Susan Soto, susan.soto@asu.edu
(480) 965-3506
May 10, 2005

‘Native Visions’ sheds light on issues facing Native Americans

What does the future hold for Native Americans in Arizona, and how will education and health care issues affect that future?

To help answer those questions, KAET-TV/Channel 8 has brought together heads of state, policy makers, community leaders, government officials and healers for a groundbreaking one-hour special titled “Native Visions.” Ivan Makil, past president of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, will be the host of the program.

“Native Visions” offers a perspective not often presented on broadcast television: Native American issues as seen by Arizona’s Native Americans. The production airs at 7 p.m., May 11, on KAET.

“We want to offer a strong voice in the mainstream media to speak intelligently about and for Arizona ’s Native American communities,” says Greg Giczi, KAET’s general manager. “It’s programs like ‘Native Visions’ that make me feel so fortunate to be a part of public television. This is a real opportunity to open a new dialogue for all Arizonans – and we are proud to provide the opportunity on Channel 8.”

The three segments will explore topics challenging all communities:

“Native American Sovereignty” – Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., talks with Makil about the origins of tribal self-governance, treaties and agreements – including the challenges and implications of Native American sovereignty today.

“Education” – As in cities and towns across Arizona, education is an issue that is challenging Native American communities. This segment includes historical perspectives ranging from the Meriam Report and Kennedy Report to the Indian Education Act of 1972.

Guests include David Beaulieu, professor and director of ASU’s Center for Indian Education, and Ted Hibbler, director of Indian education for Phoenix ’s Union High School District.

The panel discussion, conducted in the studio, features Peterson Zah, former president of the Navajo Nation and special adviser to ASU President Michael Crow on Indian affairs; Vivian Juan-Saunders, chairwoman of the Tohono O’odham Nation; and Fred Ferreiri, director of education for the San Carlos Apache Tribe.

“Health Care” – The Native American community has a distinct set of health care concerns.

Don Davis, director of Phoenix Area Indian Health Service, Arizona Division of Public Health Services, and John Molina, the medical director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), provide insight into the problems and possible solutions.

The in-studio panel discussion will explore the importance of preserving traditional healing practices as a form of prevention and health care resources for Native Americans. Guests include Donald Warne, a clinical professor in the School of Health Administration and Policy, W.P. Carey School of Business; Marcus Harrison, chief executive officer of Native American Community Health Centers ; and Johnson Dennison, a Navajo medicine man.

Major funding for the program is provided by a grant from ASU’s Office of Public Affairs.

Soto, with KAET-TV/Channel 8, can be reached at (480) 965-3506 or (susan.soto@asu.edu).