Our Sacred Lands

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The Gwich’in community is among the Alaska Natives that traditionally hunted and lived on what is now the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. It remains a significant area for them. Petroleum resources within ANWR, though, put pressure on how best to use the land. In our periodic exploration of sacred places, we’ll check in on the promises for and threats to ANWR and other culturally significant areas in Alaska. We’ll talk about efforts to identify and protect Sealaska Corporation sacred sites.

Guests:

Faith Gemmill (Gwich’in/Pit River/Wintun) executive director of Resisting Environmental Destruction on Indigenous Lands

Princess Johnson (Gwich’in)  – works with Resisting Environmental Destruction on Indigenous Lands

Judith Ramos (Tlingit)  – assistant professor in department of Alaska Native Studies in Rural development at University of Alaska Fairbanks

This show is one of several we devote to sacred places. We’re interested in hearing what you think about our attention to this topic. Please take one minute to fill out this short survey to help us with our decisions on how we approach issues.

Break Music:  Sisters (song) Tribe Called Red (artist) Nation II Nation (album)

 

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State and tribal governments are currently clashing over a sacred area known as Pe’ Sla or ‘The Heart of All That Is’. The Bureau of Indian Affairs approved putting the 2,000-acre parcel of South Dakota Black Hills land into trust. A coalition of the Shakopee Mdewakanton, Rosebud, Crow Creek, and Standing Rock Sioux tribes purchased it in 2012. Governor Dennis Daugaard, opposes the tribes’ effort. In addition he suggested the tribes had more important things to invest their money in, like caring for their elders. How does the trust designation help tribes? Will this set a precedent for other tribes buying back sacred land?

This show is one of several we devote to sacred places. We’re interested in hearing what you think about our attention to this topic. Please take one minute to fill out this short survey to help us with our decisions on how we approach issues.

Guests:

Russell Eagle Bear (Sičháŋǧu Lakota) – Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe

Kurt Blue Dog (Sisseton Wahpeton) – General Counsel for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

Break Music: Song Of Encouragement (song) Porcupine Singers (artist) Alowanpi – Songs Of Honoring – Lakota Classics: Past & Present, Vol. 1 (album)

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The nearly two million acres in southeastern Utah is so important that five tribes are proposing an unprecedented collaboration with the federal government. The coalition wants President Barack Obama to establish the Bears Ears National Monument. A proposal by Utah’s representatives in Congress would preempt that effort. We will get an update on the effort to protect Bears Ears. We’ll also discuss the implications of national monument status.

We want to hear what you have to say about our shows on sacred places. We invite you to take a quick survey here.

Guests:

Carleton Bowekaty (Zuni Pueblo) – Councilman on the Pueblo of Zuni Tribal Council and co-chair for the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition

Natasha Hale (Navajo) – staffer for the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition

Casey Snider – legislative director for Utah Congressman Rob Bishop

Break Music: Ohdah (song) Digawolf (artist) Great Northern Man (album)