MPR Archive presents a collection of varied Native topics in and around Minnesota. Stories include interviews, commentary, events, speeches, documentaries, and reports.
September 16, 1992 - MPR’s Beth Friend talks with members of Sink the Ships production being staged at Mixed Blood Theatre. The performance art piece provides a Native profile on the 500th anniversary of Columbus arrival to the “New World.”
October 2, 1992 - MPR’s Kitty Eisele interviews Juanita Espinosa, director of the Native Arts Circle, and Native director Randy Redroad, about Two Rivers Native Film Festival at the Walker Center. They discuss the evolution of work in 1992, from documentary centric themes to drama and art based pieces.
October 10, 1992 - MPR’ Chris Roberts interviews sisters Lisa Mayo, Gloria Miguel and Muriel Miguel about "Power Pipes" by Spiderwoman Theater at Walker Art Center. The three also discuss Native American experience growing up in Brooklyn, NY.
March 13, 1993 - Mainstreet Radio’s Catherine Winter reports on the difficulty to prosecute child abuse on Red Lake and other Indian reservations. On most reservations, state criminal laws don’t apply. The federal government is responsible for prosecuting serious cries under federal law. While child sex abuse is prohibited under federal law, child physical abuse is not.
April 12, 1993 - A Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from the Grand Casino Mille Lacs near Garrison, Minnesota. First hour of program highlights American Indian casinos…what some term as the ‘New Buffalo.’ MPR’s Catherine Winter interviews Leonard Prescott, chairman of Little Six Inc.; Charlie Berg, state senator and chair of Minnesota Senate Gaming Regulation Committee; Bernita Churchill, elected legislative official for Mille Lacs Tribe; and Doug Twait, commissioner of public affairs for Chippewa Tribe. Group discusses benefits, concerns, and issues of gambling in Minnesota.
April 12, 1993 - Continuation of a Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from the Grand Casino Mille Lacs near Garrison, Minnesota highlighting American Indian casinos…what some term as the ‘New Buffalo.’ In this second hour of program, MPR’s Catherine Winter interviews Leonard Prescott, chairman of Little Six Inc.; Charlie Berg, state senator and chair of Minnesota Senate Gaming Regulation Committee; Bernita Churchill, elected legislative official for Mille Lacs Tribe; and Doug Twait, commission of public affairs for Chippewa Tribe. Group discusses benefits, concerns, issues of gambling in Minnesota, and answer listener questions.
April 26, 1993 - MPR’s Leif Enger reports from Mille Lacs Lake on Anishinaabe Liberation Front preparing to spear in violation of state law. Report includes numerous interviews, including Ojibwe writer Jim Northrup, who participates in traditional spearing.
May 3, 1993 - Midday’s Gary Eichten interviews Ron Libertus, advocate and expert in American Indian art & culture, shares his insights on how Mille Lacs spearfishing during spawning season is an important part of native tradition. Libertus details the ties to cyclical nature, tribute, and spirituality.
May 8, 1993 - A reading from Native American author Louise Erdrich’s book "The Blue Jay's Dance: A Birth Year." Book is a meditation on the experience of motherhood - the first nonfiction work by Erdrich.
July 9, 1993 - MPR’s Liz Hannon interviews author Jim Northrup about his book, "Walking the Rez Road." Northup also speaks about oral tradition and the Vietnam War.