Hometown, Alaska – Alaska Public Media

The Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention is only a few weeks away and there will be plenty of speakers, crafts and traditional music. But what about contemporary music? On this episode of Hometown, Alaska we have two very different in-studio performances from some up-and-coming Alaska Native musicians. Join host Dave Waldron as he speaks with hip-hop duo Brother Buffalo and singer-songwriter Witty Youngman about their music and how their heritage influences their art.HOST: Dave WaldronGUESTS:Garrett and Jake Swenson, Brother BuffaloWitty Youngman, singer-songwriterLINKS:Brother Buffalo InstagramBrother Buffalo SpotifyWitty Youngman InstagramWitty Youngman FacebookWitty Youngman Website ]]>

Temperatures are dropping quickly and hundreds of Anchorage residents are currently living unsheltered in camps and on the street across the city. What's the plan to keep them safe this winter and beyond? Join host Anne Hillman as she speaks with three city leaders who are working on this problem.HOST: Anne HillmanGUESTS:Alexis Johnson, Anchorage Health Department, Housing and Homeless CoordinatorJessica Parks, Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, Chief Operations OfficerFelix Rivera, Anchorage Assembly memberLINKS:Anchorage Health Department: Housing ServicesAnchorage Coalition to End Homelessness Anchorage Assembly Housing and Homelessness Committee]]>

The stigmas and statistics of mental health awareness are important issues for Alaskans, especially as it relates to suicide prevention. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska host Justin Williams leads a conversation about how to discuss mental health and suicide prevention with Blaze Bell of Standing Together Against Rape and Recover Alaska as well as Shana Cooper of the Alaska Native Justice Center. They share their professional insight and personal experiences to explain how to approach these issues and share what resources are out there. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or having thoughts of self-harm or suicide dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support. HOST: Justin WilliamsGUESTS:Shana Cooper, Alaska Native Justice CenterBlaze Bell, S.T.A.R., Recover AlaskaLINKS:American Foundation for Suicide PreventionSuicide prevention resources988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineAK Division of Behavioral Health treatment and recovery resources]]>

When most people think of Alaska sports, hockey, basketball and mushing are top of mind. But, as the Alaska Rugby Union celebrates its 50th anniversary, they are poised to make the sport of rugby an Alaska staple. On paper, the objective of rugby is simple—carry a ball across the scoring zone to secure more points than your opponent. It sounds easy enough. In reality, 300-feet and 15 burly athletes looking to knock you off your feet at every turn make scoring a point a Herculean task. But therein lies the joy of being a rugby player. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska host O'Hara Shipe discusses rugby with leaders of the Alaska Rugby Union to discuss the history and the future of the sport in The Last Frontier.HOST: O'Hara ShipeGUESTS:Dave Delozier, President of the Alaska Rugby UnionJami Almonte, women and youth coach, Vice President of the Alaska Rugby UnionLINKS:Alaska Rugby UnionAlaska Rugby Union Facebook]]>

45 years ago KSKA flipped a switch and became the very first public radio station in Southcentral Alaska. On the next Hometown, Alaska we revisit some of the station's best memories with KSKA's original general manager and the station's longtime program director of nearly 40 years.HOST: Dave WaldronGUESTS:Alex Hills, KSKA's original general managerBede Trantina, KSKA's program director for 39 years]]>

Kake, Alaska is currently populated by about 500 people but it's the hometown of many more. This week on Hometown, Alaska we take a trip on a seal hunting vessel and into a kitchen as we explore the community through interviews about its past and present with the hosts of the podcast "A Piece of Kake."HOST: Anne HillmanGUESTS:Mona Evan and Sarah Campen, hosts of "A Piece of Kake" podcastLINK: "A Piece of Kake" website]]>

Zeynep Kilic was born and raised in Turkey. A former professor of the now-defunct sociology program at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Kilic is now an accomplished film director, as well as the new owner of the recently rebranded and reopened Turkish Delight, a restaurant specializing in authentic Turkish cuisine. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska we will hear about her history and relationship surrounding the food she makes and loves, and what approaches she takes for her favorite dishes. HOST: Justin WilliamsGUEST: Zeynep Kilic, Owner of Turkish DelightLINKS:Turkish Delight websiteFacebookInstagram]]>

