Native America Calling

The pictures of Pope Francis wearing a headdress spurred controversy across the globe - and on our social media channels! A Cree elder and chief gifted the high honor to the leader of the Catholic Church during his visit to Canada last week during a visit specifically to apologize to Indigenous people for the church's role in residential school abuses. Indigenous leaders throughout history have given headdresses to numerous non-Native people including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and many U.S. presidents. Some tribes have very specific traditions and ceremonies connected to making and receiving headdresses. Today on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce discusses headdress protocols and traditions and why the headdress on the pope sparked particular concern with Dana Wilson (Crow), former member of Crow Tribal executive and legislative government; Dr. Don Pepion (Pikunni), emeritus professor of Native American studies at New Mexico State University; and Niigaan Sinclair (Anishinaabe), Winnipeg Free Press columnist and Indigenous studies professor.

Monday, August 1, 2022 – The history and protocols of headdresses

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Host: Shawn Spruce

The pictures of Pope Francis wearing a headdress spurred controversy across the globe – and on our social media channels! A Cree elder and chief gifted the high honor to the leader of the Catholic Church during his visit to Canada last week during a visit specifically to apologize to Indigenous people for the church’s role in residential school abuses. Indigenous leaders throughout history have given headdresses to numerous non-Native people including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and many U.S. presidents. Some tribes have very specific traditions and ceremonies connected to making and receiving headdresses. Today on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce discusses headdress protocols and traditions and why the headdress on the pope sparked particular concern with Dana Wilson (Crow), former member of Crow Tribal executive and legislative government; Jesse Desrosier (Blackfoot), Blackfoot language teacher and consultant and Niigaan Sinclair (Anishinaabe), Winnipeg Free Press columnist and Indigenous studies professor.

Break 1 music: Crow Push Dance Song (song) Authentic Native American Music (artist) Authentic Native American Music (album)

Break 2 music: Someone Drew a Line (song) Vincent Craig (artist) Vol. 1 (album)

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