NAC: September 21 – 25
Monday, September 21, 2020 – Domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic
Advocates fear the coronavirus pandemic increases the risk for Native American women experiencing domestic violence. Quarantines and stay-at-home orders might make it difficult for women to get away from abusers. There are few studies that provide evidence but a survey by the United Nations reports increased calls to help lines in several cities around the globe since the start of the pandemic. A limited survey of radiologists in the U.S. shows an increase in injuries attributed to domestic violence in 2020 compared to the previous three years. We explore the factors that could contribute to the domestic violence risk and some possible solutions for those experiencing it.
Tuesday, September 22, 2020 – Ice: the Arctic’s dwindling resource
Scientists have observed the disappearance of Arctic sea ice for decades. Indigenous people who live and hunt on and near the ice are forced to confront the changes in their environment and adapt where they can. A new study published in the journal, Nature Climate Change, predicts ice-free summers in the Arctic for the first time in recorded history far sooner than previous estimates. We’ll hear more about why the ice is melting and its effects on Indigenous people.
Wednesday, September 23, 2020 – Nut harvest time
Gathering, processing and cooking indigenous nuts like acorns and pine nuts is in full swing in late summer and early autumn. These small gifts of protein and flavor are important to Indigenous culture. Picking and preparing them in the traditional way creates stronger connections to culture and nature and promotes a deeper understanding of food and flavor. We’ll talk about nuts with Native food educators and culture keepers.
Thursday, September 24, 2020 – Book of the Month: “Becoming Miss Navajo” by Jolyana Begay-Kroupa
“Becoming Miss Navajo” is a young readers’ book that shares the story of what it means to earn this esteemed title. The author writes the competition cannot be categorized as a beauty pageant. Instead she sees it as a way to revitalize Navajo cultural heritage. Begay-Kroupa tells her own personal journey and brings readers through the ins and outs of the yearly event. The book features photos that include parts of the competition that asks contestants to demonstrate cultural knowledge.
Friday, September 25, 2020 – Mesa Verde ancestors repatriated after 130 years
Tribal leaders in the Southwest are praising the successful return of items stolen from Mesa Verde almost 130 years ago. It’s the culmination of an agreement with Finland originally announced last year to repatriate ancestors and funerary items taken by a Finnish scholar in 1891. The incident helped spark establishment of the 1906 Antiquities Act and the establishment of Mesa Verde National Park. Leaders from the four tribes that have cultural affiliations with Mesa Verde worked with the U.S. State Department to return and reinter them this month. We’ll hear from tribal leaders about the significance of the items and what it took to have them returned.
NAC: September 14 – 19
Monday, September 14 2020 – Native Lens: amplifying Native stories
Storytelling has always been an important tradition for Indigenous people. And modern personal technology provides a means to share that tradition more broadly. A collaborative effort by KSUT Tribal Radio and Rocky Mountain PBS aims to amplify Native voices by collecting personal stories from Native people of all ages and backgrounds. Each storyteller is encouraged to talk about what they think is important. The results—individually produced short videos, audio recordings, and even photographs—will be compiled in the project called “Native Lens.” We’ll talk about the power of stories and the way they help others understand Native people and issues.
Tuesday, September 15, 2020 –Oklahoma after McGirt
Dozens of Oklahoma tribal members convicted of crimes in state court are asking for a second look at their cases in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark McGirt vs. Oklahoma decision in July. But the decision that reaffirmed Muskogee Reservation status has implications well beyond criminal convictions. Tribes and state officials are now working to map out how the decision affects key areas like taxes, Indian child welfare and public safety. We’ll get an update on what potential changes tribal leaders and scholars see in the wake of this major victory for tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction.
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 – What does COVID-19 testing tell us?
There is no national COVID-19 testing strategy and so procedures and results vary from place to place. Recently, the nation’s top public health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, faced backlash after recommending against testing people who don’t show symptoms, even though there’s evidence asymptomatic people can spread the disease. As many tribes struggle to get control over the coronavirus, consistent testing is among the most effective tools they have. We’ll check in on how COVID-19 testing has changed since the start of the pandemic, and how testing informs efforts to prevent more infections.
