MPR Archive presents a collection of varied Native topics in and around Minnesota. Stories include interviews, commentary, events, speeches, documentaries, and reports.
April 9, 1980 - While on a tour of the upper Midwest, Twelve Moons Storytellers Gayle Ross and Liz Ollis, join MPR's Rich Dietman in studio in St. Paul to tell several Appalachian, Native American, and other stories. The duo talk about different kinds of stories, how to tell them, and answer listener questions about stories.
May 21, 1980 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on opening of first American Indian Opportunities Industrialization Center scheduled to open in Minneapolis. Olson interviews Clyde Bellecourt, former American Indian movement activist and one of the founders of the Indian-controlled survival schools in the Twin Cities.
August 12, 1982 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on fight to keep open Little Earth, a housing project of 212 units of relatively inexpensive housing located at Franklin and Cedar in Minneapolis. It is also one of the centers of the Minneapolis Indian community. Report includes commentary from Little Earth board member Clyde Bellecourt and Minneapolis Mayor Don Fraser.
August 25, 1983 - MPR’s John Ragsdale reports on Heart of the Earth Survival School for Native American Indians in Minneapolis. Laura Wittstock, Heart of the Earth administrator; and Hilda Erickson, curriculum director, speak about the school’s pupose.
November 22, 1984 - MPR’s Doug Hamilton interviews Ron Libertus, of the Ojibwe Nation, on his thoughts on Indian studies and Thanksgiving. Libertus discusses the concept of “giving thanks.”
August 28, 1985 - Jerry Cassidy examines issues of Indian hunting and fishing rights in his documentary "American Indians in the 1980s: New Struggles for Old Rights." Program includes numerous interviews and commentary on treaty rights.
January 8, 1986 - MPR’s Tom Meersman reports on members of White Earth tribe that held press conference protesting current legislative action regarding land disputes between tribes, private land owners, and the government.
June 16, 1986 - MPR’s Tom Meersman reports on graduation of Minnesota police candidates. Of the group, one is a Native American woman; another, the first Hmong police officer.
December 8, 1986 - MPR’s Euan Kerr reports on Neighborhood Housing, AIM, and Guardian Angel patrols in Minneapolis neighborhoods. Report includes comments from Louise James, president of Northside Neighborhood Residents Council; Tony Bouza, Minneapolis police chief; and Bill Means, International Indian Treaty Council member.
October 1, 1987 - MPR’s John Biewen produced the very first report of Mainstreet Radio. Biewen visits the southern Minnesota town of Good Thunder, where artist Ta-coumba Aiken was commissioned to create a massive mural along the grain elevator in town. The hope is it will help in keeping Good Thunder on the map.