The Boxcar Joe Show

Native Podcast

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To my loyal subscribers,

I want to use this week’s editorial space as a chance to highlight the BoxCar Joe Podcast once again. Last week I wrote up a nice feature on his Podcast in our news section, but wanted to place it front and center for one more week.

“You can’t say you support Natives if you don’t actually go and support them.”

So please, take a few minutes out of your week and do so. He’s working extremely hard to tell his stories and deserves our support.

Thank you.

In his own words.

This channel is dedicated to mining the jewels out of our human experiences. Through storytelling and social commentary The Boxcar Joe Show explores questions of self.

 Each story is an experience that contributes to the development of who we are. Drawing from personal life experiences and external sources The Boxcar Joe Show hopes to challenge, provoke, question, and entertain. We leave room for you, the listener to milk whatever meaning benefits you in this journey called life. Our hope is that you find value as we peel back the curtains and reveal the stories and question that make our lives unique.

My Take.

From my perspective, it’s what my older brother and his generation went through for the most part. Listening to these stories for me, takes me back to a much simpler time when family was really all we had and life was a lot more dangerous.

I love the references, the sound effects and the background music in each of his episodes. These theatrical components really bring the stories to life. If you’re looking for genuine modern day storytelling from a Native man, then look no further, Boxcar Joe has you covered.

The following list are the episodes currently available. I enjoyed each and every one of them. Upon listening, I’m sure you’ll agree they all bring something unique to the world.

The Ecstasy of Humiliation, Do You Believe, The Coach and the Scum, Elephants and Men, Still Here, Still fighting, Still Indian.

My favorite happens to be Still Here, Still fighting, Still Indian. It discusses a tactic that’s viewed as sort of a Native Camouflage. It was the act of being a drunk as to be seen as not being a threat. The past generation wasn’t willing to assimilate so they had to pretend to drunks or face imminent death.

Heartbreaking Stuff.

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Below is the newest and in my opinion the best episode of

The Boxcar Joe Show to date

Enjoy

As always, If you don’t know now you know, a Native!

Suicide Crisis amongst Natives needs attention Now!

Article via Newsweek

"Killers of the Flower Moon," Martin Scorsese's Oscars contender, tells the story of what became known as the "reign of terror" among the Osage people, as more than 60 Native Americans in Oklahoma were killed over land rights between 1918 and 1931.

 It is not only a tragic tale of greed and murder, but also one of abuse and neglect by a system that allowed the perpetrators to act.

 But there is a much more current crisis among Native Americans. In the last four years, there has been a 66 percent increase in firearms-related suicides.

 From 2019 through 2022, there was an overall increase of 11 percent in firearms related suicides across all racial groups, according to recent data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 That is shocking and represents an all-time high. The rates among Native Americans are six times the national rate, this highest of all groups for people under the age of 45.

Suicide is a complex problem stemming from issues like mental illness, social isolation, housing insecurity, unemployment, bullying, financial troubles, and substance abuse. Addressing these issues in Native America is even more involved because isolation, substance abuse, and other instabilities are inflected by culture, and the limited resources available—like the 988 suicide prevention line—are not culturally specific.

 In September 2023, the Biden administration awarded $230 million in funding to Health and Human Services to beef up suicide prevention efforts in at-risk communities. But not much of that money will see its way to Native America.

 Mental health care is difficult to access for many people, even those with insurance. You often must call for preapproval for a psychiatric evaluation or an insurance-limited number of therapy appointments. You can wait weeks or even months to be seen by a specialist.

 These access problems are heightened in Indian Country where the federal government chronically underfunds health care for Native Americans. According to the American Bar Association, the government would have to double its funding for Native health care to equal what it spends on health care just in prisons.

 As a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, I reached out to our tribe to find out what we are doing to address this crisis. "Native Americans have always been at higher risk for suicides and the Choctaw Nation has programs in place to help address this disparity," Shauna Humphreys, director of the Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority, told Newsweek.

The culturally-centric tribal health care clinics on the Oklahoma reservation screen patients for suicide risk, have mental health professionals in most reservation clinics, advocate for use of the national 988 hotline network, and are developing a Choctaw-staffed crisis response team that would allow Choctaws on the reservation to receive help from our own people who are more likely to understand our culture.

 The challenges are great, however. Many reservations are rural or remote, do not have access, or have minimal access to internet services that could help ameliorate the suicide risks by providing supporting resources like informational websites, telehealth, and connections to extended community.

