education

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a $1 million grant to the White Mountain Apache Tribe’s Head Start Program. It comes as such programs have become increasingly critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. KNAU’s Ryan Heinsius reports.

Just over 50 years ago, California State University in Los Angeles launched the nation’s first Chicano studies program. It was designed to focus on Mexican American history and culture in the United States — and to empower Chicano students, faculty and communities everywhere. It also paved the way for ethnic studies as an academic discipline. 

Three decades ago the Verde Valley School established its Native American Scholarship fund. For many years, the annual fundraiser for the scholarship was organized by legendary singer-songwriter Jackson Browne. He became enchanted with the landscape and people of northern Arizona on a road trip many years ago. Now, in the COVID-19 era, Browne has revived the benefit concert as a virtual event with performers including Michael Franti, Shawn Colvin, Bruce Cockburn, Calexico and Sihasin. In the latest installment of KNAU’s series Eats and Beats, Browne recounts his lifelong love for the region made famous by a song he co-wrote with the Eagles’ Glen Frey.