MPR Archive presents a collection of varied Native topics in and around Minnesota. Stories include interviews, commentary, events, speeches, documentaries, and reports.
November 24, 1993 - MPR’s John Rabe talks with two Native Americans on their thoughts regarding a celebration of “giving of thanks” and their concept of joining for a mass service of various religious denominations.
January 31, 1994 - MPR’s Paula Schroeder interviews Native American author Louise Erdrich about her novel "The Bingo Palace." Erdrich talks of the complexity of gaming on tribal land.
April 12, 1994 - Native American environmentalist and writer Winona LaDuke speaks at the Woman's Club of Minneapolis on the difference between indigenous and industrial ways of thinking. She also discusses feminism, environmental racism and broken treaties.
July 7, 1994 - On this Mainstreet Radio feature, MPR’s Leif Enger profiles Native American rock artist Jake Reum. The Garrison musician talks about his musical journey that led to album release “Make Love Real.”
September 6, 1994 - MPR’s Leif Enger reports on White Earth Reservation tribe purchase of about 3,500 acres in attempt to reclaim land. Segment includes numerous interviews and views from tribal members and local Menominee county residents.
September 7, 1994 - MPR’s Leif Enger reports on The Tamarac Refuge area, and White Earth Reservation’s attempts to reclaim land for the Native American tribe. Segment includes numerous interviews and views from tribal members, wildlife management, politicians, and nearby Detroit Lake residents.
September 8, 1994 - MPR’s Dan Gunderson reports on restoring the Anishinabe land of White Earth. Both tribal government and a land recovery project are working to regain control of reservation lands.
November 17, 1994 - A Midday pledge drive hour, with a re-broadcast of the 1991 documentary by Steven Smith and Chris Julin about Indian boarding schools in the 19th century. “Learning the White People Way: A Documentary Essay on the History of Federal Indian Boarding Schools” is narrated and co-written by Ted Mahto, a Native American from the Red Lake band of Chippewa in northern Minnesota. Mahto reflects on his experience at boarding schools in Pipestone, Minnesota and Flandreau, South Dakota.
November 22, 1994 - MPR's Stephen Smith prepared this documentary, "Song Catcher, Frances Densmore of Red Wing" about Frances Densmore, a Minnesota music teacher who set out to capture disappearing Indian songs. She is said to be a pioneering anthropologist in preserving American Indian music.
December 28, 1994 - MPR’s Joelle Audette profiles Native American enivironmentalist activist Winona LaDuke, who is involved in a land recovery project for the White Earth Indian Reservation. Report includes interview with LaDuke on her various activities.