The South Dakota legislative session ends on March 25. ICT Senior Producer Shirley Sneve has this conversation with State Senator Shawn Bordeaux to talk about the session highlights so far.

“Imagining the Indian” is a documentary that explores Native American mascots and representation in media. Ben West is one of the directors, writers and producers of this project. ICT Producer Paris Wise has this interview.

Meet a Blackfeet man in Montana who is devoted to revitalizing his Native language. ICT Education Correspondent Renata Birkenbuel caught up with Robert Hall to ask about his work, and a shout out from a Hollywood star.

Over the weekend, Phoenix’s Heard Museum hosted its annual Native Art Market and Fair. ICT Producer Daniel Herrera has the reaction from attendees.

  • A decision by a federal court has given a foreign-owned mining company the green light to destroy the sacred site Oak Flat in Arizona. Late last week, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the federal government can transfer the land to Resolution Copper. Attorneys for the Apache Stronghold, the group wanting to save Oak Flat, say the case is now on a fast track to the U.S. Supreme Court.
  • We are tracking a bill in South Dakota to address what one lawmaker calls an Indian child welfare crisis. While Native Americans are 13 percent of the state’s population, 74 percent of children in the state’s foster care system are Native. The bill would convene tribes, lawmakers, social service officials and others… In an advisory panel to craft solutions. The bill heads to Governor Kristi Noem for her signature.
  • An ancient birch bark scroll has been welcomed home with emotional ceremony. The scrolls were headed to auction, but quick action saved them from ending up in private hands. The Bay Mills Indian Community raised enough money to buy back the scrolls that recorded Ojibwe history and religion.
  • In Hawai’i, six midwives are suing the state for medical colonialism. The lawsuit claims a new law criminalizes Indigenous birth customs and hollows out medical care for pregnant women and families across the state. Under the new law, birth workers risk a $2,000 fine and up to one year in prison if they are caught offering care.
  • A new Indigenous baby food company is aiming to give babies good nutrition. The first jars of Indigi-Baby Food were released last year and provide families with healthy food alternatives Created by the Indigenous Peoples Task Force, the food serves as a wholesome and sustainable option to commercial products.

ICT is working to shape the future of journalism and stay connected with readers like you. A crucial part of that effort is understanding our audience. Share your perspective in a brief survey for a chance to win prizes

Today’s newscast was created with work from:

Shirley Sneve, Ponca/Sicangu Lakota, is vice president of broadcasting for the ICT Newscast. Follow her on Twitter @rosebudshirley. She is based in Nebraska and Minnesota.

Aliyah Chavez, Kewa Pueblo, is the anchor of the ICT Newscast. On Twitter: @aliyahjchavez.

Paris Wise, Zia and Laguna Pueblo, is a producer for the ICT Newscast. Email: paris@ictnews.org.

Stewart Huntington is a producer for the ICT Newscast.

Quindrea Yazzie, Diné, is a video production editor for the ICT Newscast. Email: qyazzie@ictnews.org. Yazzie is based in Phoenix.

Daniel Herrera Carbajal is a video editor for the ICT Newscast. On Twitter: @daniulherrrera

Pauly Denetclaw, Diné, is a political correspondent for ICT. Email her at pauly@ictnews.org

Pacey Smith-Garcia, Ute, is a production assistant for the ICT Newscast. On Twitter: @paceyjournalist.

Ebonye Delaney is the Executive Producer for the ICT Newscast. Email: ebonye@ictnews.org

Mark Trahant, Shoshone-Bannock, is ICT editor-at-large Email: marktrahant@ictnews.org

ICT is a nonprofit news organization. Will you support our work? All of our content is free. There are no subscriptions or costs. And we have hired more Native journalists in the past year than any news organization ─ and with your help we will continue to grow and create career paths for our people. Support ICT for as little as $10.