Native America Calling

The University of North Dakota organized a discussion of news coverage of the Dakota Access Pipeline protest. The day-long event included reporters remembering the dramatic clashes and at times defending their work more than a year later. We’ll talk with journalists and other stakeholders about the important issues in Native America on our round-up of the news.

The Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School finds providing the right support for students in the small K-12 school can provide dividends in the way of graduation rates. School administrators say addressing social issues such as drug addiction, poverty and historical trauma can improve the likelihood of a student getting a diploma. The school originally opened in the 70s as an act of tribal self-determination by the tribe. As part of our series in the American Graduate initiative, we learn more about the school’s history and their efforts to create a healthy environment for learning.

The Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School finds providing the right support for students in the small K-12 school can provide dividends in the way of graduation rates. School administrators say addressing social issues such as drug addiction, poverty and historical trauma can improve the likelihood of a student getting a diploma. The school originally opened in the 70s as an act of tribal self-determination by the tribe. As part of our series in the American Graduate initiative, we learn more about the school’s history and their efforts to create a healthy environment for learning.

Lakota John is a blues slide guitar player from the Lumbee and Oglala Lakota Nations. He’s been harnessing his musical abilities since he was a child alongside his family who centered their life around music. In his solo release “The Winds of Time: Ragtime, Piedmont Blues, Folk and Native Americana,” he gives new life to classic ragtime sounds and rhythmic picking. Help us get into the blues with our April Music Maker Lakota John.

Lakota John is a blues slide guitar player from the Lumbee and Oglala Lakota Nations. He’s been harnessing his musical abilities since he was a child alongside his family who centered their life around music. In his solo release “The Winds of Time: Ragtime, Piedmont Blues, Folk and Native Americana,” he gives new life to classic ragtime sounds and rhythmic picking. Help us get into the blues with our April Music Maker Lakota John.

Some of Native American's most notable performers are gearing up for Stage 49 at the Gathering of Nations Powwow in Albuquerque. It's the annual showcase of everything from Native rock and blues to folk and traditional music. Join us as we hear from some of the artists and organizers of this event.

Some of Native American's most notable performers are gearing up for Stage 49 at the Gathering of Nations Powwow in Albuquerque. It's the annual showcase of everything from Native rock and blues to folk and traditional music. Join us as we hear from some of the artists and organizers of this event.

Native identity is a weaving of many experiences, beliefs and even the ground that a person considers home. We will witness how Diné poet Esther G. Belin is turning to the written word to celebrate her life and its relationship to Diné culture. “Of Cartography,” plays on poetic structure, often pushing readers to rethink how they are taking in the thoughts and words. We hear how Belin is shaking up the world of poetry.

Native identity is a weaving of many experiences, beliefs and even the ground that a person considers home. We will witness how Diné poet Esther G. Belin is turning to the written word to celebrate her life and its relationship to Diné culture. “Of Cartography,” plays on poetic structure, often pushing readers to rethink how they are taking in the thoughts and words. We hear how Belin is shaking up the world of poetry.

Wild rice waters in Minnesota face threats on two fronts. Some Minnesota tribes worry a pipeline replacement project carries the potential for a devastating crude oil leak that would contaminate rice beds for generations. At the same time, state lawmakers are moving to eliminate 45-year old water quality standards—the nation’s only law designed to help wild rice habitat. We’ll get updates on tribes’ efforts to keep wild rice thriving.