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A five-minute newscast focused on activity at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, anchored by Alena Naiden.

This episode looks at how AFN overcame what seemed to be insurmountable challenges. The 1960’s were a time of heightened racism, when newcomers to the state were taking over traditional lands and pushing development that threatened Native cultures and ways of life. Most villages only had one phone and limited mail service. How could people communicate across such vast distances? AFN’s shoestring budget came from its members, who dug into their pockets or held bake sales to raise cash. Yet despite the daunting obstacles, AFN’s early leaders found ways to organize, communicate and build a movement that would endure for generations. This program also explores how the tiny Tundra Times newspaper became the movement’s lifeline –how it carried news, ideas and inspiration across Alaska. Some contend that without the Tundra Times, AFN would have struggled to bridge Alaska’s vast distances and transform scattered voices into a powerful, unified movement. Hosted by KNBA’s Rhonda McBride, this three-part series celebrates the Alaska Federation of Native’s 60th anniversary. It explores AFN’s colorful history — from its first gathering in October 1966 above a fur store in downtown Anchorage — to its early visionary leaders who transformed AFN into a major political force to fight for land claims, civil rights and social justice.

A five-minute newscast focused on activity at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, anchored by Alena Naiden.

DAY 2. Friday, Oct. 23rd: The Gathering that Changed Alaska. This episode revisits AFN’s very first meeting in October 1966, when Native leaders from across Alaska gathered above a fur store in downtown Anchorage. They spoke different languages, wore different clothes, and came from vastly different regions of the state. Yet they had one common denominator: a love of the land and their way of life. Over the course of a single weekend, barriers of language, geography, and culture gave way to a common cause and laid the foundation for a movement that would unite Alaska Natives for the first time and mark a new era of Alaska Native leadership.  Hosted by KNBA’s Rhonda McBride, this three-part series celebrates the Alaska Federation of Native’s 60th anniversary. It explores AFN’s colorful history — from its first gathering in October 1966 above a fur store in downtown Anchorage — to its early visionary leaders who transformed AFN into a major political force to fight for land claims, civil rights and social justice.

A five-minute newscast focused on activity at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, anchored by Alena Naiden.

DAY 1. Thursday, Oct. 22nd: One Man’s Dream. Nick Gray and the Birth of AFN. Before the Alaska Federation of Natives became a powerful voice for Native rights, there was Nick Gray. This episode traces the remarkable story of a man whose dream of forming a statewide Native organization took shape during his worldwide travels with Ignacy Paderewski, the virtuoso Polish pianist and statesman who later helped lead Poland’s fight for independence after World War II. When Paderewski hired Gray as his valet while touring the United States in the 1920’s, Gray saw firsthand how a determined leader could unite people behind a common cause. Inspired by Paderewski’s vision and leadership, Gray returned to Alaska with a dream of his own — to lay the foundation for AFN and forever change the course of Alaska Native history.  Hosted by KNBA’s Rhonda McBride, this three-part series celebrates the Alaska Federation of Native’s 60th anniversary. It explores AFN’s colorful history — from its first gathering in October 1966 above a fur store in downtown Anchorage — to its early visionary leaders who transformed AFN into a major political force to fight for land claims, civil rights and social justice.

A five-minute newscast focused on activity at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, anchored by Alena Naiden.

The pipeline protest that arose at Standing Rock ten years ago was a milestone in Indian Country history that resonates still today. ICT takes a look back -- and a look forward -- from this historic moment.

The untold Indigenous story behind the American Revolution This summer our country will celebrate the 250-year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration has been described as many things, but chief amongst them, according to scholars, is a list of complaints. And the last entry, the climax in our founders’ reasons for rebellion against the Crown? It’s this: “He has excited… the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.” We have been told the Revolution was fought over taxation and representation. But First America, a one-hour special, reveals the long-buried history behind the Revolution: What the founders were most angry about in our country’s most famous document was Indian affairs. Hunger for more Indigenous land was one of the biggest drivers of the Revolutionary War. How did generations of Americans miss this? Hosted by Cherokee reporter Rebecca Nagle working in collaboration with leading Native historians, First America will unveil how the founders’ treatment of Indigenous nations—and their resistance—shaped US democracy, and, crucially, how our current political moment was 250 years in the making. GUESTS: Nick Estes [Est-ez], citizen of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and Associate Professor in American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota. Ned Blackhawk, citizen of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone and professor of history at Yale University Maggie Blackhawk, Fond du Lac Ojibwe and Moses H. Grossman Professor of Law at New York University Rebecca Nagle is an award-winning advocate and writer focused on advancing Native rights and ending violence against Native women. Nagle is a citizen of Cherokee Nation and a two spirit/queer woman. Nagle is the host of the podcast This Land focused on treaty rights and tribal sovereignty in Oklahoma. Her writing about Native representation and tribal sovereignty has been featured in the Washington Post, USA Today, Teen Vogue, the Huffington Post, and more. Distributed by Native Voice One in partnership with WNYC.

https://media.blubrry.com/nationalnativenews/ins.blubrry.com/nationalnativenews/nnn062626.mp3       Alaska Native baseball history part of state’s America250 events   Legacy Mine Cleanup Act advances in House after committee hearing       Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our newsletter today.

https://media.blubrry.com/nationalnativenews/ins.blubrry.com/nationalnativenews/nnn062526.mp3       150 years since Battle of the Greasy Grass marked across plains   Democrats raise alarm at IHS plan to merge Tucson office into Phoenix   Cruz testifies before Senate Indian Affairs Committee for IHS director role       Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our newsletter today.

https://media.blubrry.com/nationalnativenews/ins.blubrry.com/nationalnativenews/nnn062426.mp3       Iron Dog Race announces new route after community scrutiny       Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our newsletter today.

https://media.blubrry.com/nationalnativenews/ins.blubrry.com/nationalnativenews/nnn062326.mp3       Tribes have new digital tool to navigate NPS conservation grants   Bethel twins win top innovation prize for home boiler device       Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our newsletter today.

KNBA's Rhonda McBride and Jill Fratis bring us all the action from the 2026 Native Youth Olympic (NYO) Games. This program provides up-close interviews and discussions with NYO participants, leaders, and culture bearers. The program features interviews with athletes, coaches, NYO leaders and veteran athletes. The traditional games, which were originally depended on for survival, continue to develop the strength and skill of generations of Alaskan Native people. The NYO carries on the games by encouraging young people to strive for their personal best.This episode highlights the vibrant energy, unique spirit of fair play where athletes coach competitors, and the deep connection to Alaska Native culture, tradition, and community spirit.

KNBA's Rhonda McBride and Jill Fratis bring us all the action from the 2026 Native Youth Olympic (NYO) Games. This program provides up-close interviews and discussions with NYO participants, leaders, and culture bearers. The program features interviews with athletes, coaches, NYO leaders and veteran athletes. The traditional games, which were originally depended on for survival, continue to develop the strength and skill of generations of Alaskan Native people. The NYO carries on the games by encouraging young people to strive for their personal best.This episode highlights the vibrant energy, unique spirit of fair play where athletes coach competitors, and the deep connection to Alaska Native culture, tradition, and community spirit. Jill Fratis with American Ninja Warrior Nick Hanson, his wife and his newborn son.