Monday, March 20, 2017 – Protecting wild rice
For wild rice, or manoomin, water literally is life. The grass species grows in shallow bodies of water. It is food for people and animals alike. But when the water is polluted wild rice becomes the “canary in the coal mine.” Since the 1970s, Minnesota has had water quality standards to protect wild rice. Now, the state’s Pollution Control Agency is in the process of changing the standards. Some tribes are concerned the rice is in danger.

Tuesday, March 21, 2017 – The tricky business of marijuana
It’s a confusing time for the marijuana legalization movement. Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia have decriminalized small amounts of marijuana use. But the federal government maintains its criminal designation. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently said that heroin is only “slightly worse” than marijuana. For tribes getting into the business, confusion around pot legality is just as murky. The “Cole Memo” appeared to provide a green light for tribes in states that legalized recreational use. But there a few high profile setbacks.

Wednesday, March 22, 2017 — HIV and AIDS prevention
Fortunately, HIV and AIDS rates remain lower for Native Americans than for some other groups. One exception: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found in a 2011 study that Native injected drug users experience the highest rates of HIV infections than any other demographic. National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is this week. The theme is “Unity in CommUnity, Stand Strong to Prevent HIV.”

Thursday, March 23, 2017 –Music Maker Rhonda Head
Opaskwayak Cree Nation singer Rhonda Head’s latest CD “Kisahkihitan” stems from her passion for classical music. The Cree language title of the album translates to “I love you”. And there is plenty of love in the way Rhonda sings her own compositions. She says a lot of inspiration for these songs comes from the landscape of her First Nation.

Friday, March 24, 2017 — Racist resurgence?
A Montana radio host suggested Native basketball players should host their own tournament because the players are “unruly.” Also in Montana, Native basketball fans say they couldn’t claim their seats for a game until the white people are seated first. The problem isn’t limited to the U.S. At a forum organized by the CBC, one Cree woman said concert security assumed she was the source of other fans’ complaints about an intoxicated person being belligerent. The problem turned out to be a white man sitting nearby. She was sober. Are anecdotes about racism increasing, or are they just par for the course?

Monday, March 13, 2017 – Fear of change
Has the current political climate caused you to press the pause button on plans to make changes in your life? For some people, life changes are a challenge, whether it’s getting a new job, starting an exercise routine or remodeling a house. It takes resilience and patience. It’s even harder if you feel uncertain about things you can’t control. How can we rely on our communities and traditions to get moving again?

Tuesday, March 14, 2017 – The future of health care
Republican congressional leaders are in the process of keeping their promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. They propose the American Healthcare Act as an alternative. The new law does not address the Indian Healthcare Improvement Act, which is part of the Affordable Care Act. It also casts doubt on the future of Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion that, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, greatly helps American Indians and Alaska Natives. What does this proposed law mean for Native America?

Wednesday, March 15, 2017 — Disenrollment and re-enrollment
The Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians granted tribal membership back to 60 people who were disenrolled nine years ago. The action is a departure from a recent wave of disenrollement among some tribes in the west. Disenrolled members are no longer federally recognized tribal citizens and as a result lose benefits like health care, percap income and even housing. The Nooksak Indian Tribe is suing the federal government over sanctions imposed over election disputes stemming from disenrollment. Sovereignty gives independent tribal nations the ability to determine their members. But campaigns against disenrollment are aiming to change opinions.

Thursday, March 16, 2017 – U.N. human rights and Indigenous people
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples spent 10 days collecting information from tribes and U.S. government officials. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz heard comments about the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota and oil and gas exploration in New Mexico and Arizona. Among other things, she says she recognizes a need for better consultation and a consistent federal policy for projects that affect tribes.

Friday, March 17, 2017 — Reaching out to domestic violence survivors
A new helpline, StrongHearts, offers help to victims of domestic violence in a culturally appropriate way. The helpline was created by Natives for Natives. Advocates say they cater to unique Native situations, laws and culture. That understanding is one reason for reaching out with culturally appropriate methods. We’ll explore how culturally appropriate methods pay off for domestic violence work and prevention.

Monday, March 6, 2017 — Moon time: an open discussion
In addition to a certain amount of stigma and inconvenience that comes once a month for most women, imagine having to endure an inflated cost for feminine hygiene products. That’s the reality for some Aboriginal girls and women in Canada. One group is trying to help by getting donations to cut costs. We’ll also have a frank discussion about menstruation and some of the challenges Native American women face.

Tuesday, March 7, 2017 – Preparing kindergartners for opportunity
Educators know that getting kids ready for kindergarten is one of the best ways to improve a child’s long-term academic performance down the road. In Anchorage, Alaska three separate organizations joined forces to identify common goals for helping Alaska Native students achieve better success at school. One of the goals involves working with parents to get more kids ready to start school. They hope that will boost Alaska Native graduation rates that lag behind the national average.

