President Joe Biden signed historic legislation on Saturday to raise the debt ceiling, avoiding an economic disaster. It marked a rare moment for Democrats and Republicans to vote in favor of the same bill. ICT Editor-at-Large Mark Trahant talks what is in the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

Community was front and center at the grand opening of the Oglala Lakota Artspace in May. Pte San Win is part of its poetry program called “Dances with Words.” ICT’s Shirley Sneve has this interview.

June is Pride Month in the U.S. In many Native cultures around the world, Two-Spirit people have held an esteemed role in tradition cultures. Rev. