NV1, Author at Native Voice One

Trahant Reports – Better Indian Health Funding

April 20, 2015 By NV1

Commissioner for Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services, makes the case for Medicaid Expansion. Alaska and Montana are nearing decision points about expansion, a program that would add millions of dollars to the Indian health system.

Valerie Davidson, Commissioner for Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services, makes the case for Medicaid Expansion.

Two states with large native populations, Montana and Alaska, continue to explore Medicaid expansion.

In Alaska the case for expansion is being made by Valerie Davidson, who’s Yupik, a longtime Native health advocate, and the former chair of a Medicare & Medicaid committee. In other words: She knows the process cold.

In Montana, the legislature has passed the legislation and Medicaid expansion will likely become law. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that one-third of IHS patients are uninsured and the cost to IHS for that care was at least $2.1 billion in 2013.

NAC This Week, April 20-24, 2015

April 18, 2015 By NV1

Monday, April 20 – Indian Child Welfare Act Update
Join us as we discuss a proposed new rule, an ongoing lawsuit and proposed legislation in two states that could impact the future of ICWA.

Tuesday, April 21 – Emotions And Language Revitalization
Many people want to learn their Native language, but there are many emotions that can come up as we seek to learn or bring back our languages. What do you feel when you think about your language?

Wednesday, April 22 – Sainthood for Junipero Serra
Junipero Serra was an 18th-century missionary. Pope Francis intends to make him a saint but many tribes in California object with the idea of honoring Serra’s legacy.

Thursday, April 23 – Mister Native American Pageants
Join our conversation about pageants for young Native men. Do you think this trend is a good thing?

Friday, April 24 – **Pre-recorded** Indigenous Reggae Rhythms (Part II): Turtle Island
Reggae is popular in many Native communities. Are you a reggae fan? Tune in as we listen back to some of our best interviews with Native reggae musicians.

NAC – Autopsies vs. The Sacred

April 13, 2015 By NV1

Autopsy stations by Vancouver Coastal Health

Native America Calling – Monday, April 13, 2015 LISTEN HERE

In February, the families of Autumn Irene Martineau (Fond du Lac) and Mushkoob Aubid (Mille Lac) successfully fought to keep their deceased loved ones from undergoing autopsies. According to the families, autopsies would have violated their religious and cultural practices. Minnesota state lawmakers are now considering legislation that would allow religious objections to autopsies. In some cultures, autopsies are considered a spiritual violation and a disruption to the grieving process. In other cultures, autopsies are viewed as a way to provide valuable information and bring people to justice. Do autopsies go against your values and traditions? Should families be required to compromise their values and allow an autopsy when there are unanswered questions about why a person died?

NAC, April 13-17, 2015

April 10, 2015 By NV1

Monday, April 13 – Autopsies vs. The Sacred
Minnesota lawmakers are considering legislation to allow religious exemptions for autopsies. What does this proposed change mean for Native communities?

Tuesday, April 14 – Online Gambling For Tribal Nations
Online gaming is allowed in a few states but could be expanded to more stations. Could online gaming be a profitable venture for tribes?

Wednesday, April 15 – “Wakpá Wanági,Ghost River”
Our latest Book of the Month author is Trevino L. Brings Plenty (Cheyenne River Sioux). Join us for a conversation with this Native author as we celebrate National Poetry Month.

Thursday, April 16 – Honor Runs
Some Native groups trace the path of ancestors who survived atrocities through healing runs and bike rides. Do you think these events are positive or negative for individuals and communities?

Friday, April 17 – California Drought
The drought in California is in the headlines across the country. What does the drought mean for local tribes?

NAC- The Future of Public Media

April 10, 2015 By NV1

Gila River Public Broadcasting

Native America Calling – Wednesday, April 8, 2015 LISTEN HERE

Public television and radio receives funds from a variety of sources, including the federal government through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. For the past few years, Congress has voted to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Last week the House of Representatives voted again to defund the CPB, but the Senate passed a blueprint budget that would include funds for CPB. A joint budget resolution between the two houses is due April 15^th. What does all of this mean for public media like NPR, PBS and tribal radio? What does public radio and television mean to you? Join us for a discussion about funding public media.

