Monday, August 30, 2021 – Indigenous prenatal nutrition
Pregnant women need a healthy diet to minimize the risk of developmental problems with their babies. But many Indigenous people have limited access to fresh food and good nutritional guidance. A 2019 study of Indigenous women by the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion found high sodium levels, empty calories and limited vegetables in their diets. There’s growing interest in incorporating ancestral foods in prenatal and postnatal diets.
Tuesday, August 31, 2021 – Book of the Month: “Firekeeper’s Daughter” by Angeline Boulley
We welcome Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians author Angeline Boulley to discuss her novel “Firekeeper’s Daughter.” It follows the life of Daunis Fontaine who is a biracial, unenrolled tribal member and, as the author says, the product of a scandal. A swirl of events, including caretaking her mother, causes Daunis to put off her own dreams. The book takes a suspenseful turn when the main character witnesses a murder and becomes part of the FBI investigation.
Wednesday, September 1, 2021 – Environmental trends threaten Alaska sustenance fishing
Fishing for king and chum salmon on the Yukon River in Alaska is cancelled this year because fish numbers are so low. Regional tribal groups say it’s creating a dire situation for those who count on salmon for food and income to get them through the winter. Although the overall threat is mixed, it’s part of a worrying trend that has seen fish numbers in decline for decades in some areas.
Thursday, September 2, 2021 – Proposed NAGPRA rules to strengthen tribal repatriation
A proposed change in the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act would give tribes added muscle to hold museums accountable for the human remains they continue to keep in their collections. Museums still hold remains of thousands of Indigenous ancestors. Many times the burden is on tribes to prove their origins. Changes to the law would shift the burden to institutions to justify retaining the items.
Friday, September 3, 2021 – Revisiting the idea of reparations
Australia is paying out close to $379 million directly to Indigenous people who suffered from the government’s forced removal of children from families. It has renewed conversations in this country over reparations for the federal government’s role in broken treaties, land theft, forced relocations and compulsory boarding school attendance.
