ICYMI: I’m Featured in Slate’s ‘2014 Year of Outrage’

Slate recently published a pretty remarkable round-up of this year’s outrage. Why is it remarkable? Because every day there was something to be pissed about. From Chris Christie’s “Bridgegate” to released photos of Kate Middleton’s bare bottom, Twitter was ablaze with fiery tweets in 2014 and Slate has chronicled it all.

Thanks to my friend and fellow journalist, Lindsey Anderson, I found out that I made the cut!

@amystretten Did you see your tweet is in Slate's "Year of Outrage"? June 4 on Pharrell and the headress: http://t.co/9kqB5ylU64

— Lindsey Anderson (@L_M_Anderson) December 18, 2014

When I saw Pharell (who I have met IRL and am actually a big fan of) wearing a headdress on the cover of Elle UK magazine, you know I had to say something. And, apparently Slate took note and shared my tweet.

Despite all of the many times celebrities have been shamed for cultural appropriation faux pas, it seems the controversy surrounding Native American headdresses and cultural appropriation lives on. Nicki Minaj recently shared a photo of herself topless and wearing a headdress (that may or may not be a Native American one) to announce her upcoming tour. (Le sigh…)

For more of my “outrage” in 2015 and beyond, follow me on twitter @amystretten.

-NativeJournalist

Recap: “Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices” – U.N. Panel

We held an interesting panel discussion called, “Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices,” last week at the United Nations to commemorate International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and brought together Indigenous journalists who share news for, by and about their communities from their corner of the world.

In case you missed the interactive panel discussion,  here’s the video:

Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices

Screenshot of of the LIVE webcast of “Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices” organized by the United Nations Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

The panelists were: Nils Johan Heatta, Chairman of the World Indigenous Television Broadcasters Network; J. Kehaulani Kauanui, a professor at Wesleyan University and radio producer; and Angel Tibán Guala, Director of the television of Movimiento Indígena Campesino de Cotopaxi (TV MICC).

Our expert discussants were: Monika Ille – Director of Programming, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Canada; Keoni Lee – General Manager, ‘Ōiwi TV, Hawai’i; Emil Her Many Horses (Ogala Lakota, United States), National Museum of the American Indian, “Our voices on the Air : Reaching new audiences through indigenous radio”

And, we screened videos from: Komi Television (Russian Federation); TV MICC (Ecuador); Indigenous Information Network (Kenya); DJ Atama Katama (Malaysia)

I was thrilled that there was tons of buzz on Twitter and Facebook about the day and the panel itself, especially given the significance social media has in enabling every day people to share news that is important to them without the costs required for a broadcast TV studio or radio station.

I really thought I’d be nervous moderating the panel (which lasted nearly 4 1/2hours!), but I wasn’t.  I felt really comfortable sitting on stage, leading the conversation and soliciting questions from the audience.

The highlight of the day was getting to meet U.N. Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon!  Aside from providing a poignant address, he took a great photo!

Amy Stretten with United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.

Another fun moment was the interview I did before the panel with a Slovenian radio station:

Radio Student FM 98.3 “Staroselci Na Twitterju”

While I have no idea what is being said (aside from my interspersed sound bites), it’s a pretty interesting listen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you happen to catch the panel discussion?  If so, please let me know what you thought about it in the comments section below!

Let’s keep the conversation surrounding Indigenous media going!  Feel free to tweet me @AmyStretten.

Have a great day!

-NativeJournalist

Happy International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples!

I am thrilled to share some really exciting news with you today!  I was asked a few weeks ago by the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to moderate an interactive panel discussion taking place this afternoon called “Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices” in commemoration of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

The program will take place at the United Nations HQ in New York City and begins at 2:30pm ET and concludes at 6:00pm.  I will begin moderating at around 3:40pm (after the Secretary General gives his opening remarks). 

