Native America Calling

When two Indigenous women meet under frightful circumstances, they build a relationship by facing domestic violence, racism and a long history of colonialism in Vancouver. That’s what “The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open” is about. It’s a new film (released Nov. 29 on Netflix) by Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (Blackfoot and Sámi) and Kathleen Hepburn featuring actor Violet Nelson (Kwakwaka’wakw First Nation). We’ll speak with some of the creatives on this project about highlighting the issues of violence against Native women in an emotional film that’s already getting rave reviews.

When two Indigenous women meet under frightful circumstances, they build a relationship by facing domestic violence, racism and a long history of colonialism in Vancouver. That’s what “The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open” is about. It’s a new film (released Nov. 29 on Netflix) by Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (Blackfoot and Sámi) and Kathleen Hepburn featuring actor Violet Nelson (Kwakwaka’wakw First Nation). We’ll speak with some of the creatives on this project about highlighting the issues of violence against Native women in an emotional film that’s already getting rave reviews.

It was a relatively simple act: Ponca Chief Standing Bear left his reservation in 1878 to bury his son on the tribe’s ancestral land in Nebraska. But the action would lead to a major federal court decision establishing Native Americans as people under the law. The U.S. Government argued “an Indian is neither a person nor a citizen.” The state of Nebraska is honoring Standing Bear as a civil rights leader with a statue in the U.S. Capitol. We’ll review Standing Bear’s legacy and his remarkable accomplishment during a troubling time in history.

It was a relatively simple act: Ponca Chief Standing Bear left his reservation in 1878 to bury his son on the tribe’s ancestral land in Nebraska. But the action would lead to a major federal court decision establishing Native Americans as people under the law. The U.S. Government argued “an Indian is neither a person nor a citizen.” The state of Nebraska is honoring Standing Bear as a civil rights leader with a statue in the U.S. Capitol. We’ll review Standing Bear’s legacy and his remarkable accomplishment during a troubling time in history.

Before you fill up your Amazon cart with electronics, scented bath salts or chocolates, consider your Native gift options. The holidays are a great time to show your support for Native artists, tribally run businesses and Indigenous products. We’ll get few recommendations for stuffing your stockings with Native pride.

Before you fill up your Amazon cart with electronics, scented bath salts or chocolates, consider your Native gift options. The holidays are a great time to show your support for Native artists, tribally run businesses and Indigenous products. We’ll get few recommendations for stuffing your stockings with Native pride.

President Donald Trump’s new executive order will develop an “aggressive, government-wide strategy” to address the missing and murdered Indigenous women crisis. Named ‘Operation Lady Justice,’ the plan calls for a task force made up of government agency leaders. At the same time, the Department of Justice announced a separate plan establishing 11 coordinators to work with tribes, and state and local agencies to address reports of missing and murdered Indigenous people. We’ll get a rundown of what these efforts could mean for tribes.

President Donald Trump’s new executive order will develop an “aggressive, government-wide strategy” to address the missing and murdered Indigenous women crisis. Named ‘Operation Lady Justice,’ the plan calls for a task force made up of government agency leaders. At the same time, the Department of Justice announced a separate plan establishing 11 coordinators to work with tribes, and state and local agencies to address reports of missing and murdered Indigenous people. We’ll get a rundown of what these efforts could mean for tribes.

Diné recording artist Klee Benally just unleashed his new album and we are putting a spotlight on it. “The Unsustainable Sessions” is his second acoustic album and—much like his first album—uses biting lyrics to create what he calls Indigenous acoustic agitation for liberation against despair. “So long as we’re fighting for justice, art should help move people into action,” Benally says. Tune in to hear more from December Music Maker Klee Benally.

Diné recording artist Klee Benally just unleashed his new album and we are putting a spotlight on it. “The Unsustainable Sessions” is his second acoustic album and—much like his first album—uses biting lyrics to create what he calls Indigenous acoustic agitation for liberation against despair. “So long as we’re fighting for justice, art should help move people into action,” Benally says. Tune in to hear more from December Music Maker Klee Benally.