People have been immigrating to Michigan from Arab countries for more than 100 years. And they've been involved in politics and community building just as long. So, how does that history inform this present moment in American politics as news of recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon reach an Arab and Muslim American electorate already mobilized for Gaza?

We talked to Hani Bawardi, associate professor of history at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. He told us about how Arab Americans' political identity has shifted over the years, and what it looks like in this moment.

GUEST: 

Hani Bawardi, associate professor of history at the University of Michigan-Dearborn

Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work.

Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

People have been immigrating to Michigan from Arab countries for more than 100 years. And they've been involved in politics and community building just as long. So, how does that history inform this present moment in American politics as news of recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon reach an Arab and Muslim American electorate already mobilized for Gaza?
We talked to Hani Bawardi, associate professor of history at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. He told us about how Arab Americans' political identity has shifted over the years, and what it looks like in this moment.
GUEST: 
Hani Bawardi, associate professor of history at the University of Michigan-Dearborn
Looking for more conversations from Stateside? <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/programs/stateside">Right this way</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://michiganpublic.secureallegiance.com/wuom/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=MIPUBLIC&amp;PAGETYPE=PLG&amp;CHECK=b1Y0FDLwbp7fXW9MXTKftW3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d">supporting our work.</a>
Music in this episode by<a href="https://www.sessions.blue/"> Blue Dot Sessions.</a>

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.

To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit michiganpublic.org.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganradio.org/podfund

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.
To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/stateside">michiganpublic.org</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">supporting our work</a>: michiganradio.org/podfund

Stateside

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.

To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit michiganpublic.org.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganradio.org/podfund

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.
To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/programs/stateside">michiganpublic.org</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://bit.ly/3RJN5Ul">supporting our work</a>: michiganradio.org/podfund

The history of Arab and Muslim politics in Michigan

Meredith Kennedy- Fisher is the executive director of Miigwech, Inc., an organization that aims to increase voting among tribal citizens this election year.

She talked with host April Baer about what tribal voters care about in the upcoming election, some barriers for members who really want to vote, and a guide for every tribal ID that exists in Michigan.

Kennedy-Fischer says people don't realize that there are 12 federally recognized tribes that exist in Michigan.

"Now, a lot of that has to do with the fact that there is a lack of education within Michigan curriculum about Native people," said Kennedy-Fischer. "We're always in the past. We're never in the present or the future."

Listen to the full conversation on today's podcast.

GUEST:

Meredith Kennedy- Fisher, executive director of Miigwech, Inc.

Meredith Kennedy- Fisher is the executive director of Miigwech, Inc., an organization that aims to increase voting among tribal citizens this election year.
She talked with host April Baer about what tribal voters care about in the upcoming election, some barriers for members who really want to vote, and a guide for every tribal ID that exists in Michigan.
Kennedy-Fischer says people don't realize that there are 12 federally recognized tribes that exist in Michigan.
"Now, a lot of that has to do with the fact that there is a lack of education within Michigan curriculum about Native people," said Kennedy-Fischer. "We're always in the past. We're never in the present or the future."
Listen to the full conversation on today's podcast.
GUEST:
Meredith Kennedy- Fisher, executive director of Miigwech, Inc.

Ensuring Ballot Access for Tribal Voters

The practice of Anishinaabe contemporary artist Kelly Church marries traditional craft with stunning visuals in her Black Ash basketry. In this conversation you'll hear how she learned the craft, how it's done, and the impact of the invasive Emerald Ash Borer on the tradition. You can see Kelly's work at the UM Stamps School in Ann Arbor now.

GUEST:
Kelly Church, Anishinaabe artist

The practice of Anishinaabe contemporary artist Kelly Church marries traditional craft with stunning visuals in her Black Ash basketry. In this conversation you'll hear how she learned the craft, how it's done, and the impact of the invasive Emerald Ash Borer on the tradition. You can see Kelly's work at the UM Stamps School in Ann Arbor now.
GUEST:
<ul>
<li>Kelly Church, Anishinaabe artist</li>
</ul>

Anishinaabe Basketry Fuses Tradition And Art

Hadassah GreenSky is an artist, activist, and musician. She is also the organizer of the Vibes with the Tribes, an annual Native American and cultural festival held in Detroit since 2020.

You may know her from a viral photo of her and a few fellow dancers in front of the former Christopher Columbus statue in Detroit.

Another one of her projects is a documentary, referred to as The Red Ghetto, which documents the lives of Native American families living in the Cass Corridor. According to GreenSky, those who lived in Detroit all had stories of relatives living in the Cass Corridor.

"I think I heard an auntie once say there was over 120 different nations once represented in the city of Detroit, and there's still remnants of that," said GreenSky. "But, there's no, like, historical documents that talk about this. It's all just stories that all of us have."

GreenSky has also been vocal about water rights. This year, they are organizing a Prayer Walk for the Water on Indigenous Peoples Day, Oct. 14 from 1-5 pm on Belle Isle in Detroit. The event is in commemoration of Grandma Josephine Mandamin, who, as an elder, walked around all of the Great Lakes, several times.

GUEST:

Hadassah GreenSky, artist, community organizer, curator, cultural worker, indigenous futurist working as a visual and music artist, dancer, bead artist, seamstress, graphic designer, photographer, videographer and model

Hadassah GreenSky is an artist, activist, and musician. She is also the organizer of the Vibes with the Tribes, an annual Native American and cultural festival held in Detroit since 2020.
You may know her from a viral photo of her and a few fellow dancers in front of the former Christopher Columbus statue in Detroit.
Another one of her projects is a documentary, referred to as The Red Ghetto, which documents the lives of Native American families living in the Cass Corridor. According to GreenSky, those who lived in Detroit all had stories of relatives living in the Cass Corridor.
"I think I heard an auntie once say there was over 120 different nations once represented in the city of Detroit, and there's still remnants of that," said GreenSky. "But, there's no, like, historical documents that talk about this. It's all just stories that all of us have."
GreenSky has also been vocal about water rights. This year, they are organizing a Prayer Walk for the Water on Indigenous Peoples Day, Oct. 14 from 1-5 pm on Belle Isle in Detroit. The event is in commemoration of Grandma Josephine Mandamin, who, as an elder, walked around all of the Great Lakes, several times.
GUEST:
Hadassah GreenSky, artist, community organizer, curator, cultural worker, indigenous futurist working as a visual and music artist, dancer, bead artist, seamstress, graphic designer, photographer, videographer and model

The history of Arab and Muslim politics in Michigan

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