Thursday, September 18, 2020 – The toxic legacy of abandoned mines
The Trump Administration promises new efforts to clean up mineral mining sites that continue to contaminate water, soil and air decades after the companies that started them pulled out. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it’s opening up offices to focus on tracking and cleaning up the environmental threats from abandoned mines in several Western states. There are more than 500 abandoned uranium mines on the Navajo Nation alone. Tribal leaders and environmental advocates are cautiously optimistic, praising any progress toward addressing the lingering threat of former gold, mercury, uranium and molybdenum mines. But critics remain skeptical about the commitment for taking on such an expansive and expensive operation.
Friday, September 19, 2020 – Indigenous characters, artists take center stage in new Marvel anthology
The comic book giant, Marvel, is releasing a new anthology dedicated to Indigenous superheroes, all produced by Indigenous artists and writers. In addition to giving new story lines to names like Echo and Dani Moonstar, the project in the Marvel Voices series intends to correct some of the mistakes of previous non-Native led efforts that relied on offensive stereotypes and inauthentic character development. Jeffrey Veregge (Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe) curates the new volume set to coincide with Native American History Month. Veregge and others from the project will talk about the growing momentum for authentic Native comic book characters.
What can COVID-19 testing tell us?
Native candidates making strides
NAC: September 7 – 11
Monday, September 7, 2020 – Building the next generation of Native leaders
(Pre-recorded show) Since 2007, the Leadership Institute has invited Native American high school and college students in New Mexico to its Summer Policy Academy out of the Santa Fe Indian School. The students team up with professionals in different fields including law and cultural revitalization. The Academy encourages the students to draw from the richness of their culture to build strong leadership skills. The goal is to get them thinking critically about how public policy affects their communities and bring about positive changes. We’ll hear from the organizers of this unique opportunity about utilizing the gifts handed down from past generations to fortify a resilient future.
Tuesday, September 8, 2020 – Native in the Spotlight: Marcie Rendon
The dead speak to Renee “Cash” Black Bear in her dreams. They help her solve gruesome murders in the Upper Midwest. She is the protagonist in Marcie Rendon’s (White Earth Anishinaabe) Cash Blackbear Mysteries Series who brings Native knowledge to a crowded genre that so often gets it wrong. In addition to writing mysteries and short stories, Rendon is a playwright, poet and educator. She is a champion of other Native artists. She was just awarded the McKnight Foundation’s Distinguished Artist Award. We’ll talk with her about how she created Cash and the many other characters and plot lines she’s developed.
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 – Returning to traditional fire management
Another series of destructive fires in California prompt new questions about how best to prevent and prepare for wildfires. Many of the state’s tribes have cultural fire management practices that go back centuries, and include minimizing wildfire risks through controlled burns, something California officials once banned. We’ll take a look at wildfires in California and elsewhere through a Native lens and hear from tribes that are on the ground about what it takes to heal with fire rather than just fight it.
Thursday, September 10, 2020 – Understanding colon cancer
The death of Chadwick Boseman sparks a new national discussion about colon cancer. It also highlights racial disparities for what doctors say is among the most preventable and curable cancers. Boseman, the actor known for the lead role in the film, Black Panther, was only 43 when he died of the disease. Native American colon cancer rates are about the same as other minority groups, which are generally higher than the population as a whole. We’ll get reminders on prevention, treatment and warning signs.
Friday, September 11, 2020 – Native candidates making strides at the polls
The four Native Americans currently in Congress are poised for re-election in November. And there are dozens of other new Native candidates to keep an eye on all over the country. One, Christina Haswood (Diné), won her primary race and is the presumptive winner since she has no challengers for the Kansas House of Representatives seat. If elected, the 26-year-old will be the youngest sitting legislator in the state. She’s one of four Native candidates in Kansas following the primaries. In Wyoming, Lynnette Grey Bull (Northern Arapaho/Hunkpapa Lakota) won the Democratic primary for the only congressional district in the state. Local media report she is the only Native woman to ever run for federal office in Wyoming. We’ll take a look at some notable Native candidates heading to November.
NAC: August 24 – 28
Monday, August 31, 2020 – Hope for closing cold cases?
The U.S. Department of Justice opened six offices around the country dedicated to solving Native missing and murdered cold cases. There are technological advances that help solve older cases, but it remains a difficult task. Over time, witness memories may fade, evidence may get lost or degrade. The FBI counts about 250,000 unsolved homicides in the United States, and less than two-thirds of new cases are successfully closed each year. We’ll hear from cold case experts about what goes into securing justice for Native victims and their families.
