Monday, October 7, 2019 – George Morrison’s artistic legacy
George Morrison (Anishinaabe) traveled in the same artistic circles as Abstract Expressionists Franz Kline, Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. But he worked hard at avoiding labels and ended up being a significant influence on Native art and beyond. His son Briand Morrison says his father erased the boundaries of what is considered ‘Native art.’ His work included colorful landscape paintings, sketches of geometric patterns, and intricate wooden sculptures. In this hour we’ll hear about his life, work and legacy.
Tuesday, October 8, 2019 – Young activists speaking for the environment
Sixteen-year-old Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg’s notoriety recently scolded world leaders over inaction on climate change at the UN General Assembly. Autumn Peltier (Anishinaabe) is a young First Nations environmental activist who also recently used the UN platform to speak up about the lack of clean water for Indigenous people in Canada. Xiuhtezcatl Tonatiuh Martinez is part of a group of young people suing the U.S. Government over climate change. Young Indigenous people are finding their voice and risking backlash, speaking up over climate change. Is their message being heard?
Wednesday, October 9, 2019 – Avoiding mistakes in the classroom
This is the time of year when teachers dust off their Native American curriculum on history and culture. Classroom activities for younger students might include model tipis or wigwams. Older students might be required to argue the pros and cons of European colonization. Educational units on Native Americans continue to evolve, but there remain relics that resort to construction paper headdresses. We’ll talk with Native educators about how teachers can utilize more inclusive and accurate lessons.
Thursday, October 10, 2019 – Native romance novels
Romance novels are known for their simple plot lines and cheesy, overly dramatic cover illustrations and happy endings. But romance sales outperform all other fiction genres. The trouble is a noticeable lack of honest Native American portrayals. If Native people are ever featured in romance novels, they typically end up as some version of a 1950s Wild West movie stereotype. The Romance Writers of America acknowledged the genre’s decided lack of multicultural understanding in a statement last year, saying “members from the historically marginalized groups have felt unheard, unseen, and unrepresented.” But some Native authors are taking to the genre with complex, realistic Native characters, with details that Native readers might relate to. Native romance novelists will talk to us the business and process of writing Native love stories.
Friday, October 11, 2019 – Rivers are relatives
The Klamath River has the same rights as people according to a new law passed by the Yurok tribal council. In 2017, a New Zealand court decision granted person status to the the Whanganui River after the longest-running litigation in the country’s history. Maori tribal members consider the river their relative. Indigenous people all over the world praise efforts to grant legal person status to rivers. But it also sets the stage for environmental legal battles.
