Native Opinion an American Indian Perspective

Latest Episodes:

Episode 20 Candidates and Natives Apr 04, 2016

Show notes

In this episode of Native Opinion, Co-Hosts Dave and Mike provide an analysis of the remaining 2016 presidential candidates by reviewing each one’s website looking for any references to working with Indian Country. Who is doing a good job in trying to reach out to Native people this political season? The results may surprise you. Native American news is also covered.
Ways to interact with our show:
E-mail: hosts@nativeopinion.comTwitter: @nativeopinionFacebook.com/nativeopinionWebsite: www.nativeopinion.com
Visit Native Opinion Online!
http://www.nativeopinion.com
Visit our YouTube Channel for video versions of our episodes, documentaries, and other speical content.
https://www.youtube.com/@NativeOpinion

Episode 19 with Tara Houska Mar 21, 2016

Show notes

In this episode of Native Opinion: HOUR 1: Tara Houska, co-founder of "Not Your Mascots" is our guest. Established in 2014, not Your Mascots is an organization dedicated to addressing the misappropriation of Indigenous identity, imagery and culture. Through educational and advocacy efforts, not your mascots provide a more comprehensive understanding of Native people and the damage done to youth and communities through the misrepresentation and mockery of indigenous identities and culture through mascots, stereotypes, and cultural appropriation. Tara is a citizen of Couchiching First Nation. She is a tribal rights attorney based in Washington, D.C. She has lobbied Capitol Hill and worked on a wide range of issues affecting Indian Country, including Indian child welfare, representation and identity, land acquisition, language revitalization, and environmental advocacy while at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Tara raises awareness through grassroots organizing and contributing to many media outlets, including the Daily Show, Washington Post, CBC, RT America, The Guardian, Huffington Post, and Indian Country Today. She is the National Campaigns Director of Honor the Earth, a founding member of NotYourMascots.org, and an advisor on Native American affairs to the Bernie Sanders campaign. HOUR 2: We take a closer look at the flint water crisis, and ask some central questions relevant to American Indian consistent challenges is getting help from individual states as well as the federal government for water problems on many of our reservations. How can Indian country ever expect to trust that state and federal agencies can address our on-going problems. We view the situation in Flint as just another example of what many tribes have ben experiencing for a very long time. This Episode References: http://www.honorearth.org [From Official Website] Our mission is to create awareness and support for Native environmental issues and to develop needed financial and political resources for the survival of sustainable Native communities. Honor the Earth develops these resources by using music, the arts, the media, and Indigenous wisdom to ask people to recognize our joint dependency on the Earth and be a voice for those not heard. http://www.notyourmascots.org/ [From Official Website] Established in 2014, Not Your Mascots is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the misappropriation of Indigenous identity, imagery and culture. We are dedicated to using our educational and advocacy efforts to provide a more comprehensive understanding of Native people and the damage done to our youth and communities through the misrepresentation and mockery of our identities and culture through mascots, stereotypes, and cultural appropriation. We are committed to promoting and establishing a common understanding of what it is to truly honor and respect Indigenous people and their culture. Through our efforts, we hope to stress the need for cooperation and unity between native communities, schools, advocacy groups, individuals and the media in helping to create a future in which we can all respect and view each other as human beings. Reach out show: E-Mail: hosts@nativeopinion.com Twitter: @nativeopinion Facebook.com/nativeopinion
Visit Native Opinion Online!
http://www.nativeopinion.com
Visit our YouTube Channel for video versions of our episodes, documentaries, and other speical content.
https://www.youtube.com/@NativeOpinion

