Greetings, relatives:
Plenty of news in July for what is a hot summer for many.
We start with an exclusive interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. ICT Anchor Aliyah Chavez got access to Harris during a July 6 stop in the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona.
Another big story came from across the medicine line in Canada. ICT’s Miles Morrisseau reported on an investigation that found a “predatory culture” in the Assembly of First Nations.
The Navajo Nation Council celebrated its centennial. ICT’s Pauly Denetclaw explains the past and present Diné government.
The good news is that Native entertainment is back in the spotlight with three productions earning nominations for the Emmy Awards. The bad news is the glaring omissions. In a special report to ICT, Sandra Hale Schulman explains.
ICT continues to grow. Kevin Abourezk and Amelia Schafer join the digital team. Abourezk as deputy managing editor and Schafer as the Indigenous affairs reporter for the South Dakota area as part of a new ICT partnership with Lee Enterprises.
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
The past and present Diné government: The Navajo Nation Council has reached its centennial. In the summer of 1923, the first council convened.
Investigation finds ‘predatory culture’ in Assembly of First Nations: Women say they are routinely abused or assaulted by chiefs, elders and knowledge keepers in the national organization.
Supreme Court ruling won’t affect tribal colleges, universities: Tribal colleges and universities will remain open-door institutions despite court’s decision to strike down affirmative action in higher education.
The economics of cannabis: Analysis: Should tribes dive into the cannabis market? Is it worth the trouble?
Making sense out of ‘green’ energy mining, history: The Aspen Institute says it’s time for Congress to clarify and enforce the rights of Indigenous people when it comes to mining.
Nottawaseppi Huron Supreme Court gains new court justice: ‘I wanted to see how I could make a contribution to the world in addressing some of the inequities that I saw around me.’
Canada’s ousted national chief loses second chance at reinstatement: Supporters tried to force a vote to reinstate RoseAnne Archibald at the Assembly of First Nations but were thwarted by procedural rulings.
Powwow spotlights missing and murdered Indigenous crisis: Annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Pow Wow in Iowa spreads awareness through song, dance and storytelling.
American Indian policy innovator passes away at age 81: Charles Wilkinson helped pave the way for tribal nations across Indian Country during the ’70s and ’80s by advocating for tribal self-determination and treaty rights.
Alfred Jacques, Onandaga stick maker, kept the door open: The renowned lacrosse stick maker, who passed in June, welcomed the world into his workshop throughout his life, sharing his craft and his teachings.
Nicole Ducheneaux, Native rights champion, ‘warrior lawyer’ dies: Ducheneaux spent her legal career fighting for the rights of tribes, tribal organizations and individuals, including representing the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in its fight against the Dakota Access pipeline.
Extreme weather hits Native communities: Tribes and tribal organizations are noticing and adjusting to the weather that is affecting millions across the country and beyond.
Actors Guild strike brings Hollywood to a halt: Actors join the Writers Guild in a move that could impact production for Native shows for next year.
ICT receives multiple National Native Media Awards: Native American Journalists Association announced all 2023 winners in early July.
Designer Chris ‘Spanto’ Printup dies at 42: Surviving rough upbringing and cancer, he had just released a popular Levi’s collaboration.
Somber mood at Nebraska boarding school grave dig: Experts are digging in rural Nebraska on a site where they believe as many as 80 boarding school students were buried. Some 86 students are believed to have died at Genoa Boarding School.
ICT expanding digital news team and business side: In addition to a reporter, the news outlet has hired a new deputy managing editor as well as representatives that will help generate revenue.
Vice President Kamala Harris: ‘We should be looking to what should be’: In an exclusive interview with the ICT Newscast, the vice president spoke about an array of issues from missing and murdered, to judicial appointments.
Transcript: Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit with ICT: The vice president met with ICT’s Aliyah Chavez in the Gila River Indian Community.
Missing teen found safe in isolated Cree community: A two-week search united a community and restored faith to a retired minister.
Indigenous doctors set on developing medical school: ‘The vision is to have a healer in every community so that everyone has access to a healer.’
Fight continues over Yanaguana site in San Antonio: Indigenous advocates say a San Antonio development plan threatens sacred birds, heritage trees and the Coahuiltecan creation site.
WASHINGTON DC BUREAU
Navajo Nation opposes any Chaco Canyon buffer zone: The Energy for All Act would nullify the 10-mile buffer zone around Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
Indigenous youth leaders gather to talk MMIP, climate: More than 2,400 Indigenous youth leaders from hundreds of Indigenous nations come together at the 2023 UNITY conference to talk about issues impacting their communities.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST BUREAU
Second annual lamprey celebration a hit: Yakama Nation hosted a celebration marking another season of lamprey harvest at the Willamette Falls.
Port Gamble S’Klallam Chairman Jeromy Sullivan dies at 50: Visionary leader led his tribe on an ambitious course of economic vitalization and environmental renewal.
Pacific Northwest canoe journey underway: The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe will host this year, with the theme ‘honoring our warriors, past and present.’ ICT’s partner Underscore News will be there to provide live coverage.
