Native America Calling

Alaska Natives take time out in February to recognize activist Elizabeth Peratrovich. She was instrumental in boosting the state’s civil rights through the Alaska Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945. We'll note Peratrovich’s contributions by getting a primer on what civil rights means for Native Americans and explore one specific workplace civil rights complaint.

Some enduring images from the Dakota Access Pipeline protest over the past year include throngs of people getting doused with water hoses in freezing temperatures and clashing with police in riot gear. Protesting and civil disobedience have long histories both in and out of our Native Nations. From Wounded Knee to the Oceti Sakowin Camp, demonstrations are a show of force for a pressing issue. But what purpose do they serve?

A major standoff over an oil pipeline in North Dakota, a new U.S. president and new priorities for federal decision-making; A lot has changed since the last State of Indian Nations address a year ago. We will hear the annual State of Indian Nations speech by National Congress of American Indians President Brian Cladoosby as well as the congressional response.

“Cradle to the Grave” is the latest by Crow musician Cary Morin and it’s in invitation to take an some skilled finger picking fun. Continuing on his journey of solo acoustic exploration Morin is giving blues rock roots lovers almost a dozen tracks on his fourth solo album. The lyrics are also a passage through his life and lessons learned and from it this artist says he’s come to the understanding that life is fleeting. We invite you to fall in the notes and lyrics with us as we visit with Cary Morin our February Music Maker.

Love can lead us down many new paths. Sometimes the journey is toward a culture different than the one we’re born into. One of our guests honors her husband’s Salish culture by mastering traditional weaving. We’ll talk to others, as well, about the rewards and obstacles of navigating a spouse’s Native culture. Are you ever fully accepted?

An Oregon-based program aims to help Native American teens make better decisions when it comes to sex. Organizers with the STAND program hope their weekly education sessions that incorporate culture and language will help cut rates for sexually-transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. They are among several culturally-based programs that see a need for solid, research-based curricula to help teens get the basics about sex education.

The mayor of Rapid City, South Dakota found himself in the hot seat for poorly-worded comments about Native Americans and panhandling. The comments came as the city near the Pine Ridge Reservation is trying to improve relations after several ugly interactions between Native American and non-Native residents. Towns near reservations often struggle with the outward expressions of entrenched prejudice. We’ll talk with community members about the long, slow process of reconciliation in border towns.

The decision to end a relationship is almost never easy. Whether it’s a marriage or a long term relationship, breaking up can be painful for everyone. Experts have advice on how to know it’s time to break it off and some ways to do it. They also have insights on what to expect afterwards and some things to think about ahead of time.

What are the next steps now that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it will grant the easement to complete the Dakota Access Pipeline project near Standing Rock? The number of people remaining at the camps in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline is estimated at a few hundred. Thousands of people have set up camp, at one time or another, at Oceti Sakowin, Sacred Stone and several other camps along the Cannonball and Missouri Rivers in North Dakota. They’ve endured harsh conditions, violent encounters with police, rubber bullets, water hoses and, now, extreme winter weather. But there are also stories of camaraderie, ceremony and hope. We’ll talk with people and take your calls about what the camps can accomplish.

Since taking office, President Trump, has taken action on promises to cut environmental regulations and advance energy industry projects from coal to oil pipelines. With that in mind, we’ll take a look at two proposed mines that could also get caught up in the pro-industry momentum. The Back Forty Project in Michigan promises large deposits of zinc and gold. But the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin opposes the project for environmental reasons and because of its close proximity to sacred places. In Arizona, the Resolution Copper mine is expected to cover 7,000 acres, take 10 years to build, and operate for another 40 years. The San Carlos Apache tribe opposes it because the land is considered sacred. We’ll get updates on these and what hopes tribal leaders and others have for fighting them.