Tuesday, May 27, 2025 – Confusion reigns following federal staff, service cuts

The Trump administration cut a quarter of the staff at Haskell Indian Nations University in February. A little over a month later a judge reinstated those positions. Even though the jobs at Haskell and other Bureau of Indian Education schools were restored, uncertainty over the future of those institutions prevails. Similar anxiety accompanies dozens of other important programs and institutions including libraries, museums, low-income heat assistance, and Medicaid. We’ll get updates from places feeling the effects of fast-changing federal support. GUESTS Shaun Griswold (Laguna, Zuni, and Jemez), correspondent at High Country News Danelle Springer (Comanche), legislative associate for American Indian Higher Education Consortium Aziza Smith (Eastern Shoshone), senior at Haskell Indian Nations University Roberta Turner, social services supervisor at Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s Na’ini Family and Social Services U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) Listen to an extended interview with Sen. Lisa Murkowski here: https://nativeamericacalling-offload-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Murkowski-extended-web.mp3 Break 1 Music: On the Road Missing Home (Corn Dance) (song) Sheldon Sundown (artist) Hand Drum/Smoke N’ Round Dance (album) Break 2 Music: Medicine Man (song) Blue Moon Marquee (artist) Scream, Holler, and Howl (album)