Leonard Peltier granted a full paraole hearing

Leonard Peltier is getting his first full parole hearing in 15 years. I will be shocked if he is freed against the wishes of the FBI, but very happy. Read more about the news here and about Peltier’s fight here and here.

Have you heard Robbie Robertson’s song, “Sacrifice?” It’s about the sacrifice Peltier has made and incorporates soundbites of Peltier speaking over the phone from inside prison. I used to love this song as a kid. It’s been a while since I’ve heard it. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it too. Support the movement…spread the word…get involved.

Sacrifice by Robbie Robertson

President Obama aims to inspire young people as the new school year begins

Obama will be delivering the annual Presidential Back-to-School address via webcast tomorrow at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia which will be shown in some schools across the country. You can read the text of his speech beforehand by clicking the link below. (It’s definitely worth a read! But, really, would you expect anything less from this eloquent wordsmith?)

Here’s a passage that really spoke to me:

Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up. No one’s written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future.
That’s what young people like you are doing every day, all across America.
[…]
These people succeeded because they understand that you can’t let your failures define you – you have to let them teach you. You have to let them show you what to do differently next time.

Read the entire speech at the Wall Street Journal online.

World of Fashion Mourns the Loss of Renowned Designer Alexander McQueen

LONDON, ENGLAND – Readers of this blog will probably be curious to know why I am writing about fashion – a topic rarely discussed at NativeJournalist.com. When I heard the news this morning that fashion designer Alexander McQueen died of an apparent suicide I felt I had to blog about it. While I am a self-proclaimed shop-a-holic (yes, sadly it’s true), I would normally choose to leave fashion news for my new (and upcoming) blog – plug coming soon – and let this blog continue to touch upon more “hard-hitting” issues (most of the time). However, what struck me about this event is that McQueen took his own life. This is something Native people know much too personally as the rates of suicide within the Native American community are about 1.5 times higher than US national rates.

Many will agree that McQueen was a genius. His designs were dark, shocking, and and always pushed the envelope. His creativity and willingness to take artistic risks will be greatly missed. R.I.P. Alexander McQueen.

If you or someone you know might be considering committing suicide, please seek help. Trained counselors at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline are available 24/7: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). A call to them is free and confidential and they have a nationwide network of crisis centers.

Tough times will come and go and I know it can be hard, but keep on holding on. Your life is a gift, not just to you, but to the world. Remind yourself that you are loved and that you can make a positive impact. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Reach out and just keep holding on, things will get better. We need you! <3

Michael Steele Cancels NABJ Appearance Last Minute

SAN DIEGO, CA –

I was shocked not really that surprised to see that RNC Chairman, Michael Steele, was not going to be at this afternoons’s plenary. After spending the early part of my day attending one workshop after another and spending what seemed like forever in the career fair, I really wanted to skip the event altogether and take a nap. But I had a nagging feeling that some sort of drama would ensue – and I wouldn’t miss that for the world! I thought it rather funny (ironic) that Steele backed out and almost hilarious that his people attributed his absence to “food poisoning.” Come on…really?? Give me a break!

Check out the press release NABJ just sent out below:

Michael Steele, RNC Chairman Cancels NABJ Appearance

July 30, 2010 – San Diego, CA – National Association of Black Journalists Convention Convention Chair, Elise Durham was informed by Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele’s advance team earlier that Michael Steele was cancelling his panel discussion scheduled for 4:00 p.m. today because of food poisoning.

The RNC statement reads, “While traveling out West the Chairman came down with a bad case of food poisoning. He is disappointed to miss the opportunity to take part in this valuable dialogue and looks forward to engaging with NABJ in the very near future.”

Steele was scheduled to appear at NABJ one day after former USDA Regional Rural Director Shirley Sherrod indicated that she will take legal action against conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart, who she said caused her to lose her job. Sherrod, who appeared before hundreds of journalists at the NABJ Convention yesterday, was forced to resign after Breitbart posted a video excerpt of a speech she gave to the NAACP and accused her being a racist.

Steele is scheduled to appear at a RNC fundraiser with Breitbart in California next month.

When asked by Durham if there was any relationship between his cancellation and the fundraiser, Special Assistant to the Chairman, Joey Smith said, “We don’t comment on our finance events and never have.”

This begs the question, “Is Steele really suffering from food poisoning or is he trying to avoid speaking to a room full of hungry journalists waiting to pick him apart?”

Hmm…

Artist Profile: Traditional Native American and R&B Singer, Mother and Activist – Kyra Climbingbear

This is just a short glimpse into the life of Kyra Climbingbear, an urban Indian living in New Jersey.

She is Eastern Band Cherokee and Lumbee and Black, is a singer and an activist. Climbingbear is the mother of two small girls and is an R&B and traditional Cherokee music singer.

To learn more about Kyra visit her website.

For more about the producer and editor of the video visitAmyStretten.com

Note: I apologize for the rough introduction. I will be refining this video shortly. Please check back for a new and improved version soon!

Watch CUNY-TV’s “219 West” next week!

Hello to all of my loyal followers!

My apologies for the lack of content onNativeJournalist.comover the past several months! I have been very busy, as you may know, studying at the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism. I have spent nearly every waking moment producing news packages for both TV and radio, photo slide shows, and print articles for each of my classes. I have tried to keep you in the loop by tweeting (@amystretten) news I wish I had time to blog about, checking in on Foursquare (@amystretten) everywhere of interest that I visit, and have recently created a “clips” section for my published work and a “work samples” section to show the work I have most recently produced (here onfusiontook.blogspot.com).

I am happy to announce that I will be hosting April’s episode of “219 West,” CUNY-TV’s news magazine show which will air next Wednesday, 4/13 (on TWC Ch. 75) at 10am, 3pm, and 11pm. It will air again on 4/16 at 8pm and 4/17 at 10am. I will be introducing various news stories throughout the show and will be interviewing Elizabeth McGann, the Well-Being Ninja, a holistic health coach based in New York City, about how we can all live balanced lives on a budget.

For those who live outside of New York City, I will post a link to the episode so you can view it online as soon as it is made available.

Thank you everyone for all of your support thus far!

Being given the opportunity to host this program was a dream come true. It feels so good to be doing what I’ve always wanted to!

Job Opening with the Association on American Indian Affairs

Attention job hunters!

The Association on American Indian Affairs is looking for a Development Officer!  The position is part time (28 hours/week) and the location is negotiable.

Those who apply before April 10th will be given priority consideration, but AAIA will accept applications until the position is filled.

AAIA is an amazing 

Development Officer (PT position) - If interested, please contact AAIA:general.aaia@verizon.net

AAIA is an amazing organization and offers scholarships and other assistance to Native communities.  According to their website, “The mission of the AAIA, is to promote the welfare of American Indians and Alaska Natives by supporting efforts to: sustain and perpetuate their cultures and languages; protect their sovereignty, constitutional, legal and human rights, and natural resources; and improve their health, education, and economic and community development.”

Please spread the word about this incredible opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the Native American community, while earning an income, too!