Jeanette DeDios

The Santa Fe International Literary Festival begins next weekend from May 15-17 and among the array of authors speaking; screenwriters will also be in attendance discussing how books get adapted from print to the big screen. KUNM spoke with Diné screenwriter, filmmaker and actor Dezbaa’ who plays Helen Atcitty on AMC’s Dark Winds. Dezbaa’ said she started out working as a geologist and earning her degree as a screenwriter before she got her big break.

Native communities face higher rates of diabetes compared to other groups. To combat this, some Native Americans are moving towards plant-based diets and lifestyles. KUNM spoke with Jenson Yazzie, a Diné college student who is a part of the Native Food for Life program.

Early voting started this week for the primary elections on June 2nd and this year New Mexicans who are not affiliated with a political party will have the opportunity to participate.

In March, the Trump Administration issued an executive order that would limit mail-in voting by having a federal agency create a list of American citizens who are eligible to vote by showing proof of citizenship beforehand. KUNM spoke with Jacqueline De León (Isleta Pueblo), senior attorney for the Native American Rights Fund on how this move could impact Native American voters in rural areas.

The Gathering of Nations is on April 24-25 and among all the dancers, and drummers, tribal members from the Diné Nation will be sharing their health journey and how changing from a European diet to a Native plant-based one helped improve their health and lifestyle.

This weekend on April 24-25 will be the last Gathering of Nations event, with promoters calling it the “The Last Dance.” The event brings in close to 100 thousand visitors every year and is often branded as the “Largest North American Powwow.” KUNM spoke with executive producer Pony Vigil, who is Diné, and will document the last official powwow and create a rock-umentary from the footage.

A new exhibit called “A Question of Power” will be at the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe tells the story of three Diné women who helped defeat a controversial power plant on the Navajo Nation.

Diné photographer Ryle Yazzie is releasing his first book titled “Native Genes” that explores authenticity and Americana through self-portraits and risographs. KUNM spoke with Yazzie who said this project stemmed from his time working as a photo assistant in Santa Fe.

The Albuquerque City Council defeated a proposal in a 6-3 vote on Monday that would have introduced ranked choice voting for city elections.

After eight months, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science will re-open on Saturday with all new features including a new visiting exhibit.