MPR Archive presents a collection of varied Native topics in and around Minnesota. Stories include interviews, commentary, events, speeches, documentaries, and reports.
June 15, 1992 - MPR’s Stephen Smith reports on a mediation program focused specifically for Native Americans in Minnesota. The mediation panel consists of twelve 11 Elders trained to assist with courtroom alternative. Several local Indian organizations banded together to create the council.
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.
July 26, 1993 - Mainstreet Radio’s Catherine Winter reports on the challenging year of rice harvesting, due to a season of flooding. The impact on the wild rice crops greatly affect some in the northern Minnesota communities, such as those of the Leech Lake Band of Chippewa, that use harvesting as a source of income and food.