“At the end of the Trail of Tears there was a promise,” U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the decision 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 tells us more.

New Mexico’s Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is investing in agriculture. It offers free training and resources for Native farmers. Marianne Billy is the cultural center’s special projects manager.

Jan. 29 marked the 160th anniversary of the Bear River massacre. In Utah, hundreds of Shoshone were killed. Now, the Northwestern Band of Shoshone is restoring the land to tell their stories. Vice Chairman and Natural Resources Officer Bradley Parry says the tribe has plan to honor the fallen relatives at the site. ICT was at the anniversary of the Bear River Massacre. Roselynn Yazzie has more about the event.

  • The Biden administration is restoring protections to Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. It was a long-awaited victory for Alaska Natives who petitioned the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reinstate forest protections.
  • A new bill would codify protections for Native children into state law. The Montana Indian Child Welfare Act is modeled after federal legislation with the same name. This week the state’s House and Human Services committee heard testimony in support of the bill.
  • In Australia an unusual type of teacher is helping to revitalize Indigenous language while sharing his wisdom around identity and acceptance. ICT senior producer Vincent Moniz has the story.
  • This year the NFL’s big game in Arizona will feature an Indigenous trade language. The National Association of the Deaf announced that this year’s Super Bowl will feature an Indigenous Deaf performer. Navajo Nation citizen Colin Denny, will perform America the Beautiful with words from Indigenous Sign Language.

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.