Monday, October 26, 2020 – The choice whether to vote
The decision of who to vote for comes down to a personal choice. The same goes for the decision whether or not to vote in the first place. People complain about disillusionment with candidates and government, a lack of interest in politics, or a disgust with the divisive nature of elections. Some Native voters view not voting as an act of decolonization. Research by the U.S. Census finds the turnout rate for Native voters is lower than the national average. More than a third of Native voters who are eligible are not registered. Are you voting this year? Email us why or why not to comments@nativeamericacalling.com We’ll talk with voters about their decision to vote or not in the upcoming election.
Tuesday, October 27, 2020 – Spooky season brings out Native horror pop culture
Horror has a long history, and Indigenous artists are mastering the genre, finding new ways to make peoples’ skin crawl. As Halloween approaches we’re taking the hour to celebrate the darker side of Native pop culture with Indigenous artists who are telling some terrifying stories through film, illustration and literature. What draws you to Native horror?
Wednesday, October 28, 2020 – Music Maker: Bluedog
Bluedog is not only a family affair but a group that prides itself on sharing the life experiences of Native people through sound. In their new album “Take a Stand” the blues riffs are solid and the vocals are inviting. This time around the blues band out of Minnesota’s Twin Cities has teamed up with guest musicians including Ojibwe recording artist Keith Secola. We’ll hear more from the band about keeping the legacy of Native blues strong.
Thursday, October 29, 2020 – Canada’s Lobster War
Ongoing violence marks a dispute over treaty rights and commercial lobster fishing in Nova Scotia. Arson, property destruction, vandalism and physical confrontations erupted after the Sipekne’katik First Nation exerted their treaty rights and started harvesting lobster outside the federally-mandated season. The actions echo the Fish Wars in the U.S. in the 1970s. Canada’s Supreme Court affirmed Indigenous fishing rights off season in 1999 to make what the court said was “a moderate living”. Interpretations of those words are among the key points of contention.
Friday, October 30, 2020 – October in the news
After largely ignoring important Native issues during most of the campaign, President Donald Trump recently has highlighted what he says are accomplishments for Native people in key states. He voiced his support for federal recognition of the Lumbee Nation in North Carolina, two weeks after Democratic challenger Joe Biden did. It’s an acknowledgement that Native voters could make the difference in close races in battleground states. But are the candidates merely pandering to tribes during the election? We’ll get some expert opinions and explore what’s making news in our regular news round up.
