Archives for February 2017
Married into culture
NAC: February 13 – 17
Monday, February 13, 2017 — Steering teens to informed decisions about sex
An Oregon-based program aims to help Native American teens make better decisions when it comes to sex. Organizers with the STAND program hope their weekly education sessions that incorporate culture and language will help cut rates for sexually-transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. They are among several programs that see a need for solid, research-based curricula to help teens get the basics about sex education.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017 — Married into culture
Love can lead us down many new paths. Sometimes the journey is toward a culture different than the one we’re born into. One of our guests honors her husband’s Salish culture by mastering traditional weaving. We’ll talk to others, as well, about the rewards and obstacles of navigating a spouse’s Native culture.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017 – February Music Maker: Cary Morin
“Cradle to the Grave” is the latest by Crow musician Cary Morin and it’s in invitation to take in some skilled finger picking fun. Continuing on his journey of solo acoustic exploration Morin is giving blues rock roots lovers almost a dozen tracks on his fourth solo album. The lyrics are also a passage through his life and lessons learned and from it this artist says he’s come to the understanding that life is fleeting. We invite you to our discussion with Cary Morin.
Thursday, February 16, 2017 – The State of Indian Nations
A major standoff over an oil pipeline in North Dakota, a new U.S. president and new priorities for federal decision-making; A lot has changed for our Native Nations since the last State of Indian Nations a year ago. We will hear the annual State of Indian Nations addres by National Congress of American Indians President Brian Cladoosby as well as the congressional response.
Friday, February 17, 2017 – What can protests accomplish?
Some enduring images from the Dakota Access Pipeline protest over the past year include throngs of people getting doused with water hoses in freezing temperatures and clashing with police in riot gear. Protesting and civil disobedience have long histories both in and out of our Native Nations. From Wounded Knee to the Oceti Sakowin Camp, demonstrations are a show of force for a pressing issue. But what purpose do they serve?
Trahant Reports – Native journalist arrest puts the First Amendment on trial
A Native American journalist is arrested while covering Standing Rock.
This is Trahant Reports.
There is an idea in law enforcement called the “thin blue line.” It basically means that police work together. A call goes out from Morton County and, right or wrong, law enforcement from around the country provides back up.
You would think journalism would be like that, too.
When one journalist is threatened, we all are. We cannot do our jobs when we worry about being injured or worse. And when a journalist is arrested? Well, everyone who claims the First Amendment as a framework should object loudly.
Last Wednesday Jenni Monet was arrested near Cannonball, North Dakota. She was interviewing water protectors who were setting up a new camp near the Dakota Access Pipeline route on treaty lands of the Great Sioux Nation. Law enforcement from Morton County surrounded the camp and captured everyone within the circle. A press release from the sheriff’s Department puts it this way: “Approximately 76 members of a rogue group of protestors were arrested.” Most were charged with criminal trespassing and inciting a riot.
As was Jenni Monet.
She is facing serious charges and the judicial process will go forward. The truth will come out.
But this story is about the failure of journalism institutions.
The Native press and the institutions that carry her work had Monet’s back. That includes Indian Country Media Network, Yes! Magazine, and the Center for Investigative Reporting. The Lost Angeles Times has now weighed in with its own story written by Sandy Tolan who’s done some great reporting from Standing Rock.
But in North Dakota you would not know this arrest happened. The press is silent.
After her release from jail, Monet wrote for Indian Country Media Network, “When Democracy Now!’s Amy Goodman was charged with the same allegations I now face—criminal trespassing and rioting—her message to the world embraced the First Amendment. ‘There’s a reason why journalism is explicitly protected by the U.S. Constitution,’ she said before a crowd gathered in front of the Morton County courthouse. “Because we’re supposed to be the check and balance on power.”
The funny thing is that journalism institutions were not quick to embrace Goodman either. I have talked to many journalists who see her as an “other” because she practices a different kind of journalism than they do.
Monet’s brand of journalism is rooted in facts and good reporting. She talks to everyone on all sides of the story, including the Morton County Sheriff and North Dakota’s new governor. She also has street cred … and knows how to tell a story.
