Monday, May 25, 2020 – Jesse Wente: Broadcaster, film director and critic
“Reconciliation is dead.” That’s the message from Canadian broadcaster and artist Jesse Wente (Serpent River First Nation) in a commentary about the Coastal GasLink pipeline protests. While his comments might seem controversial, he often speaks his mind directly in a sea of “Canada nice.” In this hour we’ll talk with him about his career as a broadcaster, film curator and his role as director of the Indigenous Screen Office.
(This is an encore show from March 12, 2020).
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 – Natives in the Spotlight: Boys and Girls Club Native Services
The Native Services arm of the Boys & Girls Club of America is rethinking how it’s reaching out to help young people so they, in turn, can help out in their communities. Ordinarily they promote healthy choices, support students and provide programs to help youth succeed. Since so many of their efforts rely on in-person group programs, organizers are restructuring to reach young people virtually to also reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Native Services has about a dozen chapters nationwide that offer culturally-appropriate programs that build social, emotional, intellectual and physical capacity in the communities they serve.
Thursday, May 28, 2020 – Polar bears caught on the middle
Polar bears have a strong cultural significance for Alaska Natives and Indigenous people of the Arctic. They’re a food source and are included in traditional stories throughout Alaska and northern Canada. They are the top predator in their food web. Now they are listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Melting ice caused by climate change is changing polar bear habitat, forcing them away from their main method for gathering food. As a symbol of climate change, they’re in the middle of debates over natural resources and climate change policy. We continue our series on the cultural and environmental importance of animals with a look at polar bears, their relationship to Indigenous people and their struggle for survival.
Friday, May 29, 2020 – May in the news
Many tribal casinos are re-opening, but with added restrictions to try and prevent spreading the coronavirus. We’ll hear about the potential benefits and dangers as businesses open their doors to the public. Specifically, we’ll focus on what contact tracing involves and how data is helpful in keeping the public safe. Also a Montana judge blocked a law limiting the number of absentee ballots one individual could bring to the post office or polling place. The American Civil Liberties Union of Montana says the law disproportionately affects Native voters who live in rural areas and may have limited access to post offices or polling places. These stories and more are in our regular news round up.
