“Pretendians” is a term new to many of us. Really, it’s another term for fraud and cultural appropriation, specific to the Indigenous communities. From academia to the arts, non-Native peoples are faking their cultural background in order to gain recognition and work. Pretendians and cultural frauds cause more harm to the communities they appropriate than just taking away work opportunities. Guests: Guest co-host Emilia Gonzales Avalos, guest Graci Horne of the Mnisota Native Artists Alliance.
The House in the Pines is a mesmerizing psychological thriller debut from writer Ana Reyes. The story follows Maya, a young woman who only has hazy memories about the mysterious death of her best friend, Aubrey. Maya’s desperation to hide from, and eventually fight for, long-buried answers leads to her dependency on medication and drinking, putting her relationships at risk. A return home leads to resurfacing memories of the events leading up to Aubrey’s murder, but also puts Maya at great risk. The House in the Pines is complex and thrilling, and also a deeply personal story.