Latest news with #Native
Hamilton Spectator
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Claiming the right to our stories
I was adopted. My non-Indigenous family, all good people who treated me with respect and dignity, did not raise me on the reserve, but in the urbanized city of Calgary, Alberta. It's the same province that the graphic novelThe Rez Doctor takes place in. But unlike its central character — young Ryan Fox — I didn't grow up facing the realities of reserve life. I was sheltered. I didn't have to navigate the racism, segregation and systemic barriers baked into on-reserve health care. I don't know what it means to leave a reserve and enter the very system that's historically excluded your people, and then fight tooth and nail just to build a life within in — as Ryan Fox had to. Ryan's story, written by Gitz Crazyboy with artwork by Veronika Barinova, is, I'm sure, not an uncommon one among Indigenous people. That's part of what makes this short young adult novel, published in 2024, so compelling for readers. Most people don't have a clue what reserve life is like. Told through the eyes of a young Native protagonist, this story reminded me of that truth. That while most Canadians are only just waking up to the stark realities we, as Native people, carry on this land, there are Indigenous innovators across the country who are working hard to shift those narratives — by telling our stories, in our own ways. Whether it's becoming a doctor — on or off the rez — or, like myself and the book's author, becoming writers, Indigenous Peoples are reclaiming control over how the world sees us. No longer defined by the white gaze; no longer boxed in by labels or stereotypes. I'm very proud to claim the hard work it takes to become the regularly published author I am, and Mr. Crazyboy can surely be proud of this graphic novel, too. Through Ryan Fox, The Rez Doctor offers a simple but powerful message: that it's good to be proud of the things we've worked hard for. That pride means we've earned the right to own our stories. And if sharing those stories helps brighten someone else's path, even a little — as this story has done for me — then that is an extra blessing, I would think. So thank you, Mr Crazyboy. And you as well, 'Dr. Fox.' Nicolas Crier (Cree) is a member of The Shift peer newsroom at Megaphone magazine. He has spent approximately half his life surviving in the streets and more than a decade in the Downtown Eastside. It never occurred to him that being a drug user would ever be useful, but he's parlayed his street smarts and community connections into a successful career as an overdose responder and outreach worker. He is a published writer and takes part in numerous academic partnerships through universities and health authorities. He is the proud father of one son. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Devastating': US public broadcasters condemn Trump cuts to key programs
Public broadcast station leaders are condemning Donald Trump's latest victory after Congress approved a bill to cancel all federal funding for public broadcasting programs including PBS and NPR. The House signed off on the bill early on Friday morning, after Wednesday's key decision in the Senate to pass $9bn in spending cuts, slashing public broadcasting as well as foreign aid. The PBS president and CEO, Paula Kerger, said that the Senate's approval of the package 'goes against the will of the American people'. 'These cuts will significantly impact all of our stations, but will be especially devastating to smaller stations and those serving large rural areas. Many of our stations which provide access to free unique local programming and emergency alerts will now be forced to make hard decisions in the weeks and months ahead,' Kerger said. 'Despite today's setback, we are determined to keep fighting to preserve the essential services we provide to the American public.' Related: US House passes Trump plan to cut $9bn from foreign aid, public broadcasting Similarly, NPR's CEO, Katherine Maher, said: 'Nearly three in four Americans say they rely on their public radio stations for alerts and news for their public safety. Kate Riley, the president and CEO of the advocacy group America's Public Television Stations, said the organization was 'devastated that the Senate voted to eliminate federal funding to the local public television stations throughout this country that provide essential lifesaving public safety services, proven educational services and community connections to their communities every day for free'. The head of Native Public Media, Loris Taylor, called the Senate's decision 'deeply troubling'. Taylor, who heads a network of 57 Native radio stations and four T stations, had privately implored the South Dakota Republican senator Mike Rounds to reject the package, the New York Times reported on Wednesday. Following the Senate's passage of the bill, which Rounds ultimately endorsed, Taylor said: 'It poses an immediate threat to the survival of small, rural, and Tribal stations across the country. These hyperlocal stations, many of which are the only source of local news, emergency alerts, educational programming, and cultural preservation, operate with limited resources and rely on [the Corporation for Public Broadcasting] funding to stay on the air. 'Without this federal support, Native and rural communities stand to lose critical lifelines that connect them to the rest of the nation.' Echoing similar sentiments, Tom Abbott, the general manager of the KFSK community radio in Petersburg, Alaska, said: 'This destructive rescission of CPB funding – the substantial majority of which goes to local stations per statutory formula – will result in immediate and serious cuts to stations' local services and in some cases the total closure of stations, particularly in rural communities.' Abbott said: 'KFSK is about to lose 30% of our budget for this fiscal year, which began on July 1. We have a staff of five with an additional two part-time high school students and a Columbia University School of Journalism graduate student employed as our summer news intern. We will be forced to reduce our staff and therefore reduce our local service.' He added: 'Our broadcast day is nearly 60% locally produced content, ironically this revenue cut will likely result in more NPR-produced content in the event we can continue to raise enough donations locally to remain relevant and on the air.' LaFontaine Oliver, the president and executive chair of New York Public radio, shared similar concerns over the cuts' impacts on smaller stations. 