Paula Poundstone is a stand-up comic known for her witty observations on NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me and her really large family of pets. The author, podcaster and expert dog-waste-remover will be performing in Anchorage in late June. She joins host Anne Hillman to discuss her comedy, her home life, and more.Event information:Saturday, June 247:30 p.m.Discovery TheaterHOST: Anne HillmanGUEST: Paula PoundstoneLINKS:Paula Poundstone websiteTicketsALSO FEATURED: State of Art: Celebrate summer with the Sundown Solstice festival]]>

If you happened to be driving down Tudor Road in Anchorage last weekend you may have noticed a throng of people dressed in armor, medieval gowns and maybe even a dragon suit. That's because we are in the midst of the Three Barons Renaissance Fair which runs through this weekend. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska host Dave Waldron speaks with a long-time board member about the fair and moderates a debate between the three Barons as they vie for the public's support to rule the realm of Hillshire.HOST: Dave WaldronGUESTS:Mel Kalkowski, long-time board member of the 3 Barons Fair and the Magistrate of HillshireBlue BaronRed BaronGreen BaronLINKS:3 Barons Fair WebsiteTicket information]]>

heartbreaking. As part of their Military Voices Initiative, StoryCorps partnered with us at Alaska Public Media to record veterans, active members of the armed forces or their families to document their stories. On this episode of Hometown Alaska, producer Ammon Swenson discusses the Military Voices project with the CEO of StoryCorps and learns about the women's veteran organization Operation Mary Louise.While the virtual opportunities have closed, StoryCorps will be at the Anchorage Public Library July 24 through the 28th for in-person recordings.Sign up HEREHOST: Ammon SwensonGUESTS:Sandy Clark, CEO of StoryCorpsVanessa Meade, Co-lead of Operation Mary LouiseLINKS:StoryCorpsMilitary Voices InitiativeAlaska Public Media Military Voices Operation Mary Louise]]>

Despite the May snowfall, it is definitely growing season in Anchorage. On this episode of Hometown Alaska host Dave Waldron and two master gardeners discuss the challenges and rewards of gardening in our northern climate, answer some listener questions and do a little gardening trivia. Later in the show we visit an apple orchard with the president of the Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association to find out what goes into the growing process this time of year. HOST: Dave WaldronGUESTS:Emily Becker and Nick Riordan, master gardenersDr. Mark Wolbers, President, Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers AssociationLINKS:Alaska Master Gardeners AnchorageAlaska Master Gardeners Anchorage FACEBOOKUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension ServiceAlaska Pioneer Fruit Growers AssociationALSO FEATURED: State of Art: Anchorage Community Theater's ‘Wait Until Dark']]>

Nearly 61 thousand households in Anchorage have pets. That works out to about 105 thousand dogs and 88 thousand cats. That's a lot of animals — and a lot of animal waste. And pet ownership doesn't just impact the people who live with the creatures. Caring for pets is both challenging and rewarding for veterinarians and their staff, too. This week on Hometown, Alaska, we're talking to veterinarians about their mental health and pet care basics as well as taking a trip to the dog park to see how your actions affect everyone downstream.HOST: Anne HillmanGUESTS:Dr. Judy Montalbano and Dr. Tracy Ward, veterinarians, The Alaska State Veterinary Medical AssociationCherie Northon, Anchorage Waterways Council, Executive DirectorLINKS:The Alaska State Veterinary Medical AssociationASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435Anchorage Waterways CouncilBROADCAST: Monday, May 8th, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKTREPEAT BROADCAST: Monday, May 8th, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT]]>

Alaska education has predominantly aimed its resources at younger generations to build them up early. Unfortunately, this can leave out older citizens who may be yearning to re-engage education and discover new skills, activities, and friendships. Since 2007, OLÉ! has existed in Anchorage as a non-profit organization aimed at providing older Alaskans aged 50 and up an opportunity to continue their education in creative and engaging ways. President board Gretchen Bersch and curriculum committee chair Bill Cole join host Justin Williams on Hometown, Alaska to discuss how OLÉ! began, obstacles they have had to creatively overcome and the mental and social importance of education in Alaska for its older citizens. HOST: Justin WilliamsGUESTS:Gretchen Bersch, Board President, OLÉ!Bill Cole, Curriculum Committee Chair, OLÉ!LINKS:OLÉ! websiteOLÉ! courses OLÉ! registrationBROADCAST: Monday, May 1st, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKTREPEAT BROADCAST: Monday, May 1st, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT]]>

