Monday, July 27, 2020 – Salt for flavor and tradition
Tribes from several regions have salt harvesting traditions. They include processing natural salt from sea water, saline ponds and lakes, and underground deposits. The tribes use the mineral for flavoring and preserving food, and for ceremonial purposes. The Zuni tribe had to fight for almost a century to secure control of a sacred natural salt lake in New Mexico. Then they had to fight to protect it from a coal mine plan that could have drawn water successfully fought off a mining company’s plans that could have harmed a sacred natural salt lake in New Mexico. Native Hawaiian salt processers are currently working to protect their natural salt pans from development and contamination.
Tuesday, July 28, 2020 – Understanding elder health care
Native Americans who receive health care through the Indian Health Service might think signing up for federal Medicare programs might seem redundant and costly. But for many elders over 65, it could add up to a significant cost savings and improve care in the long run. Medicare, for instance, can help cover the cost of prescriptions that IHS might not. The program has a reputation as being complicated, but elder advocates say it’s usually worth the effort and there are lots of resources to help.
Wednesday, July 29, 2020 – No single COVID-19 solution in Alaska
The number of COVID-19 cases in Alaska remains relatively low, but the high rate of infection makes it a coronavirus hotspot. While urban centers are hit hard, many remote villages remain virus free. Also, the commercial fishing industry remains up and running posing a continuing threat to residents. Is there a single health policy that can apply to a places as vast and diverse as Alaska?
Thursday, July 30, 2020 – Book of the Month: “A Sacred People”
In order to know how to decolonize it’s important to know where we came from. This is something that the author Leo Killsback, a citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Nation touches on in the book, “A Sacred People.” It is part one of a two-volume set that opens up the discussion on traditional leadership. The book explores the Cheyenne ways of thinking and the pre-contact Cheyenne world view.
Friday, July 31, 2020 – July in the news
The U.S. Supreme Court’s momentous decision is the final word on recognizing the Muscogee Creek Nation reservation in Oklahoma. The ruling likely has implications for the state’s other tribes. But state officials are already pushing federal legislation to extend the state’s criminal jurisdiction to tribal land to offset the impact of the High Court’s decision. We’ll try to untangle this maze of jurisdictional lines with tribal experts. Also the election is not far off, but COVID-19 is putting a wrench in the campaign season. We’ll get analysis on Native candidates and the general election. It’s our regular news round-up.
