Preserving boarding school stories, grinding down barriers, and "Aunties Acting Up"
VNN Weekly Digest March 18-24
Here’s a look at the week’s top stories:
Oral History Project preserving voices of Native boarding school survivors
(OKLAHOMA) It is a dark history that still impacts many families across Oklahoma and the rest of the United States. Between 1819 and the 1970’s, tens of thousands of Native American children were removed from their families and cultures and forced to attend boarding schools. According to the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS), more than 523 Boarding Schools for Native American children were government funded. Abuse and efforts to abolish Native American cultures led to lifelong and generational trauma for Native communities.
Not Your Average Joe: Grinding down barriers one cup at a time
(OKLAHOMA) According to recent studies, Americans drink coffee more than any other beverage, even water. For many, coffee is more than just a beverage. It’s an extra push to get out of bed in the morning, a conduit for interpersonal communication, and a helping hand to make it through an extended workday. At Not Your Average Joe’s six locations across Oklahoma, including one right here in Broken Arrow, the award-winning coffee chain creates a space for people with disabilities to work and thrive.
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Indigenous Women Comedy Show Making Waves at The Vanguard Once Again
(OKLAHOMA) - Aunties Acting Up: Vol. II is set to hit the stage at The Vanguard this Saturday at 8 PM. The lineup features six female Indigenous comedians: Jordan Jayi, Nathalie Standingcloud, Kels Cooper, Natasha Ferndinad, Rachel Rose, and Julie Make, as well as a special appearance by Ken Pomeroy.
NATIVE COMMERCE NEWS
Native woman-owned and led contracting business defies odds with nationwide success
Native Commerce News is sponsored by the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma (AICCO), dedicated to expanding Indian Country commerce across the globe.
(OKLAHOMA) Construction. Across the country, it is a field dominated by male ownership and powered by a predominantly male workforce. According to a recent report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women in construction make up just 1.25 percent of the total workforce, a mere 10.8 percent of all construction workers nationwide. Native American construction workers make up a fraction of a percent. Those numbers make MIA General Contracting, both Native woman-owned and Native-led, a rarity.
WEATHER ACROSS AMERICA
(NATIONAL) A Significant Winter Storm across parts of the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, a Sight Risk of excessive rainfall over parts of the Middle/Lower Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys, and an Enhanced Risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Central/Southern Plains and the Lower Mississippi Valley.
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