This month, ProPublica launched The Repatriation Project, an investigative series that found some of the nation’s most revered institutions have failed to return or resisted handing back Indigenous remains and burial items. This includes institutions like the American Museum of Natural History and Harvard University long after passage of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act in 1990. Award-winning reporter Mary Hudetz, Crow, shares more about ProPublica’s discovery and her reporting process within the project.

Jan. 29 will mark the 160th anniversary of the Bear River Massacre for the Northwestern Band of Shoshone, where hundreds of Shoshone were killed. Today, the tribe is working towards revitalization of their land and culture through various restoration projects and the building of a cultural center and amphitheater.  Vice Chairman and Natural Resources Officer Bradley Parry joins us.

The seating of the 118th Congress got off to a rocky start with the final appointment of Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House. But everybody’s back to work. Regular Holly Cook Macarro joins us to discuss what’s in store for Indian Country, and highlights from the Sundance Film Festival.

  • The Navajo Nation Council has made history by electing its first female speaker. Speaker Crystalyne Curley is from Fishpoint, Arizona and is a former Miss Navajo. In total, nine women were elected to serve on the Nation’s Council along with the first female vice president.
  • The Native American Journalists Association is working to empower the next generation of Indigenous storytellers. The organization is now accepting applications for the 2023 Native American Journalism Fellowship. ICT’s broadcast internships are also open.
  • The Samoan language is now being taught at Stanford University.  Two Samoan students, Brandy Atuatasi and Ari Patu, successfully petitioned the inclusion of the Samoan language into the university’s curriculum. The course will teach the Samoan language and will include aspects of its culture and history.
  • Protests are underway by activists in Peru who want to remove President Dina Boluarte and update the constitution. Boluarte took power following the arrest of former President Pedro Castillo after he attempted to seize power.
  • The Sundance Film Festival established the first Indigenous House. In collaboration with IllumiNative. The house hosted various events ranging from dinners to panel discussions. Some of the topics included Indigenous women in entertainment and overall Native contributions in the industry. IllumiNative recently revealed new research on the impact Native films and TV have in the industry

Today’s newscast was created with work from:

Shirley Sneve, Ponca/Sicangu Lakota, is vice president of broadcasting for the ICT Newscast. Follow her on Twitter @rosebudshirley. She is based in Nebraska and Minnesota.

R. Vincent Moniz, Jr., NuÉta, is the senior producer of the ICT Newscast. Have a great story? Pitch it to vincent@ictnews.org.

McKenzie Allen-Charmley, Dena’ina Athabaskan, is a producer of the ICT Newscast. On Twitter: @mallencharmley.

Maxwell Montour, Pottawatomi, is a newscast editor for the ICT Newscast. On Instagram: max.montour. Montour is based in Phoenix.

Drea Yazzie, Diné, is a producer and editor for the ICT newscast. On Twitter: @quindreayazzie. Yazzie is based in Phoenix.

Paris Wise, Zia & Laguna Pueblo, is a producer for the ICT Newscast. Instagram and Twitter: @parisiswise. Email: paris@ictnews.org.

Pacey Smith Garcia, Ute, is a production assistant for the ICT newscast. On Twitter: @paceyjournalist.

RipLey-Simone Kennebrew is an intern for the ICT Newscast. On Twitter: @ripleysimoneken

Daniel Herrera Carbajal is an intern for the ICT Newscast. On Twitter: @daniulherrrera