Native America Calling

Is humiliation an effective way to preserve traditional culture? Language, ceremony, community service, and even dress are all factors in connecting with and carrying on tribal cultures. Elders pass on their knowledge. Young people pick up the torch. Or not. There’s an age-old tug-of-war over how to set the boundaries of what’s acceptable. Some tradition keepers turn to private—and sometimes public—shaming.

Pleas from tribes, elected leaders and the Association on American Indian Affairs were not enough to stop an auction house in France from going ahead with a sale of cultural items earlier this summer. It’s one in a string of auctions by the Paris auction house that chooses to ignore admonitions against the harm they’re causing. The Yaqui Nation has been working for almost two decades to repatriate a sacred Maaso Kova that the tribe says was never meant to be out of the tribe’s possession or on public display. We’ll get an update on some repatriation efforts and what’s being done to influence international traders in cultural items.

Native media producers are making their mark in the growing podcast movement, taking Native perspectives directly to the public. Whether they’re polished and professional or decidedly DIY, dozens of Indigenous podcasts focus on issues ranging from food to comic books to true crime. With more than 700,000 active podcasts, on this International Podcast Day we’ll take time out to highlight some notable Native people using their podcasts to educate, inform and entertain.

They Boy Scouts of America continue to resist the protests of numerous tribes, using Native terminology, ceremonies, regalia and sacred dances. Indian Country Today examines the Boy Scouts of America’s ongoing use of Native imagery in a five-part series. We’ll hear from associate editor Vincent Schilling about what inspired the series. We’ll also check in on recent news highlights affecting Native Americans.

Teaching younger generations about their Native heritage is one way to keep the stories going. The children’s book “The Forever Sky” by author Thomas Peacock (Fond du Lac Anishinaabe) and illustrator Annettee S. Lee (Ojibwe/Lakota) follows two young brothers as they learn how the stars can bring them closer to their ancestors including their late grandmother. Through artistic interpretations of the dancing northern lights the siblings pay tribute to star knowledge and a story that was passed on to them by their uncle. We’ll learn the inspirations and creative drive behind our September Book of the Month creators.

Native mothers are looking for ways to start their babies off right when it comes to solid food after breast milk and formula. The World Health Organization recommends babies start getting complimentary foods around 6 months. That could be anything from cereal, mashed vegetables and fruit, and some traditional Indigenous foods. It’s never too early to think about starting good eating habits to fight the statistics showing a high percentage of Native American infants grow up to be overweight or obese. We’ll go over what is a nutritious diet for babies and ways to introduce health foods for the first time.

All those chosen as Miss Indian World are ambassadors presenting a positive public face to the public. Reigning Miss Indian World, Cheyenne Kippenberger (Seminole) is also traveling the country, working to destigmatize mental health issues. She fought her own insecurities and self-doubt to compete out of her ‘comfort zone’, going on to first win Miss Florida Seminole, then to be the first Seminole woman to win the Miss Indian World title. We’ll talk with Kippenberger about what she’s learned since winning the crown and what her plans are for the remaining months as Miss Indian World.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists falls as the leading cause of death for Native American adults over 65. Falls can end up taking away an elder’s independence and force them into a nursing home. But there are some simple things that can greatly reduce the possibility of a devastating fall. Putting non-skid mats on the floor and installing handrails are two suggestions for preventing falls. Also doing daily balance exercises and getting your eyes checked are other ways elders can prevent a fall. The first day of fall is also National Falls Prevention Day. We’ll talk with experts about the latest ideas for avoiding unnecessary injuries.

The cosmetics and beauty industry is a $532 billion global business. Over the years it’s changed to include smaller, boutique makeup companies that sell directly to customers. We’ll take a look at gearing products to Native consumers how some Native cosmetic entrepreneurs and makeup artists carve out a space for themselves.

The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC is marking its 15th year. The landmark museum was initiated 30 years ago by an act of Congress, which also included the creation of the National Museum of the American Indian in New York. We’ll talk with the director of NMAI in DC, Kevin Gover (Pawnee) about the museum’s 15 years of cultural celebrations, education and exhibits. We’ll also visit with Suzan Harjo (Cheyenne and Hodulgee Muscogee), Presidential Medal of Freedom awardee and a founding trustee of the museum.