Greetings, relatives:
April kept us busy at ICT.
We start with an important and ongoing story taking place at many college campuses across the country. ICT‘s education reporter Renata Birkenbuel explains more, including what Native students are saying about campus protests.
Our Mountain Bureau has been busy, especially in South Dakota. Reporter Amelia Schafer explains why Gov. Kristi Noem was banned by four tribes from Native land.
At our Northwest Bureau, Luna Reyna shares an important story on how the Quinault Indian Nation’s court system focuses on individual healing instead of criminalization and punishment.
Another important story this month deals with college education. Students and colleges are scrambling to complete the federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid. ICT‘s Renata Birkenbuel explains why.
An Inupiaq and Samoan woman is heading to the WNBA. College basketball star Alissa Pili was selected with the No. 8 overall pick by the Minnesota Lynx. Her rookie season begins in May.
Be sure to watch our daily newscast, “ICT Newscast with Aliyah Chavez.” Replays of each show can be found there.
Here are ICT stories you should read up on and share in your network.
NEWS
Tribes as global ‘climate leaders’: Q & A with Assistant Secretary Bryan Newland.
Eleven more students will go home from Carlisle: Another round of disinterments and repatriations are expected this fall of students from six tribes who died attending the Carlisle boarding school.
Native activists fighting nickel and cobalt refinery: The Westwin Resistance Coalition in Oklahoma says tribes should have a say in the future of the refinery, which they fear could harm people, animals and plants.
Oklahoma governor says tribes owe state $5 million: Gov. Kevin Stitt calls on Cherokee Nation to provide car tag data to Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.
‘Bacone College is not closing,’ despite leadership change: Struggling college announces termination of Bacone College Interim President Nicky Michael but says nine students will still graduate.
Native students join pro-Palestine campus protests: Diné graduate student at Columbia University joins waves of protesters across the nation who are demanding that their university leaders divest from Israeli-led companies.
A safe space for Two-Spirit people since 1999: A community-based volunteer organization known by many as BAAITS was born 25 years ago in California. ‘We’ve really evolved as an organization. I’m really glad to see where it is now.’
Stolen artwork? Here’s how to protect your work: Well-known artist fights back and wins against international appropriation of her designs.
Financial aid upheaval puts college students at risk: Students and colleges are scrambling as a May 1 deadline looms for the federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA.
Justice Department steps into Enbridge Line 5 dispute: Government attorneys raise questions about pipeline shutdown order.
Bunky Echo-Hawk trial set for October: A child porn charge against former the artist has been dropped, but he still faces a sexual assault charge.
Abortion ban hits another state with high Native population: A decision by the Arizona Supreme Court sent ripples across the country in an election year.
Oklahoma museums feel impact of new NAGPRA rules: Thousands of human remains and cultural artifacts get fresh scrutiny under new federal regulations.
Red Lake Nation College opens new $16 million urban site: Revamped building to serve eager students living in Minneapolis.
Farming sovereignty: Buffalo dances and traditional meals return as Osage Nation reclaims food sovereignty.
Tribal college students rack up trophies at higher-ed convention: IAIA film students dominate, popular poetry slam draws enthusiastic crowd.
Eclipses have special ties to Indigenous peoples: The rare total solar eclipse on April 8 is a spectacle for many to look at but for some Indigenous people it’s a sacred observational time.
Sunrise service offers healing for family, friends of fallen soldier: Each year people gather in Phoenix near Piestewa Peak to remember the Mountain’s namesake, US soldier Lori Piestewa.
WASHINGTON DC BUREAU
Future generations protect UNDRIP: The importance of engaging young people at the United Nations cannot be understated because one day they will be the leaders advancing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Indigenous women in venture capital: The venture capital industry is mostly white, and male. Unsurprisingly, the number of Indigenous women represented in all areas of this industry is abysmal.
NORTHWEST BUREAU
Tackling the opioid epidemic: Some Native nations and Indigenous-led organizations are turning to medication-assisted treatment vans as a way to expand access to substance use disorder care.
Eliminating blood quantum requirements for US-Canada crossing: The Tribal Border Crossing Parity Act could end the decades-old policy requiring proof of blood quantum to cross between the U.S. and Canada.
Javelina: bringing Indigenous cuisine to Portland: The only Native pop-up restaurant in Portland brings Indigenous comfort foods and traditional first foods to the city’s fine dining scene.
Quinault Indian Nation wellness courts replace punishment with empowerment: The Quinault Indian Nation’s court system focuses on individual healing from addiction, instead of criminalization and punishment.
ALASKA BUREAU
$500 million for solar energy for tribal families: This will ‘revolutionize solar energy access within Native American communities.’
Alaska Native vision for the future: Self determination: ‘Nothing about us without us.’
Alaska river named a ‘most endangered’: ‘Water is life…without water, we have nothing.’
$1 million grant to catch homeless youth further ‘upstream’: We’ve got a resource, an untapped resource.’
Alaska tribe seeks closure of popular fishing road that overlies buried ancestors: ‘We get people all the way from southeast (Alaska) and as far up as Utqiagvik that come down and fish the Copper River.’
MOUNTAIN BUREAU
Cole Brings Plenty found dead: Missing 27-year-old Haskell Indian Nations University student and Lakota actor disappeared March 31 after alleged assault.
Northern Plains tribes get $135 million for solar power: New funding from the EPA could help tribes to revolutionize energy in rural lower-income communities.
