Monday, May 15, 2017 — A conversation with Larissa FastHorse
Self-taught playwright, Larissa FastHorse (Sičháŋǧu Lakota), tells an interesting story in her newest play, “What Would Crazy Horse Do?” The satirical play explores issues of racial preservation and cultural pride. We’ll talk to FastHorse about her new play and why it’s important to have a Native presence on the stage.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017 — Climate change and traditional food
Louisiana is losing coastal land to encroaching water from the Gulf of Mexico, driving away plants and animals tribes traditionally rely on. In Alaska, thinning ice prevents subsistence hunters from reaching game that provide food for their communities. Those are just two examples of how climate change is affecting traditional Native food practices. We’ll discuss how tribes are taking preventative measures to keep their traditional foods alive as their environments change.
Wednesday, May 17, 2017 – The fate of Bears Ears
Before he left office, President Barack Obama designated Bears Ears in Utah a National Monument to protect 1.3 million acres that contain many sites significant to several tribes. Now, President Trump is calling for a review of that decision and dozens of other monument designations since 1996. That could open the door for more oil drilling, mining and other development in those places. Interior Department Sec. Ryan Zinke made his first visit to Bears Ears as a decision on the monument status looms.
Thursday, May 18, 2017 – Removing racist relics of the past
Did you know there is a law still on the books that allows children to be placed in boarding school without parental consent? There is also still a provision for denying federal money to ‘hostile Indians’. U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., wants to remove some antiquated laws about Native Americans. He proposes the Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes (RESPECT) Act to do that. We explore that effort and a few of the other racist images, names and laws of the past that don’t stand the test of time.
Friday, May 19, 2017 – Life skills for Native youth
Knowing how to apply for a job or resolving conflicts with friends are among the wide range of basic life skills that aren’t directly taught in school. Young people might pick up such skills from family or community members if there are good role models. We’ll talk with folks from NativeVision, a sports and life skills camp that has spent more than 20 years making life skills a priority.
