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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s $32 billion budget has a large impact in Native nations, but regulations can sometimes hinder tribal access. USDA Director of Tribal Relations Heather Dawn Thompson says changes are underway. ICT’s Stewart Huntington has more.

An Anishinaabe man joins the ranks of other Native American veterans that have been given the distinct honor of having their names on U.S. Navy ships. In 2023, Nisqually citizen and marine Billy Frank, Jr. and Tsimshian citizen and Navy seal Solomon Atkinson were given the honor. Last week, Navy officials announced its next Navajo-class ship will be named after James D. Fairbanks. Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan attended the ceremony.

James and Ernie is a Diné comedy duo that has been entertaining Indian Country for decades. While the pair still performs together, each has taken their own path. ICT’s Shirley Sneve has this interview with James Junes.

  • Communities are coming together to honor a non-binary Indigenous teen who died in Oklahoma. Over the weekend, memorials for Nex Benedict took place in various cities throughout the country. The 16-year old died this month following an altercation with three students in an Owasso high school bathroom.
  • Officials from the federal government have signed a ceremonial agreement for the Columbia River Basin. Last week, the White House Council on Environmental Quality hosted a signing of the December 14 historic agreement. The agreement’s purpose is to restore wild salmon, steelhead and other native fish species, to expand tribally-sponsored clean energy production.
  • The Chinook Indian Nation has been awarded more than $48,000 from an Indian Claims Commission judgement. This compensation comes 150 years after the taking of their ancestral lands.
  • A new partnership is hoping to raise awareness about the fight to end drunk driving. Diageo North America is joining MADD, or Mothers Against Drunk Driving in an educational campaign. In 2022, Diageo worked with Native American, African American, and Latino leaders to create the Multicultural Consortium for Responsible Drinking.

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

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