First Nations Radio News

First Nations Legacy - "Miracle drug"

2008-02-11T23:14:00.000-07:00

Five hundred years ago, the people of the First Nations grew a crop that was used as a medicine for headaches, digestive problems and ailments of the lungs in children as well as adults.

It could be used in a powder form, or burned and inhaled. It was a well known medicine, and was so powerful and effective that the early settlers quickly adopted it and introduced it to Europe. Its use spread throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and eventually became a recreational drug.

Today it is one of the most highly addictive and widespread drugs in the world. Ironically, this medicine's use now leads to diseases of the mouth, throat and lungs that it once treated and prevented.

Tobacco.

First Nations Legacy - "Independent Press"

2008-02-11T23:03:00.000-07:00

One of our nation's oldest independent newspapers began in 1828. The Cherokee Phoenix was the first American Indian newspaper and is still published today.

The Phoenix was created to bring together the scattered Cherokee communities into a single tribe. Many articles were critical of U.S. government policies of removal. Writers debated land ownership in the eastern homelands weighed against opportunities west of the Mississippi River.

Ultimately, the Cherokee and the Phoenix moved to the territories now known as Oklahoma. The Cherokee Trail of Tears, conflicts with the U.S. government and the rise to economic success have all been chronicled in the pages of their tribal paper.

What's even more remarkable about the Phoenix is the fact that it was originally printed in the Cherokee language, using a writing system that was less than a decade old.

Wadoh.

First Nations Legacy - "Name the place"

2007-12-31T12:01:00.000-07:00

Native languages have marked so many locations in the Americas - Misquamicut, Rhode Island; Teotihuacan, Mexico; and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. More than half of the U.S. states have Native names.

Can you guess the names of these well-known places from their translations?

1. Red people
2. Isolated thing in the water
3. Flat water
(answers at the bottom of this article)

You may never have heard of some of the cities with the greatest number of First Nations people, but these places natives can call home and find themselves in the majority. A rare experience these days.

Chinle, Arizona; Towaoc, Colorado; Red Lake, Minnesota; and White Swan, Washington are such towns, most being on the reservations. But there are neighborhoods in major cities where Native people of many tribes moved closer together after their forced relocation to the city from Native communities in the 1950s. Uptown in Chicago and S. Federal Blvd. in Denver are home to thousands of First Nations people. These urban areas are also home and shelter for Native cultures. They are an important part of these cities and to the people living there, no matter what race.

And now the answers:
1. Oklahoma is "red people" from the Choctaw language.
2. The Algonquin’s' "isolated thing in the water" is better known as Manhattan.
3. If you've ever driven through Nebraska, you will understand why the Otoe people named it "flat water."

First Nations Legacy - "We are all related"

2007-12-02T20:17:00.000-07:00

The Dakota people say "mitakuye oyasin," meaning, "We are all related." It is used as a blessing or a way to end a prayer or a ceremony.

In our modern world, as researchers map genetic codes, we are finding out how very little difference there is among all life forms. We share more than 98 percent of genetic code with chimpanzees, and a surprising number of genetic code - 60 to 88 percent - with bees, chickens and mice.*

As people begin to think of the consequences of human consumption and changing global climate patterns, we might benefit from reminding ourselves that we are related to all life on Earth.

Aho - mitakuye oyasin.

*U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services - National Institute of Health

Eli Painted Crow - A Native woman warrior's story of Iraq

2007-11-19T19:05:00.000-07:00

22-year Army Veteran, Eli Painted Crow speaks about her experiences:

EliPaintedCrow.org

Many thanks to Pura Fe for sending me this video. Yakoke.

First Nations Legacy - "Papoose"

2007-11-19T08:59:00.001-07:00

Before horses and wheeled vehicles, mothers worldwide carried their babies using slings, straps and backpacks. When Europeans arrived on North American shores, however, they had shifted to putting babies in cradles and cribs and not carrying them around as often.

The term papoose is a Narragansett word for child. It is also commonly used to refer to baby carriers, backpacks and cradleboards.

American Indian women today typically keep their babies physically close and have continued many traditional child-rearing practices.

We now see women and men of all races carrying their babies close to them and going about their usual business, whether it’s hiking, shopping, washing the car… or going online to buy next season’s Rockies tickets.

First Nations Legacy - "Calendars"

2007-11-16T11:04:00.000-07:00

For those of us who live by our datebooks, time seems to manage us more than we manage our time.

We use the Gregorian calendar, which doesn't track natural cycles like lunar months and change of the seasons. Its original purpose was to mark out the symbolic Christian year.

