Native America Calling

A video from the Indigenous Peoples March in Washington, D.C. created a firestorm over the weekend. There’s a tug-of-war over the public message since the initial video surfaced showing Nathan Phillips drumming and singing as a group of students jeered and mocked him. Another group calling themselves Hebrew Israelites also heightened tensions. Tribes, tribal leaders, members of Congress, media pundits and even the school the students represented were quick to denounce what they say is obvious disrespect of an Omaha Nation elder. Parents, political commentators and even President Trump are now coming to the students’ defense, saying they acted appropriately. We’ll sort out the incident and the evolving reactions.

Indigenous leaders in Canada are hoping their government will approve a series of reforms for the foster care system that disproportionately separates Indigenous families. Statistics Canada reports Indigenous children make up more than half of those under age 4 in the foster care system. Indigenous people make up less than 8 percent of the total population. The push comes following a heart-wrenching video of a newborn child taken from its mother in a Manitoba hospital. We get an overview of the Canadian child welfare system and hear about the efforts to improve it.

Indigenous leaders in Canada are hoping their government will approve a series of reforms for the foster care system that disproportionately separates Indigenous families. Statistics Canada reports Indigenous children make up more than half of those under age 4 in the foster care system. Indigenous people make up less than 8 percent of the total population. The push comes following a heart-wrenching video of a newborn child taken from its mother in a Manitoba hospital. We get an overview of the Canadian child welfare system and hear about the efforts to improve it.

As the partial federal government shutdown approaches the one-month mark, the effects on tribes and individuals who rely on services are growing: Nearly 9,000 Indian Health Service employees are working without pay; the Yomba Shoshone Tribe in Nevada shut off services and their tribal office administrator is working without pay; the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa in Minnesota is reducing workers’ hours; In addition, thousands of federal employees are going without pay, and those in power show no signs of coming to an agreement. We’ll get an update and hear from some of those experiencing difficulties stemming from what is now the longest government shutdown in United States history.

As the partial federal government shutdown approaches the one-month mark, the effects on tribes and individuals who rely on services are growing: Nearly 9,000 Indian Health Service employees are working without pay; the Yomba Shoshone Tribe in Nevada shut off services and their tribal office administrator is working without pay; the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa in Minnesota is reducing workers’ hours; In addition, thousands of federal employees are going without pay, and those in power show no signs of coming to an agreement. We’ll get an update and hear from some of those experiencing difficulties stemming from what is now the longest government shutdown in United States history.

Missing and murdered women, Indian child welfare, oil pipelines, and police abuse are among the many issues marchers hope to address during the first ever Indigenous Peoples March in Washington D.C. Organizers expect as many as 10,000 people from all over the world to raise awareness of human rights and environmental injustices faced by Indigenous people all over the world.

Missing and murdered women, Indian child welfare, oil pipelines, and police abuse are among the many issues marchers hope to address during the first ever Indigenous Peoples March in Washington D.C. Organizers expect as many as 10,000 people from all over the world to raise awareness of human rights and environmental injustices faced by Indigenous people all over the world.

The election is over and, after a record year for Native women candidates, it’s time to get down to business. From Congress to state houses to tribal councils, there’s more total Native women representation than at any other time. We’ll hear from some of the new elected leaders about their priorities as they settle into their respective offices. Will increased representation translate to increased action?

The election is over and, after a record year for Native women candidates, it’s time to get down to business. From Congress to state houses to tribal councils, there’s more total Native women representation than at any other time. We’ll hear from some of the new elected leaders about their priorities as they settle into their respective offices. Will increased representation translate to increased action?

A tenuous agreement halted a tense, ongoing scuffle between Wet'suwet'en First Nations protesters and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. For now, the hereditary chiefs and members of the Unist’ot’en Camp agree to let workers from TC Energy (formerly TransCanada Corp.) onto unceded territory land in British Columbia slated for gas pipeline construction. The confrontation resulted in 14 arrests after a court ordered the protesters to take down barricades on the main road to the property. The traditional leadership is at odds with the First Nation’s elected chiefs over the pipeline. We’ll get a look at what’s at stake and what’s next in this latest pipeline construction flare-up.