Native America Calling

Native American entrepreneurs are among those tapping into the craft beer boom. With a brew pub on every corner, how do you rise above the crowd? From live music to food trucks to clever social media, Native breweries are working to make themselves known in the growing industry. We talk to Native people in the beer business about when to have an IPA over a lager. What are the best words to use when describing the taste of beer? And what’s with all the funny beer names?

Do you have a picky eater in the family? Someone who changes the way you cook and shop for groceries? Children can be stubborn when it comes to downing healthy foods like broccoli or green beans. Exasperated parents feel guilty when they end up feeding their kids chicken nuggets and Froot Loops. What’s the solution to the picky eater conundrum?

Many of us hope that we will someday write the great (Native) American novel. For those dedicated enough to put words to the page there are more ways than ever for getting work into readers’ hands. Many writers dash off copies to major publishing houses and collect rejection slips. Self-publishing is another option, but doesn’t offer anything in the way of distribution and marketing. Maybe the e-book path is best. What happens next after you type the words “The End” in your manuscript?

Fighting to breathe is a scary experience. But that’s the reality for 1 out of every 12 people in the U.S. who have asthma, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. American Indian and Alaska Native children are 30 percent more likely to have asthma, according to the Office of Minority Health. Rates of asthma are increasing and it’s unclear why. Researchers say environmental contaminants like smoke, dust mites, mold, and certain chemicals can trigger an attack. We’ll talk with doctors about the symptoms and the most up-to-date treatments. Email your questions about asthma to [email protected].

Next month the Canadian government will begin a national inquiry into thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women. We’ll find out what that means for the families and the 1.4 million people with Aboriginal identity in the country. We’ll also take a look at other Aboriginal issues making headlines for our neighbors to the north, including mining fights, racism, and politics with two of our favorite Indigenous journalists.

“You need to exercise more.” How many times has your doctor told you that? Doctors frequently prescribe exercise as a way to fight obesity and high rates of diabetes in Native America. But where and how you exercise depends on what you have available. Many rural tribal communities lack gyms. It can be hard for urban residents to find a safe place to go for a jog. Lack of exercise facilities could cut into a person’s motivation. How do you get yourself off the couch and working up a sweat when there’s not many places available?

Collectors paid thousands of dollars for sacred items at a recent auction in Paris. But some of the items for sale were art pieces that are appropriate for sale. How does the consumer know the difference? When buying jewelry or pottery from vendors, how do you know you’re not buying a cheap knock-off? In both cases, the burden is on the buyer to be responsible and informed. We’ll talk with artists and experts in the industry about where to go and what it takes to be an informed collector.

Teachers have a tough job. They often get little credit for educational achievements and all the blame for failures. And the profession is one of the lowest paying. But each fall, millions of teachers head back into the classroom. We’ll speak with some teachers about why they choose the classroom and what benefit teachers can bring to Native American students.

Tribes and two Native American organizations embarked on a historic nation-to-nation mission to Cuba. The diplomatic exchange comes as the Obama administration works to normalize relations with the communist country after decades under embargo. We’ll hear from those on the trip about what they saw and what they hope comes from it. Representatives from several tribes and the Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA) and National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) visited health care facilities and met with government officials. Is this the beginning of new opportunities with Cuba?

Far too often, whenever you read a magazine article or research paper about Native Americans, the author is non-Native. At the very least, representations of Native life lack the sensitivity that a Native observer could bring. Even medical research can cross the line that tribes hold dear. Today many tribes are gaining control of how, when and if research is conducted. We’ll explore the appropriate ways outsiders can approach research in Native communities.