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ICT continues to grow and establish a foundation of people who are committed to telling Indigenous stories and perspectives. One of them will be joining in the coming months as a fellow.
Chris Lomahquahu, citizen of the Gila River Indian Community, as well as Akimel O’otham, Hopi, Ottawa and Mohawk, was awarded the second annual fellowship under the Native American Journalists Association, Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and ICT. He received his bachelor’s in fine art in drawing and a masters in social work in policy, administration and community practice.
He has been working as a journalist for nine years and currently works as a senior reporter for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. He previously worked at Gila River Indian News for seven years.
The fellowship will last 10 months from late August 2023 to May 2024. Lomahquahu will be pursuing a masters in investigative journalism at the university’s journalism school. As part of the fellowship he will also commit to 15 hours a week for ICT. READ MORE — ICT
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ANCHORAGE — Like much of rural America, Indian Country is under- and unserved as far as internet service goes.
The federal government is handing out billions of dollars to try and turn that around.
However, it will take more than money, say experts. It will take creative thinking, trusted partners, and a long-term vision to make the most of the funding.
Why there’s poor or no service
Kevin Hamer is general manager of the Yukon Kuskokwim (Y-K) Delta Tribal Broadband Consortium, a nonprofit tribal organization headquartered in Bethel, Alaska.
Like other rural areas, the region lacks internet services for a range of reasons. READ MORE — Joaqlin Estus, ICT
RALEIGH, N.C. — American Indian students in North Carolina public schools could wear items like feathers and plumes to their graduation ceremonies to signify their cultural heritage in legislation given final General Assembly approval Thursday.
The House bill, which after clearing the state Senate unanimously now heads to Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk for his expected signature, responds to what supporters call inconsistent decisions by schools determining whether such items related to Native Americans violate dress codes.
An appeals court ruling more than 40 years ago declared schools may deny student participation in graduation ceremonies if the student does not comply with a dress code, according to a bill explanation from General Assembly staff.
The measure, already approved by the House in March, received the final OK as high schools across the state wrap up commencement ceremonies for the school year. The bill would take effect as soon as Cooper signs it. READ MORE — Associated Press
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Data from the Law School Admissions Council shows that American Indians and Alaska Natives made up less than one percent of students admitted to law schools in 2020. Well, there are new efforts underway in hopes of making that number a little bigger. Kate Rosier is the executive director of the Indian Legal Program and the assistant dean of Community Engagement at Arizona State University.
The origins of ledger art goes back to the 1800s, when Native prisoners created these drawings to document battles and other significant events – on paper, rather than on animal hides from their traditions. Amos Bad Heart Bull was one of the ledger artists that inspired Dwayne Wilcox. His work is documented in a new book.
Native people have historically been good managers of resources, from planning for the winter and saving seeds — to trading. A podcast called “Natives on a Budget,” hosted by Monica Braine and Shawn Spruce looks at modern ways to hone in on those skills.
WATCH HERE:
MINNEAPOLIS — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Tuesday it has revoked a crucial federal permit for the proposed NewRange Copper Nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota, a project popularly known as PolyMet, saying the permit did not comply with the water quality standards set by a sovereign downstream tribe.
The Corps said in a statement that it revoked the Clean Water Act permit, which it had previously suspended, “because the permit does not ensure compliance with water quality requirements of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.” The tribe’s reservation, on the St. Louis River, is downstream from the mine and processing plant site near Babbitt and Hoyt Lakes.
“This is a huge victory,” said Paula Maccabee, an attorney for WaterLegacy, one of the environmental groups that have been fighting the proposed mine in court and in the regulatory process for several years. “It’s a victory for tribal sovereignty, it’s a victory for science, it’s a victory for the law. Although PolyMet has suffered other setbacks, this is by far the most consequential victory for human health, water quality and tribal sovereignty.”
The Corps said NewRange Copper Nickel is free to submit a new permit application with modifications to the project to make it comply with the tribe’s water quality requirements. But Maccabee said the Corps’ decision memo makes it clear that it would be difficult for the company to successfully address all the issues raised by the tribe and the Environmental Protection Agency. READ MORE — Associated Press
- Lawsuit revived against teacher accused of cutting Native student’s hair: The American Civil Liberties Union’s lawsuit accused Albuquerque Public Schools in New Mexico and a teacher of discrimination and fostering a hostile learning environment
- National park board appoints first Native member: Yakama Nation citizen Aja DeCoteau is the executive director of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
- University of Montana hires repatriation coordinator: Courtney Little Axe named new Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act repatriation coordinator and collections manager
- Target boycott’s hidden consequences for Indigenous communities
- Indictment will make Trump unbeatable in 2024 Mullin says
- Portland bans daytime camping, imposes other restrictions
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.
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