Native America Calling

What can you believe online? The confrontation last month between Omaha elder Nathan Phillips and a crowd of rowdy Catholic high school boys was hard enough to interpret from mainstream news reports. It was made even harder by fake social media posts, including an inflammatory note claiming to be from the mother of one of the students. The false tweet wishing the “pioneers had brought more blankets with smallpox” was widely retweeted before the account disappeared. We’ll look into some things to keep in mind when trying to form an opinion from what you read, whether it’s high profile events or texts from friends.

What can you believe online? The confrontation last month between Omaha elder Nathan Phillips and a crowd of rowdy Catholic high school boys was hard enough to interpret from mainstream news reports. It was made even harder by fake social media posts, including an inflammatory note claiming to be from the mother of one of the students. The false tweet wishing the “pioneers had brought more blankets with smallpox” was widely retweeted before the account disappeared. We’ll look into some things to keep in mind when trying to form an opinion from what you read, whether it’s high profile events or texts from friends.

What can you believe online? The confrontation last month between Omaha elder Nathan Phillips and a crowd of rowdy Catholic high school boys was hard enough to interpret from mainstream news reports. It was made even harder by fake social media posts, including an inflammatory note claiming to be from the mother of one of the students. The false tweet wishing the “pioneers had brought more blankets with smallpox” was widely retweeted before the account disappeared. We’ll look into some things to keep in mind when trying to form an opinion from what you read, whether it’s high profile events or texts from friends.

Numerous studies spanning decades show that music education can help students in other areas of their education, such as reading, vocabulary and even standardized tests. A number of organizations and Native musicians are working to expose more Native students to music education and even get musical instruments into classrooms. We’ll hear about the benefits of teaching music and get a glimpse of the efforts to improve music education for Native students.

Numerous studies spanning decades show that music education can help students in other areas of their education, such as reading, vocabulary and even standardized tests. A number of organizations and Native musicians are working to expose more Native students to music education and even get musical instruments into classrooms. We’ll hear about the benefits of teaching music and get a glimpse of the efforts to improve music education for Native students.

Numerous studies spanning decades show that music education can help students in other areas of their education, such as reading, vocabulary and even standardized tests. A number of organizations and Native musicians are working to expose more Native students to music education and even get musical instruments into classrooms. We’ll hear about the benefits of teaching music and get a glimpse of the efforts to improve music education for Native students.

A decade before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Ala. bus, Elizabeth Peratrovich and her husband were demanding equal rights for Alaska Natives. At the time Alaska Natives were lawfully excluded from theaters, hotels, restaurants and neighborhoods. Peratrovich made a famous speech in a territorial Senate hearing that spurred momentum to end discrimination against Alaska Natives. We’ll learn more about her story, her legacy, and the fight for civil rights in Alaska. Every year, the state sets aside a day to remember Peratrovich’s contributions.

A decade before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Ala. bus, Elizabeth Peratrovich and her husband were demanding equal rights for Alaska Natives. At the time Alaska Natives were lawfully excluded from theaters, hotels, restaurants and neighborhoods. Peratrovich made a famous speech in a territorial Senate hearing that spurred momentum to end discrimination against Alaska Natives. We’ll learn more about her story, her legacy, and the fight for civil rights in Alaska. Every year, the state sets aside a day to remember Peratrovich’s contributions.

A decade before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Ala. bus, Elizabeth Peratrovich and her husband were demanding equal rights for Alaska Natives. At the time Alaska Natives were lawfully excluded from theaters, hotels, restaurants and neighborhoods. Peratrovich made a famous speech in a territorial Senate hearing that spurred momentum to end discrimination against Alaska Natives. We’ll learn more about her story, her legacy, and the fight for civil rights in Alaska. Every year, the state sets aside a day to remember Peratrovich’s contributions.

It starts with acknowledging the Indigenous people on whose traditional land the institution exists. But making college a welcome place also includes the right training for faculty and staff and offering courses that include context from a Native perspective. Those are among the recommendations listed in a new report by the American Indian College Fund titled “Creating Visibility and Healthy Learning Environments for Native Americans in Higher Education.” The report was spurred by an incident when a member of a Colorado campus tour called police because two prospective Native students ‘looked suspicious.’