A bipartisan group of lawmakers has secured a record $1.3 billion in federal funding for Native housing. The money was included as part of the 2024 appropriations package that was signed into law last week by President Joe Biden. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz chairs the Indian Affairs Committee.

Naiomi Glasses is a weaver, model and skateboarder. Most recently, you may have seen her work at a Ralph Lauren store. She was in Phoenix for the annual Heard Indian Fair and Market.

A councilmember for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians has been recognized by Yellowhammer News for her unwavering commitment to her community. ICT’s Shirley Sneve has this interview with Sandy Hollinger.

  • The Oklahoma medical examiner’s office concluded that Nex Benedict died by suicide. The nonbinary 16-year-old Choctaw descendant died a day after a fight in a high school bathroom in Oklahoma. The summary of an autopsy concluded that Benedict, whose grandmother is an enrolled citizen of the Choctaw Nation, had toxic levels of two drugs in their system. A complete autopsy will be released in the next 10 days, in accordance with state law.
  • A newly launched resource is hoping to increase real-time information of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People in New Mexico. The state’s Department of Justice is out with a website that lists the current number of missing Indigenous people, and breaks down the data by gender and age. According to state Attorney General Raúl Torre, the portal is critical to providing insights to policymakers regarding the MMIP crisis.
  • A pivotal tool that supports Native Americans is celebrating its seventh year in operation. Stronghearts Native Helpline has assisted more than 50,000 people by phone and through its website. The helpline provides mental health, domestic violence and culture-based services. Stronghearts advocates provide 24/7 support to all individuals and makes referrals to Native-centered service providers. Call or text 1-844-762-8483 or visit strongheartshelpline.org.
  • High school students are building a smudging space on campus in Minnesota. Native students at Shakopee High School are constructing an outdoor space to smudge and cleanse with smoke. The Indigenous students who are part of the project say the space is important, allowing them the ability to practice their culture at places other than home.
  • A bill in the Minnesota legislature would allow the return of an important landmark to a local tribe. If the bill passes, the Red Lake Nation would regain full stewardship of its namesake body of water. ICT’s Stewart Huntington has more.
  • On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass legislation that could ban TikTok. Both Republicans and Democrats believe the video-sharing app is a national security threat because of its ownership by a China-based company and its access to American data. The bill must still win approval in the U.S. Senate, but President Joe Biden he would sign the bill into law if the Senate approves it.

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.

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

Stewart Huntington is a producer for the ICT Newscast.

Quindrea Yazzie, Diné, is a video production editor for the ICT Newscast. Email: qyazzie@ictnews.org. Yazzie is based in Phoenix.

Daniel Herrera Carbajal is a video editor for the ICT Newscast. On Twitter: @daniulherrrera

Pauly Denetclaw, Diné, is a political correspondent for ICT. Email her at pauly@ictnews.org

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

Ebonye Delaney is the Executive Producer for the ICT Newscast. Email: ebonye@ictnews.org

Mark Trahant, Shoshone-Bannock, is ICT editor-at-large Email: marktrahant@ictnews.org

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