At around 3:35pm, after brief remarks from Ban Ki-moon (UN Secretary General), Wu Hongo (Under Secretary General/DESA) and Grand Chief Ed John (Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues), I will lead the interactive panel discussion.

If I said I’m not nervous, I would be lying!  The program will be broadcasted LIVE on UNTV and on the web.  (I heard UN Radio might broadcast it, too, but I am not positive on this.)  My mantra for today is: “I can do this…I can do this!”  (Because, you know what, I can!…and will.  I have no choice at this point. lol)

If you would like to watch the dialogue LIVE, you can watch it here: http://webtv.un.org/ or in the viewer below:

[brightcove vid=1571671822001&exp3=1613589742001&surl=http://c.brightcove.com/services&pubid=1362235914001&pk=AQ~~,AAABPSuWdxE~,UHaNXUUB06UyR-VN7Xc3JTqRSSQh-p7W&w=300&h=225]

If you have any comments or would like to ask a question, please tweet using #UNIndigenousDay.  If there is time, we will address your comment/question during our Q&A at the end.

Below is a program for the day:

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 9 August 2012*

2:30pm – 6:00pm, ECOSOC Chamber, UNHQ

“Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices” Programme of Activities

(2:30pm) Screening of “Voices through time” by Chirapaq (Peru)

********* (3:00pm) Traditional welcome by the Chairperson of the NGO Committee on the International Decade

of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Roberto Múcaro Borrero (Taíno, Puerto Rico) Message of the Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon

Remarks of the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and Coordinator of the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Wu Hongbo

Remarks of the Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Grand Chief Edward John (Tl’azt’en, Canada)

*********

(3:30pm) INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE

Panelists:

Kenneth Deer (Mohawk, Canada), The Eastern Door

Lily Valtchanova, Cultural Affairs Officer, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

Nils Johan Heatta (Sápmi, Norway), Chairman, World Indigenous Television Broadcasters Network

Professor J. Kehaulani Kauanui (Kanaka Maoli, Hawaii), Center for the Americas, Wesleyan University

Angel Tibán Guala (Kichwa, Ecuador), Director, TV MICC

Discussants: Monika Ille – Director of Programming, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Canada

Keoni Lee – General Manager, ‘Ōiwi TV, Hawai’I Emil Her Many Horses (Ogala Lakota, United States), National Museum of the American Indian,

« Our voices on the Air : Reaching new audiences through indigenous radio »

Short clips and videos will be screened between the presentations:

Komi Television, Russian Federation TV MICC, Ecuador Mr. Atama Katama, Malaysia

A question and answer session will follow.

Closing remarks by Roberto Múcaro Borrero (Taíno, Puerto Rico), Chairperson of the NGO Committee on the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

Moderated by Amy Stretten (Chickahominy, United States), Founder/Editor, NativeRemix.com

Organized by the Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues DSPD/DESA, the United Nations Department of Public Information and the NGO Committee on the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

(Programme subject to change)

On Twitter, use #UNIndigenousDay for regular updates and for sending your questions to panel members

*The International Day of the World’ s Indigenous Peoples is officially commemorated on 9 August annually in recognition of the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations in Geneva in 1982.

 

Also, I had an interview with a radio program in Slovenia this morning and earlier this week did an interview with the UN Press office.  I am really excited to know that Indigenous issues and the topic of Indigenous voices in media will be buzzing around today!
Feel free to tweet me @AmyStretten with any thoughts you have during/after the discussion!

Thank you all so very much for your support!

Amy Stretten – NativeJournalist

Your Native Valentine

Here’s a little Native Love for you from Dallas Goldtooth of the 1491s.

I hope you watch this video and know that someone is thinking of you and loves you very much!

“This is a short video showing love and recognition to all Native women in our lives. They are the carriers of our culture, the keepers of the flame. We love them beyond all possibility. We cherish them Indian girls.

They [are] our buddies. our loves. our morning. our moon. our past. We love you ladies.”

xoxo
-NativeJournalist

My first day at APTN!