Tuesday, September 1, 2020 – Native volunteers keeping watch
Groups of Native civilians are helping watch over reservation communities and urban Native neighborhoods. In Minneapolis, the American Indian Movement was instrumental in protecting properties during the unrest following the death of George Floyd. Now, volunteers are patrolling that city’s Little Earth community. In Regina, Canada volunteers with the non-profit White Pony Lodge walk the streets of the predominantly Native North Central neighborhood that experiences high rates of gun violence and Native gang activity. They pick up trash and used needles. They are ready to administer aid to drug overdose victims. They’re known for giving out fresh-baked bread to people they meet up with. We’ll talk with organizers about their efforts to help make their communities safer.
Wednesday, September 2, 2020 – Finding money for college
Many Native college students are starting classes thanks to scholarships that pay for tuition, books or other expenses during the school year. The fall semester may be under way, but there are a number of scholarships that are still available, including COVID-19 recovery funds. We’ll hear about money that’s still on the table for Native college students and what some of the key deadlines are coming up. We’ll also learn what effect COVD-19 has on scholarship availability and Native student enrollment.
Thursday, September 3, 2020 – Ceremony during COVID-19 pandemic
Traditional Native ceremonies present a mixed blessing right now for those who participate. They are a critical part of traditional life, but pose a serious risk for spreading the coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges the role ceremonies and other cultural gatherings serve, but recommends tribal leaders consider cancelling or postponing them until the deadly virus is contained. Some organizers are continuing ceremonies, but with changes to improve safety. We’ll hear about the range of options available for practicing ceremony during a pandemic.
Friday, September 4, 2020 – Animation: bringing art to life
Creating animated films takes months of artistic and technical work; from character design and storyboards to voiceover recording and digitizing. Native artists are among those bringing unique and compelling stories to life with hand-drawn, digital, stop-motion and clay animation. We’ll talk with Indigenous animators about their passion and get a look behind the scenes.
Native volunteer patrols keep watch
NAC: August 24 – 28
Monday, August 24, 2020 – Virtual Vision Maker
This year’s Vision Maker Media Film Festival is premiering online. That means audiences will have free access to more than a dozen Indigenous-made films including “Powwow Highway: The Lego Movie” by Jonathan Thunder, “Sweetheart Dancers” a short film about a Two-Spirit couple by Ben-Alex Dupris, and “Wildfire” a short drama about a runaway teen by Bretten Hannam. We’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at a sampling of films from some of the filmmakers.
Tuesday, August 25, 2020 – Trump Administration plans Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil leases
The U.S. Department of Interior could put oil and gas leases up for auction in the Arctic Wildlife National Refuge by the end of the year according to Secretary David Bernhardt. The Trump administration recently cleared another hurdle for resource extraction in in the pristine wilderness. Some tribes in the area oppose drilling, saying that it will harm the caribou populations that are critical to their cultural survival. Others support drilling because of the added jobs and other economic benefits.
Wednesday, August 26, 2020 – Book of the Month: “Standing with Standing Rock: Voices from the #NoDAPL Movement”
Mni Wiconi – “Water is Life” – is a phrase that echoed around the planet in the fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline. It united people and gave a renewed unity to the Oceti Sakowin. We reflect on this movement with “Standing with Standing Rock: Voices from the #NoDAPL Movement” which features the words of many people who were moved to take a stance and those who made the struggle to protect water stronger. The book captures this moment in time with poetry and prose, essays, photography and interviews. We visit with one of the book’s editor’s Nick Estes, a citizen of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe.
Thursday, August 27, 2020 – Insights on preterm birth
Preterm birth rates for Native mothers are consistently higher than the national average. More than one in ten Native pregnancies fail to reach full term. Any birth before 37 weeks has statistical risks, but depending on how premature they are, preterm newborns face a myriad of health dangers including serious brain, heart, and gastrointestinal problems. There are a number of prenatal risk factors, some of which mothers have control over to help their babies go to full term. We’ll talk about premature births and what parents of premature babies should expect.
Friday, August 28, 2020 – August in the news
An Indigenous woman will challenge the incumbent in Wyoming’s upcoming congressional election, a first for the state that also saw three other Native candidates advance through primary elections. They are among the growing list of Native candidates on ballots all across the country. We’ll touch in on a few of them and hear what issues they are running on. We’ll catch up on important Native news in our regular news round-up.
Oil drilling in ANWR a step closer to reality
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