Indian Times: Part 2 of a Conversation with Suzan Shown Harjo (Jan 12, 2013)

Suzan Shown Harjo has long worked for the rights of Native Americans and worked with politicians to influence policy.  She’s been behind some of the most important laws that protect native rights, arts, culture and language.  And she’s a columnist for Indian Country Today Media Network.  For the end of 2012 she had written a column titled The Hall of Shame and Fame, a list pertaining to who helps, and who doesn’t help, Indian Country.  We covered the presidential candidates and President Obama last weekend, this week we go back to the conversation and the fact that there’s been trouble with getting Congress to pass the Violence Against Women Act, especially as it pertains to native women, who suffer more rapes,  abuse and murder than any other ethnic group…But Harjo had some good words for Tom Cole…as well as author Louise Erdrich and her new book, “The Round House” and Oklahoman, native filmmaker Sterlin Harjo and his documentary on the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in Alabama.  They are in a dispute with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma over desecration of sacred lands by the Poarch.

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