HOST: Dave WaldronGUESTS: Laura Atwood, Executive Director, Bird Treatment and Learning CenterKatie Thorman, Rehabilitation Assistant, Bird Treatment and Learning CenterChandelle Cotter, Education and Behavior Curator, Bird Treatment and Learning CenterGirdie, Crow, Bird Treatment and Learning CenterLINKS:Bird Treatment and Learning CenterBird TLC FacebookBird TLC Instagram]]>

HOST: O'Hara ShipeGUESTS:Robin “Lamia Lexicon Monroe” O'Donoghue, Drag PerformerZaide “Dela Rosa” Manzano, Drag PerformerKendra Arciniega, Owner of Arciniega Street ProductionsMercedes Arciniega, Owner of Arciniega Street Productions]]>

There is a drink that some say is slowly but surely gaining popularity in America.That drink is sake. This week on Hometown Alaska we'll learn how to drink it, pair it, and even cook with it as part of sake week: a six day event taking place in Anchorage and Girdwood.

HOST: Justin WilliamsGUEST: Erin Baldwin Day, lead organizer of Mutual Aid Network of AnchorageLINKS:Mutual Aid Network of Anchorage websiteFacebookInstagram]]>

HOST: Anne HillmanGUESTS:Austin Quinn-Davidson and Meg Zaletel, Anchorage AssemblyLINKS:Information on the upcoming electionBallot trackingInformation on the Anchorage Assembly]]>

HOST: O'Hara ShipeGUESTS: JT West, 907 Pro Wrestling AcademyJared Cox, pro wrestlerLINKS:907 Pro Wrestling Academy WEBSITE907 Pro Wrestling Academy FACEBOOK]]>

HOST: Dave WaldronGUESTS: Melanie Cross and Christy Hedrick, Fur Rondy Melodrama co-producersLINKS: TICKETSFur Rondy Events: Melodrama ]]>

HOST: Anne HillmanGUESTS: Carl Jacobs, Anchorage School Board memberAndy Ratliff, Anchorage School District Chief Financial OfficerLINKS:Anchorage School DistrictAnchorage School BoardASD School Bond InformationContact Anchorage School Board]]>

HOST: Anne HillmanGUESTS:Rachel Bernhardt and Julie Raymond-Yakoubian, Alaska End of Life AllianceKris Green, Death CafeLINKS:Death Cafe, Anchorage Alaska End of Life Alliance:Death DoulasFuneral HomesAlaska Laws and RegulationsHospice and Palliative CareAdvanced DirectivesGrief and Bereavement SupportHome FuneralsOther Alaska End of Life Alliance resourcesFive WishesGUEST SUGGESTED READING:"Notes for the Everlost: A field guide to grief" by Kate Inglis"The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion]]>

GUEST HOST: Dave WaldronGUEST: Cody Carver, Program and Events Manager at the Anchorage Museum LINKS:Anchorage MuseumPass the Mic exhibit]]>

HOST: Anne HillmanGUESTS:Barbara and Ethan Jacko Atwater, mother/son writing partners, authors of multiple children's books and moreSara Juday, co-president of the board, Alaska Center for the BookLINKS:Alaska Center for the BookRead Alaska Native reading challenge resourcesThe American Indian Library Association]]>

HOST: Anne HillmanGuests: Abdelqader "Abdoo" Ezzedine, New Habitat for Humanity homeownerJohn Frommer, Consruction Manager, Habitat for HumanityJasmine Boyle, Chief Operating Officer, Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc. (RurAL Cap)Colleen Dushkin, Association for Alaska Housing AuthoritiesLINKS:Habitat for Humanity, Anchorage RurAL CapAssociation for Alaska Housing Authorities]]>