'While CPB funding represents a relatively modest percentage of New York Public Radio's revenue, approximately 4%, the loss of CPB funding will still have a notable impact on our ability to serve audiences in our city and region with local news, community conversation, and cultural and classical music programming,' Oliver said. 'But we know that federal funding accounts for a much more significant amount of the budget for stations in smaller markets and rural areas, places that often lack commercial broadcast options, and those communities will feel the impact most swiftly and deeply,' he added. As part of NYPR's response to the threats from the Trump administration over public broadcasting, the station created a new role for LaFontaine – executive chair – this week. The station said this new role was created to allow LaFontaine 'to focus on the long-term sustainability of NYPR and the broader public radio system'. 'He'll be focusing on fundraising from foundations, members and other public sources, forging new collaborations and finding ways to support smaller stations,' NYPR added. Related: Why is the media paying millions to Trump? – podcast Other stations have also begun making internal changes. Earlier this week, the San Francisco-based TV and radio station KQED announced that it was making a 15% reduction to its workforce, citing 'a number of concurrent attempts to eliminate or impair federal funding for public media.' KQED's president, Michael Isip, said: 'We are deeply troubled that the Senate voted to eliminate congressionally approved federal funding for public media … If enacted, this bill poses serious financial challenges to NPR, PBS, and all local stations like KQED. 'Ultimately, the greatest impact will be on the communities we serve who rely on us for emergency communications, educational programming and services for our youngest learners, and trustworthy local news and information. This will be especially devastating in rural areas where their local public media station is their only local source for critical media services.' Solve the daily Crossword
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Native Americans slam Trump's push to return to Commanders' old name
"No Native American child should have to sit through a pep rally or in a stadium where their culture is being mocked," said Jacqueline De Leon, senior staff attorney for the Native American Rights Fund. Trump threatened over the weekend to block a deal to build a stadium in Washington, D.C., if the Washington Commanders team refuses to revert to the name it had from 1937 when the team moved from Boston until 2022. "The Washington 'Whatever's' should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team," Trump posted on his Truth Social site. "I may put a restriction on them that if they don't change the name back to the original 'Washington Redskins,' and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, 'Washington Commanders.'" In a post the same day, Trump said Native Americans would welcome the change. "Our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen," he wrote in a post that also encouraged the Cleveland Guardians to revert to a former name. "Their heritage and prestige is systematically being taken away from them. Times are different now than they were three or four years ago. We are a Country of passion and common sense. OWNERS, GET IT DONE!!!" But that's not what USA TODAY found when reaching out to Native American activists. Native Americans are not mascots, said Savannah Romero, a member of the enrolled member of the Eastern Shoshone Nation, who urged city officials not to yield to the name change. "We are language keepers, land protectors, survivors of attempted genocide, and a part of sovereign nations," Romero, co-founder and deputy director of the BLIS (Black Liberation-Indigenous Sovereignty) Collective Collective, said in a statement. "To equate Native people with cartoonish mascots alongside animals is a gross and ongoing tactic of dehumanization." 'Disrespectful to the pain and suffering' Trump's move comes in the wake of efforts across the country to ban the use of Native American mascots and logos in schools, including in New York. The Native American Rights Fund supported efforts in New York to ban the use of such mascots. It recently released a video pushing back against the use of Native American mascots. In a June 17 announcement, the Department of Education called the ban "an unlawful attempt to ban mascots and logos that celebrate Native American history.'' De Leon said that challenge is part of the larger narrative by the Trump administration to muddy the waters and undermine civil rights protections. It's not racist to push back against racism, she said. "Native Americans are being used as tools for a distraction," De Leon said. "That's very disrespectful to the pain and suffering imposed on Native people by inaccurately depicting our culture." More: Why some Native American citizens worry about getting caught in ICE's net Beth Wright, a member of Pueblo of Laguna, said the United States has long tried to erase Native identity and culture, including through federal Indian boarding schools, banning Native religious and cultural practices and seizing control over Native lands. "Native people are still working to revitalize what the United States tried to erase,'' said Wright, a staff attorney with the Native American Rights Fund. "Native mascots work directly against these efforts by perpetuating false historical narratives about Native people and false depictions of who Native people are today.'' 'It's a slur' In 2013, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition of more than 200 groups, approved a resolution calling for owners of the Washington team to change its name. The resolution called for the elimination of names and mascots "that promote negative stereotypes and connotations or that trivialize Native American cultures.'' De Leon, who had lived in the Washington, D.C., area for several years, said it hurt when she saw people wearing shirts with the old name. "I don't even like to say the word because it's a slur," she said.
