Today we are celebrating Indigenous People's Day on KAXE/KBXE through conversations and music. This morning we talked with psychology professor Dr. John Gonzalez from BSU. He's one of the speakers today at the American Indian Resource Center for Indigineous People's Day At Bemidji State University. His talk is “Is My Healthcare Making Me Sick? Microaggressions in American Indian Healthcare.”
Schedule: 9:30 a.m. – Welcome Song; welcome by Bill Blackwell Jr., executive director of the AIRC. 10 – 11 a.m. – Ms. Veronica Veaux, assistant professor of business administration; “Characteristics of Successful Native American Businesses and Leadership, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Business World.” 11 a.m. – noon – Dr. Vivian Delgado, assistant professor of languages and ethnic studies; “Treaty Conferences: Traditions, Purposes and Attendees.” 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Lunch provided by the AIRC 12:15 – 1 p.m. – Dr. Anton Treuer, professor of languages and ethnic studies; “Rethinking Columbus: Re-examining the History and Legacy of Christopher Columbus.” 1 – 2 p.m. – Dr. John Gonzalez, professor of psychology; “Is My Healthcare Making Me Sick? Microaggressions in American Indian Healthcare.” 2-3 p.m. – Dr. Nicky Michael, assistant professor of indigenous studies, “Treaties 101 – A step-by-step presentation on Treaty Responsibilities.”
Also joining us this morning was Grand Rapids Human Rights Commissioner Karen Noyce. The City of Grand Rapids was one of the first in the state to officially change Christopher Columbus Day to Indigenous People's Day. Karen tells us why.
The celebration at the Grand Rapids Area Library:
Monday, October 8 6:30 pm - Refreshments provided by Friends of the Library. 7:00 – 8:30 pm – Celebration begins with a welcome by Human Rights Commission Chair Alice Moren, Reading of Resolution by Mayor Dale Adams, Program by Commissioners Karen Noyces, Deanna Ensley, past Commissioner Becky LaPlant and a word from Arts and Culture Commissioner Kayla Aubid 8:30 pm - Closing – Commissioner Moren
We also took time to remember our friend Larry Aitken who passed away last week. The Bemidji Pioneer wrote "He blazed a trail for American Indian educators and leaders who have gone on to earn well-regarded positions in Minnesota and Bemidji-area academia and higher education. He helped establish the Leech Lake Tribal College, which now boasts nearly 1,000 graduates, and the University of Minnesota Duluth's American Indian Learning Resource Center, a progenitor for the American Indian Resource Center at Bemidji State University."
And, in addition to all of this - Kari Hedlund will be your host for mixtape at 2 and 10pm - your favorite Native Artists in celebration of Indigenous People's Day.