Monday, March 28, 2022 – Setbacks for basic respect
A series of troubling incidents around the country appear to harken to a time of unchecked discrimination, racism and basic disregard for Native people. A South Dakota hotel owner publicly announces a ban on all Native Americans. Students at an Oklahoma school forcibly cut off a Kickapoo first grader’s hair. And a Texas high school doubles down on fake headdresses and other made-up imagery to bolster its “Cherokee values” brand. How, after all the media interviews, op-eds, awareness campaigns and personal pleas for change, can such ignorance of fundamental respect keep surfacing in 2022?
Tuesday, March 29, 2022 – Recognizing Native Vietnam veterans
More than 42,000 Native Americans fought in Vietnam. Nearly all were volunteers. We’ll take time on Vietnam Veterans Day to honor all those who served during what was initially called “a policy action”. We’ll hear the stories of heroism and healing from and about those who were there.
Wednesday, March 30, 2022 – The wrestling tradition
Native Americans are well-represented on the wrestling mat at the high school and college levels. The NCAA wrestling championships have just ended and athletes and coaches are already eyeing prospects for next season. We’ll hear about notable Native wrestlers and find out the appeal wrestling presents for Native athletes.
Thursday, March 31, 2022 – Indigenous farmworkers
Itinerant farm work means putting in long, hard hours. It’s a job most people pass up. But it’s long been an avenue for employment for people from south of the U.S. border. Numbers are hard to come by, but one survey found the number of Indigenous farmworkers in California alone reached 140,000. On a day set aside to recognize noted farmworker advocate Cesar Chavez, we’ll get a better understanding of the role Indigenous people play in the nation’s agricultural economy.
Friday, April 1, 2022 – Just kidding
It’s the day to question (more than usual) every news article, social media post, and conversation. Every year, April Fools Day recalibrates our gullibility meter. We’ll spend an hour getting the absolute truth from Native comedians and others about what makes things funny.
