Monday, July 16, 2018 – Plant-based Natives: What it takes to go vegan
Sticking to a vegan diet takes a pretty big commitment. No meat, milk, eggs or anything derived from animal products. But it doesn’t mean your meals have to be boring. There are a number of traditional Native foods that are vegan including, blue corn mush, acorn stew, and wojapi. Some people choose to be vegan for health reasons. Others focus on animal welfare. We’ll talk with Native vegans about their reasons and hear about some time-tested recipes.
Tuesday, July 17, 2018 – LGBTQ2 behind bars
The Trump administration recently removed some protections for transgender inmates instituted in the waning months of the Obama administration. The new rule requires transgender inmates to be housed according to their biological sex and not the gender they identify with. It also restricts hormone treatments and other gender transition therapies. That’s one instance that creates confusion and possibly dangerous conditions for LGBTQ and two spirit people in jail or prison. We’ll talk with Native LGBTQ2 people about the unique challenges they face behind bars.
Wednesday, July 18, 2018 – A surprising turnaround on breast feeding
The United States refused to endorse an otherwise uncontroversial World Health Organization resolution to promote breast feeding. U.S. delegates also pressured other countries to reject the resolution. The move shocked health officials around the world who consider breast feeding the healthiest, most natural and most accessible food source for infants. Breast feeding advocates told the New York Times the U.S. position aligns with baby formula companies and the dairy industry. Native breast-feeding advocates are among those struggling to raise breast-feeding rates, partly to improve health outcomes for children. We’ll hear from Native breast feeding experts about what this new revelation about the Trump Administration’s position means for their efforts.
Thursday, July 19, 2018 – Support for Indigenous sex workers
Sex workers—including exotic dancers, escorts and film actors—are in a stigmatized industry. Numerous studies also point out that many sex workers face higher risks for violence, drug abuse, and disease than other occupations. Now, a new law designed to cut down on sex trafficking has the potential to push some sex workers into even more dangerous situations. And there are few places for sex workers to turn for help. We hear from people who work to help keep Indigenous sex workers safe and healthy.
Friday, July 20, 2018 – Imagining an Indigenous future
Technology that eliminates diabetes. A holographic treaty that fully realizes and compensates all tribes for their sacrifices to colonization. Virtual reality that allows all members to speak and understand their language fluently. Several innovative scholars and artists are envisioning what is possible for Native Americans far in the future while considering the context of the past. The science fiction genre has always imagined the future, but Indigenous people are largely invisible. For example, in the HBO series “Westworld,” Native characters are only robots replaying the past. We’ll talk with people imagining the Native future.
