Monday, July 21, 2008 – Breaking the Native Mold: (listen)
Do you find yourself relating to things that are not associated with quintessential Native culture? Are you a Native artist who likes to paint cityscapes or bunches of flowers instead of typical Native imagery? Or, a Native chef who likes to cook BBQ instead of Native fusion? And, what if "The Godfather" best represents your identity as a Native person instead of “ Pow Wow Highway?” Is there a mold that our Native identity has been poured into? Why does this mold exist? Who created this mold? What happens when the mold is broken? Guests are journalist/filmmaker Tristan Ahtone (Kiowa) and Program Assistant for the National Museum of the American Indian's Film and Video Center and Sixth Generation Navajo Weaver, Sierra Ornelas (Navajo).
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 – Drilling on Tribal Lands: (listen)
According to some sources, approximately 20 percent of all available oil and gas resources in the U.S. lie within tribally-controlled lands. As the question of domestic drilling takes the national stage, Native lands are an unrecognized element of the national discussion. Reservations and villages are in desperate need of an economic boost. It would seem Natives would be in favor of opening their lands to oil and gas development but there are many who are worried that it brings too many environmental concerns. Are you in favor of domestic drilling? Our guests are David Lester (Muscogee Creek), CEO/Council of Energy Resource Tribes and Mashawn Guinn (Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara), who opposes oil development on the Fort Berthold Reservation.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 – Cultural Child Care: (listen)
Some parents are lucky just to find someone who can watch their kids while they go to work. But in some tribal communities, Native children get a chance to learn their culture while attending daycare programs. Some even go so far as to offer total language immersion and other cultural activities classes for pre-schoolers. What options are available in your community? As a parent, do you prefer that your child receive at least some cultural teachings while in daycare, or is tribal culture better off taught in the home? Guests are Dion Wood, a Karuk Tribal member on the Board of Directors of the National Indian Child Care Association and Barb Fabre (Ojibwe), Board Chair of NICCA and Director of White Earth Child Care Programs.
Thursday, July 24, 2008 – Native in the Spotlight: Robert Horton:
We can all agree that Native people in the Americas need more positive role models. First Nations People of Canada have made it a point to recognize young leaders who are constructing a road for younger generations to walk upon. The National Aboriginal Health Organization recently named Robert Animikii Horton, a 26-year old band member of the Rainy River First Nations (Manitou Rapids Anishinaabe), as the recipient of the National Aboriginal Role Model Award. He was selected for his work as a youth advocate, sociologist and spoken word poet. How important are Native role models who accept the challenge?
Friday, July 25, 2008 – Indian Trust Fund Red Tag Sale:
It’s been more than 12 years since a group of Native people, led by Elouise Cobell, filed the landmark case against the U.S. Interior and Treasury Departments for mismanagement of the Individual Indian Monies (IIM) accounts. The case is referred to as Cobell v. Kempthorne. A federal judge is expected to bring this case closer to an end by putting a number on the amount the plaintiffs should receive, expected to be in the billions of dollars. Native America Calling has received word that a major development may be in the works. How much money does the U.S. government owe Indians, and how will they pay? Guests TBA.