Economic Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Trump slammed by two Native American groups for supporting 'Redskins' name revival
President Donald Trump's post on Truth Social, claimed there was 'a big clamoring' for the Commanders - who adopted their current name in 2022 - to revert to their previous moniker, adding that 'our great Indian people' want it restored. (AP/PTI) Synopsis President Trump's call to reinstate the 'Redskins' name for Washington's NFL team has sparked strong condemnation from two Native American organisations. They denounce the name as a racist caricature, emphasizing the need for respect and self-determination. While the team aims for a new stadium in DC by 2030, Trump's stance could influence congressional approvals. Two Native American organisations strongly condemned President Donald Trump on Monday after he threatened to block a proposed new NFL stadium in Washington, DC, unless the local team reinstates its former 'Redskins' name. ADVERTISEMENT Trump, posting Sunday on Truth Social, claimed there was 'a big clamoring' for the Commanders - who adopted their current name in 2022 - to revert to their previous moniker, adding that 'our great Indian people' want it restored. He also called on MLB's Cleveland Guardians, formerly the Indians, to change their name back. In response, the Association on American Indian Affairs denounced Trump's push, saying such names and mascots 'do not honor Native Peoples - they reduce us to caricatures'. The organisation emphasised that Native nations are 'sovereign, contemporary cultures who deserve respect and self-determination, not misrepresentation'. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) also rejected Trump's comments, labeling racist mascots as 'an affront to Tribal sovereignty'. NCAI President Mark Macarro stated that the organisation has opposed such imagery for 75 years, asserting that mascots mocking and dehumanising Native people have no place in modern society."We unequivocally oppose President Trump's call for the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians to reinstate their former, racist names. Tribal Nations have been unambiguous on this issue for generations. We are not your mascot. We are not your distraction," NCAI said in a statement. ADVERTISEMENT The Washington NFL team retired the Redskins name and logo in 2020 after decades of criticism. Trump's comments come as the team prepares to return to DC with a new stadium expected in 2030. While Trump cannot directly block the project, Congress - which oversees DC governance - could influence funding and approvals. ADVERTISEMENT The Commanders, a storied NFL franchise with three Super Bowl titles, were ranked by Forbes last year as the league's 10th most valuable team, with an estimated worth of $6.3 the criticism, the Native American Guardians Association voiced support for Trump's stance, accusing cancel culture of erasing tradition and identity. ADVERTISEMENT Other major sports franchises with Native American-themed names - such as the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Blackhawks, and Kansas City Chiefs - have said they do not plan to change their names, keeping the debate over sports mascots alive. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates. NEXT STORY
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Trump slammed by two Native American groups for supporting 'Redskins' name revival
Two Native American organisations strongly condemned President Donald Trump on Monday after he threatened to block a proposed new NFL stadium in Washington, DC, unless the local team reinstates its former ' Redskins ' name. Trump, posting Sunday on Truth Social, claimed there was 'a big clamoring' for the Commanders - who adopted their current name in 2022 - to revert to their previous moniker, adding that 'our great Indian people' want it restored. He also called on MLB's Cleveland Guardians , formerly the Indians, to change their name back. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Struggling With Belly Fat? Try This at Home Home Fitness Hack Shop Now Undo In response, the Association on American Indian Affairs denounced Trump's push, saying such names and mascots 'do not honor Native Peoples - they reduce us to caricatures'. The organisation emphasised that Native nations are 'sovereign, contemporary cultures who deserve respect and self-determination, not misrepresentation'. — IndianAffairs (@IndianAffairs) The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) also rejected Trump's comments, labeling racist mascots as 'an affront to Tribal sovereignty'. NCAI President Mark Macarro stated that the organisation has opposed such imagery for 75 years, asserting that mascots mocking and dehumanising Native people have no place in modern society. Live Events "We unequivocally oppose President Trump's call for the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians to reinstate their former, racist names. Tribal Nations have been unambiguous on this issue for generations. We are not your mascot. We are not your distraction," NCAI said in a statement. — NCAI1944 (@NCAI1944) The Washington NFL team retired the Redskins name and logo in 2020 after decades of criticism. Trump's comments come as the team prepares to return to DC with a new stadium expected in 2030. While Trump cannot directly block the project, Congress - which oversees DC governance - could influence funding and approvals. The Commanders, a storied NFL franchise with three Super Bowl titles, were ranked by Forbes last year as the league's 10th most valuable team, with an estimated worth of $6.3 billion. Despite the criticism, the Native American Guardians Association voiced support for Trump's stance, accusing cancel culture of erasing tradition and identity. — GuardiansNative (@GuardiansNative) Other major sports franchises with Native American-themed names - such as the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Blackhawks, and Kansas City Chiefs - have said they do not plan to change their names, keeping the debate over sports mascots alive.
