Native America Calling

For wild rice, or manoomin, water literally is life. The grass species grows in shallow bodies of water. It is food for people and animals alike. But when the water is polluted wild rice becomes the “canary in the coal mine.” Since the 1970s, Minnesota has had water quality standards to protect wild rice. Now, the state’s Pollution Control Agency is in the process of changing the standards. Some tribes are concerned the rice is in danger, and that is a symptom of much larger problems. We’ll examine the issue and talk with experts about the future of wild rice.

A new helpline, StrongHearts, offers help to victims of domestic violence in a culturally appropriate way. The helpline was created by Natives for Natives. Advocates say they cater to unique Native situations, laws and culture. That understanding is one reason for reaching out with culturally appropriate methods. We’ll explore how culturally appropriate methods pay off for domestic violence work and prevention.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples spent 10 days collecting information from tribes and U.S. government officials. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz heard comments about the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota and oil and gas exploration in New Mexico and Arizona. Among other things, she says she recognizes a need for better consultation and a consistent federal policy for projects that affect tribes.

The Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians granted tribal membership back to 60 people who were disenrolled nine years ago. The action is a departure from a recent wave of disenrollement among some tribes in the west. Disenrolled members are no longer federally recognized tribal citizens and as a result lose benefits like health care, percap income and even housing. The Nooksak Indian Tribe is suing the federal government over sanctions imposed over election disputes stemming from disenrollment. Sovereignty gives independent tribal nations the ability to determine their members. But campaigns against disenrollment are aiming to change opinions. Is mass disenrollment on its way out?

Republican congressional leaders are in the process of keeping their promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. They propose the American Healthcare Act as an alternative. The new law does not address the Indian Healthcare Improvement Act, which is part of the Affordable Care Act. It also casts doubt on the future of Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion that, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, greatly helps American Indians and Alaska Natives. What does this proposed law mean for Native America?

Has the current political climate caused you to press the pause button on plans to make changes in your life? For some people, life changes are a challenge, whether it’s getting a new job, starting an exercise routine or remodeling a house. It takes resilience and patience. It’s even harder if you feel uncertain about things you can’t control. How can we rely on our communities and traditions to get moving again? We will talk with experts about what they’re seeing when it comes to anxiety over the future and hear some strategies for taking on lasting and effective change.

Every year the Yurok tribe holds a salmon festival to celebrate the gifts from the Klamath River in northern California. Last year the historic low number of returning fish meant there was no actual salmon at the festival. Whether it’s coho, sockeye or pink, salmon are important to a number of tribes in the Pacific Northwest and in Alaska. We’ll talk with folks from different tribes about the cultural significance salmon offers and the potential threats to the natural resource.

Many people will descend on Washington DC to express solidarity and support for the fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline on Friday. We’ll talk with a variety of unique voices about the lessons learned from the pipeline fight, and what happens next. What can we take away from the experience at Standing Rock? Where does this momentum go? Send your thoughts to [email protected].

Last month, President Donald Trump threw out federal guidelines set by President Barack Obama on Title IX, which deals with gender discrimination in schools. Political leaders are debating whether to leave decisions about which bathrooms transgender students should use to states. At least one tribal community has a rule requiring students to use the bathroom associated with the gender they are born with. We’ll talk with Native transgender and Two Spirit people and others about the implications of a policy about bathrooms.

Educators know that getting kids ready for kindergarten is one of the best ways to improve a child’s long-term academic performance down the road. In Anchorage, Alaska three separate organizations joined forces to identify common goals for helping Alaska Native students achieve better success at school. One of the goals involves working with parents to get more kids ready to start school. They hope that will boost Alaska Native graduation rates that lag behind the national average.