Wednesday, March 8, 2017 — The bathroom debate
Last month, President Donald Trump threw out federal guidelines set by President Barack Obama on Title IX, which deals with gender discrimination in schools. Political leaders are debating whether to leave decisions about which bathrooms transgender students should use to states. We’ll talk with Native transgender and Two Spirit people and others about the implications of a policy about bathrooms.

Thursday, March 9, 2017 – The status of the Standing Rock fight
Many people will descend on Washington DC to express solidarity and support for the fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline on Friday. We’ll talk with a variety of unique voices about the lessons learned from the pipeline fight, and what happens next. What can we take away from the experience at Standing Rock? Where does this momentum go?

Friday, March 10, 2017 – Salmon
Every year the Yurok tribe holds a salmon festival to celebrate the gifts from the Klamath River in northern California. Last year the historic low number of returning fish meant there was no actual salmon at the festival. Whether it’s coho, sockeye or pink, salmon are important to a number of tribes in the Pacific Northwest and in Alaska.

Monday, February 27, 2017 — Protecting Native children from domestic violence
Researchers find children who witness domestic violence experience fear, anger, anxiety, and sadness. And those feelings can last a long time. In the long run, domestic violence negatively affects the lives of children into their adulthood. Domestic violence rates are at the high end of the graph for Native Americans. this program we’re talking with a Native social worker and psychologist about how Native children and communities are affected by domestic violence.

Tuesday, February 28, 2017 — Trump’s wall
Since the beginning of his presidential campaign, President Donald Trump promised Americans a wall along the U.S.- Mexican border. But the likelihood of that wall the way it’s envisioned is called into question by the Tohono O’odham Nation. They share 75 miles with the Mexico border. Tribal members say it will further separate tribal people on both sides of the border and cut cultural ties.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017 – What is consultation?
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe argues the federal government failed to conduct meaningful consultation over the Dakota Access Pipeline project. Much of Standing Rock’s legal opposition relied on consultation. The concept comes up regularly for many tribes. When and how does consultation happen? It’s not always easy to get an answer.

Thursday, March 2, 2017 – Where environmentalism and Indigenous goals part
The priorities of environmental groups and tribes often align. The prevailing perception is Native Americans are good stewards of their land. But the two groups are sometimes at odds. The issues of protected species, hunting, land conservation and others can occasionally lead to friction.

Friday, March 3, 2017 – Is the battle at Standing Rock over?
Energy Transfer Partners is nearing completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Protesters are clearing some of the camps in North Dakota, but others are resolved to continue the fight. What happens next for the struggle against the pipeline?

Monday, February 20, 2017 – Native Americans and civil rights
Alaska Natives take time out in February to recognize activist Elizabeth Peratrovich. She was instrumental in boosting the state’s civil rights through the Alaska Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945. We’ll note Peratrovich’s contributions by getting a primer on what civil rights means for Native Americans and explore a workplace civil rights complaint.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017 — Non-Native allies
Those offering their support for the fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline represent dozens of tribes around the country. But there are also many non-Native people adding their voices to the cause. Their efforts can help amplify the message. But their methods can sometimes go against Native interests and cause friction. How can non-Native allies be most effective?

Wednesday, February 22, 2017 –Books of the Month: “Celebrate My Hopi Corn” and “Celebrate My Hopi Toys”
Native American and Alaska Native cultural advocates are consistently on the hunt for materials that help inspire Native youth. They know the value of resources that highlight a community’s culture and language. In this month’s literary spotlight there’s a lot to celebrate. Hopi author Anita Poleahla and Hopi illustrator Emmett Navakuku have filled the pages of two books with Hopi culture and language. “Celebrate My Hopi Corn” and “Celebrate My Hopi Toys” are aimed at the earliest readers.

 

Thursday, February 23, 2017 — Yawn … Sleep disorders take a toll
Sleeping problems contribute to more than yawning in the morning. The Centers for Disease Control links lack of sleep to depression, diabetes, and an increased likelihood of accidental injury. The CDC also finds more than a quarter of Americans don’t get enough sleep. One study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggests the lack of access to proper health care makes Indigenous people even more vulnerable to the detrimental effects of sleep disorders.

Friday, February 24, 2017 – February in the News
As the snow melts, things at Standing Rock continue to heat up. The remaining easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline is approved and the project’s backers expect construction to be completed shortly. Elsewhere, the FBI raided the Eastern Band of Cherokee Housing Authority, investigating possible fraud. And what does the nomination of Neil Gorsuch for the U.S. Supreme Court mean for Native America? Join us for our news round-up