HOST: Justin Williams GUESTS: Dr. Elizabeth Whitney, executive director, Alaska Museum of Science and NatureDr. Kristine Crossen, president, board of directors, Alaska Museum of Science and NatureLINK:Alaska Museum of Science and Nature ]]>

Host: Anne HillmanGUESTS:Gail Fenumiai, Division of ElectionsJeannette Lee, Sightline InstituteLinks:Division of Elections websiteMake a Plan to VoteLearn about ranked choice votingCandidate Comparison ToolAlaska Public Media elections coveragePARTICIPATE:Call 550-8433 (Anchorage) or 1-888-353-5752 (statewide) during the live broadcast (10-11 a.m.)Send e-mail to hometown@alaskapublic.org before, during or after the live broadcast (E-mails may be read on air).Post your comment or question below (Comments may be read on air).LIVE: Monday, October 31, 2021 at 10 a.m.RE-AIR: Monday, October 31, 2021 at 8 p.m.PODCAST: Available on this page after the program.]]>

HOST: Justin WilliamsGUESTS:Tiffany Hall, executive director of Recover AlaskaDr. Vivian Gonzales, professor of psychology at the University of Alaska AnchorageLINKS:Recover AlaskaRethinking Drinking: Website created by National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Provides information on drinking to help people assess their drinking and tools to change drinking habits.Checkup and Choices: Offers check-ups (assessment with feedback) for alcohol, opioids, cannabis, and stimulant use. You can choose to begin an intervention based on the results to help you reduce use and consequences. Not free, but much lower cost than traditional treatment, self-guided, and has evidence to support it's effectiveness in helping people reduce their substance use and consequences.Smart Recovery: Free mutual support groups that are an alternative to AA or NA. Provides general mutual support meetings as well as meetings specifically for vets and first responders, LGBTQ+, friends and family, and people under 30.]]>

This week Hometown Alaska hosts three writers telling significant parts of Alaska's story.The idea for our show began with the hope of bringing Alaska's current writer laureate, Heather Lende, to the mic, and picking her brain for what we should be reading this winter. We called, she agreed, but we have ended up with so much more.Since Heather took the state writer mantle for 2021-23, she has made her mission to bring forward other voices from Alaska. When I called to invite her to Hometown Alaska, all we talked about were other writers she wanted to share.We have two such voices with us today: journalist and writer Laureli Ivanoff of Unalakleet – whose essays and reflections have appeared in The New York Times, High Country News, Alaska Dispatch and elsewhere; and Leigh Newman of Connecticut, author of a memoir about growing up in Alaska, and her new book, a short story collection called “No One Gets Out Alive,” about women navigating male-dominated Alaska.HOST: Kathleen McCoyGUESTS:Heather Lende, Alaska's Writer LaureateLaureli Ivanoff, authorLeigh Newman, authorLINKS:Heather Lende author website“Heather Lende, whose memoirs chronicle life in Haines, is named Alaska State Writer Laureate,” ADN, May 13, 2021Laureli Ivanoff writing portfolio websiteLaureli Ivanoff, “The Bearded Seal my Son May Never Hunt,” NYTimes, 10.20.2018Leigh Newman, author website with details on her memoir, “Still Points North,” and her short story collection, “No One Gets Out Alive.”Leigh Newman talks about “Still Points North,” on The Rumpus Interview]]>

The Last Frontier is known for its appreciative beer subculture. The craft has been honored here and its processes mimicked in garages and storefronts alike. Alaska Beer Broads is an all-female, Alaska-based group consisting of beer enthusiasts from all over the state who connect and meet up at beer events to support local businesses and talk beer. D'Lany Nichols is their creator, and between podcasting, event coordination, taste tasting and leading the group, she always has her toes dipped into the local scene, expanding her expertise and celebrating the established culture.HOST: Justin WilliamsGUEST: D'Lany Nichols, Alaska Beer BroadsLINKS:Alaska Beer Broads: FACEBOOKINSTAGRAMPODCAST]]>

