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Navajo filmmaker Billy Luther ‘s latest film, “Frybread Face and Me,” premiered March 11 at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas, to rave reviews.
“A sweet, gentle drama that runs deeper than it might appear at first,” reported The Hollywood Reporter.
“Luther hits on something very special here, exploring universal themes of childhood and family in ways that transcend the specificity of its setting,” according to Deadline.
It marks the first venture into feature films for Luther, who is known for his documentary “Miss Navajo” about the history of the pageant and for AMC’s “Dark Winds.” He also will be directing episodes of Season 3 of “Reservation Dogs.” READ MORE. — Sandra Hale Schulman, Special to ICT
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The latest case involving Indian Country was argued Monday before the Supreme Court.
Arizona v. Navajo Nation, like many cases heard before the high court, is complicated and this case in particular deals with the tribe’s water rights as it relates to the Colorado River.
The two issues at hand are whether the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit erred in its judgment allowing the Navajo Nation “to proceed with a claim to enjoin the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior to develop a plan to meet the Navajo Nation’s water needs and manage the mainstream of the Colorado River in the Lower Basin” and can the tribe “state a cognizable claim for breach of trust consistent with this Court’s holding in Jicarilla based solely on unquantified implied rights to water under the Winters Doctrine” according to a document on the Supreme Court’s website. READ MORE. — Kolby KickingWoman, ICT
Denver March Powwow is the annual kickoff of the powwow season and a major celebration of Native culture. It took place March 17-19, 2023. ICT’s Stewart Huntington has this report.
Watch:
Indigenous people have used cradle baskets to hold and transport babies since time immemorial. Sophie Weinstein comes from a long line of master basket weavers who take pride in keeping the tradition alive. Last week, museum staff told the young mother to remove the traditional willow basket holding her son – even as she visited the museum’s exhibit showcasing a Native artist.
The incident reignited long-simmering discussion about the complex relationship Indigenous peoples have with museums, which Weinstein said have often functioned as a muscle of colonization and forced assimilation. The incident also prompted the Portland Art Museum to revisit and revise their policies and cultural sensitivity training.
“Institutions need to critically reflect on their past and their positions in this very colonial system,” Weinstein said. “And make sure that, down to every last employee, there is training around cultural competency, and real respect for the first peoples of this continent.” READ MORE. — Jarrette Werk, Underscore News/Report for America
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On the Tuesday edition of the ICT Newscast, we learn the latest from the Not Invisible Act Commission. Plus, a look at Women’s History Month through an Indigenous lens. It’s March Madness. The co-founder of NDN sports tells us which Native stars to follow.
Watch:
The leader of a northeastern Wisconsin tribe implored lawmakers to do more to address threats to public health and safety that disproportionately affect Native Americans.
Robert VanZile, chairman of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community, called for actions to increase access to health care on tribal lands, fight pollution and end violence against Native American women as he delivered the annual State of the Tribes address to a joint session of the Wisconsin Legislature.
VanZile asked lawmakers to expand Medicaid eligibility for Native Americans and allow nurse practitioners to treat tribal patients without a physician’s supervision.
He also asked the Republican-controlled Legislature to support an item in Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ budget devotes nearly $3.7 million annually to create an Office of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women within the state Department of Justice. — Associated Press
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- Inupiaq musher Ryan Redington wins Iditarod: Indigenous mushers sweep the top three spots for the first time in 50 years.
- Deb Haaland criticized over Willow project: Tribes in the Southwest have been watching Willow closely, concerned about any implications it could have for development in culturally significant areas, including the Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
- Tribes get bison as they seek to restore bond with animal: 82 tribes now have more than 20,000 bison, and the number of herds on tribal lands have grown in recent years.
- Montana Legislature moves to name highway after Blackfeet Chief: The bill, which names a portion of state highway running through the Blackfeet reservation, would honor the late Earl Old Person.
- Despite gains, anti-Native bias beliefs still plague hoops: ‘I would say if you were to do a survey on the reservations, 90 to 95 percent of the results would say there is at least to an extent some racial prejudice in Montana high school basketball games.’
- KU study explores Native media coverage of women politicians.
- Once an Inspiration to People at Home, a Former Star Now Faces Trial.
- Meet Marvel’s new Kanien’kehá:ka superhero.
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.
