Monday, January 16, 2017 – Who speaks for Indigenous people?
Joseph Boyden says he needs to ‘step back a bit’ from offering his perspective on Indigenous issues. The popular Canadian author of such books as Three Day Road, Through Black Spruce and The Orenda is under fire after an investigation called his heritage into question. The controversy raises a frequent issue of whether there’s room for people like Boyden in an authentic discussion of Indigenous topics.
Tuesday, January 17, 2017 – Preparing for the Trump presidency
Donald J. Trump takes his seat as the 45th president of the United States this Friday. During his campaign and throughout the transition he’s said next-to-nothing about Native Americans and Alaska Natives. What does a Trump administration mean for Native America?
Wednesday, January 18, 2017 – Avoiding frauds and scams
Cherolynda Bennett (Navajo) turned to a popular for-profit preparation service when her taxes were due. But she noticed some shady behavior after receiving a small loan to get her by until her refund check came. Her close attention to detail ultimately turned into a class action lawsuit that brought a nearly $700,000 settlement. We’ll hear about her story and some other common scams to look out for.
Thursday, January 19, 2017 – The best interests of foster children
New guidelines for implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act aim to clarify regulations and provide examples of best practices. Bureau of Indian Affairs officials say the guidelines will help families, tribes and courts navigate the sometimes inconsistent interpretations of ICWA by different state courts and agencies over the law’s 38 years in existence. It’s a landmark of Indian law, but remains controversial among some adoption advocates.
Friday, January 20, 2017 — Responding to hate
Offensive words and actions can incite strong reactions. We’ve seen unfortunate incidents hit the headlines, like when a group of Lakota children are harassed at a hockey game in Rapid City. There are other times that are less noticeable but just as damaging. What’s the best way to address hate and offensive behavior? What do you do when you or a fellow person of color is bullied or harassed?
