Native Opinion an American Indian Perspective

Episode 439 "Plenary Powers Doctrine Harms Indian Country"

Summary:In this episode of Native Opinion, hosts Michael Kickingbear and David GreyOwl discuss personal updates, the current political climate, and insights from the National Congress of American Indian (NCAI) Mid-Year Conference.They delve into the plenary power doctrine and its implications for tribal sovereignty, as well as the recent political violence in Minnesota. The conversation emphasizes the importance of investing in Native youth and the ongoing challenges of tribal recognition and healthcare policies affecting Native communities.RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:(1.) Book: "The Worst Trickster Story Ever Told: Native America, the Supreme Court, and the U.S. Constitution." Author:Keith Richotte Jr.(2.) NCAI Website(3.) Video: "Can Terrorism Be Defined?"(4.) THE SCHOLARS’ CIRCLE – US SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY IN ADOPTION CASES – JUNE 25, 2023(5.) Video & Bios: "Native Americans and the Supreme Court"(6.) Article: "Senators introduce bipartisan bill to give tribes tax parity with states"(7.) Political Website: Peggy Flanagan for US Senate (8.) Political Website: Deb Haaland, governor for New Mexico.

Ep 438 "Disenrollment: The New Genocide of Indian People"

Podcast Summary:  In this episode of the Native Opinion Podcast, hosts Michael Kicking Bear and David Greyowl discuss the pressing issues facing Indigenous communities, including political disenfranchisement, disenrollment, and the crisis of indigenous commercial fishing in Alaska. They emphasize the importance of community activism and the need for Indigenous voices to be heard in political discussions. The conversation also touches on the global perspective of Indigenous rights and the ongoing struggles against erasure and marginalization.

Episode 437 “The Backwards Upside-Down World”

NATIVE OPINION EPISODE 437TITLE: "The Backwards Upside-Down World." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++EPISODE SUMMARY: The United States is in an upheaval. With a new and decisively corupt presidential administration and a congress dominated by equally corupt republicans and do-nothing democrats, the already strained relationship between Indian country and this government is at an all time high. Is this episode we examine some of these problems. We look at how the removal of federal grants by this administration is affecting tribal programs. We also do a deep dive into trumps deportation program. Are tribal communities targets? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++LINKS TO THE STORIES WE SHARE:How Trump’s funding freeze for Indigenous food programs may violate treaty lawMohicans have bought ancestral land back.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++RACISM IN AMERICA SEGMENTDEPORTATION AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION:As the 2nd Trump administration’s efforts to deport “Illegal Immigrants” who they perceive as “Gang Affiliated.” These efforts often involve no due process, and have also extended into Indian country. Most notably, within Navajo Nation, as reports have begun to surface about officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (or I.C.E.) harassing Navajo citizens.Navajo Citizens Facing Identity Challenges During ICE Deportation Raids.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PROVIDE FEEDBACK!E-Mail: hosts@nativeopinion.comTwitter: @nativeopinion Facebook: facebook.com/nativeopinionpodcast/Or Through Our Website+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++CALL OR TEXT OUR SHOW!Click or Tap to call: 860–800–5595++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST!Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, i-Heart Radio, SpotifyRadio Public+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NATIVE OPINION OPENING / CLOSING MUSIC “HONOR THE PEOPLE” BY CASPER LOMA DA-WA+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++HOW TO SUPPORT OUR SHOW!If you would like to help support our show, please see our support page for various methods for support: NATIVE OPINION SUPPORT PAGE.We thank you for very much for supporting Native Opinion! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SPONSORSHIP PROVIDED BY:** MOHEGAN TRADING POST PLEASE VISIT MOHEGAN TRADING POST HERE We thank Mohegan Trading Post for being an advertiser on Native Opinion! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Kutupitush! (Thank You!) for listening!

Happy Holidays Everyone

Wishing everyone a happy new year!  Looking forward to sharing news, stories, Political analysis, interviews,  and more from Indian Country in 2025!Please be safe!-The Native Opinion Teamhttp://www.nativeopinion.com

Episode 436 "AGAIN America?"

We take a closer look at President Biden's recent apology for the historical atrocities committed through Indian boarding schools, analyzing the substance of his remarks versus the expectations for actionable measures. We debate whether an apology alone suffices or if it requires a commitment to reparative actions, such as increased funding for mental health services and the repatriation of remains. We also dissect President Biden’s previous statements that no Native American has ever held a consequential cabinet position, calling attention to historical inaccuracies and the complexities of representation in American political structures. We then shift our focus to the recent United States presidential elections and reflect on the political landscape, contemplating whether the Democratic Party learned from past mistakes or remains entrenched in a cycle of disenfranchisement. We also provide Native American voting pattern data provided by a partnrship between the First Nations Development Institute, BSP Research, and the African American Research Collaborative.   The data confirms the necessity of addressing tribal issues, especially land rights and environmental concerns.Our conversation transitions into discussions around the changing political paradigms, underscoring the need for authentic engagement with Native issues beyond election cycles.