Monday February 24, 2020 – The continuing Wet’suwet’en pipeline dispute
After an initial effort to arrest protesters, the RCMP have withdrawn their actions to clear blockades on Wet’suwet’en territory in British Columbia. The new strategy comes as protests sympathetic to the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs ignited elsewhere in Canada, including a blockade of rail traffic in Ontario by members of a Mohawk tribe that has severely disrupted commerce throughout the country. At the heart of the conflict is construction of the Costal GasLink pipeline, which has support from elected Wet’suwet’en tribal leaders, but not the hereditary chiefs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing pressure from conservative members of Parliament to use force to facilitate pipeline construction, while liberal elected leaders are urging a solution through dialogue. We’ll get an update on the situation and hear from those who have a stake in the ongoing conflict.
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 – High food costs in the north
Can you imagine paying $11 for a package of bologna or $69 for a dozen blueberry muffins? Those are prices reported by members of a Facebook group that tracks food costs in northern Canada. A 2016 food security study found that people in northern Canada spend twice as much on food compared to less remote areas. One nonprofit is experimenting with growing vegetables in shipping containers powered by wind and solar collectors. It’s one possible solution to food insecurity and high costs in tribal areas in Canada and Alaska that are remote and have shorter growing seasons.
Wednesday, February 26, 2020 – Haka and cultural appropriation
A Brazilian motivational speaker is facing some backlash for including haka in his programming. He’s not Maori, but uses the traditional Maori dance that he says he learned from videos. He’s one of several Brazilian companies criticized for using haka in corporate retreats. The Maori ceremonial dance is accompanied by chanting and intimidating postures and facial expressions. Modern presentations of it include important events like weddings and funerals and some sports teams perform haka before competitions. We’ll get the basics of what haka is and when it turns into appropriation.
Thursday, February 27, 2020 – Music Maker: Alex FireThunder
Oglala Lakota language teacher Alex FireThunder understands the power of Indigenous words. His album “Love for the Land” is a chapter in the language revitalization movement that puts his Lakota language at the heart of his creativity and compositions. Our February Music Maker unpacks his musical influences and cultural inspirations which are making this album come to life.
Friday, February 28, 2020 – February in the news
The Spokane Tribe will now get a share of the profits from the Grand Coulee Dam for lands, home and sacred places lost because of flooding. Also Native voting rights activists are claiming victory after a lawsuit settlement in North Dakota that dispenses with the physical address requirement on I.D.s in order to vote. Those stories and more with our regular news round-up..
