Greetings, relatives.
A lot of news out there. Thanks for stopping by ICT’s digital platform.
Each day we do our best to gather the latest news for you.
Okay, here’s what you need to know today:
Muskogee area schools are reaching out to Bacone College students, offering help in transferring schools.
After the Muscogee-based college announced its Spring 2024 classes were being suspended, both Northeastern State University and Connors State College offered transfer assistance to Bacone students for the upcoming semester. Both universities have campuses in Muskogee County.
In a Facebook post last week, Connors said it “understands this is a difficult time in (Bacone students’) educational journey, and we are here to help. With courses offered in person and online … CSC’s flexibility can aid you throughout this transition.”
Although the sheriff’s auction that was set for Dec. 14 was called off, Bacone had already laid off a majority of its staff. Only 100 students were enrolled this semester, which was less than half of the students to attend the previous year. READ MORE. — Felix Clary, ICT + Tulsa World
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A federal grand jury in southern Arizona has indicted a Tucson man and woman in an alleged conspiracy to embezzle millions of dollars from a nonprofit, federally funded tribal health care organization.
The indictment unsealed on Monday alleges that Kevin McKenzie, the chief operating officer of Apache Behavior Health Services, embezzled millions from the organization that was formed under the laws of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
Prosecutors believe McKenzie, 47, used another organization created to help Apache youth to funnel some $15 million to himself through a backdoor financial scheme. Also named in the 40-count indictment was Corina L. Martinez, 41, the sister of McKenzie’s longtime domestic partner.
In addition to conspiracy to embezzle and embezzlement, the counts include wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Defense attorney Louis Fidel said in a statement that McKenzie “strongly denies the allegations against him, and we intend to vigorously defend the case.” He said McKenzie’s work on the reservation over the years had benefited many tribal members who previously were underserved.
Martinez “has spent many years providing behavioral health services to those in need,” her attorney Joshua Hamilton said in a separate statement. “We will vigorously defend Ms. Martinez in this matter and protect her reputation in the behavioral health community.” — Associated Press
Every year is a whirlwind and being a political correspondent, I don’t think this will ever change. The twists and turns of state, federal and tribal politics is the only constant in my line of work.
This year the nation saw the impact of a divided Republican Party and the rulings from the Supreme Court, the election of more Indigenous people to public office and what the Biden administration is or isn’t doing. Lastly, the two largest Indigenous nations in what is now the United States elected new leaders.
To start off the year, freshman congressional member, Josh Brecheen, Choctaw, made waves when he teamed up with 19 others to interfere with the election of California U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House. (Much to the disapproval of the longest-serving Indigenous member of Congress, Tom Cole, Chickasaw, also from Oklahoma.) READ MORE. — Pauly Denetclaw, ICT
ICT recently welcomed two new employees to the organization, ending the year with even more growth.
Felix Clary joined ICT in November. A two-spirit citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, Clary is a shared Indigenous affairs reporter for Tulsa World and ICT.
He received his Bachelor’s in Writing and Rhetoric from St. Edward’s University and a Master’s of Legal Studies in Indigenous People’s Law from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Prior to working for Tulsa World and ICT, Clary worked in media for the Chickasaw Nation. READ MORE. — ICT
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Greetings, relatives:
As we enter 2024, we take a moment to catch up on the news that made headlines in December across Indian Country.
Catch up on the stories that made headlines in this last month. READ MORE. — ICT
- Arizona nonprofit helps its Natives combat diabetes: Photos show nonprofit’s efforts to fight diabetes in Flagstaff, Arizona.
- Artist uses woodturning, resin to create bowl art: Fred Rogers, Cherokee, is looking into marketing his craft more by entering into more art shows and galley sales.
- 10 biggest environmental stories of 2023: Wolves, water, wildfire. Extremes kept on getting more extreme.
- Judge orders removal of wind farm opposed by Osage: Ruling says construction of the wind farm constituted mining and required a lease from the Osage Nation’s Minerals Council.
- Rolling Stone: ‘Reservation Dogs’ No. 1 television show of 2023: Critic calls show a masterpiece ‘where every episode felt different from one another.’
- A first-of-its-kind education for Indigenous leaders.
- U.S. Senator Mike Rounds helps secure first Native American veteran charter.
- Devery Jacobs Reveals Whether There’s Any Link Between WHAT IF…?’s Kahhori And Her ECHO Character.
We want your tips, but we also want your feedback. What should we be covering that we’re not? What are we getting wrong? Please let us know. dalton@ictnews.org.