The Mayan calendar, or the Mayan Count of Days has been in use for over 2,500 years. It's actually a series of interconnected calendars based on planetary movements that projects backward and forward in time, spanning 5,000 years into the past and 3,000 years into the future. There are many cycles in this calendar system and the next major era ends on the Winter Solstice - December 20th in the year 2012. A new era begins on the 21st.

What happens at that time, or why the Count of Days includes a countdown to that particular date is a mystery. The Mayan time systems challenge us to think about how we use our time, and what may come in a new era.

First Nations Legacy - Series Introduction

2007-11-07T21:56:00.001-07:00

Misquamicut, Ethete, Chinle...
Opossum, chigger, ipecac, toboggan, hurricane...

These are names and words that define American English and tell the stories of how Europeans adapted to life on this continent.

They learned about new ways of dealing with people, new ways of cooking, sleeping, traveling and governing from the people of the First Nations, and today we carry on their legacy.

During the coming months, we will take a look at the cultural legacy of indigenous Americans.

Join us during News on the Range, weekdays at 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. for First Nations Legacy, on KRFC 88.9 FM and on the Web at firstnationsradionews.com.

Moccasin, Oklahoma, maraca, tumpline, potato, anorak, manatee, Canada, alpaca...

Many thanks to Eric Herrera and Price Berryman for their song "Flight of the Hawk," which is featured throughout First Nations Legacy.

First Nations Legacy - "Potlatch"

2007-11-07T21:51:00.000-07:00

Imagine inviting your entire neighborhood over for dinner and then letting them take home leftovers… and most of your furniture. That’s the spirit of potlatch.

Many of the tribes of the Northwest coast in the U.S. and Canada have carried on this tradition despite the fact that missionaries once condemned the practice as useless and satanic. Potlatch was banned in the 1800s.

Potlatch is a way to celebrate birth, marriage, death and rites of passage. Families spend time, money and effort to gather things like blankets, horses, canoes and fabric. Giving these things away is an honor.

Most modern tribal gatherings include a version of potlatch, often called a giveaway. Music, dancing, speeches and blessings may be part of the ceremonies.

Potlatch was made legal again in the 1930s after many tribes petitioned the U.S government. They argued it was similar to celebrating Christmas.

The spirit of giving is very much a part of American culture – we are a nation of volunteers and generous contributors.

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First Nations Legacy - "OK"

2007-11-07T21:50:00.000-07:00

Okay is one of the most commonly recognized phrases around the world – from Japan to Turkey – it is a simple confirmation that everything is alright, there is no trouble and people agree.

The Choctaw people use the phrase Yakoke to say thank you, and it is their word Okeh we use today. Choctaw was the common language of trade east of the Mississippi. And back in the days before written contracts, the word Okeh was a way to end a trade or exchange. It was your promise, too, that you would live up to your side of the deal.

Trading goods also meant trading languages and customs, and okay became a very common word by the early 1800s. Years later, President Woodrow Wilson signed all official papers with the word Okeh.

When you say OK, you give your word. It’s our heritage and a way of doing business we can all profit from.

Yakoke

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Celebrating Indigenous Rights and Contributions

2007-10-03T21:23:00.000-07:00

Marking an historic achievement for the more than 370 million indigenous peoples worldwide, the U.N. General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on September 13. This declaration is the result of more than two decades of consultation and dialogue among governments and indigenous peoples from all regions.

General Assembly President Haya Al Khalifa noted that by adopting the declaration, the U.N. member nations are making further progress to improve the situation of indigenous peoples worldwide.

Khalifa added that it was also another major step forward towards promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms for everyone.

In the western United States, both North Dakota and South Dakota recognize the achievements and contributions of indigenous North Americans with state holidays.

North Dakota will mark its First Nations Day on Friday, October 5. South Dakota celebrates its Native American Day on October 12.

Earlier this summer, I interviewed the former owner and editor of Indian Country Today – Tim Giago. He shared his insights on the creation of South Dakota’s Native American Day...

Listen to interview

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First Nations Legacy - Introduction

2007-09-17T19:47:00.000-07:00

31-070207

2007-07-02T16:06:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Oklahoma Cherokee re-elect Chief Chad Smith, vote to exclude federal approval of constitutional amendments

Day of Prayer observed at Bear Butte: tribal leaders and organizations show support for preservation of sacred sites

Interview: Tim Giago, founder and former editor of Indian Country Today/Lakota Times

Celebrating Native American Day in South Dakota: speaking out and making change without protest and hostility

30-061107

2007-06-11T23:12:00.000-07:00

Stories:
NAJA convenes in Denver - We Talk You Listen: A Tribute to Vine Deloria, Jr.

