Northern Cheyenne citizen Michael Running Wolf, who worked for Amazon’s Alexa project for four years, believes AI can help.
  • In Canada, Mi’kmaw singers and elders are working to ensure that even those who can’t hear can experience their honor song. The song is featured prominently at the Nation’s events and is a spiritual anthem honoring heritage. At these events deaf people were previously unable to understand to fully participate. The honor song has been translated into both American and Mi’kmaw Sign Language. 

Today’s newscast was created with work from:

Shirley Sneve, Ponca/Sicangu Lakota, is vice president of broadcasting for the ICT Newscast. Follow her on Twitter @rosebudshirley. She is based in Nebraska and Minnesota.

R. Vincent Moniz, Jr., NuÉta, is the senior producer of the ICT Newscast. Have a great story? Pitch it to vincent@ictnews.org.

McKenzie Allen-Charmley, Dena’ina Athabaskan, is a producer of the ICT Newscast. On Twitter: @mallencharmley.

Maxwell Montour, Pottawatomi, is a newscast editor for the ICT Newscast. On Instagram: max.montour. Montour is based in Phoenix.

Drea Yazzie, Diné, is a producer and editor for the ICT newscast. On Twitter: @quindreayazzie. Yazzie is based in Phoenix.

Paris Wise, Zia & Laguna Pueblo, is a producer for the ICT Newscast. Instagram and Twitter: @parisiswise. Email: paris@ictnews.org.

Pacey Smith Garcia, Ute, is a production assistant for the ICT newscast. On Twitter: @paceyjournalist.

RipLey-Simone Kennebrew is an intern for the ICT Newscast. On Twitter: @ripleysimoneken

Daniel Herrera Carbajal is an intern for the ICT Newscast. On Twitter: @daniulherrrera