Greetings, relatives.
A lot of news out there. Thanks for stopping by ICT’s digital platform.
Each day we do our best to gather the latest news for you.
Okay, here’s what you need to know today:
The popular Native American Basketball Invitational crowned two new champions on Sunday in Phoenix.
Akichita won the boys’ title and Legendary Elite captured the girls’ title. Both games took place at Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Mercury and Suns.
NABI celebrated 20 years with this year’s event. Read more about this year’s event here.
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Team Saskatchewan finished the 2023 North American Indigenous Games as the top medal winner with 175. British Columbia came in second with 161 total medals.
Ontario finished third but first in gold with 55 gold medals.
The games took place in Halifax from July 15 to July 23.
Calgary, Alberta was awarded the 2027 games.
For photos and video highlights, check the Indigenous Games Facebook page.
A Lakota lawyer who represented the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in its fight against the Dakota Access pipeline and spent her career fighting to protect Indigenous rights died on Friday, July 14, 2023.
Nicole “Nikki” Ducheneaux, 44, Cheyenne River Lakota, died from undisclosed causes in Omaha, Nebraska. Her father announced his daughter’s death on the evening of Sunday, July 16.
“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Franklin Ducheneaux said. “Our beautiful daughter, Nikki, died suddenly early Friday night. Our lives have been shattered.”
Ducheneaux was a founding partner of the Big Fire Law and Policy Group based in Omaha. She began her legal career in Montana as a public defender. In 2012, she joined the law firm Fredericks Peebles and Morgan in Omaha, the predecessor of Big Fire Law Firm. There, she advocated for tribes and tribal entities across the United States and was a “formidable and innovative litigator,” according to a social media post by Big Fire Law Firm. READ MORE. — Kevin Abourezk, ICT
A new grant program seeks to provide Lakota artists, makers and cultural bearers with the funds needed to create visual, community engaging projects through the Sinew Fund.
The Sinew Fund, created by Racing Magpie was brought to life by a recent partnership with the Andy Warhol Foundation’s Regional Regranting program, an invitation only national program. The name comes from the crafting material sinew, which is used for sewing or weaving.
“Sinew helps you create,” Tosa Two Heart, Oglala Lakota and the Sinew Fund program manager said.
This fall will be the first time that the Sinew Fund disperses funds, and applications are currently being accepted until August 14 for eligible artists. Projects should be able to be completed within one year after acceptance. READ MORE. — Amelia Schafer, ICT + Rapid City Journal
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On the Monday edition of the ICT Newscast, a Lakota man finds expression through rap and sound design. Plus, a pueblo in New Mexico uses technology to solve supply chain issues. And a Native broadcaster provides basketball commentary.
Watch:
Another day has gone by in Phoenix where the July temperature has reached at least 110. Night time temperatures are not helping either.
The Phoenix Valley has had more than a week of temperatures that didn’t go below 90 at night, breaking a record, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Salerno, who called it “pretty miserable when you don’t have any recovery overnight.”
Phoenix has hit a high of 119 degrees more than once in July. It has been 120 days without measurable rainfall at Phoenix Sky Harbor, the sixth longest stretch of dry weather since records have been kept, according to the National Weather Service Phoenix office.
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community on the eastern edge of the Phoenix Valley asked its citizens to avoid the outdoors between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for much of the week. On its Facebook page, it shared tips on staying safe in the heat. READ MORE. — ICT
- ‘Achieve your dreams at home’: Blackfeet Community College in Montana celebrates first Bachelor of Science in Nursing grad.
- Pipestone carvers preserve revered Native spiritual tradition: Only a dozen Dakota carvers remain in area, where Pipestone National Monument in Minnesota protects the quarries with the unique variety of stone.
- INDIGENOUS A&E: Surf’s up, bay murals, giant jacket art: A biweekly column from ICT with the latest news from the arts and entertainment world.
- Making sense out of ‘green’ energy mining, history: The Aspen Institute says it’s time for Congress to clarify and enforce the rights of Indigenous people when it comes to mining.
- Alfred Jacques, Onandaga stick maker, kept the door open: The renowned lacrosse stick maker, who passed in June, welcomed the world into his workshop throughout his life, sharing his craft and his teachings.
- Report: Trooper suspended for submitting false tickets; listing drivers as ‘Native American.’
- UArizona researcher awarded $1.3 million to study lifestyle interventions in American Indian cancer patients.
- McCombs American Indian statue on 410 is coming down after 40 years.
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.