 And many Native Americans, like me, were raised in urban environments with limited access to tribal services. In Saint Paul, Minnesota, at the Mino Oski Ain Dah Yung Center, mental health providers are leaning into community practices, like taking residents of the center through sweat lodge ceremonies to connect with culture. Solutions are possible.

According to the CDC report, communities and leaders need to invest resources to identify vulnerable people, strengthen social connections, and address underlying issues like substance abuse, economic insecurity, and housing insecurity.

 The tribes need to build out mental health infrastructure to not only create these services but also to sustain them. The 11 percent increase in funding during the COVID pandemic was necessary, but the rise in Native suicide demands immediate intervention.

 While the awards shows buzz around Scorsese's film, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Native American issues are entering into popular discourse. With the rise in Native-themed media, like "Reservation Dogs," and "Killers of the Flower Moon," these cultures and histories are reaching a wider audience. And this can be good news for Native Americans who have longed sought redress for the harms of colonization and genocide. Talking about these issues is good. But it is urgent to act in addressing and preventing suicide rates among Native Americans, because this is happening in real life, now.

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith - Salish

 Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, born in 1940, is a renowned Native artist whose visionary work has made an indelible mark on the world of contemporary art. Her paintings, prints, and mixed-media pieces are not only visually striking but also thought-provoking, serving as a bridge between cultures and a powerful means of expressing Tribal perspectives.

 Hailing from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation in Montana, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith's art is deeply rooted in her cultural heritage and a profound connection to the land. Her creative journey began at an early age, shaped by her grandmother's teachings and the rich tapestry of Native traditions.

 Smith's artistry defies easy categorization, as she masterfully blends traditional Native imagery with modernist abstraction and contemporary social commentary. Her works often explore themes of identity, history, colonization, and the intersection of cultures with the broader American experience.

 Throughout her career, she has been a tireless advocate for Native artists and Indigenous representation in the art world. She co-founded the "Flathead Reservation Art Association" to support emerging artists and served as a curator and educator, nurturing the talents of future generations.

 Her art has been featured in prestigious museums and galleries worldwide, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the Museum of Modern Art. Her groundbreaking exhibitions have challenged prevailing notions of Native art, helping to dismantle stereotypes and elevate Native voices.

One of her most celebrated works, "I See Red: Target," created in response to the controversial use of Native imagery in sports logos, underscores her role as a cultural critic. The piece incorporates traditional imagery with the iconic Target logo, provoking a dialogue about commercialization, commodification, and the power of visual symbolism.

 Beyond her artistic contributions, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith's dedication to social justice and cultural preservation is exemplary. She has been a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights, environmental protection, and education. Her activism, both within and beyond the art world, has made a lasting impact on Tribal communities and the broader society.

 In recognition of her significant contributions to the arts and her advocacy, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith has received numerous awards, including the Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters & Sculptors Grant and the New Mexico Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts.

 As a visionary artist and cultural ambassador, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith's life and work inspire us to embrace the complexities of history, identity, and the human experience. Her art is a testament to the enduring power of creativity and a reminder of the importance of honoring and preserving Indigenous cultures in a rapidly changing world.

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Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians

The Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians (Redwood Valley Rancheria) is a federally recognized Indian tribe located in Redwood Valley, Mendocino County, California. For several thousand years the Tribe’s ancestors lived along the West Fork of the Russian River, located north of Calpella, CA. The Tribe interacted with other Pomo tribes located within the Russian River watershed, the Eel River watershed, and tribes found along the coasts of the Clearlake and the Pacific Ocean.

 Much was lost with the advancement of European settlers before and after the California Goldrush.  In 1908 Redwood Valley Rancheria was established as a home for "Homeless Indians." However, In 1958 the United States Congress terminated Redwood Valley Rancheria and many other tribes by enacting the California Rancheria Termination Act. In 1983 this act was declared illegal as a result of the Tillie Hardwick, et al. v. United States of America, et al. Case. Redwood Valley Rancheria and many other rancherias had their tribal status restored.

 The Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians is a sovereign indian tribe with the powers of self-governance. Its tribal members elect a Tribal Council which acts as the governing body. The Council is authorized to write and enact ordinances and resolutions, conduct tribal business, and perform other actions that are commonly delegated to local governments.

​Today, Redwood Valley Rancheria has 159 acres of land in trust. It manages a wide array of social, educational, environmental and infrastructure programs. Click on the menu above to find out more about these programs.

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