On the afternoon of Tuesday, March 21, Henrietta Mann, a renowned Cheyenne Native American studies professor and historian, entered the White House with a beaming smile to attend the 2021 National Humanities Medals dinner and ceremony.
Shawn Spruce from Laguna Pueblo, Jaclyn Sallee from Inupiaq, Denise Morris from Aleut, and Art Hughes from “Native America Calling” and Koahnic Broadcast Corporation, the producer of the renowned radio show, followed closely behind her.
Everyone gathered in Washington, D.C., where President Joe Biden presented them with National Humanities Medals. In 2021, a total of 12 medals were granted. However, to everyone’s delight, Sir Elton John was unexpectedly honored with his medal in 2022.
“We are currently in the presence of a fascinating group of individuals, including some highly esteemed and well-known figures from the arts and humanities realm,” shared Shawn Spruce, the host of “Native America Calling,” in an interview with ICT. “We are simply relishing this wonderful experience.”
During the dinner that preceded the medal ceremony, Spruce made a call from the East Wing of the White House. In the background, conversations and laughter filled the air.
Shelly C. Lowe, Navajo, chair for the National Endowment for the Humanities, expressed her pride in joining President Biden to acknowledge the exceptional leaders who have been awarded the National Humanities Medal. These individuals have profoundly enriched our world by captivating us with their writing, expanding our understanding of the past through their scholarly work, and ensuring that often neglected communities and histories are educated, informed, and given a voice. Their remarkable contributions to our nation’s cultural life deserve recognition and admiration.
According to the National Endowment for the Humanities, the ceremony honoring individuals or groups whose work has enriched the nation’s understanding of the humanities and encouraged citizen engagement with history, literature, languages, philosophy, and other humanities subjects, had been postponed due to the pandemic.
He stated that the true focus of the show, titled “Native America Calling,” is Indian Country and Native America. The identity of the host or producer is irrelevant. The show’s essence lies in its listeners and the Native communities who appreciate it and provide feedback. This recognition is an acknowledgment for everyone involved, whether they are part of the show or simply listeners. It is a significant achievement for all.
“Native America Calling” took to the airways in the summer of 1995 from the University of New Mexico at the KUNM radio station. The format of the daily program is an hourlong live call-in show about a specific topic or issue that centers the Indigenous voice. (On Tuesday, it was about Native American Muslims.)
At present, the program is broadcasted on more than 130 radio stations across the United States and Canada, with 74 of them being Native-controlled. Initially, when the show began, it was only available on 14 stations.
The initial caller hailed from the Oglala Lakota’s sovereign lands in present-day Porcupine, South Dakota.
The significance of “Native America Calling” cannot be emphasized enough, especially for the numerous Indigenous nations residing in rural communities. These communities heavily depend on radio stations to remain informed about the latest happenings.
He stated that when the show initially began, radio was considered one of the top platforms for individuals to obtain news and information, alongside television. Despite advancements in technology and the increasing number of people streaming content or obtaining information online, radio remains the preferred mode of communication and news dissemination in numerous Native communities and rural areas. Many of these communities lack internet access, making tribal radio stations and public radio stations extremely significant.
Spruce and Art Hughes, the executive producer, received a mysterious email from the National Endowment for the Humanities, requesting a Zoom meeting. Anticipating a story pitch from the federal agency, Spruce diligently prepared a list of questions in advance.
Spruce recalled, “Art and I were completely dumbfounded. We couldn’t believe it. They didn’t want us to cover the news. We were the news! It was incredibly thrilling, I had to question if it was all real and pinch myself.”
President Joe Biden spoke during the ceremony, stating that “Native American Calling” broadcasts a daily live radio show from a studio in New Mexico. The show delves into a wide range of topics, including the influence of Native newspapers, Native cuisine, and even Native American support for Ukraine. President Biden emphasized that the show effectively captures the breadth and significance of Native American life, which has a profound impact on the entire country.
Mann’s contributions to Native American studies, history, language, and culture make her a true pioneer in these fields. Additionally, she holds the distinction of being the first Native American to lead federal Indian education programs during her tenure at the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
She held teaching positions at the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Montana, and Montana State University. Notably, she was the inaugural recipient of the prestigious Katz Endowed Chair in Native American Studies at Montana State University. Throughout her tenure at these institutions, she played a pivotal role in the establishment and enhancement of Native American studies programs.
Mann contributed to the establishment of the Native American studies program at Haskell Indian Nations University following the creation of tribal colleges and universities.
She assumed the role of the inaugural president of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal College, the first-ever tribal college in the country, as the new century began. Unfortunately, the college has ceased operations since then. Mann proudly identifies as a member of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma.
Mann emphasized the need to create a nurturing setting for our youth, where they can engage in American Indian history, culture, language, philosophy, spirituality, literature, and our valuable oral traditions. These courses form an integral part of our identity, preserving our rich history and culture.
During her journey towards obtaining her doctorate degree, Mann encountered a setback in her master’s program where she was informed that she would not be able to pursue research on the oral traditions of her nation due to the absence of evaluators for her work.
Mann expressed his desire to write about Indians while pursuing his second degree in English. When he shared this idea with his adviser, he was disappointed to be told that he couldn’t proceed with it, as conveyed to Shelly Lowe, Navajo, in Humanities magazine.
Her footsteps have been followed by generations of Indigenous researchers, professors, historians, and academics who continue to generate knowledge about their Native nations.
According to Biden, Henrietta Mann is not only a teacher, but also a scholar and leader who has devoted her entire career to the advancement of Native American education. Additionally, she has played a crucial role in establishing Native American studies as a recognized field of study in universities throughout the United States. Biden believes that this accomplishment will contribute to strengthening the bonds between nations for future generations.
