Diné people believe, like many tribes, that children are sacred. That theme comes to light in the novel called “Healer of the Water Monster.” In the book, it’s up to a young boy named Nathan to save the day. Brian Young, who has degrees from both Yale University and Columbia University, wrote the book as his first novel.

Carla Vigue is the director of tribal r elations for the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Her work at the school includes building relationships with tribal nations, communities, and organizations. She was recently named an influential leader in the state.

Some lawmakers say that U.S. debt is out of control, and the government needs to make some serious budget cuts. Budget cuts could mean that programs benefiting tribes could be on the chopping block. ICT regular contributor Holly Cook Macarro has been watching this fight.

A slice of our Indigenous world

  • The U.S. Agriculture Department announced today $50 million in grants aimed at Indigenous food supply chains. The program funds projects that expand the harvest and process services of Indigenous meats like bison, reindeer and salmon.
  • In the Pacific Northwest, a federal judge is undoing the life sentence of an Indigenous man convicted of crimes in his youth. A decade ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled these sentences, under any circumstance, are unconstitutional for children under 18 years old.
  • A federal judge in North Dakota ruled a lawsuit can proceed that claims the state’s new legislative map dilutes the Native vote. When the Legislature drew its map following the 2020 census, it illegally trimmed Native-majority districts, according to the filing.
  • Around the country, dancers are back in the arena for pow wow season. That includes the Phoenix area. ICT’s Ripley-Simone Kennebrew has more on this special Two-Spirit event.
  • The Navajo Nation is rolling out a new skate park to the sound of fanfare. The Diné Skate Garden is located in the community Two Grey Hills on the Navajo Nation. The grand opening event drew in professional skateboarder Tony Hawk whose foundation helped create the project.

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 Athabascan, is a producer of the ICT Newscast. On Instagram: @mallencharmley.

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

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

Virginia Rigney, Chickasaw, is a video editor for the ICT Newscast.

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.

Holly Cook Macarro is a board member of IndiJ Public Media, the parent company and nonprofit news organization that owns ICT and the ‘ICT Newscast with Aliyah Chavez.’