A Sicangu Lakota woman is being honored by Staffing Industry Analysts, a global advisory organization on staffing and workforce solutions. Whittney LaCroix, a member of the organization, is a visionary committed to transforming health care for tribal nations. She’s worked for tribal health on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations in South Dakota.

The Super Bowl fans have left Phoenix, but there are reminders of the event that will last for years. One is a mural project downtown. Producer and freelancer Dacoda McDowell-Wahpekeche has more.

A Caldecott Medal winner has a new book for children. Carole Lindstrom writes about important issues facing Indigenous people – from a child’s point-of-view. “We Are Water Protectors,” and her new book “My Powerful Hair,” take on social and political issues facing Native people today.

One of Canada’s most respected drum groups is collaborating with an unlikely partner. Sultans of String approached the Northern Cree Drum Group about producing an album together. It’s scheduled to be released this fall. Here’s a preview.

  • The Cherokee Nation has finished building $15 million in outpatient health care centers as part of the tribe’s COVID-19 Respond, Recover and Rebuild plan. This includes the Three Rivers Health Center in Muskogee, Will Rogers Health Center in Nowata, Cooweescoowee Health Center in Ochelata, and the Vinita Health Center.
  • An Indigenous artist is launching their very first shoe collection. Bigstone Cree Nation citizen Lance Cardinal’s new collection tells stories from First Nation cultures.
  • The newest installment to Marvel’s Black Panther series includes work from an Indigenous led company in Seattle, Washington. Eighth Generation manufactured many of the blankets found in the movie Wakanda Forever.
  • Super Bowl referees come from all over the nation. This year, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation is on the field for Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona. Dacoda McDowell-Wahpekeche has this story.

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.

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

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