“At the end of the Trail of Tears there was a promise,” U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote that statement in the decision issued on July 9, 2020, in the case of McGirt v. Oklahoma. A new book examines the implication of that decision. Co-authored by Robbie Ethridge and Robert J. Miller, “A Promise Kept,” explores the ramification of this decision. Professor Miller joins us in the studio. He’s a professor at the Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law at Arizona State University.

An Indigenous art exhibit called “Grounded” features 15 artists from tribes in and around the Great Plains region. Northern Arapaho and Chicano artist, Robert Martinez, curated the exhibit that is set to tour domestically and internationally over the next couple of years.

Jared Yazzie, is the Diné designer, creative director, and founder of Tempe, Arizona-based OXDX Clothing. At first, Yazzie thought he would end up a graffiti or street artist, but that art took a back seat when his streetwear line became one of Indian Country’s premiere brands. The fashion firebrand joins us to talk about his upcoming Super Bowl collaboration.

(Related: Indigenous artist featured at Super Bowl for first time)

  • In Oklahoma, a court says one tribal nation’s territory no longer exists. Last week the state’s Court of Criminal Appeals ruled the Kickapoo nation’s lands were disestablished more than a century ago and no longer exists. The court’s decision involves a case in which a Seminole citizen challenged his state conviction on four counts of lewd acts with a child.
  • In Canada where a new report revealed many First Nations children died from tainted unpasteurized milk in residential schools. The report comes by way of the Acimowin Opaspiw Society, who represent the survivors of the Blue Quills Residential School.
  • One First Nation in Canada has signed a deal worth nearly $300 million. The agreement with British Columbia provides a path forward for the Blueberry First Nation to protect its territory. APTN’s Lee Wilson has the latest.
  • Well, after 150 years, the Ojibwe Nation’s Olympic games are returning to Wisconsin. The games make their return after the U.S. government banned them nearly 150 years ago. These winter games actually returned last year after a half dozen Indigenous men decided to get together on Madeline Island for a little sport.

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.

Aliyah Chavez, Kewa Pueblo, is the anchor of the ICT Newscast. On Twitter: @aliyahjchavez.

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.

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

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

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

Indian Country Today is a nonprofit news organization. Will you support our work? All of our content is free. There are no subscriptions or costs. And we have hired more Native journalists in the past year than any news organization ─ and with your help we will continue to grow and create career paths for our people. Support Indian Country Today for as little as $10.