About the TV Program

— Hosted by Ivan Makil, past president of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community —

What does the future hold for Native Americans in Arizona? How will education and health care issues impact that future? KAET brings together heads of state, policy makers, community leaders, government officials, and healers for a groundbreaking one-hour special. Hosted by Ivan Makil, past president of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, Native Visions offers a perspective not often presented on broadcast television: Native American issues as seen by Arizona’s Native Americans. Native Visions, a KAET-TV/Channel 8 production, airs Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 7 p.m. on Channel 8.

“We want to offer a strong voice in the mainstream media to speak intelligently about and for Arizona’s Native American communities,” said Greg Giczi KAET 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
Senator John McCain, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, talks with host Makil about the origins of tribal self-governance, treaties and agreements — including the challenges and implications of Native American sovereignty today.
Read the transcript for the Senator McCain interview

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, Center for Indian Education, Arizona State University, and Ted Hibbler, Director of Indian Education, Phoenix Union High School District.
The panel discussion in studio features Peterson Zah, former president of the Navajo Nation, and Special Advisor to the President on Indian Affairs, Arizona State University; Vivian Juan-Saunders, Chairwoman of the Tohono O'odham Nation; and Fred Ferreiri, Director of Education, San Carlos Apache Tribe.
Read transcript for the education segment

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 Dr. John Molina, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) Medical Director, 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 healthcare resources for Native Americans. Guests include: Donald Warne, M.D., Clinical Professor, School of Health Administration and Policy, W.P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University; Marcus Harrison, CEO, Native American Community Health Centers; and Johnson Dennison, Navajo medicine man.
Read the transcript for the health care segment

Read the complete transcript for the Native Visions broadcast.

Major funding for Native Visions provided by a grant from the
Arizona State University Office of Public Affairs.