Tribal fishing expo back after five years: The return of the Columbia River Indian Fisher’s Expo provided training and resources to help tribal members improve their fishing practices.
Pacific Northwest canoe journey lands at Muckleshoot: Canoe families will participate in protocol at the Muckleshoot Community Center. ‘It’s kind of like a more traditional version of a powwow,’ said Jolene Lozier.
ALASKA BUREAU
Native medical center faces termination of Medicare reimbursement: Questions raised over governance, emergency services at Alaska Native Medical Center.
MOUNTAIN BUREAU
Wounded Knee ‘killing fields’ one step closer to return to tribes: A bill presented on July 19 seeks to return 40 acres of land via restricted fee status.
New grant to help Lakota artists engage with culture: Racing Magpie’s new Sinew Fund aims to provide eligible Lakota artists with funding needed to complete a community-driven piece.
Rock the Rez, empowering Indigenous youth through music: Indigenous youth from the Pine Ridge area gathered to rock.
Native POP, a celebration of plains culture: The 11th year of Native POP kicked off with an art show, a fashion show, a market and live music.
Tribe, community comes together to rejoice in ‘Indian Days’: Created in 1954, the North American Indian Days celebration welcomes all to participate in singing, dancing and competition to heal and reconnect.
RedCan graffiti festival allows self-expression through art: The RedCan Festival took place over the second week in July.
National Endowment for the Arts chair visits Native communities: Chair Maria Rosario Jackson visited western South Dakota to learn about the evolution of art and the role of art in Indigenous communities.
Thunder Valley takes steps toward MMIP search and rescue: In an effort to combat the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis, Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation held a search and rescue training on Pine Ridge as part of its new search and rescue initiative.
Lakota artists gather for Night Market: Fifteen Lakota artists gathered at Racing Magpie in Rapid City to sell their creations during the first summertime Night Market.
ENTERTAINMENT
Native chef has eyes on the sauce: Navajo Mike’s offers six different hot and barbecue sauces.
President Joe Biden appoints new trustees to IAIA: New board members include Indigenous artists, designers and directors.
‘Reservation Dogs’ launches third — and final — season: ‘Historic’ series aims to go out on top but Sterlin Harjo hints at more to come from the characters.
Native artist to represent US at Venice Biennale: Jeffrey Gibson is the first Indigenous artist to be featured with a solo exhibition at the U.S. Pavilion for the prestigious art fair.
IllumiNative celebrates first five years with an eye to the future: The nonprofit organization is looking to broaden its reach in coming years with a new media enterprise.
‘Rez Dogs,’ other Native programs ‘snubbed’ by Emmy Awards: ‘Prey’ earns six nominations but ‘Reservation Dogs,’ ‘The English’ get token nods.
‘Dark Winds’ returns with a vengeance: Season 2 of the hit show premieres July 30.
Gary Farmer hits the road after release of new ‘Lucky 7’ album: Veteran actor and musician aims to take the new ‘All Star Tour’ to as many First Nations communities as possible.
‘War Pony’: Dark tale from the rez: Cannes award-winning film opens across the United States.
Indigenous chef wins James Beard award: ‘Sly Fox’ owner Sherry Pocknett named Best Chef Northeast.
Navajo hatmaker makes waves with classic style: Thunder Voice Hat Company stays true to traditions with vintage hats and designs.
Standing Rock drops into new skatepark: Standing Rock’s Akichita Hanksa district is celebrating its new skatepark and basketball court. And thanks to a team that includes some pretty big names, Indigenous youth have new and healthy ways to have fun.
INDIGENOUS A&E: Modern art, a novel’s brutal truth and a cultural fest in Canada.
INDIGENOUS A&E: Surf’s up, bay murals, giant jacket art.
SPORTS
Native American Basketball Invitational hits 20 year mark: The popular basketball tournament brings more than 140 Indigenous teams to the Phoenix Valley to hoop and to learn.
GLOBAL INDIGENOUS NEWS
GLOBAL INDIGENOUS: Contamination, philanthropy and First Nations lobsters.
GLOBAL INDIGENOUS: Flags, forests and landfill protests.
GLOBAL INDIGENOUS: Farming, forced labor and foster children.
GLOBAL INDIGENOUS: The importance of language, land and cricket
WATCH: ICT NEWSCASTS
Setting a new course with tradition: an Osage filmmaker turns to fashion design. A voyage unites Indigenous people in the Pacific though ancient trade routes. Comedy Central features hilarious short Native films.
Boarding school bill advances: There are new efforts to create a truth and reconciliation commission on federally run boarding schools. Plus, there’s new Indigenous leadership at Arizona State University. A designer soars at the Cannes Film Festival.
Native youth embrace culture in new ways: Vice President Kamala Harris visits the Gila River Indian Community. Natives in New York promote cultural pride. Catch up with Native youth skateboarders, and spinning records for the people is a passion.
Actor starts second season of mystery series: We catch up with the star of “Dark Winds” just as its new season is about to begin. What are the costs of the green energy transition on tribal lands? The co-chair of the Denver American Indian Commission talks about positive trends in his town.
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