Native America Calling

Louise Erdrich’s latest novel, “The Night Watchman,” is based on the life of her grandfather who was an extraordinary man in his own right. This work of fiction follows a handful of characters who grapple with the realities of their time including the threat of tribal termination and exploitation in a bustling urban environment. We’ll get in between the lines with the award winning Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa author.

A number of federal and state proposals could potentially affect issues important to Native constituents. At least three bills in Congress aim to address the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women. They mainly hope to encourage law enforcement communication and cooperation across jurisdictions and fix the lack of accurate data that could help fight the epidemic. Another federal proposal aims to remove the pervasive barriers to broadband access in rural tribal areas. Also, states continue to seek “riot boosting” laws that enact severe penalties for people protesting projects like oil pipelines. We’ll get updates on proposed laws with a round-up of legislative actions.

Dedicated high school and college athletes pour their hearts and bodies into their passion for the game. But very few people can actually make a career on the court or on the field. So many people turn that passion into related careers, like coaching, physical therapy, and even sports journalism. We’ll find out what drives people in athletic careers and get some ideas about what those interested in a sports career can expect.

The chairman of the Tohono O’odham Nation says the current wall construction on the U.S. – Mexico border is no different than “building a 30-foot wall along Arlington Cemetery.” Ned Norris Jr. made the comments during a recent congressional hearing, saying blasting and bulldozing in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in southern Arizona is destroying many sacred places that remain important for ceremonial practices. The tribe continues to push for government-to-government consultation which is mandated by federal law. But the U.S. Government is invoking a waiver that bypasses the requirement for barriers along the border. We’ll get an update and more details from the voices of those on the ground.

The Spokane Tribe will now get a share of the profits from the Grand Coulee Dam for lands, home and sacred places lost because of flooding. Also Native voting rights activists are claiming victory after a lawsuit settlement in North Dakota that dispenses with the physical address requirement on I.D.s in order to vote. Those stories and more with our regular news round up.

Oglala Lakota language teacher Alex FireThunder understands the power of Indigenous words. His album “Love for the Land” is a chapter in the language revitalization movement that puts his Lakota language at the heart of his creativity and compositions. Our February Music Maker unpacks his musical influences and cultural inspirations which are making this album come to life.

A Brazilian motivational speaker is facing some backlash for including haka in his programming. He’s not Maori, but uses the traditional Maori dance that he says he learned from videos. He’s one of several Brazilian companies criticized for using haka in corporate retreats. The Maori ceremonial dance is accompanied by chanting and intimidating postures and facial expressions. Modern presentations of it include important events like weddings and funerals and some sports teams perform haka before competitions. We’ll get the basics of what haka is and when it turns into appropriation.

Can you imagine paying $11 for a package of bologna or $69 for a dozen blueberry muffins? Those are prices reported by members of a Facebook group that tracks food costs in northern Canada. A 2016 food security study found that people in northern Canada spend twice as much on food compared to less remote areas. One nonprofit is experimenting with growing vegetables in shipping containers powered by wind and solar collectors. It’s one possible solution to food insecurity and high costs in tribal areas in Canada and Alaska that are remote and have shorter growing seasons.

After an initial effort to arrest protesters, the RCMP have withdrawn their actions to clear blockades on Wet’suwet’en territory in British Columbia. The new strategy comes as protests sympathetic to the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs ignited elsewhere in Canada, including a blockade of rail traffic in Ontario by members of a Mohawk tribe that has severely disrupted commerce throughout the country. At the heart of the conflict is construction of the Costal GasLink pipeline, which has support from elected Wet'suwet'en tribal leaders, but not the hereditary chiefs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing pressure from conservative members of Parliament to use force to facilitate pipeline construction, while liberal elected leaders are urging a solution through dialogue. We’ll get an update on the situation and hear from those who have a stake in the ongoing conflict.

President Trump’s new executive order establishes a White House level position dedicated to fighting human trafficking. His administration reports the federal government is spending $430 million to fight trafficking domestically and abroad. Several states also have on-going initiatives to try and get a handle on the problem. Native Americans—especially women—disproportionately fall victim to sex trafficking. We’ll hear from representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice and others about what we can expect from the recent efforts to address trafficking.