APTN headquarters in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba

I landed in Winnipeg early this morning, about 10 hours after I was supposed to thanks to issues with United Airlines [groan].  As you may have seen in my tweets yesterday, United was canceling, rescheduling and even booting people off of flights left and right!  One flight was supposed to seat 50 passengers, but the gate agents made an announcement saying they could only take 22! 

So, as you can imagine, I was happy to have finally touched down in Canada, though it was the next day and I had only had 3hrs of sleep the night before!

Because I didn’t have as much time as I would have liked (none at all, actually), to check out the town and figure out the bus route to my internship, I called a cab. 

$20CAN later and I arrived at the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network office in downtown Winnipeg.

Thus far things have been great!  Everyone is beyond friendly and equally excited about my being here (especially when they hear from my supervisor that I turned down 4 summer internship offers from CNN to work here…how did she find that out?!), which is nice.  🙂

I’m looking forward to giving you more updates and content as the summer goes on.  Keep checking back…or just subscribe!  🙂

-NativeJournalist

Good News and Updates!

The semester is finally drawing to a close, which means I am 2/3 of the way done with grad school!  This final week of classes will either make or break me, as I have a tremendous amount of work to complete before the Summer begins.

However, I have great news!  I recently found out that I am one of eight winners of the UNITY: Journalists of Color / United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 2011 Global Reporting Fellowship!  Here is some information about this amazing opportunity:

UNITY: Journalists of Color is teaming up with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) to offer unique international reporting opportunities to young journalists from its alliance partners.

The June 8-10 UN High-Level meeting on AIDS will be among the most important to take place in recent years around AIDS issues where world leaders will take stock of global response after 30 years and remember the human toll of the epidemic – the 25 million people who have died of AIDS. The leaders also will renew commitments and agree on innovative strategies to achieve a world free of HIV infections, AIDS-related deaths and stigma of discrimination.

The meeting will feature speeches by global leaders, including the Secretary General, presidents and royalty. There will also be performances by popular musicians.

The gathering presents an excellent opportunity for young journalists interested in honing their skills in international affairs, especially at a time when many news organizations in the United States are reducing international reporting.

UNITY will bring two young journalists from each partner organization to the United Nations from June 6 – 11 to report on the High Level meeting. They will be joined by four young journalists from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. The journalists will work collaboratively to produce print, online and broadcast reports during the meeting under the guidance of professional journalists from alliance partners and the Inter Press Service, the developing world’s leading provider of information on global issues.

I am so excited to begin this amazing experience and can’t wait to meet the other participants, mentors, and diplomats!

In other news, I am also thrilled to announce that I will be interning at the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network in Winnipeg, Canada this summer!  I was fortunate to receive internship offers at two other U.S. news organizations that were incredibly hard to turn down.  (Seriously though, you have no idea!)  But, I am the “Native Journalist” and aside from choosing the international reporting concentration at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism (which means I am required to intern at a news organization outside of the U.S.), I also feel like this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see what life is like for our Indigenous brothers and sisters up north. I am really excited to be working beside seasoned professionals who have dedicated their careers to telling under-reported stories for and about Native people.

Another reason for choosing to spend the summer at APTN in Winnipeg is to begin working on my capstone project.  At CUNY we are required to complete a major print/multi-media/broadcast/etc. project (like a thesis) in our final semester (in addition to the work required for our four classes).  So, to lighten my load and allow for a possible Fall internship (at the anonymous “dream” news organization I turned down), I thought it would be a great idea to start shooting this summer!

The idea for this project came from an interview I conducted with Tonya Gonnella Frichner about her work with the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.  In the interview she mentioned the high number of Aboriginal women and girls who have been murdered and gone missing from all parts of Indian Country.  Specifically, how sex trafficking is hurting the Indigenous community in Canada.

