Monday, September 6, 2021 – Innovative ideas for addressing Native homelessness
Homelessness is an unfortunate reality for a disproportionate number of Native Americans, especially in urban areas. Some tribes are having some success with ‘tiny homes’ as one solution. The Menominee tribe recently completed tiny home village on their reservation in Wisconsin. The Puyallup Tribe is planning a similar project in Tacoma. The homes with a small footprint and lower costs than conventional sized dwellings, but they are not always welcomed by surrounding neighborhoods. (This is an encore show so we won’t be taking live listener phone calls)
Tuesday, September 7, 2021 – Ready when disaster strikes
Tribes in Louisiana are assessing damage, checking in with citizens and cleaning up their communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. The Category 4 hurricane that swept through Gulf Coast states also cut power to millions of people. In the Southwest, flash flooding turned fatal on the Hopi reservation. When disaster strikes, tribes have to be ready to mobilize response teams, work with surrounding jurisdictions, render aid to community members and help the rebuilding process. We’ll check in with tribal emergency management experts about current disaster zones and how far emergency preparedness can go at home and in the community.
Wednesday, September 8, 2021 – Indigenous fashion showcase
This year’s fashion show at Santa Fe Indian Market was a reminder of just how hot Indigenous fashion is. The show put on by the Southwest Association for Indian Arts featured Anishinaabe florals, bold formline prints, layers of ribbon and custom Native jewelry. We’ll celebrate Indigenous fashion with designers and take a look at how international partnerships are shaping up for more glamorous shows and collections.
Thursday, September 9, 2021 – The Delta variant, COVID-19 booster vaccines and reinstating safety measures
In a state with a vaccination rate of just 44 percent, the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma reports a tribal employee rate of more than 70 percent. More than 90 percent of eligible tribal members in Virginia have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In states with low vaccination rates and high COVID resurgence numbers, many tribes are far outpacing their non-tribal neighbors and adhering to safety guidelines. We’ll hear from health experts and tribal leaders about the messages that are connecting with tribal citizens.
Friday, September 10, 2021 – “Exposure” art exhibit voices nuclear frustrations
Indigenous artists from North America and beyond document their relationships with nuclear testing and uranium contamination in their homelands in “Exposure: Native Art and Political Ecology,” an exhibit at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We’ll speak with curators and artists about the exhibit that combines frustration with the power of artistic expression.
