Native America Calling

The headdress is one of the most iconic items associated with Native Americans. They are prominent in countless photos and illustrations of Native people. But not all tribes have headdresses, and these cultural items can vary from tribes to tribe. For many nations, headdresses are earned and they often come with protocols and prayers that need to be followed to show respect. Recently a powwow organizer in Canada bestowed a headdress and a Blackfoot name to a non-Native female politician. The event stirred discussion about who has the right to wear or own a headdress. We’ll hear from different tribal members about what the headdress represents.

Autumn Adams spent a good portion of her life in foster care. She says the Indian Child Welfare Act saved her life because she was able to stay in her tribal community. ICWA is called the ‘gold standard’ of child welfare policy. At the same time, the 40-year-old law is under fire through a number of court cases, including a recent federal court ruling out of Texas that deemed the law unconstitutional. We’ll hear from individuals who have been affected by ICWA.

Autumn Adams spent a good portion of her life in foster care. She says the Indian Child Welfare Act saved her life because she was able to stay in her tribal community. ICWA is called the ‘gold standard’ of child welfare policy. At the same time, the 40-year-old law is under fire through a number of court cases, including a recent federal court ruling out of Texas that deemed the law unconstitutional. We’ll hear from individuals who have been affected by ICWA.

Autumn Adams spent a good portion of her life in foster care. She says the Indian Child Welfare Act saved her life because she was able to stay in her tribal community. ICWA is called the ‘gold standard’ of child welfare policy. At the same time, the 40-year-old law is under fire through a number of court cases, including a recent federal court ruling out of Texas that deemed the law unconstitutional. We’ll hear from individuals who have been affected by ICWA.

Making it as a stand-up comedian takes talent, commitment, thick skin and a lot of hard work. Even then, there’s no guarantee you’ll ever have a viable comedy career. At the same time comedians are in demand. Forbes reports comedy club revenue increased 17 percent over three years with an additional 13 percent growth projected for the next five years. Many Native comedians are developing loyal audiences in clubs, on YouTube and with digital podcasts. We’ll hear from some of them about what their day is like and what it takes to make it in the business.

Making it as a stand-up comedian takes talent, commitment, thick skin and a lot of hard work. Even then, there’s no guarantee you’ll ever have a viable comedy career. At the same time comedians are in demand. Forbes reports comedy club revenue increased 17 percent over three years with an additional 13 percent growth projected for the next five years. Many Native comedians are developing loyal audiences in clubs, on YouTube and with digital podcasts. We’ll hear from some of them about what their day is like and what it takes to make it in the business.

Making it as a stand-up comedian takes talent, commitment, thick skin and a lot of hard work. Even then, there’s no guarantee you’ll ever have a viable comedy career. At the same time comedians are in demand. Forbes reports comedy club revenue increased 17 percent over three years with an additional 13 percent growth projected for the next five years. Many Native comedians are developing loyal audiences in clubs, on YouTube and with digital podcasts. We’ll hear from some of them about what their day is like and what it takes to make it in the business.

Tribes and voting advocates warned that a North Dakota law could have severely hampered voter turnout on reservations last November. Instead, many precincts on tribal land posted record voter participation rates. And get-out-the-vote efforts helped propel several Native candidates into elected office, including the state’s first Native Democratic female legislator. National Native News, along with Prairie Public Broadcasting and Solutions Journalism Network looked into how a potential setback turned into a win for tribes, voters and Native candidates.

Tribes and voting advocates warned that a North Dakota law could have severely hampered voter turnout on reservations last November. Instead, many precincts on tribal land posted record voter participation rates. And get-out-the-vote efforts helped propel several Native candidates into elected office, including the state’s first Native Democratic female legislator. National Native News, along with Prairie Public Broadcasting and Solutions Journalism Network looked into how a potential setback turned into a win for tribes, voters and Native candidates.

Tribes and voting advocates warned that a North Dakota law could have severely hampered voter turnout on reservations last November. Instead, many precincts on tribal land posted record voter participation rates. And get-out-the-vote efforts helped propel several Native candidates into elected office, including the state’s first Native Democratic female legislator. National Native News, along with Prairie Public Broadcasting and Solutions Journalism Network looked into how a potential setback turned into a win for tribes, voters and Native candidates.