Monday, September 13, 2021 – Water shortages for tribes along the Colorado River
Low water levels are forcing federal officials to cut the Colorado River’s water supply for the first time in history. In addition to supplying water to several major cities, it’s a source of drinking water and an agricultural resource for more than 30 tribes. Those tribes also have spiritual connections to the Colorado. We’ll talk with tribes about how they are coping with two decades of extreme drought and how they’re preparing for a drier future.
Tuesday, September 14, 2021 – Honoring the work of Native journalists
The nation’s premier Native journalist’s organization is marking the best of their craft from the past year. The honors by the Native American Journalists Association include Navajo Times CEO and publisher Tom Arviso and the staff of Haskell Indian Nations University student newspaper, among many others. We’ll review some of the recent major achievements in Native journalism.
Wednesday, September 15, 2021 – Rethinking Native pageant royalty
Summer pageants and fairs offer a chance for young Native women to represent their nations as royalty. They carry a title and a platform to educate and inform others about important issues and their culture. At the same time, the ‘Indian Princess’ label brings with it a number of problematic stereotypes that don’t fully reflect Native women’s strength, beauty and intelligence. We’ll talk about redefining pageants and the ways Native women exemplify poise, strength and use the platform to shine a positive light on their communities and inspire others to pursue their goals and dreams.
Thursday, September 16, 2021 – The Indigenous connection to Mexican Independence Day
September 16th is a national holiday in Mexico, but it doesn’t mark the day the country achieved independence from Spain. It commemorates the day a revered priest rallied his townspeople with his Cry of Independence. The country’s Indigenous people were instrumental in the battles that followed, as they fought to get out from under Spain’s oppressive caste system. We’ll get the history and explore the role of Indigenous Mexicans in this important commemoration.
Friday, September 17, 2021 – The First Americans Museum debuts
After years of start-and-stop planning and construction, the First Americans Museum of Oklahoma is opening to the public. The 175,000 square foot facility and grounds in Oklahoma City house theaters, art galleries, multimedia narratives, restaurants and space for powwows and concerts. It honors the state’s 39 tribes, and incorporates state-of-the-art technology to provide an accurate and appropriate portrayal of Native culture to the public.
