Monday, June 4, 2018 – The future for tribal sports betting
Gaming tribes are cautiously optimistic a new U.S. Supreme Court ruling will provide a new source of revenue. The High Court ruled the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 is unconstitutional. That opens up the possibility of expanded sports betting. But will states forge ahead with new sports betting operations without honoring existing agreements with tribes? We’ll talk through the legal decision and the possible ramifications.
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 – Moose
Moose are important, spiritual animals to many tribes in the northern United States, Canada and Alaska. They are large and impressive animals that weight around 1,800 pounds and stand more than 6 feet at the shoulders. They are traditionally a main source of food for some Indigenous communities. As strong and powerful as they are, moose are not immune to the effects of environmental changes, overhunting, disease and parasites. We’re acknowledging the role moose play in some tribal nations and learning more about some strategies for their continued survival.
Wednesday, June 6, 2018 – Finding a job when you have blemishes in your past
A past felony conviction played a big part in Renae Gray’s job search. It took 15 months of looking to finally get hired. Her strategy was to be upfront about her criminal past during interviews because she knew employers would find out anyway. Over and over, she watched as the expression and demeanor of her interviewers changed when she came clean. They stopped smiling, stopped taking notes. Applying for a job is already a daunting task. It’s that much harder for people with criminal records or a spotty work history.
Thursday, June 7, 2018 – When not to call police
Videos from cell phones and police body cams are helping heighten awareness of the seemingly racially-tinged motivations of people who call police on people of color. Recent incidents include African Americans barbecuing in a public park, waiting for friends at Starbucks, golfing too slow, and even entering their own apartments, and Native Americans attending a college campus tour. In February, police escorted Robert Robedeaux (Pawnee, Ponca, Otoe) out of a Hibbett Sports store in Oklahoma after the manager reported “a suspicious person” trying on clothes. The conversation highlights the questions people might ask themselves before calling police.
Friday, June 8, 2018 – Memes
Those satirical pictures and GIFs known as memes bombard us on social media. Some incorporate well known images like Grumpy Cat, the Most Interesting Man in the World, and Kermit the Frog. Others, like ‘Skoden” are geared specifically at a Native audience. Usually, memes have a brief life on the internet, but allow us to smirk or even belly laugh about current events. Powwows, moccasins, fry bread, IHS, the BIA—nothing is off limits with Native memes. We’ll talk about some of the more popular memes and discuss what makes them go viral.