Episode 18 "Native Invisibility" Mar 15, 2016

Show notes

NO_Episode 18_"Native Invisibility" This episode explores the concept of "invisibility" as felt and experienced by native american people. Dave and Mike take current relevant examples from mainstream media and other sources to try to draw attention to how Native people, and our culture are used to highlight, then ignore our existence. "You can't have it both ways" states co-host Michael Kickingbear from the show. "For example, take JK Rowlings, the author of Harry Potter books, in her new work "History of Magic in North America" (Read for context) where she tries to draw on some false comparison of our medicine men and their healing practices to that of wizards and witches." Michael States. "Rowling Cites in her insultive current work "In the Native American community, some witches and wizards were accepted and even lauded within their tribes, gaining reputations for healing as medicine men, or outstanding hunters. However, others were stigmatized for their beliefs, often on the basis that they were possessed by malevolent spirits." But then, when you call her out on it.... crickets..... not a peep from the author to answer to our requests for comment or to answer our questions, such as to where she drew this conclusion? What tribal people did she speak or consult with? This is an example of both cultural MIS-appropriation AND ignorance. This is a contributor to our invisibility" This episode also quotes from an article produced by Author Adrienne K of Native Appropriations.com of her reaction to Rawlings recent work. The article entitles "Magic In North America Part 1 Ugh..." just goes deeper into why this work is offensive. well worth the read! We also look a how many native communities are being shut out of the voting process this election year through rule changes, and other methods of rights infringements. At least 10 different tribal nations are in court over these types of offenses by different states and their governments. Ways to reach our show: E-mail us: hosts@nativeopinion.com Twitter: @nativeopinion Facebook:www.facebook.com/nativeopinion Resources form this episode: JK Rowlings: https://www.pottermore.com/collection-episodic/history-of-magic-in-north-america-en Here is a great example of why we are AGAINST this writing all together.... it's shared with the totally wrong context: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMoyo7JCVb8 YouTube: Highlight of upcoming work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEbjJuDF3bQ Adriene K from native Appropriation blog: http://nativeappropriations.com/2016/03/magic-in-north-america-part-1-ugh.html Tribes in law suits with states over voting rights: http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/03/08/will-natives-get-fair-chance-vote-2016-not-according-many-lawsuits-163673
Visit Native Opinion Online!
http://www.nativeopinion.com
Visit our YouTube Channel for video versions of our episodes, documentaries, and other speical content.
https://www.youtube.com/@NativeOpinion

Episode 17 Native Nerds & Mascots Mar 06, 2016

Show notes

Our guest: Johnnie Jae In this episode of Native Opinion, we welcome to the show Johnnie Jae. Subjects discussed range from tribal politics, dis-enrollment, and cultural appropriation. Jae describes her work with "A Tribe Called Geek" and the Native Success Style Radio Network". Bio: Johnnie Jae is of the Otoe-Missouria and Choctaw tribes of Oklahoma. She is the managing partner of Native Max Magazine, founder of A Tribe Called Geek, and contributor to Native News Online. She is the manager and producer for the Success Native Style Radio Network, where she hosts the Indigenous Flame and A Tribe Called Geek radio shows. She is also a founding board member of Not Your Mascots. Known as the "Brown Ball of Fury," Jae seamlessly shifts from humor and pop culture to advocacy and digital media, which has made her a much-sought after speaker and commentator. Her work has been discussed in many media outlets, such as Indian Country Today, ATPN, CBC, USA Today, Women’s E-News, http://Takepart.com and Upworthy. She has been a guest on several radio shows, includinghttps://anchor.fm Native America Calling, Native Trailblazers, and ICI Radio. Ways to contact our show: E-Mail: hosts@nativeopinion.com Twitter: @nativeopinion Anchor: @nativeopinion Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NativeOpinion/ Our Website: www.nativeopinion.com
Visit Native Opinion Online!
http://www.nativeopinion.com
Visit our YouTube Channel for video versions of our episodes, documentaries, and other speical content.
https://www.youtube.com/@NativeOpinion

