Native Opinion an American Indian Perspective

EPISODE 289 "Disparities and Why They Need to be Discussed"

Why is it disparities in Indian country are always overlooked until lawmakers are forced to see them?

Episode 288 "It All Needs To Be Well Documented"

If we do not ensure everything is well documented, we will have to start over if a new administration takes office. Keeping things from falling through the cracks is paramount to continuity.

Episode 287 Things to Realize and Address

If we do not realize and address the negative, subtle, and not so subtle cues from non-Natives about our identities, cultures, and languages, we will be caught off guard when we need to take a stand to defend what defines who we are.

Episode 286 "Promises Made Should Be Promises Kept."

As Native peoples, we have had our share and then some of broken promises. Keep your word.

EPISODE 285 "When They Tell You Anything to get Your Vote but They Lie."

It seems the common practice to get the Native vote is to say anything necessary, even if it is a lie.

Episode 284 "Our National Treasures Are Our Language Keepers"

Unlike the English language, once our languages are gone, they are lost forever. It is imperative for Native peoples to preserve our languages and protect our elders, our language keepers, our national treasures.

Episode 283 Bad Behaviors and Bad Choices Have Consequences

When people make bad decisions and the outcome is not what they expected, many people try to adopt the role of victim. Nice try.

Epiosde 282 "With bated Breath We Wait"

This past election cycle has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride through hell. All eyes will be on the Senate race even though the results are in, surely there will be suits of recounts and other challenges. And the upcoming conformation for the next Interior Secertary.

281 “PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING!”

The conditions people in America are living in should not be happening. America is one of the wealthiest nations on the planet and people are starving by the millions. People have been reduced to steal food just to survive. Sadly, our lawmakers have proven they do not care about the struggles of the American people.

Episode: 280 “THE CONTINUED DECLINE.”

We must do something to stop the decline. The Biden administration is nothing but a bandage for yet another greater systemic problem. It is up to us to stop the slide. Our lawmakers have proven they have no desire to stop the decline of America.

Episode 279 "Who's The Economy?"

As we end 2020, and look forward to a BETTER year in 2021, Despite what many may believe, the stock market is not the economy. We attempt to educate people on what exactly the economy is. Also, President Elect Joe Biden has nominated Deb Haaland to be the next Secretary of the Interior. Congressman Haaland would become the Nations FIRST Native American to hold a cabinet level position in the United States federal Government. She would also become the first woman to be the secretary of the Interi...

Episode: 278 “THERE IS NO LIMIT.”

Teach children to be all they can be. Guide them to develop aspirations that look beyond the stereotypes placed upon Native peoples. Show them by example they are able to accomplish anything their hearts desire.

Episode: 277 "THE EDUCATIONAL GATEWAYS ARE OPEN. DON’T ALLOW THEM TO CLOSE."

Educational opportunities are available to more Native students in greater numbers than ever before. Encourage Native students to take advantage of those opportunities, make the most of them, and use that knowledge to benefit their respective tribal communities and society.

Episode: 276 “OIL AND PARKS.”

Finally! An oil project on Native land I can get behind and support! -David Greyowl

Episode 275 "Tis The Season? We got Nothing"

Self reflection is the flavor of the day. That is all.

EPISODE 274 "What Happens When There is not Enough Medical Staff Left?"

With the rise in the number of cases of COVID and the increased numbers of death from COVID, medical personnel are leaving positions of treatment and care because of mental, emotional, physical exhaustion, and in some cases, their own declining health.

Episode: 273 "NOT PAYING ATTENTION WILL COST US."

The focus is on COVID-19 as it should be because of the devastating loss of lives it is creating, but there are other victims of this pandemic that no one is talking about. We are talking about the loss of medical professionals for various reasons from death from COVID to mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion.

EPISODE 272 "Why are we Shooting Ourselves in the Foot?

The question of the day is: Why should we as Native people invest in the very thing that will ultimately destroy our very environments when there are so many other cleaner, safer alternatives? -David Greyowl

Episode 271 "The Signs of our existence as Native people are everywhere."

In this episode of Native Opinion, we welcome Jonathan Perry (Aquinnah Wampanoag) who discusses with us the effect of COVID-19 on his tribe, The American education system, and its lack of American Indian curriculum in public schools, and also Massachusetts upcoming "Plymouth 400” commemoration & and everything wrong with Thanksgiving as an American Holiday.

EPISODE 270 "When our Educational Systems Fail our Children, We all Suffer"

All across America the educational system has failed countless students. While many children persevere and become successful students, far too many are left behind, unable to keep up with a system that is designed to neglect those students who learn differently than other students.

Episode 269 "When you add Insult to Injury, you get your A*& Handed to you"

Non-native fishermen in Nova Scotia continued to add insult to injury in their quest to keep Mi’kmaq fishermen from exercising their inherent and treaty-guaranteed fishing rights. In what can only be described as a brilliant, stroke of maneuvering, the Mi’kmaq fishermen purchased a 50 percent stake in the very company that buys the catches from those waters. Bravo!

Episode 268 "A Sigh Of Relief? Hardly!"

If you believe you can breathe a sigh of relief, you had better think again. The Republicans, especially the Christian Conservative coalitions are extremely fearful of a Biden administration and they are gearing up to try to take "Back Their Country". We laugh at that absurdity. We speculate on what redicuous strategies thy try to conjure up.

Episode 267 "When We Shape our Destines, We Thrive"

It is in our nature as Natives to adapt to our environment(s). When obstacles are placed in our way to impede our progress, we somehow usually find a way to make it. When we shape our own destinies, we thrive. Stand by us, stand behind us or get out of the way.

EPISODE 266 "What Has This Election Cycle Taught Us?"

The lessons learned from this election cycle will leave lasting scars for generations to come. We should not allow ourselves to be lulled into a state of defeat, or complacency.

Episode 265 WE HAVE TO KEEP ON KEEPING ON!"

News pieces covered in this episode include: Washington schools prepare to teach tribal history Students use ‘power of storytelling’ to highlight health inequities Birthing center closure: ‘My baby and I felt abandoned’ How one Native American tribe in S.D. created its own wireless education network And More…

BONUS: Your Vote, Your Future: NC Native Youth Election Event

Our tribal youth need to be heard! These young people share their perspectives on not only the political landscape but many things of concern in and around Indian country! One area our young people are very active and prominent is within the political landscape. This is the Native American Caucus of North Carolina hosted the "Your Vote, Your Future: NC Native Youth Election Event. The hosts for this event are Edgar Villanueva and CA Cavalier. Your Vote, Your Future! A Voting Rally for North Caro...

EPISODE 264 "THE OPPRESSOR ALWAYS CREATES FOUL WINDS."

In this episode, we talk about the problems the Native fishermen in N.S. are having with non-Native fishermen. We also discussed the necessity of being self sufficent.

Episode 263 "The Colonial Mentality Is Killing Us"

TITLE DESCRIPTION: When we fail to do what is required of us to protect our elders and the young, those people suffer because of adopted colonial behaviors and mentalities. We cannot afford to allow the weakest of us to do without no matter the sacrifices those of us who can do something, have to make.

EPISODE 262 "NUMBERS MATTER."

When the attempt to continue to reduce our numbers as Native Americans is perpetuated by the use of the census, it is imperative that we make sure our numbers are counted. Numbers matter.

Episode 261 "It's All About Survival"