Monday, December 9, 2019 – Trump Administration tackles MMIW
President Donald Trump’s new executive order will develop an “aggressive, government-wide strategy” to address the missing and murdered Indigenous women crisis. Named ‘Operation Lady Justice,’ the plan calls for a task force made up of government agency leaders. At the same time, the Department of Justice announced a separate plan establishing 11 coordinators to work with tribes, and state and local agencies to address reports of missing and murdered Indigenous people. We’ll get a rundown of what these efforts could mean for tribes.
Tuesday, December 10, 2019 – Buy Native this holiday
Before you fill up your Amazon cart with electronics, scented bath salts or chocolates, consider your Native gift options. The holidays are a great time to show your support for Native artists, tribally run businesses and Indigenous products. We’ll get few recommendations for stuffing your stockings with Native pride.
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 – Honoring Ponca Chief Standing Bear
It was a relatively simple act: Ponca Chief Standing Bear left his reservation in 1878 to bury his son on the tribe’s ancestral land in Nebraska. But the action would lead to a major federal court decision establishing Native Americans as people under the law. The U.S. Government argued “an Indian is neither a person nor a citizen.” The state of Nebraska is honoring Standing Bear as a civil rights leader with a statue in the U.S. Capitol. We’ll review Standing Bear’s legacy and his remarkable accomplishment during a troubling time in history.
Thursday, December 12, 2019 – A look at the film, “The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open”
When two Indigenous women meet under frightful circumstances, they build a relationship by facing domestic violence, racism and a long history of colonialism in Vancouver. That’s what “The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open” is about. It’s a new film (released Nov. 29 on Netflix) by Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (Blackfoot and Sámi) and Kathleen Hepburn featuring actor Violet Nelson (Kwakwaka’wakw First Nation). We’ll speak with some of the creatives on this project about highlighting the issues of violence against Native women in an emotional film that’s already getting rave reviews.
Friday, December 13, 2019 – Indigenizing feasts
Egg nog, ham and sugar cookies are some of the delicious, go-to highlights of the holiday season. But they do not come from Indigenous traditions. So many food choices during holidays were introduced to Native America by European settlers. The good news is there are choices that are just as delicious and bring authenticity to Native celebrations. We’ll get ideas from Native chefs about how to make that happen in our own kitchens.
