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Canada is marking the first National Ribbon Skirt Day on Wednesday – an event inspired by an Anishinaabe girl who was shamed for wearing one to school several years ago.
Isabella Kulak, a member of the Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan, wore a ribbon skirt to her rural Saskatchewan school in December 2020 when she was 10 years old.
The colorful garment is worn by Indigenous women at cultural events and as a show of pride. When Kulak wore hers as part of a school formal day, her family said that a staff member told her the outfit wasn’t considered formal enough.
The school division later apologized, but her story sparked an online movement of Indigenous women sharing photos of themselves wearing ribbon skirts as a way to honor their identity.
Manitoba Sen. Mary Jane McCallum’s bill to recognize the day every Jan. 4 passed in Parliament late last year. READ MORE — APTN
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Going into the 118th Congress, Kevin McCarthy, who has been minority leader of the Republican Party for many years, knew he didn’t have the votes to become House speaker. A block of five Republican representatives said they would not vote for McCarthy. On Tuesday at noon, eastern time, that number grew to 19.
During the first round of voting for House speaker, the first surprise came from newly elected Josh Brecheen, Choctaw, who represents Oklahoma’s district 2. Brecheen voted for Rep. Jim Banks from Indiana, who actually voted for McCarthy.
“The American people gave the majority to Republicans this November for a change—not more status quo touted as change. I was elected to Congress by the people of Oklahoma’s Second District under the commitment to reform reckless spending that is bankrupting our nation and robbing our children and future generations. I’m keeping my word,” Brecheen said in a press release. “My message to Leader McCarthy has been—and continues to be—that to obtain my support for Speaker, transformative rule changes that stop out of control spending and address our debt loading must occur.”
With 202 votes, McCarthy failed to reach the 218 votes needed to become speaker three times. Rep. Tom Cole, Chickasaw, made the motion to adjourn and the House will be back in session Wednesday to once again try to elect a speaker. The House cannot conduct business without this important role filled. A speaker’s contest last went multiple rounds in 1923, according to the Associated Press. READ MORE — Pauly Denetclaw, ICT
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland led the U.S. delegation on behalf of President Joe Biden on Saturday for the inauguration of Brazil’s newly elected president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
His win in October, by two percentage points, has been celebrated by Indigenous communities and environmentalists.
“Our shared commitment to democracy, human rights, Indigenous peoples, equitable economic growth, environmental protection, and other core values makes us natural partners. The Biden-Harris administration intends to use every opportunity to broaden and deepen that partnership with President Lula’s government in the years to come,” Haaland, Laguna Pueblo, said in a statement.
In addition to attending the inauguration, Haaland met with Indigenous leaders and partners implementing U.S.-funded environmental programs in Brazil, according to the Interior.
Lula defeated incumbent Jair Bolsonaro who was an opponent of Indigenous rights and land with a record of racist statements. READ MORE — Kalle Benallie, ICT
Newly elected Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs made public several new hires for her staff Wednesday, including Jason Chavez as tribal affairs director.
Chavez, Tohono O’odham Nation, will “assist and support tribal nations and communities in this state and to enhance government-to-government relations between the twenty-two tribal nations within the boundaries of this state,” according to the office on tribal relation website.
Most recently, Chavez served as the elections outreach manager in the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office.
He has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Political Science from Virginia Tech.
The other positions announced include general counsel, southern Arizona office director and governor’s office of youth, faith and family director. — ICT
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Honor the Earth uses Indigenous wisdom, music, art, and the media to raise awareness and support for Indigenous Environmental Issues. Its mission is to leverage this awareness and support to develop financial and political capital for Indigenous struggles for land and life. Celebrating 30 years, its co-founder Winona LaDuke joins us for a look back, and plans for the future.
There are a few Indigenous people in the professional world of classical music. A young Diné woman has her degree in music and now hosts a radio program featuring all Native composers and musicians. ICT’s Patty Talahongva spoke to Renata Yazzie about her love of classical music.
The balance of power has shifted in the U.S. House of Representatives. What does this mean for Indian Country? Joining us is John Tahsuda. He’s a regular contributor to the ICT Newscast. A Kiowa from Oklahoma, he’s a principal with Navigators Global.
Around the world: An archbishop in Brazil faces threats for defending Indigenous peoples, medals finally reach Māori Battalion families in New Zealand, and a First Nations woman becomes the first Indigenous Rhodes Scholar from Canada
BRAZIL: Archbishop faces threats over Indigenous rights
Dom Roque Paloschi, an archbishop in the state of Roraima, Brazil, since 2015, has been under attack for denouncing human rights violations against Indigenous people. Mongabay.com reported on Dec. 28.
The archbishop, who is secretary of the Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network, known as REPAM-Brasil, and president of the Indigenous Missionary Council, has been targeted with threats and intimidation even while celebrating Mass.
“We live in this region that is typified by attitudes opposing not only the issue of Indigenous people but also of poor peoples’ rights,” Paloschi said, according to Mongabay.com. “Our lives are shaped by this economy of destruction. And the traditional communities here are no longer seen as individuals but simply as obstacles to so-called development.” READ MORE — Deusdedit Ruhangariyo, Special to ICT
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- California tribes work to give mountain lion P-22 a proper burial: Aging feline captivated the community and contributed to science as the face of the endangered lion population
- A battle is on to limit permafrost thaw damage: Warming soils beneath this northern Alaska community are triggering erosion that threatens homes, infrastructure and cultural resources
- Tribes get advisory role in utility regulation: New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham created a Tribal Advisory Council to provide input to the state regulatory commission
- South Dakota responds to criticism, says it answered tribal storm needs
- Phoenix led the nation in inflation in 2022, but rise may slow in 2023
- California prepares for flooding; Midwest hit with snow, ice
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