Greetings, relatives.
A lot of news out there. Thanks for stopping by Indian Country Today’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:
A Seattle nonprofit that provides services to the city’s disproportionately large homeless Indigenous population has completed its first permanent housing development, with more planned for the future.
The Chief Seattle Club, a nonprofit founded in 1970 to combat homelessness among Seattle’s Indigenous people, said on Monday that its ?ál?al housing development in Pioneer Square was ready to welcome nearly 100 residents, many of whom will likely be Indigenous, poor and formerly homeless, in 80 units.
The organization’s Executive Director Derrick Belgarde said ?ál?al, which means “home” in Lushootseed, is just its first permanent supported and affordable housing project the nonprofit has planned. READ MORE. — Chris Aadland, Indian Country Today and Underscore.news
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In Comachuen, a Purepecha Indigenous community of about 10,000 inhabitants nestled high in the pine-clad mountains of the western state of Michoacan in Mexico, the whole town survives because of the money sent home by migrants working in the United States.
That money, known as remittances, kept families fed after local woodworking sales dropped off a decade ago when pine lumber started to become scarce. The money has allowed their families to remain in Comachuen rather than moving to other parts of Mexico for work. That — and the fact kids spend much of the year with their mothers and grandparents — has helped preserve the Purepecha language among almost everyone in town.
The traditional textiles, woodworking and construction live on, largely because such enterprises are funded by migrants who send money home to build houses here. Many things here — the church, the bull ring, the charity donations — are paid for by migrants.
The Mexican government believes remittances last year will surpass $50 billion for the first time. READ MORE. — Associated Press
Arizonans are facing water shortages as the Colorado River declines, but Teddy Lopez and many other residents of the Navajo Nation have lived without easy access to clean water for decades.
Lopez, 66, has learned that nothing is guaranteed – with water or in life.
“I just take it one day at a time and try to work what I can, what I can do,” said Lopez, who in August received news no one wants to hear.
Lopez is not the only one. Jason John, director of water resources for the Navajo Nation, said other areas of northern New Mexico and Arizona also desperately lack water – a situation he calls “life-altering.”
That reliance on groundwater on the reservation is the reason the federal government stepped in more than a decade ago. Lopez hopes it will be more stable and healthy for his family. READ MORE. — Cronkite News
Lost happening in and around Indian Country when it comes to Ingenious arts and entertainment talent and Native pop culture.
Here is the latest Indigenous entertainment news:
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Coming up, the McGirt decision is back in court, and a look at Colorado’s dark history. Plus, we’re filled to the brim with Indigenous sports and arts.
Watch:
The new year has already brought plenty of news across Indian Country. We learned more about the McGirt decision, lost co-founder of the American Indian Movement Clyde Bellecourt and explained how important redistricting is to Native voices.
Also, ICT launched a new yearlong project on Indigenous economics. “What is the state of Indigenous nations’ economies? How can we measure? Is there a way to represent that in a graphic?” Those are just a few questions ICT hopes to answer. READ MORE.— Indian Country Today
The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts has awarded Ucross a grant of $47,000 for their Ucross Native American Art Curatorial Convening project, or NAAC for short.
The NAAC will bring together Native art from institutions all over the Nation in order to address the “Ucross Native American Art Curatorial Convening,” according to the press release. — Indian Country Today
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- Ruling stands, McGirt not to be overturned: After announcement by US Supreme Court, Oklahoma tribal leaders look to continue to implement McGirt decision.
- Indigenous events, conferences in 2022: A year roundup of what’s to come for events across Turtle Island and beyond.
- Supreme Court appointment could re-position tribal law: Analysis: Native issues could be front and center of Supreme Court debate.
- A lengthy wish list:New Mexico Democrats seek sweeping voting access changes and more during the fast-paced legislative session.
- Indigenous voters betrayed by Kyrsten Sinema’s actions, officials say: Failure to show up for voting rights a blow to some people who were key in turning Arizona blue.
- Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Team Doc Series in the Works.
- Sheila North takes over hosting duties of CBC Manitoba’s late night newscast.
- Utqiagvik childrengreet first sunshine with traditional dance.
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. icteditors@indiancountrytoday.com.