Business and the economy are ever-changing in Alaska. As life becomes more expensive and old models of creating revenue streams are met with apprehensive resolve, two local entrepreneurs set out to change the business landscape of the Last Frontier. Sourdough Dan Morris is the owner of Alaskan Footprints food tours. He offers historical insight, humor and delicious delicacies in his treks, setting a fun pace for both local Alaskans and tourists to experience downtown on foot.Atlas Katari is the founder of Anchorage Independent Worker Alliance. They are dedicated to connecting like-minded entrepreneurs in the city together to change the way we live as individuals, and build as a society. This week on Hometown Alaskan we will explore the purposes of their journeys, and the end result that will hopefully inspire a generation to step out of the shadows and into their dreams.HOST: Justin WilliamsGUESTS:Segment 1:"Sourdough" Dan Morris, Alaskan Footprints food toursSegment 2: Atlas Katari, Anchorage Independent Worker AllianceLINKS:Alaskan Footprints food toursAnchorage Independent Worker Alliance Facebook pageAIWA co-working eventsLISTEN:FIRST AIR: Monday, September 19, 2022 at 10 a.m.RE-AIR: Monday, September 19, 2022 at 8 p.m.PODCAST: Available after the program.]]>

With winter coming on, maybe you need a cozy, creative activity you can do with friends that adds up to something beautiful?Poster for this year's Great Alaska Quilt Show, their first after a 2-year absence. Photo courtesy of ALCQ.Today's Hometown Alaska introduces the Anchorage Log Cabin Quilters Guild. Their unjuried annual Great Alaska Quilt Show is Sept. 17-18. With something like 100 quilts on display, and another 50 small quilts up for auction, you can get a good idea of what this group does. The annual fundraising event is free to attend and has moved from the old Conoco Phillips building to a new location, First United Methodist Church at 725 W 9th Avenue. Parking is also free.Today's program was prerecorded for scheduling reasons so we won't be taking your calls. Join us to meet quilters and find out why this craft and art became their passion.GUESTS:Peggy Brewer, current president of the ALCQPat Sims, charter member of the ALCQ, started in 1979Lynne Seitz, Comfort Quilts program coordinator for ALCQSheila Toomey, publicity, ALCQLINKS:Contact email for Anchorage Log Cabin Quilters Guild:anchoragequilters@gmail.com“It ain't your grandma's quilting bee anymore,” Senior Voice, Aug. 1, 2022.Anchorage Log Cabin Quilters Guild blog, scroll topics at the top of the page.ALCQ Meetings and Fun Page, blog page for details on their many local service projects.ALCQ Facebook page10 Decades and Counting, images of ALCQ 2015 centennial project, Anchorage through the decades in quilted images.The history of quilting, Wikipedia.PARTICIPATE:Today's podcast was prerecorded so we won't be taking calls during the program.Send e-mail to hometown@alaskapublic.org before, during or after the broadcast.Post your comment or question below.FIRST AIR: Monday, September 12, 2022 at 10 a.m.RE-AIR: Monday, September 12, 2022 at 8 p.m.PODCAST: Available on this page after the program.]]>

So, here's one new thing: This fall, UAA, our hometown university campus, is offering its first marijuana information class, open to students and community members. How and why did the university decide now was the time to bring this topic to campus? We'll meet the professor who successfully made the case. She'll curate the course, using local subject experts to do the teaching. We'll also meet a regulator, the new director for the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office (AMCO). We'll learn how much money the industry brings into the state, and what some of the regulatory challenges are. One factoid: this office regulates about 2000 alcohol licensees, and between 400-500 marijuana licensees. And we'll visit a vertically integrated cannabis company, called the Secret Garden. There, a local Anchorage workforce of 40-plus grows and harvests plants, manufactures products like edibles and oil-filled cartridges, and staffs a busy retail store open seven days a week.

Svaja Worthington was only five years old in 1944 when her family walked away from their Lithuanian home in the face of Russian brutality. During World War II, Lithuania had been occupied first by the Soviet Union and then by Nazi Germany. Towards the end of the war in 1944, as the Germans were retreating, […]

The Spenard area of Alaska is known for its eclecticism and diversity amongst its people, its businesses, and its artistic sensibilities. Long has it been the host of Tommy's Burger Stop, Chilkoot Charlies, Center Bowl, and more currently The Drip, the city's first black-owned coffee hut. It's no wonder that this area specifically also openly celebrates American jazz culture, and has instituted an event to partake in its music.

