Monday, February 25, 2019 – Book of the Month: The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee
“The Heart Beat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present” is a quick trip through time. Author David Treuer (Leech Lake Ojibwe) leads the non-fiction tour. He pushes back on the way Native people’s history is far too often framed through tragedy and loss while washing away Native existence and complexity. He also wants people to pick up his book not as a public service to Natives, but to truly learn about the country because as he says, “you can’t understand America unless you understand Native Americans.”
Tuesday, February 26, 2019 – Legislating language revitalization
South Dakota could become one of the few states in the country to officially recognize Indigenous languages. After emotional testimony by tribal leaders and language experts, the Senate State Affairs Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 126 that makes Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota the state’s official Indigenous languages. At the same time the U.S. Senate is considering reauthorizing the Ester Martinez Language Act that expired in 2012. The landmark legislation first passed in 2006 and allocates funding for Native language revitalization efforts across the country. We’ll learn more about legislative actions to help revitalize Native languages.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019 – Indigenous perspectives on borders
The high-profile political fight over the need for a wall on the border with Mexico offers an opportunity to look at borders from an Indigenous perspective. Before European contact, tribes had their own ways of signifying territories. Navajos, for example, identify their traditional Dinétah homeland as the area within the Four Sacred Mountains. Some other tribes continue to follow specific protocols—including asking permission—when entering another tribe’s territory. Historically, some tribes fought other tribes over resources and hunting territory. We’ll explore both traditional and current concepts of borders.
Thursday, February 28, 2019 – Indian traditions at Mardi Gras
Every Fat Tuesday in New Orleans, Mardi Gras Indians play a big part in the celebration. It’s a long-held tradition, but the origins combining African-American, Cajun and Native cultures is unclear. Dozens of Mardi Gras Indian tribes use terminology and practices similar to Native American tribes; they have members, chiefs and a particular way of dressing. We’ll get a snapshot of the Mardi Gras Indians and how they have evolved over time.
Friday, March 1, 2019 — Throat singing
Inuit throat singing is an ancient tradition that is getting increasingly modern recognition. The style that developed in Canada and Alaska is notable for its distinctive low, guttural and rhythmic sounds from female singers as they breathe both in and out. It was banned in boarding schools for decades but is enjoying a resurgence and is even mixed in with contemporary Indigenous music. We’ll listen to some throat singing and hear from the artists about what it brings to their cultures.
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