Monday, January 21, 2019 – The government shutdown starts hitting home
As the partial federal government shutdown approaches the one-month mark, the effects on tribes and individuals who rely on services are growing: Nearly 9,000 Indian Health Service employees are working without pay; the Yomba Shoshone Tribe in Nevada shut off services and their tribal office administrator is working without pay; the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa in Minnesota is reducing workers’ hours; In addition, thousands of federal employees are going without pay, and those in power show no signs of coming to an agreement.
Tuesday, January 22, 2019 – The next chapter for Indigenous child welfare in Canada
Indigenous leaders in Canada are hoping their government will approve a series of reforms for the foster care system that disproportionately separates Indigenous families. Statistics Canada reports Indigenous children make up more than half of those under age 4 in the foster care system. Indigenous people make up less than 8 percent of the total population. The push comes following a heart-wrenching video of a newborn child taken from its mother in a Manitoba hospital. We get an overview of the Canadian child welfare system and hear about the efforts to improve it.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019 – Music Maker: Randy Boogie
Neo-contemporary Navajo artist Randy L. Barton is known for his ability to slap the paint on the canvas and across large murals to make vibrant images. He sees art as a tool for educating people. His talent also extends to the musical art form. This month we visit with him about his album “The Blessing Way Boogie” that mixes in electric sounds brushed with B-Boy break beats and tribal rhythms including sounds from his Diné Nation. Much like his visual art, his music calls on indigenous knowledge and creation stories that are full of instructions on life and facing the world. Join us for our January Music Maker with as he’s known on the dance floor and behind the turn tables, Randy Boogie.
Thursday, January 24, 2019 – House calls for new parents
The first days and weeks as a new parent are an exciting time. But they can also be filled with anxious worry about making the best choices. Several programs in Native America send parenting experts into homes with new babies. From when to feed an infant to how much sleep parents should expect to get, the questions tribal in-home visitation specialists tackle range from mundane to critical.
Friday, January 25, 2019 – January in the News
Several tribal leaders and Native organizations issued statements of outrage after President Trump took another jab at Senator Elizabeth Warren, this time mentioning the sacred battle grounds at Wounded Knee and Little Big Horn. Also we’ll examine the coverage of the federal government shutdown and its impact on Native Americans. And the Menominee Nation is not giving up in its fight against the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers over the Back Forty open pit mine project. Join us for those stories and more on our monthly news roundup.
