Native America Calling

It’s your time to spill the beans about bad bosses, horrible working conditions and mean coworkers. Many of us have Monday off to celebrate Labor Day, a federal holiday to honor the labor movement and achievements of American workers. We’ll take a moment to share stories of bad job experiences. We’ll also discuss how to call it quits at a bad job. Send your bad job stories to [email protected].

It’s the Native way to take care of elders within the family. But these days it doesn’t always work out that way. Many families turn to nursing homes or other elder care centers for help. We ask those whose job it is to care for elders what to look out for. We also get tips on ways all of us can prepare for late-life care. What issues do the children or grandchildren face when their elder gets too old to live independently?

Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa author, Louise Erdrich has given audiences many pages throughout the years filled with extraordinary stories about life and the families and communities that they know best. Many readers applaud her ability wrangle words into great stories. This month we turn to her latest novel titled “LaRose.” It starts off with tragedy and winds into a detailed story of people who reveal their raw self to face the world.

Sports have a lot to offer young kids. Young people who play sports get exercise, learn to work as a team and develop their coordination. But there is also a downside, such as injuries, overbearing parents, and the cost in time and money. Many parents are thinking about sports this time of year as schools and park programs start up fall soccer, football and basketball leagues. We’ll celebrate our young Native athletes and also discuss the rule book on safety and good behavior. Are youth sports important? Should all kids play on a team?

Some of the major art markets are wrapping up for the year. But for the artists, the work continues all year long. Many artists are constantly hustling, taking part-time jobs and branching out with other talents, just to put food on the table. A lucky few can get some breathing room with grants or fellowships. What does it take to have a thriving artist community in Native America? How do you support the artists in your life? We’ll speak with artists about their work, and the importance of supporting the arts.

The protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline gathered steam, although organizers complained about unfavorable media coverage. They took their messages to social media. That’s one of the topics on the table as we check in on recent news. Also, the Navajo Nation sues the EPA over last year’s Gold King Mine spill, an Arizona court deals a blow to a Gila River Indian Community custody case, and the presidential candidates continue to ignore Native American issues.

Some traditional weddings take days to complete and require specific time-honored tasks from the bride and groom. They’re not the typical Western weddings with the puffy, white gowns, tuxedos and tiered cake. Many young Native American couples are opting for the traditional ceremony. What does it take to put on a traditional wedding? How have traditions changed to fit the times?

We put the spotlight on some of the Native filmmakers whose films recently graced the big screen. The Native Cinema Showcase, during Santa Fe Indian Market, highlights recent works. We discuss films, the movie industry and how Native Americans fit into the world of cinema.

This is the time of year when young people are heading off to college for the first time. There are a lot of details and new experiences for incoming freshmen: financial aid, class schedules, dorm roommates, and missing home. Beyond the basics, what do Native students need to know to be prepared?

The protest grows in size by the day at the spot where Energy Transfer Partners aims to break ground on the Dakota Access Pipeline. The protesters near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation hope to stop the momentum toward building the nearly 1,200-mile pipeline carrying crude oil from the Bakken oil fields to Illinois. Protesters set up at the Camp of the Sacred Stones are raising awareness of the issue, filling social media with videos. Meanwhile, lawyers on both sides are battling for their cause in the courts. Will pipeline opponents’ outcry change the outcome?