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WASHINGTON — Leaders from European and North American nations convened last week in the nation’s capital for the 2024 North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit to discuss international security and Russia’s war in Ukraine. The war has opened up many questions for national and Indigenous leaders on how to respond to rising tensions in the Arctic.
The summit marks the 75th anniversary of the military alliance, which formed in response to the perceived threat of communism following the end of World War II.
Meanwhile, Arctic sea ice is currently melting at an alarming rate. This has spurred an increase in military and commercial activities, sparking concerns of greater instability. Indigenous peoples and nations are assessing collaborative efforts with each other and national governments to secure the region as they face climate change and a changing political climate. “Out of a total of 4 million inhabitants of the Arctic, approximately 500,000 are Indigenous Peoples,” states the Arctic Council.
According to the secretary of defense representative in Europe and the defense advisor for the U.S. Mission to NATO, Rachel Ellehuus, “NATO is a defensive alliance, not an offensive alliance.” This means NATO’s primary purpose is to defend against and deter political violence, including war. However, some anti-war groups, such as the World Anti-Imperialist Platform, argue NATO’s presence in eastern Europe will inevitably instigate conflict. READ MORE — Kadin Mills, ICT
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Former President Donald Trump’s decision to tap U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate drew immediate concerns from Indigenous leaders over his views toward Indian Country.
Vance called Indigenous Peoples’ Day a “fake holiday” and praised Columbus just a few weeks after questioning the term “two-spirit” in separate postings in 2021 on social media. He also has fought name-changes requested by tribal leaders for historical sites.
The social media comments were made before Vance, a native of Middletown, Ohio, was sworn in as one of Ohio’s U.S. senators in 2023.
“‘Indigenous Peoples’ Day” is a fake holiday created to sow division,” Vance wrote on Oct. 11, 2021, on the social media site now known as X. “Of course, Joe Biden is the first president to pay it any attention.” READ MORE — Mary Annette Member, ICT
A few weeks ago, with the gentle melody of waves breaking on the shore behind her, recent Red Lake Nation College graduate Summer May spoke into a camera in Brazil. She was a world away from the traditions and cultures in which she grew up.
“Boozhoo, aaniin, indinawemaaganidog. Or hello, my relatives who are listening to this today. Right now, I am sitting on a beach by Aracruz,” she said. “We’re sharing an experience, a cultural practice that the Tupinikim have.”
She was in this coastal city about 375 miles north of Rio de Janeiro for a first-of-its-kind cultural exchange.
A coalition of Minnesota educational institutions sent nine college students to Brazil as part of the pilot program. Five of the students came from the U of M and four from RLNC.
In her vlog May described joining members of the local Indigenous tribe in harvesting and eating sea urchin cooked over an open fire. She said the experience felt familiar in many ways. READ MORE — MPR News
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Six of the Native American Basketball Invitational’s semi final and championship games will now be available for fans to stream for free.
In partnership with Kiswe and Warrior Beverages, the boys and girls games will be accessible at live.nabination.com. Viewers can also use Kiswe’s fan engagement features during the game to react and connect with others.
“NABI is excited for our fans that will now be able to stream the semifinal and championship games from anywhere in the world,” GinaMarie Scarpa, CEO and co-founder of NABI, said in a press release. “NABI has always served as a platform for our Native athletes to share their talent and our new partnership with Kiswe expands that opportunity tremendously.”
Warrior Beverages will be on-site at the tournament to provide Warrior Alkaline Water to participants and coaches.
“Warrior Beverages is excited to help make the NABI tournament free for fans around the world and support this incredible community event,” AC Green, former NBA star and three-time Los Angeles Lakers Champion, said. “At Warrior Beverages we are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and this partnership will help spread our message and this event globally.”
The Arkansas Racing Commission awarded the state’s final casino license to Cherokee Nation Entertainment following years of court challenges that have delayed the process.
Although commissioners unanimously approved issuing the Pope County permit to the tribal business late last month, construction could again be halted if a ballot initiative to repeal casino gaming in the county is successful.
CNE President Mark Fulton said earlier this month that he expects the 18-month construction process will begin after 60 to 90 days of permitting and pre-construction work.
After Cherokee Nation Entertainment presented its proposal at Thursday’s meeting, commissioners scored the plan based on four areas — casino gaming experience, timeline for opening, financial stability and detailed summary of their proposal. Cherokee Nation Entertainment, the sole applicant considered, earned a cumulative score of 651 out of 700. READ MORE — Oklahoma Voice
A biweekly column from ICT with the latest news from the arts and entertainment world. READ MORE — Sandra Hale Schulman, Special to ICT
- Portland urban Indigenous center announces new leader: The Native American Youth and Family Center, Portland’s largest urban Indigenous organization, has a new leader: current interim CEO Oscar Arana, Chichimeca
- Village sues over Interior Alaska gold mine: ‘I would like somebody to think about the health and welfare of Natives, their subsistence fishing and hunting and their health’
- A Legacy of excellence: Fort Shaw Indian Girls World Basketball Champions’ descendants meet 120 years after 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis exposed the athletic girls to modern world
- Leonard Peltier released from hospital after four-day stay: American Indian Movement leader Leonard Peltier was hospitalized for his diabetes, which his team says has gone untreated while in prison
- ‘Beyond exciting’ to see Native representation in Emmy nods, Oklahomans say
- Hike the canyon and discover ancient Native American rock art near Big Bend
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.