Native America Calling

The American economic system is a shifting continuum. Capitalism relies on market forces and rewards individual effort. Socialism works toward the collective good and aims to provide food, housing and education for each member of a community. A recent video renewed debate by arguing socialism failed Native nations. Does either approach help tribes?

There’s a long history of museums misusing or stealing sacred Native items, ignoring tribes’ concerns, and portraying Indigenous people in a poor light. It’s taken years of education and legislation, but many museums are now much more Native-friendly and work to involve Native people in the process of creating and presenting exhibitions. We’ll talk with Native museum experts about why a career in the museum field might be a good decision.

There’s a long history of museums misusing or stealing sacred Native items, ignoring tribes’ concerns, and portraying Indigenous people in a poor light. It’s taken years of education and legislation, but many museums are now much more Native-friendly and work to involve Native people in the process of creating and presenting exhibitions. We’ll talk with Native museum experts about why a career in the museum field might be a good decision.

Native filmmakers deserve credit for introducing audiences to sophisticated Native characters and for portraying Native people and their stories accurately. But those projects can’t get off the ground without funding. Securing a film’s finances takes connections, compromise and a strong business sense. We’ll get a view from behind the camera as Native filmmakers reveal their ideas for managing independent film projects.

Native filmmakers deserve credit for introducing audiences to sophisticated Native characters and for portraying Native people and their stories accurately. But those projects can’t get off the ground without funding. Securing a film’s finances takes connections, compromise and a strong business sense. We’ll get a view from behind the camera as Native filmmakers reveal their ideas for managing independent film projects.

Tribal education departments offer opportunities most public and private schools can’t: a solid education in a culturally relevant environment. The departments sometimes run schools on reservations and even provide higher education scholarships. State and local education agencies are required to consult with tribes under the Every Student Succeeds Act. We’ll talk with educators about the role tribes play in the education of their citizens and improve education for Native students.

Tribal education departments offer opportunities most public and private schools can’t: a solid education in a culturally relevant environment. The departments sometimes run schools on reservations and even provide higher education scholarships. State and local education agencies are required to consult with tribes under the Every Student Succeeds Act. We’ll talk with educators about the role tribes play in the education of their citizens and improve education for Native students.

The National Guard is helping out after more than two weeks of record flooding left residents of the Pine Ridge Reservation stranded, some without food, water or medicine. At the same time, dozens of residents on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation had to be evacuated—some by helicopter—to escape the threat from rising waters. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe stacked sand bags to try and protect homes and businesses. We’ll get an update from tribes dealing with the worst flooding in memory.

The National Guard is helping out after more than two weeks of record flooding left residents of the Pine Ridge Reservation stranded, some without food, water or medicine. At the same time, dozens of residents on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation had to be evacuated—some by helicopter—to escape the threat from rising waters. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe stacked sand bags to try and protect homes and businesses. We’ll get an update from tribes dealing with the worst flooding in memory.

Poems can be an epiphany, a sad good bye to a former lover, or an emotional recollection of strength. They can also offer a hilarious tale of life in Native America. For National Poetry Month, we’ll hear from Native poets like Tiffany Midge (“Bury My Heart at Chuck E. Cheese’s”), Chris La Tray (“One-Sentence Journal”) and others to understand how humor can paint a true picture of Native America.