Native America Calling

The National Congress of American Indians conference is wrapping up in Denver, with resolve to confront what members say is an assault on tribal sovereignty. The organization is also facing an internal challenge as the lead staff member remains on leave pending an investigation into management complaints. Not least of which is the handling of sexual harassment complaints against NCAI long time lead attorney. We'll also reflect on a very eventful week at the annual Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage and hear about a reporter's take on a growing homelessness crisis in Minnesota.

The National Congress of American Indians conference is wrapping up in Denver, with resolve to confront what members say is an assault on tribal sovereignty. The organization is also facing an internal challenge as the lead staff member remains on leave pending an investigation into management complaints. Not least of which is the handling of sexual harassment complaints against NCAI long time lead attorney. We'll also reflect on a very eventful week at the annual Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage and hear about a reporter's take on a growing homelessness crisis in Minnesota.

The National Congress of American Indians conference is wrapping up in Denver, with resolve to confront what members say is an assault on tribal sovereignty. The organization is also facing an internal challenge as the lead staff member remains on leave pending an investigation into management complaints. Not least of which is the handling of sexual harassment complaints against NCAI long time lead attorney. We'll also reflect on a very eventful week at the annual Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage and hear about a reporter's take on a growing homelessness crisis in Minnesota.

Canada’s decision to legalize recreational marijuana has set up a jurisdictional dispute among some First Nations. The Sakamay First Nation and several others say they have no intention of seeking provincial permission to establish cannabis operations as required by the new law. At the same time, other Aboriginal peoples are heralding the end of the cannabis prohibition as a boost to their own economic ventures. We’ll talk about what legalized recreational marijuana means for First Nations in Canada. Are there lessons for the future of U.S. cannabis policy?

Canada’s decision to legalize recreational marijuana has set up a jurisdictional dispute among some First Nations. The Sakamay First Nation and several others say they have no intention of seeking provincial permission to establish cannabis operations as required by the new law. At the same time, other Aboriginal peoples are heralding the end of the cannabis prohibition as a boost to their own economic ventures. We’ll talk about what legalized recreational marijuana means for First Nations in Canada. Are there lessons for the future of U.S. cannabis policy?

Canada’s decision to legalize recreational marijuana has set up a jurisdictional dispute among some First Nations. The Sakamay First Nation and several others say they have no intention of seeking provincial permission to establish cannabis operations as required by the new law. At the same time, other Aboriginal peoples are heralding the end of the cannabis prohibition as a boost to their own economic ventures. We’ll talk about what legalized recreational marijuana means for First Nations in Canada. Are there lessons for the future of U.S. cannabis policy?

Activists are publicly deriding an online clothing store called “The Spunky Squaw.” The business has been around more than a year, but was reviled on social media only recently. The business owner, a college student, is holding her ground, insisting the term ‘squaw’ is not offensive. We’ll examine the history and current meaning of the word with historians and activists.

Activists are publicly deriding an online clothing store called “The Spunky Squaw.” The business has been around more than a year, but was reviled on social media only recently. The business owner, a college student, is holding her ground, insisting the term ‘squaw’ is not offensive. We’ll examine the history and current meaning of the word with historians and activists.

Activists are publicly deriding an online clothing store called “The Spunky Squaw.” The business has been around more than a year, but was reviled on social media only recently. The business owner, a college student, is holding her ground, insisting the term ‘squaw’ is not offensive. We’ll examine the history and current meaning of the word with historians and activists.

Tribal leaders, Native politicians, researchers and activists all piled on a heavy helping of backlash when Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren revealed her DNA results. Her attempts at having the last, scientific word followed years of insults by Donald Trump, going back to even before he was elected president, mocking her decision to claim Native heritage. She has her defenders, but Warren managed to inflame one feud while trying to settle another. Why is there such sensitivity toward DNA ancestry?