"This week on Indigenous in the News, we’re sounding the alarm. A hidden provision in the U.S. Senate’s 2025 budget reconciliation bill could lead to the forced sale of millions of acres of public land—land that includes sacred Native sites, hunting grounds, and ancestral homelands. Our guest is Keaton Sunchild, Federal Director of Government and Political Relations for Western Native Voice, and a powerful advocate for tribal sovereignty. He joins us to break down what’s at stake, why this fight matters to all of Indian Country, and how we can act now to protect the land our communities have stewarded for generations."

ABOUT KEATON SUNCHILD

Keaton Sunchild (Chippewa-Cree) is the Federal Director of Government and Political Relations for Western Native Voice. A dedicated advocate for tribal sovereignty and Indigenous rights, Keaton leads federal policy efforts to protect Native lands, expand voting access, and elevate Native voices in Washington, D.C. He holds degrees in sociology and political science from the University of Providence and studied law at the University of Oregon. Keaton is committed to empowering Native communities through civic engagement, legislative reform, and grassroots organizing.

CONTACT

EMAIL KEATON: ksunchild@westernnativevoice.org

PHONE: 202-464-3263

Tracy Stanhoff is President of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of California and a proud member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. A former Tribal Chairwoman and founder of AD PRO, she brings over 30 years of experience in marketing, leadership, and Indigenous advocacy. Tracy is committed to advancing economic opportunities for Native communities. She joins us to talk about the 2025 American Indian Expo, July 13–15, a powerful gathering celebrating Native business, culture, and innovation.

Saving Lives in Indian Country: Global Response & Tribal Communities"Today on Indigenous in the News, we’re honored to welcome two distinguished guests. Joining us is Samuel Flores, the National Tribal Relations Manager for Global Medical Response, who works closely with Tribal nations to strengthen emergency medical services and ensure access to life-saving care in Native communities. Also with us is Jason Carrizosa, Chief Administrative Officer for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, a leader in Tribal governance and community development.

Together, they’ll share insights into the evolving landscape of Tribal healthcare, emergency response, and the partnerships driving meaningful change in Indian Country.

ABOUT GLOBAL MEDICAL RESPONSE
Global Medical Response (GMR) is a leading provider of comprehensive emergency medical services, delivering care to over five million patients annually. Headquartered in Lewisville, Texas, GMR employs nearly 35,000 professionals who offer compassionate, quality medical care, primarily focusing on emergency and patient relocation services across the United States and internationally. ​

GMR was established through the consolidation of industry leaders in air and ground emergency medical services, including American Medical Response (AMR), Air Evac Lifeteam, REACH Air Medical Services, Med-Trans Corporation, AirMed International, and Guardian Flight. This integration has enabled GMR to build an extensive network of ground and air clinical teams, ensuring patients receive the appropriate level of care promptly, regardless of the situation.
The company's mission is to provide care to the world at a moment's notice, emphasizing timely, equitable, and appropriate access to healthcare for all individuals, irrespective of their location. GMR offers a range of services, including emergency medical services, patient relocation, disaster response, and integrated healthcare solutions.
In addition to its core services, GMR is committed to employee development and well-being. The company offers programs like "Earn While You Learn," providing individuals with education and training to become certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) while earning a wage. Furthermore, the GMR Employee Foundation, established in 2005, offers financial assistance to employees facing severe hardships due to catastrophic events. ​

GMR's dedication to innovation and excellence in emergency medical services has positioned it as a leader in the industry, continually striving to enhance patient care and access to medical services worldwide.Indigenous in the News

Join us every week from Two Buffalo Studios in Bradenton, Florida, as we bring you the latest updates on issues that matter to us all, from the Shakers to the Makers across Indian Country. Hosted by Larry K. from the Ho-Chunk Nation and his co-host Gary Wilcox from the Powatan Nation. Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Reach out to me at larry@indigenousinmusic.com or visit www.indigenousinmusicandarts.org/indigenous-in-the-news for all the details. If you have a story and would like to share it, contact us.

“Joining us today is Manuel Zavala, an innovative educator and entrepreneur committed to empowering the next generation. He’s the founder and CEO of Student Hires, an organization that partners with K–12 schools to provide after-school and career readiness programs led by local college students. With a background in teaching and a passion for bridging the gap between education and real-world experience, Manuel is helping young people unlock their potential and build brighter futures. We’re excited to welcome him to the show!”

ABOUT MANUEL ZAVALA

Manuel Zavala is an educator and entrepreneur dedicated to enhancing student career readiness through experiential learning. He is the founder and CEO of Student Hires, an organization that partners with K–12 schools to provide after-school and expanded learning programs led by local college and university students.

Zavala’s journey began as a high school computer science teacher, where he identified gaps in the education system regarding practical, project-based learning. In 2015, while attending the University of California, Riverside, he founded Student Hires to address this need . Initially, the organization operated as a student-run creative agency, offering web and graphic design services to local businesses and providing university students with income and portfolio-building opportunities. By 2018, Student Hires expanded to offer educational programs aimed at preparing high school students for technology careers and facilitating their transition into entry-level jobs within the community.

