MPR Archive presents a collection of varied Native topics in and around Minnesota. Stories include interviews, commentary, events, speeches, documentaries, and reports.
September 8, 1989 - MPR’s Leif Enger Interviews students about their experiences at the Leech Lake's Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School, and educators on the need for the school.
September 8, 1989 - Mainstreet Radio’s John Biewen presents the documentary “Dancing on Beat: Portrait of a Reservation Family,” which follows the daily life of an Ojibwe family on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota. Following documentary, Midday’s Bob Potter interviews Mike Bongo, director of American Indian OIC in Minneapolis, about his thoughts about documentary.
September 27, 1989 - MPR Journal’s Gary Eichten talks with Betty Ann GreenCrow about controversy over use of Indian logo at Humboldt High School in St. Paul. GreenCrow states she is not opposed to Native American symbol when done in a respectful and communicative fashion. She also comments that other important issues should have a focus, such as Native American representation in the school staff and curriculum.
March 7, 1990 - MPR’s Euan Kerr profiles exhibit “Building Minnesota” at Walker Art Museum. The work was created by Native American sculptor Edgar Heap of Birds. Heap of Birds created 40 metal signs, which imitate the look and lettering of public street signs. On a white background, red letters bore “the names (in English and Dakota) of the 40 Dakota men, prisoners of war, who were hung by executive order for the role they played in the Dakota-U.S. conflicts of 1862 and 1865.”
May 14, 1990 - As part of a series on Bemidji race relations, Mainstreet Radio reporter Leif Enger looks at allegations of prejudice against Native Americans in Bemidji Police Department.
May 15, 1990 - As part of a series on Bemidji race relations, Mainstreet Radio reporter Leif Enger looks at the Bemidji Indian Employment Council, which helps Native Americans overcome job discrimination when looking for employment in the area.
May 16, 1990 - As part of a series on Bemidji race relations, Mainstreet Radio reporter Leif Enger looks at difficulties Native Americans face in finding housing.
May 17, 1990 - As part of a series on Bemidji race relations, Mainstreet Radio reporter Leif Enger focuses on Native American studies in the local school education curriculum.
May 18, 1990 - As part of a series on Bemidji race relations, Mainstreet Radio reporter Leif Enger talks with several individuals about how members of the Native American community and it’s supporters used a boycott to fight back against racism in the town of Bemidji.
May 29, 1990 - An MPR special documentary report titled, "Spearing on Lakes of Fire", narrated by Chris Tetlin. The report presents fishing debate over Chippewa Indian/U.S. Government treaty in northern Wisconsin. The controversy centers on walleyes, but there's much more at stake than fish.