The Week That Was: The Big Stories in Indian Country
Our Sunday wrap-up of some of the big stories we covered this week from Indian country.
-Following reader reactions to an image of the Apache warrior Lozen as depicted in the film, Apache Chronicle, ICTMN presented a Q&A with the actress in the photo, Lynnette Haozous, San Carlos Apache/Navajo/Taos Pueblo.
-From June 1-3, the RedHawk Native American Arts Council put together an event at Floyd Bennet Field that is consistently growing as pow wow not to miss. The Gateway to Nations was filled with dancing, drums, Native songs, educational programs and more.
-June 18, marked the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, a war all but forgotten in American history books. But its importance stands out in Indian country as a war of Indian independence.
-On Monday the Supreme Court released their 8-1 decision ruling that an individual has standing to sue the Interior Department for taking land into trust for the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians. In a story about the Supreme Court’s support of the lawsuit ICTMN writers Gale Courey Toensing and Rob Capriccioso present what it means to Indian country and provide reactions.
-Following another Supreme Court case, Rob Capriccioso addressed the 5-4 ruling in the tribal self-determination case, Salazar v. Ramah Navajo Chapter. The ruling in the favor of the tribes was overshadowed by the Patchak ruling but no less important.
-This week marked the world premiere of Sun Kissed, a documentary about a rare genetic disorder Xeroderma pigmentosum, or XP, where the sun becomes your enemy, and how it’s more common on the Navajo Nation than in the general U.S. population. In this Q&A, the filmmakers discuss their findings as well as the family they followed throughout the documentary.
-On Tuesday a parks and recreation bill of broad ranges, H.R. 2578, was presented on the House floor. ICTMN correspondent Heather Steinberger discussed the vast importance of this bill as it included another bill, H.R. 1505, or the National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act. The bill, however, passed the House vote and waits for a Senate decision.
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-In 1951 the birth of Canyon Records began with an album by Navajo singer, Ed Lee Natay. Now, ICTMN correspondent Vincent Schilling, embarks on 60 years of Native music that Canyon Records has produced and introduced to the world.
For 60 Years, Canyon Records Has Been Introducing the World to Native Music
-June 20 marked this year’s Summer Solstice, an event that crossed the Northern Hemisphere from Stonehenge to solar flares online.
-The Tonto Files, ICTMN’s occasional series of ruminations and riffs on Tonto kicked off with filmmaker Jason Asenap coming to the defense of the Comanche Nation for adopting Johnny Depp. A move that Asenap says was one of opportunity for both parties.
-In Baby Blues, a The Thing About Skins column by Christina M. Castro, the writer addresses teen pregnancy, adoption, abortion and family attitudes throughout Indian country. Castro gives the discussion a first-hand perspective while sharing her thoughts on the subject at hand.
-Los Angeles Councilman Mitchell Englander this week proposed putting an end to soda vending machines in Los Angeles parks and libraries. Englander, president of the local chapter of the American Diabetes Association, introduced the ban when he learned his daughter had no other options other than sugar-loaded sodas.
-The Elizabeth Warren controversy continued this week as a group of Cherokee women made their way to Massachusetts in hopes to meet with Warren and discuss Cherokee heritage with the U.S. Senate candidate – not to mention present her with a gift on her birthday. Unfortunately, Warren dodged them.
Cherokee Women Try to Meet With Elizabeth Warren; Campaign Offends Them
-ICTMN correspondent Martha Troian introduced readers to Marie-Cecile Nottaway, an Algonquin chef who’s catering business is far from the ordinary with traditional dishes inspired by family recipes.
