Native America Calling

Classical guitarist Gabriel Ayala (Yaqui) is a man of many talents. In addition to being an award winning musician, he is a motivational speaker and recently started his own form of ledger art. He’s busy working on two upcoming recordings and two books. Last year he auditioned for the reality show, America’s Got Talent, but was told his musical ability was too well-established. To top it all off, the Phoenix Indian Center named him “Man of the Year”. We’ll chat with him about his inspirations and plans for 2019.

Classical guitarist Gabriel Ayala (Yaqui) is a man of many talents. In addition to being an award winning musician, he is a motivational speaker and recently started his own form of ledger art. He’s busy working on two upcoming recordings and two books. Last year he auditioned for the reality show, America’s Got Talent, but was told his musical ability was too well-established. To top it all off, the Phoenix Indian Center named him “Man of the Year”. We’ll chat with him about his inspirations and plans for 2019.

A jury cleared a former Omaha police officer this month in a violent and fatal confrontation with a Rosebud Sioux man with mental illness. The incident and resulting trial raises further questions about police interactions with Native Americans and others with mental illness. Omaha’s police chief fired the four officers who repeatedly punched and used a Taser stun gun on Zachery BearHeels, who died from what a medical examiner describes as “excited delirium.” We’ll get an update and explore some of the solutions identified for police interactions with people with mental illness.

A jury cleared a former Omaha police officer this month in a violent and fatal confrontation with a Rosebud Sioux man with mental illness. The incident and resulting trial raises further questions about police interactions with Native Americans and others with mental illness. Omaha’s police chief fired the four officers who repeatedly punched and used a Taser stun gun on Zachery BearHeels, who died from what a medical examiner describes as “excited delirium.” We’ll get an update and explore some of the solutions identified for police interactions with people with mental illness.

A jury cleared a former Omaha police officer this month in a violent and fatal confrontation with a Rosebud Sioux man with mental illness. The incident and resulting trial raises further questions about police interactions with Native Americans and others with mental illness. Omaha’s police chief fired the four officers who repeatedly punched and used a Taser stun gun on Zachery BearHeels, who died from what a medical examiner describes as “excited delirium.” We’ll get an update and explore some of the solutions identified for police interactions with people with mental illness.

Many Native non-profits tap into the philanthropy of large foundations to fund their work. Relying on funders who don’t always have a full understanding of Native priorities and protocols carries the potential for significant implications. Edgar Villanueva, author of “Decolonizing Wealth,” also questions the wisdom of accepting funds from philanthropic endeavors built by corporate giants whose business is in direct conflict with Native sovereignty and sustainability. We’ll hear from Villanueva about some options for a new path for philanthropy.

Many Native non-profits tap into the philanthropy of large foundations to fund their work. Relying on funders who don’t always have a full understanding of Native priorities and protocols carries the potential for significant implications. Edgar Villanueva, author of “Decolonizing Wealth,” also questions the wisdom of accepting funds from philanthropic endeavors built by corporate giants whose business is in direct conflict with Native sovereignty and sustainability. We’ll hear from Villanueva about some options for a new path for philanthropy.

Many Native non-profits tap into the philanthropy of large foundations to fund their work. Relying on funders who don’t always have a full understanding of Native priorities and protocols carries the potential for significant implications. Edgar Villanueva, author of “Decolonizing Wealth,” also questions the wisdom of accepting funds from philanthropic endeavors built by corporate giants whose business is in direct conflict with Native sovereignty and sustainability. We’ll hear from Villanueva about some options for a new path for philanthropy.

A Native-owned company invented the Tanka Bar, a bison-meat bar based on the traditional Lakota dried bison mixture, wasna. But a non-Native competitor with a similar product swooped in and secured a $100 million deal with General Mills. In this program, we’ll talk about what Native businesses need to break through business barriers and what pitfalls to avoid.

A Native-owned company invented the Tanka Bar, a bison-meat bar based on the traditional Lakota dried bison mixture, wasna. But a non-Native competitor with a similar product swooped in and secured a $100 million deal with General Mills. In this program, we’ll talk about what Native businesses need to break through business barriers and what pitfalls to avoid.