Midday program presents two documentaries - Messages from the Grandparents, a look at Cherokee, Winnebago, Pueblo, and Mohawk elders who present oral narratives which provide the basis for community behavior at how oral traditions are passed from one generation to the next; and Cultural Identity, a look at the cultural and social bases for contemporary Indian identity among the Houma, Lumbee, and Yaqui.

Messages from the Grandparents was produced by Ginger Miles.

Cultural Identity was produced by Nick Spitzer.

The documentaries are part of Spirits of the Present: The Legacy from Native America, a documentary series from field recordings which examines the diverse cultures of Native America. They examine the life of today's Indians; their wisdom and humor, art and music, economics, education, religion, and politics. The 13 half-hour programs are a co-production of Radio Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC and the Native American Public Broadcasting Consortium in Lincoln, Nebraska. It is distributed nationwide by American Public Radio (APR).

[Content Warning: Offensive language is present in this story. Subject matter may be triggering to listeners]