ALBUQUERQUE - *Native America Calling*, the first nationally- distributed talk show produced from a Native American perspective, is now working toward incorporating features into its daily program.

Since *NAC* is an innovative program in terms of indigenous broadcasting, it now wants to take an active role in the nurturing of native radio producers. It's envisioned that producers at tribally-owned radio stations and other public stations will produce short features that can be incorporated into *NAC*'s daily discussions.

There is currently a shortage of native producers and reporters. The *NAC* Features Producer will work with interested native radio personnel to assist them in developing their production skills.

By encouraging the development of native producers and reporters and providing a forum for their work through *NAC,* native people will be able to present their communities to a larger listening audience. In turn *NAC* listeners will be able to get a better understanding of native communities.

*Native America Calling* celebrated its one-year anniversary on June 5, 1996. The one-hour program airs live each weekday at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. The program is distributed on a national basis via the National Public Radio satellite by the American Indian Radio on Satellite Network (AIROS).

The program, billed as the nation's first "electronic talking circle," uses its call-in format to engage listeners into conversations with experts and noted guests about issues of the day.

NAC is a production of Native American Public Telecommunications, Inc. Offices for *Native America Calling* are located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The program is produced at the studios of KUNM at the University of New Mexico.

Bernadette Chato, the Features Producer for *Native America Calling* can be reached at 505-277-5354 or by fax at 505-277-4286. Address correspondence to PO Box 40164, Albuquerque, NM 87196, or e-mail to chato@unm.edu.