Native America Calling

Many Native martial arts enthusiasts are putting their own spin on karate, taekowndo and jiu-jitsu. They practice the disciplines for both self-defense and fitness and they’re finding ways to weave in Native elements. On this show we’ll talk with Natives who are using martial arts to stay healthy and create lifelong practices of discipline and healthy behavior. We’ll also explore a few traditional Indigenous fighting styles. Do you use martial arts for fitness? Send us an email to [email protected]

Colorado State University in Ft. Collins is offering two Akwesasne Mohawk teens a VIP tour to help make up for a troubling incident when the prospective students were on campus last week. A visiting parent called campus security because she said she felt ‘nervous’ about them. Campus police pulled the students out of their scheduled tour and questioned them before letting them go. Is this an isolated incident or are other Native students also getting singled out campuses? How are some universities finding ways to welcome Native students? We’ll also talk with higher education experts. We’ll also get an update from Lorraine Kahneratokwas Gray about what’s happened since the story about her two sons first surfaced.

Colorado State University in Ft. Collins is offering two Akwesasne Mohawk teens a VIP tour to help make up for a troubling incident when the prospective students were on campus last week. A visiting parent called campus security because she said she felt ‘nervous’ about them. Campus police pulled the students out of their scheduled tour and questioned them before letting them go. Is this an isolated incident or are other Native students also getting singled out campuses? How are some universities finding ways to welcome Native students? We’ll also talk with higher education experts. We’ll also get an update from Lorraine Kahneratokwas Gray about what’s happened since the story about her two sons first surfaced.

Knotweed, signal crayfish, zebra mussels and emerald ash borer beetles are among the plants and animals moving into tribal communities where they don’t belong. The invasive species are causing serious damage and changes to ecosystems. The emerald ash borer, for instance, kills ash trees that Native people utilize for traditional and economic development uses. Tribes are working to study invasive species in order to try and minimize the destruction.

Knotweed, signal crayfish, zebra mussels and emerald ash borer beetles are among the plants and animals moving into tribal communities where they don’t belong. The invasive species are causing serious damage and changes to ecosystems. The emerald ash borer, for instance, kills ash trees that Native people utilize for traditional and economic development uses. Tribes are working to study invasive species in order to try and minimize the destruction.

Too often, media outlets turn to photos of powwow regalia and headdresses as the default images to portray Native Americans. At other times, public portrayals of Native Americans skew toward desolate living conditions, stripped down cars and the ravages of alcoholism. A new clearinghouse of Indigenous photographers aims to counter cliché, one-dimensional and insensitive portrayals of Native Americans. The Natives Photograph group is making the work of Native photographers available to news and magazine editors while also making the case for the importance of using work by Native photographers.

Too often, media outlets turn to photos of powwow regalia and headdresses as the default images to portray Native Americans. At other times, public portrayals of Native Americans skew toward desolate living conditions, stripped down cars and the ravages of alcoholism. A new clearinghouse of Indigenous photographers aims to counter cliché, one-dimensional and insensitive portrayals of Native Americans. The Natives Photograph group is making the work of Native photographers available to news and magazine editors while also making the case for the importance of using work by Native photographers.

Educators, parents and others often place emphasis on preparing for college. But some students see a more hands-on future for themselves. There are a number of traditional options including auto repair, heating and cooling systems and even housing construction offered at tribal colleges and vocational programs. On this show we’ll talk with different tribal vocational programs about the many fields Native students can consider when picking a career in vocational tech.

Educators, parents and others often place emphasis on preparing for college. But some students see a more hands-on future for themselves. There are a number of traditional options including auto repair, heating and cooling systems and even housing construction offered at tribal colleges and vocational programs. On this show we’ll talk with different tribal vocational programs about the many fields Native students can consider when picking a career in vocational tech.

Art made by Native women is a doorway to history and tradition. The legacies they create with each art piece brings more understanding about the resilience Native women bring not only to the family but the entire community. This hour we sit down with several Native women artists to hear their perspectives on what their craft has brought to them and their tribal nations.