Native America Calling

Native America Calling


Tuesday, September 9, 2025 – Native businesses are responding to tariffs

September 09, 2025

President Donald Trump is going to defend his tariff policy before the U.S. Supreme Court. Lower federal courts recently ruled that President Trump does not have the authority to impose tariffs under the national emergency powers. A new Pew Research Center poll found that 61% of Americans disapprove of his tariff policies. Businesses like Sisseton-Wahpeton fabric designer Denise Hill are faced with having to raise prices to make up for rising costs on goods from other countries. We’ll get a reading on the effect tariffs have had on Native-owned businesses so far.

GUESTS

State Sen. Susan Webber (Blackfeet/D-MT [Browning])

Larry Chavis (Lumbee), economist and business school professor

Jeff St. Louis (Sault Ste. Marie Band of Chippewa Indians), CEO and founder of Native Purchasing Group

Denise Hill (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate), owner of Family Affair

 

Break 1 Music: Mr. Businessman’s Blues (song) DM Lafortune (artist) Beauty and Hard Times (album)

Break 2 Music: Rodeo Song [Skip Dance Song] (song) Sweethearts of Navajoland (artist) From the Heart of Diné Nation Traditional Songs of the Navajo (album)