Should American Indians and Alaska Natives buy their own health insurance?

Should Indian Country opt out, considering the failure of the Indian health system to bring to the res decent health care, and begin to choose their own health plans? There's a strong argument for doing so.
Read the AlterNet blog here.

Lessons at Navajo hospital about humane births

This article, from the NY Times earlier this week, is inspirational and should signal a turnaround in the assembly-line and callous way women are treated at this crucial juncture in their, their children's, and all of our society's lives. Would it be too much to hope that the Tuba City model be studied and replicated throughout the country?
Read here.

Is the future of Indian education now at stake?

With the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy, the retirement of his son, Patrick, and Hawaiian Rep. Abercrombie leaving his seat to run for governor, actual and potential booster of appropriations for Native Americans, especially in the field of education, seem in peril. Rob Capriccioso's account for Indian Country Today is comprehensive if not daunting.
Read it here.

Upcoming Scholarship Deadline: Native Chemistry Students

African-American, Hispanic/Latino, and American Indian students who are high school seniors, or college freshmen, sophomores or juniors are among those who can now apply for a scholarship from the American Chemical Society Scholars Program. Applications will be accepted through March 1, 2010, for the 2010-2011 school year.

Students must plan to major in or already be majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering or a chemically-related science, and they must plan to pursue a career in the chemical sciences. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on college level and economic need.

For more details, see The American Chemical Society (ACS) Scholars Program accepting applications for minority students studying chemistry.