Monday, December 22, 2025 – The Year in Native News

Leonard Peltier’s release after nearly 50 years in federal prison tops our list for the most momentous events of 2025. We’ll explore what the unrepentant elder activist’s relative freedom (he remains under house arrest) means nearly a year after President Joe Biden commuted his sentence. We’ll also revisit some of the other top news events including how President Donald Trump’s first year touched everything from Native health care to federal contracts, and federal recognition for the Lumbee Nation. GUESTS Jourdan Bennett-Begaye (Diné), managing editor of ICT Graham Lee Brewer (Cherokee), national reporter for The Associated Press Levi Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation), publisher and editor of Native News Online and Tribal Business News Melanie Henshaw (Mvskoke), Indigenous affairs reporter for InvestigateWest   Break 1 Music: Ridin’ Out the Storm (song) Samantha Crain (artist) Break 2 Music: Coventry Carol (song) PIQSIQ (artist) Coventry Carol (album)