Beyond Student Hires, Zavala has founded other education-focused ventures, including Afterschool.org, and maintains an active presence on platforms like YouTube, where he shares insights on student development and entrepreneurship.

Email: manuel@studenthires.com
Phone: 909-496-7557
Website: studenthires.commanuel@studenthires.com
Youtube: www.youtube.com/@studenthires
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/manuel-zavala-5017a98a
Manuel website: manuelzavala.com

CONTACT STUDENT HIRES

“On this week’s edition of Indigenous in the News, we’re honored to welcome a passionate advocate, organizer, and protector of Indigenous rights — Robert Rosa, President of the American Indian Movement Central Florida.

Robert has been on the frontlines of some of Florida’s most urgent struggles involving sacred lands, burial site desecration, and the ongoing failure of institutions to uphold Native sovereignty and federal protections like the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act — known as NAGPRA.

As a leader within AIM, Robert has worked tirelessly to hold contractors, developers, and public officials accountable when sacred Indigenous burial sites are threatened or destroyed. His work isn’t just about resistance — it’s about education, justice, and healing.

Today, he joins us to shed light on the battles unfolding across Florida where Native history is being bulldozed in the name of profit — and to share how community members, tribal nations, and allies can take action to protect the ancestors and the laws that were meant to honor them.

About Robert Rosa

Robert Rosa is the dedicated President of the American Indian Movement (AIM) Central Florida chapter and an active advocate for the protection of Indigenous heritage and sacred sites. Under his leadership, AIM Central Florida has successfully intervened in multiple cases where developers attempted to disturb Native mounds and burial grounds. Notably, in February 2023, Rosa played a key role in persuading Jupiter’s Historical Review Board to deny a permit for excavation at a site containing ancient Indian mounds, resulting in the land’s protection.

A member of the Taino community, Rosa has also worked collaboratively with Miccosukee and Seminole tribal representatives to challenge unauthorized digs across the region, emphasizing respect for ancestral lands and cultural sovereignty seminoletribune.org.

He is known for persistent public advocacy, attending local government meetings, raising community awareness, and helping secure protections at sites with deep historical significance.

Committed to preserving these sacred spaces, Rosa continues to lead grassroots campaigns across Central Florida—challenging developers, mobilizing allies, and ensuring that Indigenous voices are central to decisions about land use and cultural heritage.

Indigenous in the News: "Silent No More: A Song for MMIW, Gary Small and Patty Davis Tribute"

“Joining us today are two incredibly talented and passionate artists using their voices to bring attention to an urgent and heartbreaking issue. Gary Small, a four-time Native American Music Awards recipient of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, teams up with acclaimed singer-songwriter Patty Davis of the Comanche Nation. Together, they’ve created a powerful new song titled Silent No More, dedicated to raising awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

For more information or to obtain a broadcast-ready MP3 for Indigenous radio stations and programs, you can contact them at 307-674-4205.

“Every year, thousands of Indigenous women and girls go missing or are murdered across North America. In the U.S., the violence rate against Native women is over ten times the national average in some areas—yet most of these cases receive little attention and often go unsolved. The crisis is real, and it’s ongoing. We urge you to learn more, speak out, and support organizations fighting for justice. Let’s raise our voices for those who can’t. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women—we will not forget.“

• Indigenous women face murder rates more than 10 times the national average in some U.S. regions.
• In Canada, Indigenous women make up 4% of the population, but over 16% of all female homicide victims.
• Thousands of Indigenous women and girls have gone missing or been murdered over the past few decades—many cases remain unsolved or under-investigated.

• According to a report by the Urban Indian Health Institute, 5,712 cases of missing Indigenous women were reported in 2016—but only 116 were logged in the Department of Justice database.
• Many Indigenous women disappear in urban areas, where jurisdictional confusion between local, state, tribal, and federal authorities hampers investigations.
• Major contributing factors include systemic racism, violence tied to resource extraction zones, human trafficking, and lack of proper law enforcement coordination.

• The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released a landmark report in 2019, calling the crisis a “Canadian genocide.”
• The inquiry identified over 1,200 confirmed cases, but Indigenous organizations estimate the number is much higher—possibly over 4,000.
• Indigenous women are 12 times more likely to go missing or be murdered than non-Indigenous women.

• Colonial violence, intergenerational trauma, poverty, and gender-based violence are deeply rooted factors.
• Data collection is poor, contributing to lack of accountability and public awareness.
• There’s often jurisdictional conflict between tribal and non-tribal law enforcement, especially in cross-border or off-reservation cases.