So if we ever need journalism institutions to rally, it’s now. It’s not Jenni Monet who will be on trial. It’s the First Amendment. Journalism is not a crime. I am Mark Trahant.
The new fight against DAPL
NAC: February 6 – 10
Monday, February 6, 2017 — Fighting depression
Nearly 9 percent of Native Americans experienced a major depressive episode according to the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Mental Health Findings. That means they experienced severe problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration, and self-worth—enough to interfere with their daily lives. The survey lists Native Americans as the group with the highest rate of depression. We talk to experts about the signs and treatments for depression and some of the suspected causes for the illness in Native populations.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017 – An update on disputed mine proposals
Since taking office, President Trump, has taken action on promises to cut environmental regulations and advance energy industry projects from coal to oil pipelines. With that in mind, we’ll take a look at two proposed mines that could also get caught up in the pro-industry momentum. The Back Forty Project in Michigan and the Resolution Copper mine in Arizona. We’ll get updates on these and what hopes tribal leaders and others have for fighting them.
Wednesday, February 8, 2017 — NoDAPL update
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving forward with the remaining easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline project. Thousands of people have set up at one of several other camps along the Cannonball and Missouri Rivers in North Dakota. We hear from Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault II and others about what this new development means for the tribe and the many people calling themselves water protectors.
Thursday, February 9, 2017 — Breaking up is hard to do
The decision to end a relationship is almost never easy. Whether it’s a marriage or a long term relationship, breaking up can be painful for everyone. Experts have advice on how to know it’s time to break it off and some ways to do it. They also have insights on what to expect afterwards and some things to think about ahead of time.
Friday, February 10, 2017 – Border town struggles
The mayor of Rapid City, South Dakota found himself in the hot seat for ineloquent comments about Native Americans and panhandling. The comments came as the city near the Pine Ridge Reservation is trying to improve relations after several ugly interactions between Native American and non-Native residents. Towns near reservations often struggle with the outward expressions of entrenched prejudice. We’ll talk with community members about the long, slow process of reconciliation in border towns.
The new choice for Interior
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Trahant Reports – Thinking different in the Trump Era
How does Indian Country survive the Donald Trump era? The new administration is only a few days old and already the chaos of the times have upset business as usual. And possibly the very structure of federal-Indian law.
This is Trahant Reports.
Don’t count out the bureaucracy. I first started covering federal Indian policy during the late 1970s. I was in DC and was interviewing someone about a reform project at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, a plan that I thought made a lot of sense. But my source smiled and responded, “I have seen them come. I have seen them go.” There are ways to tie up initiatives — even good ones — through the process of government.
President Donald J. Trump’s memoranda might fit into this category. Usually an executive order or a memorandum has a legal framework as part of the document, including citing the statutory authority for the presidential action. On Dakota Access and Keystone that reference has been replaced by the logic of “because I said so.”
We shall see.
Tribes should work closer with cities, states, private companies, and any global government that’s open to help. The federal government is going to be close to useless for the next four years (unless the Trump infrastructure program happens, and includes Indian Country, but there is no evidence of that yet.) The modern city state, think a Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis or a Phoenix, are the real engines of growth in this country. What’s the best way for tribes to become partners?
Indian Country’s greatest advantage right now is our young people, more than 40 percent of our total population (compared to about a third for country as a whole.) We have numbers working in our favor and we should look for more ways to leverage that advantage.
Don’t count out Republican versus Republican. Right now Republicans in Congress are giving President Trump the benefit of the doubt. But as decisions get harder, the act of governing gets more complex.
There is already evidence of this in the debate about repealing the Affordable Care Act. The idea of getting rid of Obamacare was a unifying force. But there is no consensus about a replacement law. Republican governors fear that their state budgets will collapse if Medicaid becomes a block grant with less money. And many Republicans in Congress cling to the idea that health care should be left up to families and government should not be involved or fund it. And finally Republicans who want to win the next election know that stripping heath insurance from millions of people is not a winning hand.
There are many ways for tribes to survive the Trump era. Only … it’s time to think differently. I am Mark Trahant.