Lios enchim aniavu, 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. Remember to scroll to the bottom to see what’s popping out to us on social media and what we’re reading.
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Okay, here’s what you need to know today:
COVID-19 variant: ‘Cocktail for disaster’
Rising infection rates are being linked to the delta variant, particularly from the unvaccinated. Tribes are following the trend.
Current data on hospitalizations, positive cases, and 50 percent of the U.S. population still being unvaccinated (some including children who are going to school) is extremely concerning, said Dean Seneca, a citizen of the Seneca Nation.
“This is a cocktail for disaster coming up this month. We cannot let our guard down,” he said. “People need to really continue to practice hand washing, safe social distancing and wearing a mask. And that includes both the vaccinated and unvaccinated.
He said he fears that there will be a mutation that is deadlier than current variants. It’s important to be diligent now… READ more.
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Statue of Native American woman stolen from Kansas City park
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A statue of a Native American woman has been stolen from a Kansas City park, The Kansas City Star reported Wednesday.
A Kansas City parks spokeswoman told the newspaper that officials are searching for more details about the $80,000 statue’s disappearance from Northland Park.
The statue was one of several at the François Chouteau and Native American Heritage Fountain. The site honors American Indians and French trader François Chouteau for their roles in founding Kansas City.
Bringing Dena’ina into public consciousness through place names
Just 15 years ago, most Anchorage, Alaska residents wouldn’t have been able to answer the question: who lived here before settlers arrived?
Aaron Leggett, Dena’Ina, has been working to change that. He’s president of the Native Village of Eklutna and senior curator of Alaska History and Indigenous Culture at the Anchorage Museum. He said the Dena’ina Athabascan people were virtually invisible until a civic and convention center was named after them.
“So in 2006, the Dena’ina Center opened and it was kind of a shocker for most people because they’d never heard the name Dena’ina. They didn’t think about Anchorage being an Indigenous place,” Leggett said… READ more.
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Deb Haaland heads to Washington State
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is scheduled to meet with tribal leaders in Washington to discuss the Biden administration’s investments in tribal communities.
Haaland will travel to Taholah, Washington on Monday. Other discussion topics include climate residences projects, broadband Internet access and Bureau of Indian Education schools.
#NativeNerd: Basketball, aliens, the future and more
Hello #NativeNerd readers,
We take a look at the latest blockbuster movies: ‘Space Jam,’ ‘Quiet Place 2,’ ‘Tomorrow War’ and ‘Hitman’s Wife.’
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Investigating the Indian Boarding School era
The removal of generations of Native American children from their homes during the Indian Boarding School era led to a break in culture and identity. Today, those survivors and their descendants are still healing from this traumatic period in American Indian history. In 2012, the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition was formed to address this historical trauma. Christine McCleave is the chief executive officer for the organization, which is based in Minneapolis.
Find out how Indian Country is preparing for an investigation into the US boarding school policy.
From social media:
Other top stories:
- ‘There goes Billy Mills!’: The story of the Oglala Lakota runner is legendary and includes Olympic gold in historic fashion.
- Indigenous excellence, innovation brings ICT multiple NAJA awards: The National Native Media Awards recognized Indian Country Today for its strong national newscast and digital beat reporting.
- Return of Aleut girl’s remains eases painful memories: ‘Sophia Tetoff’s homecoming is a significant step in addressing the historic wrongs inflicted on our people.’
- Battle over Skagit River dam heads to court: The Sauk-Suiattle Tribe and others say Gorge Dam in Washington state is proving deadly to migrating salmon and steelhead.
- A conversation on cannabis:We talk with the publisher of a magazine that highlights hemp production and medical marijuana.
What we’re reading:
- How the Indigenous Investigative Collective brought together journalists to investigate missing COVID-19 data.
- Haskell Indian Leader student newspaper wins 14 press awards.
- Indigenous parents explain why Cleveland Guardians name change means so much.
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. Email dwalker@indiancountrytoday.com.
