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Among the winners of this year’s Pulitzer Prizes, which recognizes the best of journalism and the arts, included investigative reporter and host Connie Walker, Okanese First Nation (Cree) and the Gimlet Media team won for audio journalism.
The winners were announced Monday.
“Stolen: Surviving St. Michael’s,” told in eight episodes, focused on Walker’s investigation into her father’s past and the abuse of hundreds of Indigenous children at a residential school in Canada.
“Honestly, I’ve been pinching myself over this news. It is such an incredible honor for our work on Surviving St. Michael’s to receive this recognition. It feels like proof that Indigenous stories matter and that Indigenous people should be supported to help tell them,” Walker said in a press release. “Above all, our team hopes that this means that more people will hear the stories of the survivors who bravely shared their experiences with us and recognize that this is just the beginning in terms of what it means to learn the truth and try to collectively grow and heal from our past.” READ MORE — Kalle Benallie, ICT
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The Montana Legislature came to an end on its 87th day, when the Senate called for a sine die motion on May 3, ultimately signaling for the House to finish up its side that same evening and bringing the 68th session to a close.
But for the American Indian Caucus, made up of 11 elected Indigenous legislators elected to represent tribal communities on and off Montana’s reservations, the session ended and left some priority bills with disputed amendments, while some died early in the session.
Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, Democrat, who has been a veteran lawmaker for the past 10 sessions, came into the legislature with strong intent, which included a list of nine bills including one aiming to protect Indigenous families and another to revise Indian education laws.
House Bill 317: Establishing the Montana Indian Child Welfare Act, sponsored by Windy Boy, was at the top of the list for the American Indian Caucus priorities for the session. Windy Boy said during multiple floor and committee hearings the motivation for the bill was partially due to the U.S Supreme Court case pending about the federal ICWA which was established in 1978. READ MORE — JoVonne Wagner, ICT and MTFP
The Alaska Federation of Natives lost two large regional tribal organizations this week.
The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and the Tanana Chiefs Conference separately announced withdrawals from AFN, which is Alaska’s largest statewide Native organization.
One of the departing tribal units stated its reason for leaving the federation was due to the amount of resources required to participate, but with little to no results in the end.
“A lot of effort, time, and money goes toward participating in AFN and it is important that those resources be utilized to their maximum potential to advance TCC’s Tribal priorities,” the Tanana Chiefs Conference said in a statement released Monday.
Formed in 1966, AFN was founded to settle land claims and “continues to be the principal forum and voice of Alaska Natives in addressing critical issues of public policy and government,” its website states. READ MORE — Kolby KickingWoman, ICT
Around the world: Members of Parliament in Canada are calling for a national emergency for MMIP, Mexico endorses mining reforms to protect the environment, Western Australia’s largest Aboriginal art market returns to Fremantle, and activists demonstrate outside Thai embassies and consulates to demand better treatment of Uyghur detainees
CANADA: MPs call for national emergency for MMIP
Canada’s House of Commons passed a unanimous motion on Tuesday, May 2, calling for the federal government to declare a national emergency on the ongoing violence against Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people, CBC News reported on May 2.
The motion also asks the government to make an “immediate and substantial investment” in establishing a Red Dress Alert system, similar to an Amber Alert, for missing Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.
“I’m very pleased today that all members of Parliament are acknowledging the truth about the history in this country, as a way to move forward,” said MP Leah Gazan, Wood Mountain Lakota First Nation in Saskatchewan, who presented the motion. Gazan is a member of the New Democratic Party from Winnipeg Centre, Manitoba. READ MORE — Deusdedit Ruhangariyo, Special to ICT
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The Reservation Economic Summit is the nation’s largest and longest running Indian Country business trade show and conference. Sponsored by the National American Indian Enterprise Development Center, thousands attended the Las Vegas event. Prior to the start, ICT’s Paris Wise interviewed Program Director Yvette Fielder.
During RES’ first day this year, Native people from all over the country packed the conference on economic development. Here’s what ICT’s Mckenzie Allen-Charmley took in.
Navajo chef and anthropologist Freddie Bitsoie was among the attendees. ICT’s Shirley Sneve has this interview with him about what classifies as traditional or authentic Native foods.
Lawyer Nicole Ducheneaux, who led a panel on Native Voting Rights, is still in court fighting against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Shirley Sneve caught up with her.
Any time you gather large groups of Native people, sovereignty always seems to be a topic of conversation. Mckenzie Allen-Charmley speaks with conference attendees about it.
ESPN “SportsCenter” anchor John Anderson apologized to Zach Whitecloud, a First Nation member in Canada, on Tuesday after comparing the Vegas Golden Knights defenseman’s last name to toilet paper the previous night.
Whitecloud, Dakota, told reporters in Edmonton, Alberta, that he spoke with Anderson on Tuesday morning.
“I think it was an attempt at humor that came out as being obviously insensitive, and he acknowledges that,” Whitecloud said. “He understands that it was wrong to say. I wanted to make sure he knew that I accepted his apology. People make mistakes, and this is a scenario where not just John but everyone can learn from and move forward in a positive direction and try to be better for.”
Anderson’s comments came while narrating Whitecloud scoring in the Knights’ 5-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night. Vegas leads the series 2-1, with Game 4 scheduled for Wednesday in Edmonton. READ MORE — Associated Press
- ‘Pushed out’: Two-Spirit student leaves St. Labre Indian School: The school is a private, faith-based school that now serves around 270 students from day care through 12th grade just outside the Northern Cheyenne Reservation
- Transition to clean energy is hurting Indigenous communities: Clean energy was supposed to be equitable but that’s not how it’s working out
- A renew push for broader Chaco protection: Members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation are again pushing to make permanent a stop on oil and gas development outside the boundaries of Chaco Culture National Historical Park
- Jury finds Donald Trump liable for sexual abuse
- US Rep. George Santos facing federal charges
- US prices stay high, showing inflation pressures persist
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