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NAVAJO NATION — It was a quiet, cloudy and cold morning in Tsé Bonito, New Mexico. There were six people standing alongside Highway 264 that leads into Arizona.
There were breakfast burrito sellers parked on the side of the road, $5 each. Otherwise, the highway was quiet and sparsely populated. One man removed his winter cap when the SUV hearse from Silver Creek Mortuary approached.
Traffic came to a stop on the normally busy highway as the Navajo Police Department led the procession of approximately 50 vehicles that would travel about 100 miles, taking former Navajo Nation president Peterson Zah, one of the most revered politicians on the Navajo Nation, to his resting location in Low Mountain, Arizona. READ MORE.— Jourdan Bennett-Begaye and Noel Lyn Smith, ICT
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FORT DEFIANCE, Arizona – While stories about former Navajo Nation president Peterson Zah centered on the titles and accolades he earned and received during his life, he was always ‘Dad’ to his three children.
“There are many different stories that have been shared today,” Eileen Zah, one of his daughters, said at the memorial service on March 11. “Some of them are about Peterson Zah the leader. Some of the stories are about him as an educator. But we are certain all of these stories capture a special connection each one of you experienced with our dad – face-to-face, one-on-one.”
The esteemed tribal leader was 85 when he died on March 7. He was buried in the family cemetery in Low Mountain, Arizona at a private service held earlier on Saturday.
Dozens of people gathered to honor his life inside the sports arena that usually holds basketball games for Window Rock High School. READ MORE. — Noel Lyn Smith, ICT
The Biden administration said Monday it is approving the major Willow oil project on Alaska’s petroleum-rich North Slope, one of President Joe Biden’s most consequential climate choices that is drawing condemnation from environmentalists who say it flies in the face of the Democratic president’s pledges.
The announcement comes a day after the administration, in a big move toward conservation, said it would bar or limit drilling in some other areas of Alaska and the Arctic Ocean.
Biden’s Willow plan would allow three drill sites initially, which project developer ConocoPhillips has said would include about 219 total wells. A fourth drill site proposed for the project would be denied. The company has said it considers the three-site option workable.
Houston-based ConocoPhillips will relinquish rights to about 68,000 acres of existing leases in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. READ MORE. — Associated Press
The first Native woman in space and Crew-5 returned to Earth Saturday evening after five months on the International Space Station.
The SpaceX Dragon capsule splashed down off the coast of Florida near Tampa after nearly a 19-hour journey.
“That was one heck of a ride,” Commander Nicole Mann, Wailacki of Round Valley Tribes, radioed after splashing into the Gulf of Mexico at 16mph. “Looking forward to next time.”
She logged 157 days in space, her first spaceflight. READ MORE.— Jourdan Bennett-Begaye, ICT
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On the Monday edition of the ICT Newscast, a look back on the life of Peterson Zah. Indigenous education supporters visit Washington to advocate for students. We have the developments. And, Robert Mesa shares his latest in acting, art and advocacy.
Watch:
From the special olympics to making it on the big screen, First Nations actor Tom Sinclair says playing a major role in the upcoming basketball film “Champions” has been a roller coaster of a dream.
“I’m honored to represent the Aboriginal community on the big screen,” said the 26-year-old from his home in Oakbank, Manitoba. “If you dream it, you can make it happen and I always thought, I have disabilities and everything but that won’t stop me to make my dreams come true.”
Directed by Bobby Farrelly and starring Woody Harrelson, “Champions” is the story of a former minor league basketball coach who, after a series of missteps, is ordered by the court to manage a team of disabled players. READ MORE. — APTN National News
Khloe Cavanaugh learned some Dakota words from her grandfather growing up on the Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota. He was one of the few fluent first language speakers on the reservation.
“I have an Indian name and I didn’t know how to say it in Dakota, so he taught me how to say it and how to introduce myself,” said Cavanaugh.
“Haŋ Mitáuyepi, Čhaŋte waštéya napé čhiyúzapi. Dakȟóta ia Heȟaka Thašina Wakȟaŋ Wi emákiyapi. Wašiču ia Khloe Cavanaugh emákiyapi.”
The free app, called Dakhód Iápi Wičhóie Wówapi, was unveiled last month at an event at the Grand Casino Mille Lacs in Onamia, Minnesota. It contains over 28,000 words in Dakota and includes a Dakota language keyboard and audio recordings of first language speakers — both men and women — saying the words so users can learn how they are pronounced. READ MORE. — Minnesota Reformer
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- DESERT X: Indigenous artist creates giant basket maze: Cahuilla artist Gerald Clarke teaches history along with his artwork.
- New Dakota language app helps bridge gap: The free app, called Dakhód Iápi Wičhóie Wówapi, was unveiled in February.
- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples field hearings set: The hearings allow commission members to hear directly from Indigenous communities impacted.
- High-profile cases bring new attention to sexual assault: Nathan Chasing Horse, Bunky Echo-Hawk among those facing recent allegations.
- Pandemic spurs tribes to diversify: Some tribes, with and without casinos, have gotten involved in a wide range of non-gambling businesses.
- Unvaccinated athletes getting notice they can’t compete at Indigenous games.
- Resort near Lake Tahoe changes its name from a term offensive to Native Americans.
- A controversial ending to Santee’s first run in Lincoln.
We want your tips, but we also want your feedback. What should we be covering that we’re not? What are we getting wrong? Please let us know. dalton@ictnews.org.
