Native television starts in Arizona

By Stan Bindell
For The Independent

PHOENIX — Native Americans are gaining television time thanks to Linda White Wolf, Debra Krol and Pat McMahon.

KAZ-TV, Arizona's only independent television station, has started airing eight minute segments of Native American News at least once a month during the Pat McMahon Show.

The Pat McMahon Show airs from 9-10 a.m. Monday through Friday. The Native American News is scheduled to air the second Wednesday of each month, but sometimes they will hold two segments a month. McMahon is joined by White Wolf for the news and interview segments.

The next segment will be June 29 when the show will focus on Native American Recognition Days and the involvement of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Arizona Intertribal Youth Baseball tournament.

The segment focuses on the beauty of Indian culture in Arizona with the planned involvement of all 22 Arizona tribes.

Additionally, KAZ-TV plans to also produce and air two minute segments of Arizona Native News. This feature will allow for airing on a daily or weekly basis of native news during the 6-10 p.m. prime time hours.

White Wolf, a member of the Chickasaw Tribe and the Maori from New Zealand, said she proposed the show to McMahon because nothing was being done on television about Arizona's tribes.

"It was like shame on Arizona," she said. "Everybody thought it was a good idea and backed it."

White Wolf was excited when McMahon went for the idea because he won't put just anything on his show.

White Wolf said most of KAZ-TV's listeners are in the 24-54 year old category so she feels this is a good way for Native Americans to reach the mainstream listeners.

"This is a good way to let people know what's going on in Native American country and inform people about Native American events. It's also a way to break the stereotypes," she said.

White Wolf said tribes with casinos don't always have the best public image and this show will give people a better idea of what Indian life is like.

KAZ-TV has 1.4-1.6 million listeners. It reaches three-quarters of Arizona and parts of Nevada and California. KAZ-TV can be picked up by those who ge tDish Network and will be on Direct TV in the fallthe two main satellite companies that serve the Navajo and Hopi Reservations in Arizona.

White Wolf notes that Canyon Records from Phoenix has "graciously" allowed them to use their music for each show and thus Native American News will use the music from a different tribe for each show.

The Navajo comedy team of James and Ernie performed on the June 15 show. White Wolf said she hopes to have more Navajos and Hopis on the show. She said the show will focus on timely events such as the Navajo Nation Fair.

"We like to have something that's timely," she said. White Wolf is proud that the show is off the ground. "KAZ-TV supports diversity and the American Indian community," she said. "We're striving to break down stereotypes and communicate in a positive way." White Wolf has appeared in some television shows and movies, but is best known as a record executive. She worked in management for several record companies,vice president of the Native American Music Association and the Native American Screening Committee of the Native American music category for the Grammys.

She currently works as an account manager for KAZ-TV and a media consultant.

Debra Krol, deputy director for the Arizona Commission on Indian Affairs, serves as producer of the show. Krol, a member of the Xolon Salinan Tribe of Central California, has the task of getting guests and finding out about upcoming Indian events in the state. Those who think they would make a good guest or want to give information about upcoming events can telephone Krol at 602-550-2356.

Krol said she followed the TV career of the late Roy Track who was on channel 3 for three decades. The first Native American News show included a segment honoring Track.

Krol said if Native American News goes well that it can eventually go twice a week.

Krol said that because KAZ-TV is an independent stationnot tied to a networkthat it has more freedom to do what is wants, such as working with the Native American community.

Krol said that White Wolf and herself have been friends for years and have worked on the Indian Town Hall and the Indian Chamber of Commerce together.

"She called on me to help with people who want to be on the show," Krol said. "Pat has been wonderful. He didn't have to do this, but he has an interest in Native Americans. He jokes that he's a member of the Irish Tribe."

Krol notes that Native American places and culture rank second in the state in tourism next to only the Grand Canyon.

"This is a great show because it fills a void that has been open," she said. "This is something big that could cover the entire state. I'm new to TV and this pays tribute to people like Roy Track and Don Decker who have done it before."

Decker used to have a Native American segment on KNAZ in Flagstaff.

McMahon said in a news release that he was glad to make Native American News part of the show. "They were here before all of us, yet we know so little about real Native American life. I'm thrilled to be able to do something about it," he said.