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:
In 2023, for the first time, three Alaska Natives took first, second and third place in the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Two are returning this year to give their best in the grueling 1,049-mile race from south-central to northwestern Alaska.
Last year, Inupiaq Ryan Redington’s winning time was 8 days, 21 hours, 12 minutes and 58 seconds. He took home $51,800 in prize money.
Redington said he’s looking forward to getting on the trail. “I’m feeling good. Yeah. I got a good team. We’re the defending Iditarod champions from last year, so we’ve got a little bit of confidence and we got a good team for this year.”
He said his race strategy is to be patient, “and when we get on the Yukon River, we’ll start racing and hopefully we’re not too far behind to catch up.” READ MORE. — Joaqlin Estus, ICT
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Outdoor temperatures might be in the single digits but Alaskans pride themselves on being undaunted by the weather. They’re turning out by the thousands for Anchorage’s winter festival, Fur Rendezvous.
Starting Feb. 23, people lined the streets for events such as the World Championship Sled Dog races, and a parade. They cheer on unique activities such as outhouse races, snowshoe softball, and Running of the Reindeer.
The Charlotte Jensen Native Arts Market held at Dimond Mall in south Anchorage is popular. Organizers rent tables to Alaska Native residents who are enrolled in a tribe, and sell art they made that is representative of Alaska Native cultures.
Britt’ Nee Kivliqtarug Brower, Iñupiat, of Utqiagvik, appreciates the diversity of arts and crafts available at the market. “There’s a lot of different areas of expertise, whether it be baleen (a fibrous material gathered from humpback whales) or ivory carving, mask making…bead work. There are other artists that do a lot of jewelry. You’ll see a lot of beaded work, regalia, (fur) parkas, you name it,” she said. READ MORE. — Joaqlin Estus, ICT
As syphilis cases continue to rise across the Great Plains Region, the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board has urged U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Bacerra to declare a public health emergency.
South Dakota currently has the highest rate of syphilis in the nation, with 84.3 per 100,000 people infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rate of syphilis in South Dakota is two times higher than in New Mexico, the state with the second-highest infection rate.
The Health Board stated that section 319 of the Public Health Service Act allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement measures for preventing the introduction, transmission or spread of infectious diseases. The Health Board serves as the representative body for 17 tribal nations and one service unit across South Dakota, Nebraska, North Dakota and Iowa. READ MORE. — Amelia Schafer, ICT + Rapid City Journal
The sounds of Indigenous drums and song will fill a Los Angeles theater March 10 at the Academy Awards.
An Osage songwriter and singing group will perform an Oscar-nominated song from the film “Killers of the Flower Moon” at the 96th Academy Awards ceremony.
Scott George, Osage, wrote the 6 ½-minute song “Wahzhazhe” (A Song For My People), which is featured in the closing credits of “Killers of the Flower Moon” and performed by the Osage Tribal Singers. The group will perform the song live at the March 10 Oscars, alongside other musical artists whose songs are nominated for best original song, including Jon Batiste, Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell. READ MORE. — Kevin Abourezk, ICT
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On the Monday edition of the ICT Newscast, the famous Heard Museum Native Art Market and Fair. A dispute over a flag in South Dakota, and a look at the future with the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation.
Greetings, relatives:
Let’s take a moment to catch up on the news that made headlines in February. Catch up on the stories that made headlines this last month. READ MORE. — ICT
- Seneca Nation Elder Reflects on a 51-year Child Welfare Career: Terry Cross is widely known as the founding executive director of the National Indian Child Welfare Association in the early 1980s.
- University’s Native free tuition program divisive: The University of Wisconsin’s Tribal Tuition Promise divides Native communities over use of enrollment for eligibility.
- Climate change could unearth buried nuclear waste: A new report says melting ice sheets and rising seas could disturb waste from U.S. nuclear projects in Greenland and the Marshall Islands.
- Appeals court: Oak Flat mine can move forward: A US appeals court ruling will allow mine development on Oak Flat, land sacred to Apaches.
- Will she or won’t she? Who and what will win at the Oscars? AP’s film writers set their predictions.
- Native American Artifacts Found on Lehigh Land to be Returned to Delaware Nation.
- Women’s History Month: Honoring Native American Women Veterans.
- Thanks to the Washington Post, I found my ancestor’s remains at the Smithsonian.
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.