On today's Hometown Alaska, we'll introduce you to a free garden mentoring service with high ambitions.

On this episode of Hometown, Alaska, Zoryna Lealai, a youth advocate for the Anchorage Youth Task Force, and Julia Terry, co-director of the organization Choosing Our Roots, will be joining the discussion on exposing and combating youth homelessness, while providing a very personal perspective on the issue. What organizations are out there shedding light on, and actively engaging in, the fighting against youth homelessness? 

Here’s a new word for you: infodemic. The World Health Organization coined the term and centered a recent global conference around coming to terms with a glut of mis- and dis-information that is harming public health. While this is a global issue, and links below will take you to the WHO’s many universal resources, a […]

cleaning. To a lot of people in Alaska, though, April is also Sobriety Awareness Month. Alaska's history with alcoholism and recovery runs deep, and three local recovery heroes join host Justin Williams to share their encouraging experiences.

Community Health Workers are relatively new to Alaska. They come from the communities they serve. They get specialized training in communication and health systems, and their mission is to help guide people toward the health care they need.

many years. The team behind the center bring a shining light into Fairview, and the recent inclusion of a new indoor playground is sure to leave an even brighter legacy for its residents. This episode discusses the impact, history, and legacy of the Center.

diversity in Alaska, and raise the standard for how we observe and celebrate black culture?

On this week’s Hometown Alaska, Anchorage teens describe how they have suffered, endured, and even grown through living under the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll hear from teens at the Alaska Teen Media Institute, Covenant House and MHATS, which stands for Mental Health Advocacy Through Storytelling, a student-founded and student-run non-profit in Anchorage. ATMI students began creating […]

The UAA Women's basketball program is elite. Conference champs, sweet 16 appearances, perennial national championship contender, and of course - mayhem! What makes them so successful? How much attention are they getting locally, and nationally? Should they be getting more attention given their success? And what does the future hold for UAA basketball?

Andrea Noble, executive director of the Alaska State Council on the Arts, has one word for the Alaska artists and arts organizations now tackling Year Three of life under Covid: “Resilient. They just don’t quit.” On today’s Hometown Alaska, we’ll hear from five arts groups on how they have adapted and persisted. What lessons did […]

The gig economy isn't exactly a new income stream for individuals, but the paradigm shift of the market due to COVID and other factors have launched gig work and entrepreneurship into an undeniable macrolevel behemoth. One artist and businesswoman shares her story of how she established her brand to The Last Frontier and how we can support self-employed creatives.

January 2020 marks the world’s third year working to overcome the Coronavirus pandemic. For many different and valid reasons, people hesitate to get vaccinated. Yet broad and successful vaccination rates are necessary to avoid giving the virus time to mutate and create another variant, as it has done with Omicron. Alaska Public Media has joined […]

Arguments over mandates, pandemic death, disruptive politics, climate change disasters. We’ve seen them all this year; we’re worn out. The battles and struggles will continue, but this week’s Hometown Alaska seeks to console. Our topic today is celebrating our good habit of gathering together for food and camaraderie, whether that is Christmas, birthdays or Sunday […]

If you've ever been to a hospital or a medical clinic or some type of medical facility, which most of us probably have, you may have noticed that a lot of health care workers are Filipino. They can be doctors, or home care providers, or some type of health care worker, but most of them are nurses. This is not just your imagination, as statistics show that Filipino nurses do compose the largest share of immigrant nurses in the United States. In fact, the Philippines is the world's biggest supplier of nurses.

UPDATE: Since the recycling/composting program aired Monday morning, here’s a bit of useful info for Mat-Su Valley residents interested in curbside recycling. Alaska Waste began curbside recycling in the Valley last February, including within the city of Palmer, in an effort to divert recyclables away from the landfill. Here’s a link to their FAQs. We’ve […]

olks still commonly dress up in stereotypical Native costumes, and it is also when Thanksgiving happens, a holiday that is fraught with many problematic portrayals of history and Native Peoples. In this episode, we talk about these and many other relevant issues pertaining to Native Heritage Month.