Vine Deloria remembered

Interview: Sena Harjo, Student Media Projects participant
Students get taste of professional media through TV and newspaper production at NAJA convention.

29-052807

2007-05-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

Stories:

The Cherokee Nation council considers another vote to reject federal approval of tribal constitutional amendments

Canada's Assembly of First Nations calls for national day of action to raise awareness

Interview: Chook-Chook Hillman of the Karuk Tribe of California
Part 2 on the issue of aging Pacificorp dams on the Klamath River, and the effects on salmon habitat and the Karuk people

28-052107

2007-05-28T09:12:00.000-07:00

Stories:

Court orders DOI to present full financial accounting by October 10 in Cobell suit

El Paso Natural Gas Co. sues government to get uranium dump site cleaned up on Navajo lands

Oklahoma Choctaw "Long Walk" commemorated in Tushka Homma

Interview: Regina Chichizola, Klamath Riverkeeper
California tribes and supporters rally at Berkshire Hathaway stockholders' meeting to get Klamath River dams shut down

Music:
Traditional Karuk songs

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27-051407

2007-05-14T20:38:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Jamestown, 400 years later - Virginia tribes closer to federal recognition after House approval

Senate Indian Affairs Committee advances four bills - Indian Health Care Improvement Act, Hawaiian Native housing bill, Hawaiian Native self-governance, and formal U.S. apology to the Native Nations

Ousted Freedman descendents protest Cherokee vote, file suit in federal court

Columbus Day opponents chastise Colorado leadership for failure to repeal holiday this session

Commentary: Same Scene, Different Decade
All in all, the stories this week show a troubling trend in federal policy and the sovereignty of Native Nations. Limits on federal recognitioin and membership in tribes call into question our ability to define who American Indians are and how we shall live. Federal recognition is weighed in the balance with future financial gain. Civil rights of African Americans are leveraged against those of indigenous peoples. It is a sadly familiar situation in 400 years of North American history, but not one without hope. FNRN thanks those legislators who support apologies and reparations, but we hope to report on real progress in the coming months.
Yakoke.

26-043007

2007-05-02T17:08:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Part 2 of interview with Chris Shuey on uranium mining's longterm effects on traditional families and culture.

Sand Creek Massacre Memorial site dedicated

25 - 042307

2007-04-23T19:50:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Part 1 of interview with Chris Shuey of the Southwestern Research and Information Center on uranium mining and tribal communities. He talks about the issues of culture, environmental justice and the dangers of ISL - in situ leach uranium mining.

24-041607

2007-04-16T16:18:00.000-07:00

Special Edition: KSUT's "Tribal Beat" with Kim Pappin

Part 2 on Indian humor. New works by author Drew Hayden Taylor and playwright/musician Arigon Starr.

Music:
"Don't Touch the Indians" by Arigon Starr

23-040807

2007-04-16T16:17:00.000-07:00

Special Edition: KSUT's "Tribal Beat" with Kim Pappin

Part 1 of KSUT's story on Native playwrights and the emerging expression of humor in the arts. Profile of the Autry Theater in L.A. and Ojibwe writer/humorist Drew Hayden Taylor.

Music:

22-032607

2007-04-16T16:16:00.001-07:00

Stories:
Colorado Senate supports Indian Health

Wild rice endangered by GM crop testing

Profile of the Menominee

Music:
"Come and Dance" by Menominee Nation drum

21-030607

2007-04-16T16:13:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Interview with Richard Fox, founder and director of Trees, Water, People, a non-profit organization based in Colorado that has a program to bring affordable solar heating panels to the reservations.

20-022607 Extra Edition

2007-04-16T16:10:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Nobel Prize winner Menchu runs for president of Guatemala

Cherokee Nation to vote on Freedmen membership

Rep. Windy Boy (MT) targets DUI legislation

19-021907

2007-04-16T16:07:00.001-07:00

Stories:
Chief Illini to be retired by university

Mashpee Wampanoag recognized at last

SD religious community supports protection of Bear Butte (reporter: Joseph Fresquez, comments: Gary Nesdahl, Assoc. of Christian Churches of SD)

American Indian College Fund receives grant (comments: Rick Williams, president)