Episode 16 Just when you thought you had it all figured out... Mar 01, 2016

Show notes

Hour 1: We speak with Larry Spotted Crow Mann, an award winning Nipmuc writer, poet, cultural educator, Traditional Story Teller, tribal drummer /dancer and motivational speaker involving youth sobriety, cultural and environmental awareness. He travels throughout the United States, Canada and parts of Europe to schools, colleges, powwows and other organizations sharing the music, culture and history of Nipmuc people. He has also given lectures at universities throughout New England on issues ranging from Native American Sovereignty to Identity. In 2013 his poetry was nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Mann's first book, "Tales From the Whispering Basket", is internationally acclaimed and has received excellent reviews. Mann’s new book, "The Mourning Road to Thanksgiving" has been a number one selling novel out of Word Branch Publishing and is the 2015 winner of the WordCraft Circle of Native American Writers Young Adult Novel. Scholars, students and everyday readers are calling it one of the most powerful and memorable books they have ever read. Larry Spotted Crow Mann was applauded for his role in the PBS Native American film We shall Remain, directed by Chris Eyre. Also featured in two documentaries- Winner of the NPS 2007 Award for Interpretive Media: Living in Two Worlds,Native American Experiences on the Boston Harbor Islands, And First Patriots, produced by Aaron Cadieux. Furthermore he has worked in the field of human services for over 10 years, mostly in the field of mental health and helping at risk youth. His work in Protecting the environment includes Working with Tribal, federal and state agencies to preserve land and wildlife, most notably Atlantic Salmon Publishing Credits: * Publishing’s include the Memescapes Journal of Fine Arts at Quinsigamond College. * Indian Country Today Magazine * Contributing work in the book by Margaret Barton, New England on Fire , and * Dawn Land Voices: Native American Anthology of New England : University of Nebraska Press His poetry and quotes have been included in: * Go Green Conference for the Medical Services Administration of Puerto Rico * WordCraft Circle of Native American Writers * My Heart Is Red Project: A journey across the United States and Canada of photography and video of Native Americans, by Mayoke photography. Also Mann’s books, Tales from the Whispering Basket; a compelling collection of short stories and poetry~ The Mourning Road to Thanksgiving, A Powerful Novel that takes us beyond what we think we know about Thanksgiving, America and ourselves. For more info go to: www.whisperingbasket.com In Hour 2: "Imagine having your citizenship taken away from you. That’s what happens when a member of a tribe is disenrolled, or kicked out, of their tribe by their tribal government even if no criminal accusation was ever made." This is a growing concern amongst more than 80 federally recognized native american tribes. Michael and David discuss why this is such a horrible idea, what the motivations are, and how these actions undermine the hard work of tribes to obtain federal recognition, and to become "less invisible". Subject matter resources: 1.) ‘Stop Disenrollment’ Posts Get More Than 100K Views Author: Richard Walker 2/29/16 Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/02/29/stop-disenrollment-posts-get-more-100k-views-163530 2.) The Debate Over Disenrollment Author: Duane Champagne 6/28/14 Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/06/28/debate-over-disenrollment-155346 3.) Something is Threatening Native Americans and It’s Called Tribal Disenrollment Author: Amy Stretten http://fusion.net/story/4985/something-is-threatening-native-americans-and-its-called-tribal-disenrollment/ Please visit Downland tours, Historic and Cultural Excursions by Maine's only Wabanaki Indian Tour Company! http://www.dawnlandtours.com Contact the show! hosts@nativeopinion.com Follow us on twitter: @nativeopinion and on Facebook
Visit Native Opinion Online!
http://www.nativeopinion.com
Visit our YouTube Channel for video versions of our episodes, documentaries, and other speical content.
https://www.youtube.com/@NativeOpinion

Episode 15 Political Process and Indian Communities Feb 18, 2016

Show notes

Discussion: The current presidential election is accelerating at a rapid pace. But with so many people vying to be the president and leader of the United States, what are these candidates doing or saying to Indian Country? As an ongoing series of coverage of this years elections, tonight we will turn our attention on Bernie Sanders, and his recent address at the Meskwaki Nation community center in Iowa. We will also discuss the concept of "Soverign Citizens" and what we believe to be the foundation of racism in this country. We will tie this to what we hope to be wrap up to the Bundy Militia armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. Questions may be e-mailed to: hosts@nativeopinion.com RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders. Oregon Standoff: How The Occupied Land Went From Native American To Federal Territory Rachel Maddow Show: "Posse Comitatus, "sovereign citizens", Jim Crow, the Reconstruction, and Cliven Bundy.: VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2VK4k-bBag&app=desktop Follow us on Twitter and the NEW anchor App! @nativeopinion Follow Us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/nativeopinion
Visit Native Opinion Online!
http://www.nativeopinion.com
Visit our YouTube Channel for video versions of our episodes, documentaries, and other speical content.
https://www.youtube.com/@NativeOpinion