Joe Biden nominates Native woman to federal bench: Danna Jackson would become the first American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian to serve as a federal judge in Montana.
MMIP conference a place for healing and hope: A four-day conference by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Rosebud Sioux Tribe hosted government officials and victim’s families.
Leonard Peltier advocates seeking United Nations help: Advocates say federal prison officials are failing to address the 80-year-old Anishinaabe man’s declining health.
Lakota woman leaves behind powerful legacy: Bev Warne, powerhouse in the Rapid City Indigenous community, dies at 85.
Changing the narrative, one photo at a time: Indigenous photographer Eunice Straight Head showcases unique perspectives through their work.
Black Hills State University prepares for annual powwow: The 39th annual Lakota Omniciye Wacipi will center contemporary art and traditional roots.
No foul play suspected in Cole Brings Plenty’s death: Lakota actor was found dead in Johnson County, Kansas, on April 5 after disappearing after alleged assault.
Fourth tribe bans Gov. Kristi Noem: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem was banned by a fourth tribal nation on April 11.
South Dakota to offer tribal law enforcement training: Gov. Kristi Noem and the South Dakota attorney general announced a new initiative to train tribal law enforcement.
New Indigenous-led shelter provides help to those in need: Pejuta Waste O’Tipi aims to help the homeless community in Rapid City.
Lakota actor missing following domestic violence report: Cole Brings Plenty was last seen on March 31 in Kansas.
Kristi Noem banned from Cheyenne River Reservation: The South Dakota governor is now banned from two reservations.
Tribe removes rep due to constitutional violation: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe representative Ronald Rosseau was removed following assault conviction.
MMIP cases in South Dakota remain high, new efforts hope to change that: Initiatives from the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office aim at combating high rates of missing Indigenous people.
Spirit Lake Tribe declares State of Emergency, enters lockdown: The emergency declaration stated that the tribe had exhausted its available resources searching for the two individuals.
Spirit Lake Nation ends lockdown: Fort Totten suspect turns himself in ending reservation-wide manhunt.
Leonard Peltier: ‘I hope I make it to June 10’: Advocates say June parole hearing may be Leonard Peltier’s last chance at freedom and they plan to push hard for his release
ENTERTAINMENT
INDIGENOUS A&E: Cahuilla pottery, award winners, vintage photos.
Choctaw artist to represent US at Venice Biennale: Jeffrey Gibson will be the first Indigenous artist to represent the US as a solo artist in what is considered the most prestigious contemporary art exhibition in the world.
‘Reservation Dogs’ set like a ‘cookout,’ actor says: Popular show’s cast comes to Indigipopx comic con in Oklahoma City.
Photos: Lakota Omniciye Wacipi: Scenes from Black Hills State University’s annual student-led powwow.
A sacred space: For Native communities, theater is more than just a pastime: It’s necessary for healing.
Big pink truck delivers books, love of Native literature: NDN Book Club hits the road to distribute 10,000 books to Navajo Nation.
INDIGENOUS A&E: Star weaver, Canadian music, antler art.
Comedy troupe takes on Canada and US: The ‘Red, White and You!’ sketch and stand-up comedy show, with mostly Indigenous comedians, have performed in Canada and California. They are heading to Boston and New York City for their last shows.
‘Clearly Indigenous’: Glass artists featured in new exhibit: Works from more than 30 Indigenous glass artists are included in an exhibition that will travel across the U.S.
SPORTS
Osage basketball player accepts position with college team: University of Portland basketball star Kianna Hamilton, Osage Nation, finishes last season and looks to her new role as director of basketball operations for the Portland Pilots.
Will an Indigenous player raise the Cup?: At least five Indigenous players are in the hunt for the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup as the playoffs begin.
Alissa Pili selected in WNBA draft: The Inupiaq and Samoan woman was selected in the first round
GLOBAL INDIGENOUS NEWS
GLOBAL INDIGENOUS: Tenants challenge evictions.
GLOBAL INDIGENOUS: First Nation celebrates court win.
GLOBAL INDIGENOUS: Indigenous firm wins mining deal.
GLOBAL INDIGENOUS: An apology in Brazil.
WATCH: ICT NEWSCASTS
Striving for excellence: You may know Tommy Orange from ‘There, There.’ Now, the award-winning author is out with his second novel. Plus, Black Lung disease on the Navajo Nation points out inequalities in health care. And, we have Naiomi Glasses who is a seventh generation weaver and skateboarder.
Adaptation and animation: Coming up, an animation features the beauty of Indigenous cultures. And, from shifting game patterns to moving fishing spots, we dive into how climate change is impacting food sources for Native communities. Plus, ICT’s regular contributor Mike Stopp talks about Tom Cole’s new role and international advocacy for tribes.
Government affairs: Coming up, we uncover the hiccups and hassles in the new simplified FAFSA application process. Plus, Bryan Newland, assistant secretary for the BIA, shares insights into the crucial climate initiatives the bureau is undertaking. And join Holly Cook Macarro as she shares her once in a lifetime experience at the glamorous White House State Dinner.
Climate change takes center stage: On Friday’s ICT Newscast, when it comes to climate change, tribal nations are in the spotlight. We dive into the debate over a tax ballot measure, pitching innovation against alleged sneaky taxes. Plus, get ready to roll the dice on this week’s Indigi-Politics as we deal out the latest updates on tribal gaming.
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