Native America Calling airs on KYBU at 10am on weekdays.

Monday, March 3, 2014 – Getting Enough Sleep?
If you toss and turn every night and wake up feeling tired, you’re not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls insufficient sleep a “public health epidemic.” What’s the connection between sleep and our overall health? Some studies suggest links between lack of sleep and obesity. How much sleep do we really need each night? Are we getting the same amount of sleep as our ancestors? Has snoring banished you or your partner to another room? Jeff Savage (Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) from the Fond Du Lac Cultural Center and Museum history of dream catchers. We’ll also be joined by Dr. Gary Ferguson (Aleut), director of Wellness and Prevention with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 – Current Events
It’s time for another round of current events! The opening of an exhibition of drawings by artist Allan Houser will happen this weekend at the University of Oklahoma. We’ll also hear what will be discussed at a summit on eagles in Denver, who should attend the Raven’s Ball in Anchorage and what will be covered at the Tribal Public Health Summit in Montana later this month. You can join us and share additional information about events, gatherings and trainings happening around Native America during the month of March.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014 – Heroin in Native America
Actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman died of an apparent heroin overdose last month at his apartment in New York City. Heroin overdoses are a rising concern in cities and towns across the United States. Some tribes are facing the difficult challenge of addressing heroin addiction with limited resources for both law enforcement and treatment. Has heroin addiction touched your community? What do you think needs to be done to address heroin and prescription drug abuse? Guests include: Walter Lamar (Blackfeet Nation of Montana), president and CEO of Lamar Associates.

Thursday, March 6, 2014 – Literacy
A recent study of U.S. literacy rates shows that about two-thirds of Native American fourth graders are not proficient in reading. Young people who struggle to read can experience many challenges during their school years and beyond. Some programs across Native America are tackling this critical issue. Did you struggle with reading growing up? Do you know of a successful program or strategy that should be shared? Join us as we talk about the ways we can help our young ones improve their reading skills.

Friday, March 7, 2014 – Beyond Sobriety
Getting sober is a complicated journey and there are many paths to sobriety. The White Bison group started the Wellbriety movement in the early 1990s. It’s one way to dig deeper into the issues surrounding addiction. Some say knowing the causes of addiction is crucial for recovery. Wellbriety is understood as being both sober and well. What does it mean to really be well? Join us for a conversation with the founder of the Wellbriety Movement, Don Coyhis (Mohican) president of White Bison Inc.

Next Week on Native America Calling