Native America Calling

Monday, August 17, 2015 – Book of the Month: “Ears of Corn: Listen” 

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Laguna Pueblo poet and potter Max Early gives readers the opportunity to learn about his Native community in his new book “Ears of Corn: Listen.” It is a window into the everyday as well as a guide to many special moments that take place in his tribal nation. Some of the poetry found in this collection features the language of Laguna Pueblo and the faces of community members of yesterday and today. We invite you to take a journey with us through Max’s creative process and his community stories this month in our latest celebration of Native literature.

Follow this conversation with our hashtag: #LAGUNApoet

 

  Break Music: Wim Ah I Wem Tiwa (single song) Gregg Analla (artist)

Wednesday, July 29, 2015 – Native Stories in the Fictional Mainstream

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Last month, social media was abuzz when Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling gave away some details about a screenplay she’s writing. It would expand her Harry Potter wizard world to North America. It was revealed that some of the characters we meet in this story will have studied at a school where Indigenous magic was important to its founding. At first glance some people might be excited to hear Native Americans will get some spotlight in this future fantasy fiction, which will probably have instant success and give way to a marketing boom. How will this nod to Indigenous culture affect our nations? Will it muddy our culture? Will it contribute to more stereotypes? What are your hopes and concerns about this new magical series? How should Native stories be portrayed in popular fiction? Also, what do you want to tell non-Native writers who use Native characters and imagery?

 Guests:

Lee Francis IV (Pueblo of Laguna)  – national director of Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers

Sherman Alexie (Coeur d’Alene) – writer and author

Break Music:   Two-Sidedness (song) Samantha Crain (artist) You (Understood) (album)

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