Monday, October 19, 2020 – Momentum for taking LANDBACK
The LANDBACK campaign calls out the social and political structures built on stolen land and advocates for returning land to Native nations. But it’s much larger than that. Those behind the movement say it’s also rooted in climate change solutions, global environmental stewardship and dissolving racial inequities. Momentum rose to the surface when Land Defenders greeted President Trump at his July 4 rally at Mt. Rushmore, calling for the federal government to return the Black Hills to Native control. Organizers hope to make #Landback a rallying cry for a brighter future.
Tuesday, October 20, 2020 – Don’t forget about cold and flu season
COVID-19 isn’t the only infectious disease to be concerned about as the weather gets colder. Every year millions of people contract influenza and the common cold. Both are little more than an inconvenience for most people, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports thousands of people develop serious health complications. Pneumonia is among the most common and Native people are at a higher risk.
Wednesday, October 21, 2020 – ‘Blueprint’ for erasing domestic violence
In St. Paul, Minn., a ten-year-old program called Blueprint for Safety focuses on bringing together the many agencies involved in domestic violence cases, from case management to criminal justice. The idea encompasses everything from housing survivors to holding perpetrators responsible. And it appears to be working. St. Paul Police Dept. numbers show domestic violence calls are down 45% since the program started. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We’ll hear from a Native officer in the St. Paul Police Department, and others about what others might learn from the ‘Blueprint’ program.
Thursday, October 22, 2020 – Growing the youth vote
Traditionally, people over 65 years of age have the highest voting rates, so their issues are well represented in elections. But there are several initiatives to get young people to the polls, including registration drives and voter education. Those efforts may have paid off in the 2018 election when the U.S. Census reported a 79 percent increase in voters 18-29 years old. What are the issues that are important to young Native voters?
Friday, October 23, 2020 – Book of the Month: “The Ghost Road: Anishnaabe Responses to Indian Hating” by Matthew Fletcher
Matthew Fletcher, creator of the Turtle Talk blog and member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, uncovers the story on how the law has harmed Native people and shaped the policies that govern them today. His book “The Ghost Road: Anishnaabe Responses to Indian Hating” also offers an Anishnaabe take on how to push back against the inequality created by hate-rooted actions.
