The Wrap: Nizhóní Soaps

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Kamia Begay is the 13-year-old owner of Nizhóní Soaps. She wants to be the next Lush or Bath and Body Works but “with a Native American flair to it.”

The Navajo entrepreneur has three locations with about 16 employees in Mesa, Farmington, New Mexico and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“I like how I get to express myself through the soaps I create,” she said.

In March 2019, Kamia’s dad died and as a coping mechanism she turned to a new hobby in making soaps. She found ways to tie in her culture by infusing herbs like Navajo tea, yucca, sage and sweetgrass. Nizhóní means beautiful in Navajo. READ MORE. — Kalle Benallie, Indian Country Today

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Three House committees on Wednesday passed legislation that would create a new governing body for the summit of Mauna Kea, the tallest peak in Hawaii and the location of some of the world’s most advanced telescopes.

The legislation now goes to the full House for consideration.

The mountain has been the focus of demonstrations in recent years to block the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope, which would be among the planet’s largest optical observatory. Native Hawaiians who led the protests believe the mountain’s summit is sacred and the observatory would desecrate the land.

Rep. David Tarnas, the chairperson of the House Water and Land Committee, said the heads of the three House committees recognized the importance of Mauna Kea, the serious responsibility they have to manage it and the strong opinions on all sides.

The legislation would require a new stewardship authority to limit the development of astronomy on the mountain. The body would also establish a plan to return the mountain to its natural state above 9,200 feet, though the legislation doesn’t set a time frame for doing so. — Associated Press

Netflix announced its second mentorship program Friday for early-career creatives looking to break into the animation industry, and this time around the focus is on recruiting Native people and veterans.

The Netflix Animation Foundation is launching another four-month long program and it’s collaborating with IllumiNative and Veterans in Media and Entertainment to identify candidates.

The company wants to build access to the industry for underrepresented talent.

In a statement, Netflix said bringing more diverse stories to audiences, like it did in 2021 with its animated series “Maya and the Three,” helps people “see new perspectives and brings us closer.” READ MORE. — Carina Dominguez, Indian Country Today

A Kiowa writer and literary icon of Indian Country received honorary membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

N. Scott Momaday, 88, won the highly-sought Pulitzer Prize for his novel “House Made of Dawn” in 1969. In 2007, President George Bush presented the National Medal of Arts to Momaday at the White House.

On Thursday, the academy announced 18 new general members, voted in by the current membership. They included groundbreakers like Momaday, the first Native American to win a Pulitzer Prize, and 82-year-old avant-garde musician and composer Annea Lockwood, a New Zealand-born who said her election reaffirmed the “welcoming generosity of spirit” she had felt since moving to the U.S. in 1973. READ MORE. — Indian Country Today

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Coming up on the weekend edition of the ICT Newscast, Native Hawaiians celebrate repatriation and we’re visiting with actor Sheri Foster Blake. Plus, a Canadian physician turned actor is making another turn.

Watch here:

Is 2022 the year of the Indigenous chef?

If so, it’s off to a strong start.

Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation citizen Stephanie “Pyet” DeSpain is a “Next Level Chef.”

DeSpain took the top prize in Fox’s “Next Level Chef” food show.

In other Indigenous chef news, chefs Crystal Wahpepah, Kickapoo, and Sean Sherman, Oglala Sioux, are in serious running for restaurant awards. READ MORE. — Indian Country Today

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Here's a story about John Henry Wise, a kid from Kohala who is believed to be the first Native Hawaiian to play college football. Historian Ron Williams shared why he believes Wise deserves a place in the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.https://t.co/ABUheEg1lu
— Hawaii Public Radio (@wearehpr) March 4, 2022

As reported earlier today, the USDA has granted a new exhibitors license to The Dolphin Company, which has bought the Miami Seaquarium, on the condition that Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut (Tokitae / Lolita) will no longer perform and that the Whale Stadium will be closed to the public. 1/3
— SacredSea.Org (@OurSacredSea) March 4, 2022

https://twitter.com/rhondalevaldo/status/1499812806425731083

A glance at Indigenous state lawmakers:Most Indigenous state lawmakers are in the middle of their state’s legislature season and some are preparing for a reelection campaign.
Monitoring the Arctic in Russian invasion of Ukraine:‘Over 20 percent of (Russia’s) GDP right now comes from natural resources above the Arctic Circle in their area.’
Artist Jim Denomie paired dark wit, social issues:The Ojibwe painter, sculptor died March 1 after brief illness.
Alaska state recognition of tribes will be on ballot:‘This initiative will reinforce the bridge between our tribes and the state, one that has up to now been built on sand.’
New leader of Sundance Institute’s Indigenous storytelling: ‘I’m beyond stoked for this next chapter in continuing to do what i love.’

Snow snake: The winter sport lives on, 500 years later
Mi’kmaw Elder heading to Vatican, hopes for an apology from the Pope.

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