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Each day we do our best to gather the latest news for you.
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The union representing screenwriters reached a tentative agreement with Hollywood studios to end a historic strike after nearly five months, raising hopes that a crippling shutdown of movie and television filming could be near an end.
Actors remain on strike, but the deal with writers might help them find a resolution soon as well.
The Writers Guild of America announced the deal Sunday in a joint statement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the group that represents studios, streaming services and production companies in negotiations. The agreement must be approved by the guild’s board and members before the strike officially ends. That could happen this week.
Writer Vera Starbard, Tlingit and Dena’ina Athabascan, said she’s cautiously optimistic. “I think it’s been five months now with very little light at the end of the tunnel, and now it seems like this might work. I feel like I’m going to jinx it if I get too excited though.” Starbard said the union has been frank when negotiations were going poorly so she’s encouraged that the union’s latest letter was “pretty positive.” READ MORE. — Joaqlin Estus, ICT
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In the midst of the isolating COVID pandemic, a tiny, skilled group of community tribal leaders took on a brand new University of North Dakota doctoral program in Indigenous Health – the first of its kind globally.
A chief public health officer, a tribal liaison-turned-academic, a perinatal nonprofit specialist and a sustainable foods educator all sought more training to hone their considerable expertise.
On Aug. 4, they graduated in front of friends, family and many Indigenous faculty. The newly anointed doctors of Indigenous Health can now apply the all-encompassing discipline to a wide range of Indigenous community projects.
Mona Zuffante, Seneca Cayuga Nation of Oklahoma, works full time as the chief public health officer for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, plus she’s a part-time EMT. Finishing her doctorate simultaneously was no small feat. She oversees 15 field health programs on the reservation. READ MORE. — Renata Birkenbuel, ICT
Indian Health Service operations will continue in the event of a government shutdown, as announced Tuesday at the annual Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee conference in Rapid City.
The weeklong conference brings together tribal leaders and federal health officials, including U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and IHS Director Roselyn Tso.
“Because of the fact that now we have advanced appropriations for Indian Health Services, on Oct. 1, whether or not there’s a federal budget in place, will continue providing services,” Becerra said.
Previously, IHS employees would have to work without pay or on furlough, limiting service to the roughly 2.6 million citizens who rely on Indian Healthcare. READ MORE. — Amelia Schafer, ICT + Rapid City Journal
A network of ancient American Indian ceremonial and burial mounds in Ohio described as “part cathedral, part cemetery and part astronomical observatory” was added Tuesday to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Preservationists, led by the Ohio History Connection, and Indigenous tribes, many with ancestral ties to the state, pushed to recognize the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks for their good condition, distinct style and cultural significance — describing them as “masterpieces of human genius.”
UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee approved the application during a meeting in Saudi Arabia.
The massive earthworks comprise eight ancient sites spread across 150 kilometers of what is present-day southern Ohio, including one located on the grounds of a private golf course and country club. The designation puts the spot in the same category as wonders of the world including Greece’s Acropolis, Peru’s Machu Picchu and the Great Wall of China. READ MORE. — Associated Press
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On the Tuesday edition of the ICT Newscast, an east coast tribe grows its land base. On the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, Indigenous music makers talk about the next 50 years. A new book uses an Indigenous worldview in the journey for wellness.
Watch:
When Navajo Grey Hills weaver Barbara Teller Ornelas saw the original Barbie dolls — all blonde hair, blue eyes and 1950s clothes — she certainly didn’t see herself.
That version of Barbie stood alone for many years until the First Edition Native American Barbie was released in 1997 as part of the company’s “Dolls of the World” Collection.
Teller Ornelas bought one of the 1997 Navajo Barbies for herself and another for her daughter, Sierra Ornelas, but she wasn’t happy with the outfit. She told her daughter she would weave an outfit for them one day, and she did.
Now, Teller Ornelas’ efforts to authenticate the Navajo Barbie are drawing renewed attention with the opening of the “Barbie” movie, which is prompting Indigenous women to give the character a Native flair that is missing in the popular movie. READ MORE. — Sandra Hale Schulman, Special to ICT
- Cherokee Nation launches broad expansion into film industry: The tribe aims to become a media production hub for the film and television industry with a new studio and original productions.
- Looking ahead on COVID-19 vaccines in Native communities: It’s also the first fall and winter virus season where vaccines are available for the three viruses responsible for most hospitalizations – COVID-19, RSV and flu.
- Red Lake treatment center will address opioid addiction: Minneapolis transfers land back to Red Lake Nation, which will build treatment center, community garden.
- Anchorage grapples with homeless question: Anchorage scrambles to find enough housing for the homeless before the Alaska winter sets in.
- Poll: More see climate change reason for extreme weather: More Americans believe they’ve personally felt the impact of climate change, including a summer that brought dangerous heat for much of the United States.
- 60 tribes side with Michigan attorney general in Line 5 lawsuit.
- Half of American Indian and Alaska Native Seniors Have CVD: Medicare Analysis.
- Strengthening tribal relations within Indian Country.
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.
