Indian Country Today
Happy Thursday! Here’s a look at what’s happening today:
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Native American Rights Fund to receive Spielberg money
NEW YORK (AP) — Steven Spielberg said Thursday that he will donate his $1 million Genesis Prize to 10 nonprofits that are working for racial and economic justice. The film director and his wife, actress Kate Capshaw, will match those donations with $1 million of their own.
In February, Spielberg received Israel’s prestigious 2021 Genesis Prize in recognition of his contribution to cinema, his philanthropic works and his efforts to preserve the memory of the Holocaust.
The Native American Rights Fund was listed among the 10.
To read more, click here.
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Alaska man sentenced for falsely marketing Alaska Native-made goods
A federal judge sentenced Lee Screnock, 60, for misrepresenting hundreds of his own carvings as being made by an Alaska Native artist, according to an Interior Department news release.
Screnock was first charged with a felony violation of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 and a misdemeanor violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Screnock was sentenced on March 10 to pay $2,500 in restitution to the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, perform 100 hours of community service, forfeit seized retail products and serve five years of probation.
For details, click here
Navajo Nation reports 8 more COVID-19 deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Thursday reported nine new COVID-19 cases and eight additional deaths.
The latest numbers pushed the tribe’s numbers to 30,031 cases and 1,243 known deaths since the pandemic began.
To read more, click here.
The Weekly: Special Deb Haaland Edition
Indian Country Today published a special newsletter edition of Deb Haaland’s rise to Interior secretary. Click here to read it.
President Joe Biden hosts first news conference
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden at his first news conference Thursday left the door open to pushing for fundamental changes in Senate procedures to muscle key elements of his agenda such as immigration and voting rights past firm Republican opposition “if there’s complete lockdown and chaos.”
The 78-year-old president also, for the first time, said his “plan is to run for reelection, that is my expectation.”
Biden at first backed a modification — but not elimination — of the filibuster. But he then suggested, at least on certain issues, he would go further.
To read more, click here.
From social media:
The latest:
- Renew push for US atomic blasts payout:Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez testified during a congressional subcommittee hearing.
- Report details helicopter crash piloted by tribal official: The Alaska pilot was the former head of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.
- Craft brew with a side of culture:The first tribal-owned brewery in Southern California tells the world: ‘We’re still here.’
- Bald eagle populations soar: Interior Secretary Deb Haaland hailed the eagle’s recovery and noted that the bird has always been considered sacred to tribes
- Watch: The Indigenous ‘womb to prison’ pipeline:Executive director of the American Indian Prison Project working group Stephanie Autumn talks about the very important work they are doing.
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