Masks are Back, Albuquerque’s Soccer Pitch, Native Boarding Schools

This week on New Mexico in Focus, extended coverage of the federal government’s effort to document the truth about Native boarding schools. Interior secretary and former New Mexico congresswoman Deb Haaland announced the investigation this summer, on the heels of gruesome discoveries of mass graves at Canadian boarding school sites. The show excerpts a PBS NewsHour interview with Sec. Haaland, and correspondent Antonia Gonzales speaks with two Native leaders about the need for the painful look back as well as the path forward toward healing.

Thirteen of the University of New Mexico Medical School’s 15 recent residency graduates of the family and community medicine program will stay in state, boosting long-slumping numbers of rural primary care doctors. The school has been focusing on just such an outcome as a way to improve community health. Producer Matt Grubs speaks with a graduate of the program and two doctors who are trying to ensure continued success.

The Line opinion panel talks about the return of masks – even for vaccinated people – in some indoor environments, as well as how schools will handle the CDC’s new recommendation. The group also weighs in on Albuquerque’s upcoming $50 million bond measure to fund a stadium primarily for the New Mexico United soccer team.

Host: Gene Grant

The Line opinion panel:
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Dan Foley, former state representative
Kristelle Siarza, Siarza Social Digital

Segments:
Reckoning with the Past: Native Boarding Schools
Correspondent: Antonia Gonzales
Guests:
Joe Garcia, Head Councilman, Ohkay Owingeh
Angel Charley, Executive Director, Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women
Deb Haaland, Secretary of the Interior (Previously aired PBS NewsHour interview)

UNM Medical Residents Stay in State
Correspondent: Matt Grubs, NMiF Senior Producer
Guests:
Dr. Arthur Kaufman, UNM Vice Chancellor for Community Health
Dr. Molly McClain, UNM Family & Community Medicine Residency Director
Dr. Darshan Patel, UNM Family & Community Residency Graduate, Nor-Lea Hospital