Since this conversation, I have done a great deal of research into this issue and would like to make this my focus of my capstone.  The other day I came across the below video.  I would like to do something in a similar vein.  Check it out.  It’s hard to watch, but it is my hope that creating a piece like this will call attention to this important issue.

-NativeJournalist

Documentary explores Native perspective on health care

Rich-Heape Films, the creators of the documentary “Our Spirits Don’t speak English: Indian Boarding School” (a Native American perspective on Indian Boarding Schools) are working on a new project about health care and Native Americans. It is tittled “AMERICAN INDIAN HEALTHCARE: A NATIVE PROSPECTIVE”.

Check out the teaser…

From the Rich-Heape Films website:

“AMERICAN INDIAN HEALTHCARE: A NATIVE PROSPECTIVE”
Now in production!

Rich-Heape Films, Inc. proudly announces their latest documentary, “American Indian Healthcare: A Native Prospective” will be released soon and we are making the following trailer for your review.

On camera presentation by Peter Coyote

Featuring: Ben Night Horse Campbell -Tim Giago – President Theresa Two Bulls – Principal Chief Chad Smith

If you have any questions, comments, would like to pre-order the DVD or just discuss the film, please feel free to contact us to be alerted to the Summer 2010 Release of “AMERICAN INDIAN HEALTHCARE: A NATIVE PROSPECTIVE.” Running time 60 min feature length documentary

Pre Order: “AMERICAN INDIAN HEALTHCARE: A NATIVE PROSPECTIVE”

Rich-Heape Films, Inc. heape@richheape.com
Toll Free: 1-888-600-2922
Or: 1-214-696-6916

Address:
Rich-Heape Films, Inc.
5952 Royal Lane, Suite 254,
Dallas, Texas 75230

Cost:
DVD with Public Performance Rights $149.95 + $6.95 S&H.
DVD without Public Performance Rights $29.95 + $6.95 S&H

This is the same film and production company that created “Black Indians: An American Story” (as seen on ABC) which “brings to light a forgotten part of Americans past – the cultural and racial fusion of Native and African Americans.” “Black Indians” is narrated by James Earl Jones. It’s a fabulous documentary that I saw back in college. The subject is very near and dear to my heart. “Black Indians” has won the following awards and recognition:

Award of Distinction, Indian Summer Festival
Cine Golden Eagle
Communicator Award
Best Documentary, Native American Music Awards
Aurora Gold Award
Bare Bones Intl. Film Festival Award – Best Documentary
Silver OMNI International Award
Aurora Gold Award
The New York Festivals
Cinevue International Film & Video Competition – Best Documentary
Worldfest Houston – Gold Special Jury Award
Gold Catalyst Award

I hope you will support Rich-Heape Films and check out their newest documentary!

…And if you’re reading this Steven R. Heape or Chip Richie, please get in touch with me…I would really like to collaborate!

-NativeJournalist

(Native American) Immigration Law Enforcement

If you haven’t seen this video yet, you really need to take a minute and check it out. It’s so well made and shows the other perspective on the “illegal” undocumented immigrants issue.

If you’re originally from Europe, let me see YOUR papers. You’re being deported for coming here illegally! I know we may not be able to catch all of you, but we can certainly kick most of you out! (And enough with the breeding!)

-NativeJournalist

8th Annual Mount Sinai Global Health Conference Focuses on Indigenous Communities

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – I will be attending this year’s 8th Annual Mount Sinai Global Indigenous Health Conference in New York City this weekend. I’m really looking forward to Friday evenings movie screening. See below for more information! If you’re in New York this week, I highly suggest that you register and attend. This should be a not-to-be-missed event! See you there! -NativeJournalist

There are an estimated 370 million indigenous peoples living in more than 70 countries worldwide. They represent a rich diversity of cultures, religions, traditions, languages and histories; yet continue to be among the world's most marginalized population groups. -Mount Sinai Global Health Conference

From the organizer’s website:
Indigenous people represent a rich diversity of cultures, religions, traditions, languages and histories; yet continue to be among the world’s most marginalized population groups.

