Monday, November 15, 2021 – Teaching Well: Pueblo wisdom curriculum
Pueblo educators have just updated a K-12 curriculum and teacher training regimen for New Mexico schools designed from a Native viewpoint. It offers guidance on Pueblo history and culture with a basis in Pueblo core values including respect, compassion, balance and service. The original idea stemmed from the state’s celebration of 100 years of statehood, which also didn’t fully incorporate Pueblo historical contributions and wisdom.
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 – Structural inequities cost additional Native lives during the pandemic
Many Native nations suffered disproportionate harm from the COVID-19 pandemic. New research suggests state and federal policy decisions and long standing structural inequities increased the magnitude of the pandemic for Native people and unnecessarily cost additional lives. We’ll talk with the researchers about the study and hear from tribal leaders and health officials about what they are experiencing.
Wednesday, November 17, 2021 – Book of the Month: “Gaa-Pi-Izhiwebak”
The Aanjibimaadizing, a program of the Mille Lacs Band, is committed to keeping Indigenous language thriving. To help this mission along they launched a project to bring their language to the pages of a multi-book series. We are putting the spotlight on the latest book in the collection “Gaa-Pi-Izhiwebak.” It features stories that stem from cultural teachings, histories and memories that a group of tribal elders hold dear. We’ll hear from those involved in the project including the book’s illustrator who had the charge of rendering elders’ stories into colorful images.
Thursday, November 18, 2021 – The COP26 Indigenous outlook
The organizers of the COP26 summit in Glasgow, Scotland faced criticism that attendees heard little from the very groups that are most affected by climate change around the globe. Indigenous people, youth and women clamored to have their voices included in the climate discussions. We’ll hear from those who were there to assess the benefits and missteps of the recently-concluded event.
Friday, November 19, 2021 – Cultural Connection: turkeys
Navajo, Hopi, Shawnee and Creek tribes are among the many Native nations that have turkey clans. Southwest tribes domesticated the bird long before settlers arrived and the animal is a character in many tribal stories. At a time of the year when the bird plays a big role on the dinner table, we’ll look at the significance of turkeys from a Native perspective.
