FT. Bella Noka, an activist and member of the Narragansett Tribe located in what we now call Rhode Island. In 2003, members of the Narragansett tribe were attacked and arrested in a “raid” of a tax-free smoke shop on their land. On that day, the Narragansett chief sachem, the medicine man, a tribal police officer, Bella Noka, her children and her husband, who was the first councilman were bombarded by over 50 police officers, brutally attacked and arrested on “disorderly conduct” charges. A federal judge later claimed that the tribe had been operating the smoke shop illegally and that the state had the right to tax sales of cigarettes on tribal land. I am so grateful that Bella chose to recount such a traumatic event in order to educate my audience on the concept of tribal sovereignty and demystify aboriginal culture. Bella speaks on some of the issues that tribes continue to face and the work she’s done across causes and communities to combat white supremacy. From human trafficking, to police brutality, to environmental justice and more. As a 2nd generation immigrant to this country, Standing Rock was one of the first times in MY lifetime that the issues of aborignal people were at the forefront of public discourse, and with this interview I hope to keep these issues & conversations going. Available on Spotify, Youtube, Apple Podcasts & my website.

To learn more about the Narragansett Tribe and ways to support them visit: http://narragansettindiannation.org/#