Monday, February 11, 2019 – The State of Indian Nations
National Congress of American Indians President Jefferson Keel delivers the State of Indian Nations address at the start of the NCAI Executive Council Winter Session. The address comes as Indian Country is watching a number of issues, including continued tribal economic development, threats to the Indian Child Welfare Act, concerns over pipelines and extraction industries on or near tribal land, and the potential for another federal government shutdown. Native America Calling will carry a recorded version of the address immediately following the live address from the Newseum in Washington, D.C. and will also carry comments from the congressional response.
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 – Child sex abuse allegations against an IHS doctor
Former Indian Health Service pediatrician, Stanley Patrick Weber, was convicted of sexually abusing children at the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana. He is also awaiting trial for sexually abusing children on the Pine Ridge Reservation in North Dakota. The new PBS documentary program Frontline documents the abuse and uncovers how Weber was apparently able to carry out abuses for decades. We’ll hear from those following the case and the Native leaders who helped bring Weber’s crimes to light.
Wednesday, February 13, 2019 – Dating or just hangin’ out?
There’s a lot of focus on preventing violence associated with teen dating. It’s an important message for Native Americans wanting to fight the disproportionate rate of violence among young people. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness month, and we’re going to approach the issue from the standpoint of what contributes to a healthy relationship. Teens are often entering romantic relationships for the first time. It’s common to let new emotions get in the way of rational decision-making. We’ll hear about getting out of the friend zone, healthy ways to disagree with others and how to talk to your parents about your feelings.
Thursday, February 14, 2019 – Life after a heart attack
Heart attack survivors are often prescribed medications, sent to rehabilitation and urged to adopt healthier lifestyle and diet habits. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds Native Americans are more likely to be obese, smoke tobacco, and have high blood pressure and diabetes compared to other populations. Those are all risk factors for heart disease. One the day dedicated to affairs of the heart, we’ll talk about what to expect after surviving a heart attack.
Friday, February 15, 2019 – Making college welcoming for Native students
It starts with acknowledging the Indigenous people on whose traditional land the institution exists. But making college a welcome place also includes the right training for faculty and staff and offering courses that include context from a Native perspective. Those are among the recommendations listed in a new report by the American Indian College Fund titled “Creating Visibility and Healthy Learning Environments for Native Americans in Higher Education.” The report was spurred by an incident when a member of a Colorado campus tour called police because two prospective Native students ‘looked suspicious.’
