Horses are a central animal to many Indigenous communities, but when and where they came from is a contentious topic. That’s why Native researcher Yvette Running-Horse-Collin has focused on deconstructing the history of horses in the Americas. She and a team of traditional knowledge keepers, professors and scientists released a recent study on the topic and joins us now virtually with more.

A digital bank has been created by and for Native people. Totem is a mobile bank that is aiming to help Indigenous people feel empowered in accessing their finances. Amber Buker is the founder of Totem, an app that is set to launch in June.

Our friends at Underscore News have published a new series called “Flexing Food Sovereignty.” It is a seven-part series that shares how cultural knowledge and practices sustain Native people through traditional food. Nicole Charley is the co-manager of the project.

  • The Interior Department has partnered with the National Endowment for the Humanities to document the boarding school oral histories. Navajo Nation citizen and NEH Chair Shelly Lowe says this is important because it will examine a system that was intended to erase Native languages and cultures.
  • A bill protecting Native children is just one signature away from being state law. The North Dakota state’s Legislature passed House Bill 1536, which requires efforts to be made to place Native children with family or tribal citizens, if they are taken into foster care. North Dakota is looking to join the 11 other states with protections on this issue.
  • Drivers using Apple Maps in Wisconsin will now know when they are traveling through tribal lands or when they are near Native landmarks and restaurants. It shows the lands of the 11 federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin. They are indicated in a plum color, which will be used worldwide for all territory borders.
  • Indigenous Peoples Day will be celebrated on the second Monday in October every year in Phoenix. The state of Arizona does not currently recognize Indigenous People’s Day as a holiday, despite legislation to recognize it being introduced in the past.
  • “Native Sounds, Native Voices” is a weekly radio show in Lincoln, Nebraska that has been on the air for decades. ICT’s Shirley Sneve stopped by KZUM for an interview with two of the show’s co-hosts. “Native Sounds, Native Voices” has listeners from all over the world. You can find it on Thursday mornings on kzum.org.

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: .

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

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