Guests:

Loris Taylor (Hopi Nation) – president and CEO of Native Public Media

Joseph Orozco (Hoopa) – station manager of KIDE

Shirley Sneve (Sicangu Lakota) – executive director of Vision Maker Media

Trahant Reports – Better funding for Indian health?

April 10, 2015 By NV1

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Expansion of Medicaid in Alaska could bring millions of dollars into the Alaska Native health system. (Trahant photos)

Two states with large native populations are considering expanding Medicaid: Alaska and Montana. The decisions made in Juneau and Helena could add millions of dollars to improve Native health. In Washington state, Medicaid expansion has already increased revenues to Indian health clinics by 38 percent, adding some 14 million new dollars.

The total amount of Medicaid funding in Alaska is even bigger — a potential pool of some $200 million.

Trahant Reports – Oil is Cheap … so leave it in the ground and address climate change

April 3, 2015 By NV1

Could we be near the moment to really address climate change?

A quick answer is “no.” Of course not.

But the idea of cheap gas could help sell climate action. If it’s not profitable to pump oil right now, perhaps, oil companies will find a reason to delay investments in new projects. That means leaving carbon products in the ground for a better return on investment.

The reason for the sharp decline in the price of oil is both demographic and structural. And it’s not likely to change soon.

NAC – April 6-10

April 3, 2015 By NV1

Monday, April 6 – Saving Lives or Enabling Addicts?
Needle exchanges can reduce the risk of infections like HIV, but they are controversial in many communities. What’s the best way to address addiction?

Tuesday, April 7 – Food Deserts: Grow Our Own Food!
Do you have to drive to another town to get groceries and fresh food? If you do, you may be living in a food desert. How can tribes address food deserts by helping more people grow fresh fruits and vegetables?

Wednesday, April 8 – The Future of Public Media
Some lawmakers want to defund public radio and television. What do public media programs mean to you?

Thursday, April 9 – Polynesian Football
The documentary “In Football We Trust” follows Polynesian NFL hopefuls. Did you have big sports dreams when you were young? What do sports mean in your community?

Friday, April 10 – April Music Maker
Join our conversation with Inuit musician Karina Moeller. Her new album is “Simplify.”

Trahant Reports – 10,000 Years

March 31, 2015 By NV1

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Participants at a First Alaskan Institute retreat look at what the next 10,000 years could be like. (Trahant photo)

What will Alaska look like in 10,000 years? Who will be here? What will they do? And, most important, what will preserved from the past kilennium? These are not easy questions. Even thinking about the next decade, let alone thousands of years, gets interrupted by every crisis that requires our attention. There is business to transact. Cell phones buzz. Unanswered emails compound. And, so, we think about the now, not the next.

The First Alaskans Institute recently gathered a group of people together for a week in Bethel to think about the future. Elizabeth Medicine Crow said: “I think intuitively it makes a lot of sense for Native people. But I also think for most people it’s really hard to wrap their arms around, ‘what does that mean? For 10,000 years.’ It’s really not so much of a mystery for us because we can actually turn around and look directly at our past because we’ve been here for longer than that. We know that as stewards of our time, on behalf of our people, that we have at minimum a trajectory of that much time to look forward to.”

NAC This Week: March 30 – April 3

March 27, 2015 By NV1

Monday, March 30 – **Pre-recorded** Indigenous Reggae Rhythms (Part I): Hawaii & New Zealand
Today we start a journey through the sounds of Indigenous reggae, beginning with some island-hopping.Who are your favorite reggae artists?

Tuesday, March 31- The “Native” Accent
The film Smoke Signals made “Hey Victor” an Indian Country catchphrase and example of a “rez” accent.Do you have a rez accent? Are you proud or ashamed of how you speak?

Wednesday, April 1 – Current Events
Join us for our monthly round up of conferences, fundraisers, powwows and fairs in Native communities.

Thursday, April 2 – VAWA – 2 Years Later
Congress reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act two years ago. Are tribes using the law to protect women? Join us as we learn about a pilot program used by some tribes to exercise new powers under VAWA.

Friday, April 3 – Fashion Forward Or Fashion Backward?
At New York Fashion Week last month, one designer showcased clothes that featured a Native image. What do you think when you see Native symbols, especially sacred ones, on the runway?