Episode 14 Native People and Political Schemes Feb 14, 2016

Show notes

Guest in our first hour, Abenaki Author Brian Chenevert and his book "Azban's Great Journey". See: http://www.amazon.com/Azbans-Great-Journey-Brian-Chenevert/dp/1503227340 2nd hour we discuss the current presidential candidates who are suddently taking an interest in the voters of Indian Country. Who is honestly Interested, and who isn't? E-mail the show! hosts@nativeopinion.com visit our website: http://www.nativeopinion.com
Visit Native Opinion Online!
http://www.nativeopinion.com
Visit our YouTube Channel for video versions of our episodes, documentaries, and other speical content.
https://www.youtube.com/@NativeOpinion

Episode 13 What is lost when we forget native american history Feb 03, 2016

Show notes

Title: What is lost when we forget Native American history: In this episode, we explore, what is lost when tribal Native history is lost. What would losing your tribal history mean to you? What does having lost tribal history mean to you? We share a poem by poet, Lisa Yankton, a member of the Spirit Lake Dakota. Resource links for this episode: Lisa Yankton Poem: https://youtu.be/75ZMBbr3UQg Reel Injun documentary: Watch the film trailer: https://singlefeathermedia.wistia.com/medias/70034xa6ve Buy the film here: http://www.amazon.com/Reel-Injun-Clint-Eastwood/dp/B005J7K9BO Visit our website: http://www.nativeopinion.com E-mail our show! hosts@nativeopinion.com
Visit Native Opinion Online!
http://www.nativeopinion.com
Visit our YouTube Channel for video versions of our episodes, documentaries, and other speical content.
https://www.youtube.com/@NativeOpinion

Episode 12 The Power of the spoken word, and the assault on sacred lands Feb 02, 2016

Show notes

In this episode we welcome, Melinda Williams, a Navajo and Apache author. Melinda talks about her work as a writer and as an editor. Melinda explains to listeners how she came to love writing, and what it takes to get a book to the publisher. Later in the show, we speak with, Melinda about Oak Flat, sacred land that belongs to the San Carlos Apache tribe. We listen to an interview with Windsler Nosie Sr. of the San Carlos Apache tribe, who talks about Oak Flat, in one of the last few interviews Al Jazeera America does as a media outlet. 2nd half of the show, Mike and Dave deconstruct Nikki Haley's Republican response to the state of the union address, and go into what she describes as "The American Dream" We ask the question "Who's American Dream is she talking about?" Resources discussed in this episode: Books by Melinda Elmore Williams http://www.amazon.com/Melinda-Elmore/e/B002BMJ56U Hundreds Gather at Oak Flat to Fight for Sacred Apache Land: Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2015/02/09/hundreds-gather-oak-flat-fight-sacred-apache-land-159119 Please visit: http://www.apache-stronghold.com Good Organizational website resource South Carolina's Governor Nikki Haley's full republican response to President Obama's State of the Union Address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNz40oI17ts To Reach our show: E-mail: Hosts@nativeopinion.com
Visit Native Opinion Online!
http://www.nativeopinion.com
Visit our YouTube Channel for video versions of our episodes, documentaries, and other speical content.
https://www.youtube.com/@NativeOpinion

Episode 11 Dawnland Tours & The Bundy Double Standard Jan 15, 2016

Show notes

Native Opinion 8 Jan, 2016: Title: Dawnland Tours & The Bundy Double Standard Guest: Jennifer Pictou of Downland Tours In this episode, we welcome guest, Jennifer Pictou. Jennifer talks about her company, Dawnland Tours, and what they do. Please See: DAWNLAND TOURS For more information In Hour 2, we deconstruct the Bundy double standard being perpetrated at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge and Bird Sanctuary in Oregon. We expand on the who, and the why of what is going on at the refuge, and what the actions of the white militia (We equate them to terrorists) will have on the Burns Paiute tribe that lives near the refuge. Articles related to this episode: 1.) VIDEO: http://nativeopinion.com/news-blog/2016/1/9/paiute-tribe-members-weigh-in-on-oregon-occupation 2.) http://nativeopinion.com/news-blog/2016/1/8/yall-qaeda-militia-not-welcomed-by-oregon-locals Ways to reach our show: E-Mail: Hosts@NativeOpinion.Com Voice Mail:
Visit Native Opinion Online!
http://www.nativeopinion.com
Visit our YouTube Channel for video versions of our episodes, documentaries, and other speical content.
https://www.youtube.com/@NativeOpinion

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Native Opinion an American Indian Perspective

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected