Native America Calling

Acclaimed Diné writer and Arizona’s current poet laureate, Dr. Laura Tohe, is working to share her poetry across the state’s rural communities. That includes public readings and uplifting young, emerging poets in the state. Growing up in a remote community on the Navajo Nation, Tohe demonstrated a firm grasp of both Diné bizaad and English at an early age. She attributes that to growing up in a family of storytellers, including her father who was a Navajo Code Talker in World War II. She’s been recognized by some of the top literary organizations and her writing has been translated to multiple languages for an international audience. Tohe joins us for our special feature, Native in the Spotlight, to discuss her career and her work to make poetry more accessible for everyone.

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 – Native in the Spotlight: Laura Tohe » Native America Calling Acclaimed Diné writer and Arizona’s current poet laureate, Dr. Laura Tohe, is working to share her poetry across the state’s rural communities. That includes public readings and uplifting young, emerging poets in the state. Growing up in a remote community on the Navajo Nation, Tohe demonstrate...

Conservation groups and at least two Pacific Northwest tribes filed lawsuits against the federal government after it redefined “harm” in the Endangered Species Act earlier this month. Now, destruction of habitat is no longer considered “harm” to endangered wildlife. Supporters of the move say it lifts burdensome restrictions to land management and development. Environmental groups and tribes like the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and Squaxin Island Tribe say it puts endangered species, like Chinook salmon, and the environment they depend on in even greater danger.

GUESTS

Cheyenne Skye Branscum (Citizen Potawatomi Nation), Sierra Club president of the board of directors

Dr. Victoria Sutton (Lumbee), distinguished Horn Professor at Texas Tech University School of Law

Brenna Yellowthunder (Ho-Chunk and Diné), Keep It In the Ground coordinator for the Indigenous Environmental Network

Wyatt Golding, attorney at Ziontz Chestnut for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community

Kristin Boyles, managing attorney with Earthjustice

Monday, July 20, 2026 — Tribes sue after feds redefine 'harm' in Endangered Species Act, upend decades of land conservation » Native America Calling Conservation groups and at least two Pacific Northwest tribes filed lawsuits against the federal government after it redefined “harm” in the Endangered Species Act earlier this month. Now, destruction of habitat is no longer considered “harm” to endangered wildlife. Supporters of the move sa...