Indigenous peoples remain on the margins of society: they are poorer, less educated, die at a younger age, are much more likely to commit suicide, and are generally in worse health than the rest of the population (The Indigenous World 2006, International Working Group on Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), ECOSOC Consultative Status)

Few have been more marginalized and ignored by Washington for as long as Native Americans, our first Americans…I know what it means to feel ignored and forgotten, and what it means to struggle, so you will not be forgotten as long as I’m in this White House. (President Barack Obama, White House Tribal Nations Conference, Nov. 2009)

The next annual Mount Sinai Global Health Conference will showcase a range of indigenous health issues… register today and join other students, physicians, academics, activists, and community members to learn more about the critical health issues facing indigenous groups both here in the United States and across the globe.

The response to this year’s conference has been [overwhelmingly] positive. Since we are expecting a larger than expected number of attendees, we have changed the location of the conference to the Stern Auditorium, located at 1468 Madison Avenue @ 100th Street.

The conference takes place February 26-27, 2010.

Events:

Friday, 2/26 @6:30pm Screening of “The Battle for Whiteclay” (Awarded Best Political Documentary at the 2009 New York International Independent Film Festival) and discussion with the filmmakers, Mark Vasina and Frank LaMere

Saturday, 2/27:

9:00am Conference Sign-in
10am Speaker Presentation: Steven Donziger, Aguida vs. ChevronTexaco, Ecuador
11:00am Speaker Presentation: Ricardo Palma, Xingu Indian Park, Brazil
12:00pm Complimentary Lunch/ Poster Session
1:00pm Speaker Presentation: Cynthia Lindquist, Spirit Lake Dakota Reservation
2:00pm Small Group Discussions
3:00pm Keynote Speaker: Winona LaDuke, White Earth Land Recovery Project
4:00pm Closing Remarks

According to the website, after attending this conference, participants should be able to:
* Define and discuss the meaning of the term, Indigenous
* Identify the major health problems of indigenous populations.
* Examine the major difficulties, trends and factors that affect Indigenous Health
* Recognize the importance for all health professionals to respect Indigenous knowledge
* Recognize the importance of community participation in Indigenous health services, and the need for inclusion of Indigenous peoples onto the international health and development agenda

For more information, click here.

Families USA Health Care Conference Accounced for January 27, 2010!

Families USA Health Action 2010

WASHINGTON, DC – From that organization that holds the annual Minority Health Care Journalism Training Conference comes Health Action 2010. According to Families USA,

At this conference you’ll:

* Hear powerful speeches from national leaders and the Administration
* Learn more about the legislation, implementation timelines, and next steps for states
* Share field strategies and strengthen your core advocacy capacities
* Network with state and local consumer health advocates from across the country
* Enjoy the political satire of the Capitol Steps and have fun!

Who Should Come:

Progressive health advocates and people representing diverse constituencies—seniors, children, communities of color, labor, religious communities, people with disabilities, immigrants—concerned about health reform.

Health Action 2010 begins with a Welcome Reception on Wednesday, January 27, from 7-10pm. The conference officially opens on Thursday, January 28, at 9am and ends on Saturday, January 30, at 2:30pm. There is a Special Early Bird Registration of $395 available until Thursday, December 31. After that, registration is $445. This fee includes three continental breakfasts, 3 lunches, afternoon snacks, music and political satire by The Capitol Steps, a thumb drive chock full of resources—and a great meeting of like-minded people, working for justice and health care for all of us. The conference is being held at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

The conference is right around the corner, so if you’re interested I suggest you visit their website and register right away! Families USA held a superb journalism training conference on Minority Health Care back in October of this year and I heard through the grapevine that there will be a lecture on American Indian health at Health Action 2010, so you know I’ll be there! 😉

-NativeJournalist