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:
It’s been 147 years since the Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho Nations defeated Gen. George Custer and the Seventh Cavalry in a historic win at the Battle of Greasy Grass, also known as Little Bighorn.
Although it is believed to have been the first time an Indigenous nation ever captured the U.S. flag in battle, the victory is more than a battle for Indigenous people. It was an historic win that guaranteed their sovereignty for generations to come.
The first-ever Pine Ridge Greasy Grass Victory Day, as it’s known locally, on Sunday, June 25, brought more than 100 community members out for a special parade as well as hand games, bouncy houses, a cornhole tournament, golfing, a community meal and fireworks.
“Our ancestors did a lot for us to survive to this day, and that needs to be honored and recognized,” Oglala Lakota President Frank Star Comes Out told ICT. READ MORE. — Amelia Schafer, ICT and Rapid City Journal
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Tucked away along the desert’s edge, way out in southeastern Mesa, near one of the Phoenix Valley’s smaller airports and inside a massive gymnasium made specifically for events like this, Jon Yarrow Jr.’s basketball vision was on display.
In three days, 234 Native basketball teams played in 566 games under one roof on about 16 basketball courts. Teams came from all over the country to compete, some came from Canada and Alaska, Yarrow said.

He promised exposure and opportunity.
Checking the numbers, the Pyramid Lake Paiute citizen delivered that and more. And Yarrow and his team got it done in less than 72 hours. READ MORE. — Dalton Walker, ICT
In the face of anti-LGBTQ+ laws and sentiment throughout the state, the Montana Two Spirit Society moved ahead with contributing educational activities during the Missoula Pride event earlier this month, which included a parade, queer trivia night, variety show-style performances and an educational presentation on Indigenous two spirit history.
The Western Montana Community Center, who organized the pride event, made sure to also include safety huddles with event planners and media and took steps in collaborating with Missoula Police Department to ensure that safety and security was a top priority.
Devin Carpenter, one of the co- project directors of Missoula’s Pride weekend, spoke with ICT and said how this year’s celebrations differed from 2022 with roughly 5,000 more participants in attendance then last year’s 10,000. READ MORE. — JoVonne Wagner, ICT
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released body camera footage that shows Border Patrol agents were concerned that a tribal citizen they fatally shot last month may have been carrying a handgun during an encounter on a remote corner of the Tohono O’odham Nation in southern Arizona.
The man, Raymond Mattia, 58, died shortly after the shooting the night of May 18 outside a home in the reservation’s Menagers Dam community near the U.S.-Mexico border. Audio of a telephone call included with the video confirms the agency’s earlier report that the Tohono O’odham Nation Police Department called agents for help responding to a report of shots fired.
The video released late Thursday shows Mattia throwing a sheathed machete at the foot of a tribal officer and then holding out his arm, actions that the CBP mentioned in its earlier account of events. Although the time stamp lists when the incident occurred as early May 19, the time is adjusted to -0400, which is four hours behind UTC and the same as EST. READ MORE. — Associated Press
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A young Native fashion designer thrives in the bustle of New York City. An Indigenous woman is showing off her skills in the kitchen of a popular TV cooking competition. And, an MMIP advocate shares the importance of support from all relatives.
Watch:
Taos Pueblo couple create short film for Metallica
A surreal, dark story based on Indigenous tales and imagery plays out in an 11-minute video for rock band Metallica, thanks to a quick encounter between the video’s animators and an Indigenous member of the band.
The recently released video single called “Inamorata,” from the new album “72 Seasons,” shows a Native man stranded in the desert as vultures and snakes descend. He begins hallucinating and wakes up repeatedly in new realities until he reaches a final destination.
The video was written and directed by Jess Cope. It was storyboarded by Mozart Gabriel Abeyta, Taos Pueblo, and illustrated by his wife, Helly March. Abeyta is the son of acclaimed artist Tony Abeyta, Navajo, and Patricia Michaels, Taos Pueblo, who was on Project Runway and recently designed the feather dress worn by Tantoo Cardinal on the Cannes red carpet for the premiere of “Killers of the Flower Moon.” READ MORE. — Sandra Hale Schulman, Special to ICT
- Cruising to Nome: The first US deep water port for the Arctic to host cruise ships, military.
- ‘Gone Native’ goes for laughs: Spirit animals, anyone? TV comedy writer Joey Clift uses animated humor to teach in new Comedy Central series.
- Unpacking the historic Brackeen v. Haaland decision: A conversation with Indian Child Welfare Act expert Shannon Smith.
- EPA proposes mercury limits from iron ore processing: Agency is accepting public comments through June 29 on proposed regulations that supporters say would help protect the environment.
- Overdose prevention: ‘Take care of each other’: Pioneering Afro-Taino leader in New York wins Time 100 recognition for overdose prevention centers.
- Braves host 2nd annual Native American All-Star Baseball Showcase.
- Tribal leaders talk ICWA, community policing.
- This Anishinaabe artist is Indigenizing spaces in southwestern Ontario.
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.