• Grassroots movements like MMIWG2S, Native Women’s Association of Canada, and NIWRC have led awareness campaigns, vigils, and advocacy for policy change.
• May 5 is recognized as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in the U.S., also known as Red Dress Day in Canada.
• 
  

Gary Small: revgsmall@hotmail
Phone: 307-674-5204
Website: coyotebros.net
Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/garysmallthecoyotebros
Patty Davis: tenbearsdevelopment@gmail.com
Phone: 541-294-1909

Today we welcome Sasha Wortzel—filmmaker, artist, and storyteller whose work explores the intersections of memory, land, and identity. Her latest film, Rivers of Grass, takes us deep into the Florida Everglades, where ecology, history, and Indigenous resistance converge. With a poetic lens and powerful collaborations, Sasha brings forward stories that connect us to place, purpose, and preservation.

About Sasha:

Sasha Wortzel's upcoming film Rivers of Grass is a poetic and immersive exploration of the Florida Everglades, blending environmental history, personal memory, and queer identity. The film draws inspiration from the writings of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, the environmentalist who famously dubbed the Everglades a "river of grass," and incorporates contemporary voices of those who call the region home.

Wortzel, a Florida native and 2017 AIRIE (Artists in Residence in Everglades) fellow, is known for her multidisciplinary work that delves into the intersections of ecology, memory, and marginalized histories. Her approach often involves a blend of documentary and experimental techniques, aiming to illuminate the layered narratives embedded in landscapes.

In 2024, an installation featuring film stills from Rivers of Grass was showcased at Oregon State University’s PRAx Lightboxes, in conjunction with the exhibition How to Carry Water. This installation offered audiences a glimpse into the film's visual and thematic elements, highlighting Wortzel's focus on the Everglades' past and present.

While a specific release date for the full film has not been announced, the ongoing exhibitions and Wortzel's active engagement with environmental and artistic communities suggest that Rivers of Grass will continue to be presented in various formats. For updates on screenings or related events, following Wortzel's official channels or institutions like AIRIE and PRAx would be beneficial.

Contact:
Email: ⁠https://www.riverofgrassfilm.com
Publicist: marija@silkstrategy.com
Website: https://www.riverofgrassfilm.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riverofgrassdoc

Indigenous in the News
Join us every week from Two Buffalo Studios in Bradenton, Florida, as we bring you the latest updates on issues that matter to us all, from the Shakers to the Makers across Indian Country. Hosted by Larry K. from the Ho-Chunk Nation and his co-host Gary Wilcox from the Powatan Nation. Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Reach out to me at larry@indigenousinmusic.com or visit www.indigenousinmusicandarts.org/category/ln-the-news for all the details. If you have a story and would like to share it, contact us.

“Indigenous Star Power: Melody McArthur Lights Up Bear Grease as Sandy

Today, we’re joined by powerhouse performer Melody McArthur of the Bigstone Cree Nation. She’s touring across Turtle Island as 'Sandy' in the smash-hit Indigenous musical Bear Grease. Tune in as we talk music, culture, and reclaiming the stage in the coolest way possible." Read all about Bear Grease at our place on the web at www.indigenousinmusicandarts.org/ln-the-news/bear-grease-melody-mcarthur

ABOUT BEAR GREASE

Bear Grease the Musical makes its Off-Broadway debut after captivating audiences across North America with over 200 performances.

Dubbed the Reservation sensation, this all-Indigenous, laugh-out-loud musical reimagines the iconic Grease through a contemporary Native lens — fusing powwow-step, hip hop, and native humor with vibrant dance, bold storytelling, and traditional languages.

It’s fresh, fearless, and absolutely hilarious — a joyride of culture and comedy that will have audiences dancing in their seats and rolling on the floor!

Melody McArthur, a multi-award-winning singer and actress from the Bigstone Cree Nation in Treaty 8, Alberta, stars as Sandy in Bear Grease, an all-Indigenous musical parody of the classic Grease. This production reimagines the original story with Indigenous humor, culture, and music, offering a fresh and empowering perspective.

McArthur’s portrayal of Sandy has garnered acclaim, showcasing her versatility as a performer. She has expressed deep affection for the role, stating, “I love ‘Sandy’ of Bear Grease very much. She is the Love of my Life at this point lol. It’s been a challenging but beautiful journey for her.”

Bear Grease has achieved significant success, including an Off-Broadway premiere in New York City. McArthur shared her excitement on social media, noting, “21 days til New York City Off-Broadway journey with my Bear Grease fam begins!”

WEBSITE: www.beargreaselive.com

June 10 – September 7, 2025
Theater at St.Luke’s, Manhattan, NY

September 30 – October 5, 2025
Neptune Theatre, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Indigenous in the News

Join us every week from Two Buffalo Studios in Bradenton, Florida, as we bring you the latest updates on issues that matter to us all, from the Shakers to the Makers across Indian Country. Hosted by Larry K. from the Ho-Chunk Nation and his co-host Gary Wilcox from the Powatan Nation.

Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Reach out to me at larry@indigenousinmusic.com or visit www.indigenousinthenews.org for all the details. If you have a story and would like to share it, contact us.