Monday, July 15, 2019 – Culturally appropriate gift shops
Gift shops are an important source of revenue for cultural centers, museums and other Native-owned destinations. But expectations from the public put buying pressure on gift shops to offer tacky Native-themed items like plastic tomahawks, foreign-made dream catchers and T-shirts with stereotypical graphics. We take a look at Native stereotypes in tourist hotspots and discuss the best practices for profitable enterprises.
Tuesday, July 16, 2019 – The Thirty Meter Telescope moves ahead on Mauna Kea
Officials behind the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope are pushing ahead with construction on Mauna Kea despite continued opposition. Native Hawaiians oppose the $1.4 billion project because they say it desecrates the sacred mountain. The plan was buffeted by legal and political challenges for the past 16 years. The state Supreme Court ruled in the telescope organizers’ favor last October. Protesters successfully delayed the start of construction of the major telescope in 2015. Opponents promise sizable and long-term acts of civil disobedience again. State officials say they are prepared for protests.
Wednesday, July 17, 2019 – Music Maker: Northern Cree
“When It’s Cold” by Northern Cree celebrates the culture-rich sound of round dance.
These songs may ring through many communities in the winter months, but this style of sound has made its way into the powwow circle year-round. We’ll visit with this Grammy Award-nominated drum group and sample their latest offering.
Thursday, July 18, 2019 – Gaming the minority construction contract system
An investigation by the Los Angeles Times found the federal government and 18 states awarded at least $300 million in construction contracts to companies that claim to be owned by Native Americans. The contracts are specifically reserved for minority business owners. But the contractors’ heritage claims are unsubstantiated. The contractors say they are members of Cherokee groups like the Northern Cherokee Nation of the Old Louisiana Territory and the Northern Cherokee Nation which are not federally recognized. The investigation into the business owners awarded the contracts found no Cherokee relatives. We’ll talk about the investigation with one of the reporters and explore who qualifies for minority contracts.
Friday, July 19, 2019 – “Between Two Knees” with the 1491s
“Between Two Knees” is the first play from the Native comedy troupe, the 1491s. It’s at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon through Oct. 27. It’s a biting comedy that the Seattle Times calls “a loose pastiche of irreverent historical satire.” We’ll hear from the 1491s about using comedy and live theater to open a dialogue about systematic oppression.