18-021207

2007-04-16T16:06:00.002-07:00

Stories:
Study shows poverty a barrier to civic participation on reservations

Bush administration to cut Urban Indian Health programs

MT Rep. Ed Butcher criticized for racist remarks

Utah hunting violation goes to State Supreme Court

17-020507

2007-04-16T16:06:00.001-07:00

Stories:
Lynda Lovejoy appointed to NM legislature

Opponents of racist mascot rally on Univ. of Illinois campus

Appointment of BIA nominee Artman pressed by Dorgan

Bear Butte area liquor licenses get OK from SD State Senate

CSU hosts Ute delegation (comments: Ty Smith, Dir. of NASS)

Music:
"Harmony" by The Atoll

16-012907

2007-04-16T16:03:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Crow and N. Cheyenne form drug task force (reporter: Joseph Fresquez)

Fallon Paiute-Shoshone vote down banishment for drug offense (reporter: Joseph Fresquez)

Schaghticoke file for reinstatement

NCAI president - 5th Annual State of the Indian Nations

Music:

15-012207

2007-04-16T15:58:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Protecting the Black Hills sacred sites

Interview: Ty Smith, dir. of NASS at CSU - "Higher education as a hopeful factor"

Oglala call for Chief Illini's retirement

Music:

14-011507

2007-04-16T15:55:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Senate to hold oversight hearings on DOI

No limit on tribal political donations

"History of independent press - The Cherokee Phoenix" Juan Gonzales speaking at the Conference on Media Reform

Navajo president and council sworn in

13-010807

2007-04-16T15:53:00.000-07:00

Stories:
NARF sues Dept. of Interior on behalf of thousands

House Indian Affairs committee on hold

Cherokee set vote for blood requirement

Native state legislators increase in WA

12-010207

2007-04-16T15:49:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Blackfeet assert water rights

Buffalo range management with Fish and Wildlife Service

Oglala councilman dies

BIA recognizes Yellowbird Steele as tribal chair

"Cowlitz drum revivies language through song" with Tom Bonce

11-122606

2007-04-16T15:46:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Abramoff sued by Coushatta

Flagstaff renews wastewater plan with resort

Canada upholds night hunting rights for aborigines

Commentary: End of year wish from FNRN

Music:
"Abu Abu" by Kevin Locke

10-121906

2007-04-16T15:42:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Pres. Shirley visits proposed coal plant protestors

Language Act of 2006 passes

"New Standard - Voting districts in lawsuit" with Kathryn Comp

Pawnee College receives grants

Interview: Serafina Wall, asst. director of NASS at CSU - "Keeping my culture"

09-121206

2007-04-16T15:37:00.000-07:00

Stories:
S. Ute buy mall in Denver

Next Senate agenda

"Enviromental Report - Native visions on global warming" Chuck Quirmbach

Native language bill passes

Special series - Sexual assault in Indian Country - "Pre-Columbian justice system" (comments: Roe Bubar)

Music:
"Let Me Be" by Star Nayea

08-120706

2007-04-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Oglala elections - tribal court declines decision

Bison range management in Montana in dispute

Special series - Sexual assault in Indian Country - "Were You Drinking?" (comments: Roe Bubar)

07-113006

2007-04-16T15:22:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Oglala election woes continue - Whiteplume calls for new elections

Indigenous World Uranium Summit

Special series on sexual assault in Indian Country - "One-in-three Indian women" (comments: Roe Bubar)

06-112806 Special CSU edition

2007-04-16T15:20:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Native American Awareness Month events at Colorado State University

Interview with Native American Student Assoc. Director, Ty Smith

05-112106

2007-04-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

Stories:
N. Cheyenne election results mixed on energy leases

Navajo/Hopi accord on disputed lands

Indigenous World Uranium Summit

Sen. Ken Salazar calls for law enforcement increase for Southern Ute rez

04-111406 Veterans

2007-04-16T15:14:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Navajo soldiers return

American Indian Veterans of Colorado pow-wow

Tom Cole nominated to serve on Congressional committee

Oglala election results - voting disrupted

Whiteman elected to county office in Wyo.

Music:
"Kiowa/Comanche Flag Song" sung by Tom Ware/Millard Clark drum

03- 110706 Elections

2007-04-16T15:12:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Oglala election problems - Whiteplume removed from ballot

N. Cheyenne to vote on coal/gas leases

Turtle Mountain elections go ahead

Navajo elections coverage

02-103106

2007-04-16T15:10:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Tuscarora occupy Neoheroke
Lovejoy runs for Navajo Presidency
Safavian sentenced to 18 months

Music: "Rise Up Tuscarora People" by Pura Fe

01-102606

2007-04-16T15:09:00.000-07:00

Stories:
Indian gaming regulation changes
Safavian convicted of fraud in Abramoff investigation
Changes proposed to Cobell suit

Music: "In Da City" by Julian B and Carey Morin