Native America Calling

Activists in North Dakota are camping out and going to jail to resist the Dakota Access Pipeline plan. Meanwhile lawyers for tribes and environmental groups chip away at the legal boundaries of the project in the courts. Protests, petitions, direct action, social media campaigns, and legal challenges are all methods people employ to bring about change. Whether you want to stop a pipeline, restore traditional hunting and fishing rights, or ridding your community of drug abuse, what strategies actually produce results?

This month we feature Ilarion Merculieff’s new book “Wisdom Keeper: One Man’s Journey to Honor the Untold History of the Unangan People.” It’s part memoir and part history book. The author offers his insight to help tribal nations and readers face the changing world—including the transformation of the planet through climate change. The work is also a tribute to the many Native knowledge-holders that have shared their stories and culture with the author. We invite you to turn through the pages with us as we visit with Unangan author Ilarion Merculieff.

From “bakery science” to “Egyptology,” colleges and universities offer an increasing variety of areas to focus study. But does your college major really matter? Some degrees certainly offer a leg up in the working world. What goes into picking a college major? Are you afraid of choosing the wrong one? We get guidance from the experts.

This year's Community Spirit honorees are recognized for their basket art, music, weaving, helping their community cope with loss and honoring those who died. We’ll hear from some of the award winners about why their Native culture is important to them. Are you inspired by someone in your Native community?

The Washington NFL team lost the latest round in their claim for federal trademark protection for their team name. The U.S. Supreme Court turned down the appeal challenging the law against copyrighting disparaging names. The team’s lawyers say the law violates their First Amendment rights. Is this the beginning of the end for the controversial mascot?

Phoenix, Yakima, Wash., and San Diego are among the latest U.S. cities to declare the second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples Day. The local efforts aim to recognize Native people over top of the day set aside by the federal government to honor Christopher Columbus. But some cities, like Cleveland, Ohio and Philadelphia, Penn., rejected Indigenous Peoples Day proposals this month. Is there enough momentum to change the national holiday named for the man who Native Americans credit with ushering in occupation by Europeans?

The path to Native Hawaiian recognition remains murky. Department of the Interior just provided some clarity when it established new rules for a government-to-government relationship with Native Hawaiians. It offers recognition similar to that of Native Americans if Native Hawaiians form an autonomous government. It remains an open question whether the disparate opinions can come together to do that, however. We’ll hear different perspectives on the debate.

Autumn ushers in big game hunting season in many states. For us, hunting is a matter of sustenance, ceremony, sport and celebration. Hunting traditions come from a time before boundaries and wildlife management. How do we carry on hunting traditions? What are the new traditions in your community?

Overseas tourists are a big source of revenue for some tribes. It’s such an economic boost that the International Trade Administration have the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association $200,000 to help boost European tourism in Native communities. Just what are places that promote tourism selling? What are the benefits and pitfalls of encouraging outside visitors?

Now is the time for college students to start thinking about financial aid for college. The clock to fill out your federal financial aid form started this week. The more time passes, the less money you have available. There are several scholarships just for Native students. We explore the world of scholarships, deadlines, and financial aid. Is the possibility of a $2,000 scholarship worth the time it takes to write an essay? Do you have tips for applying for scholarships?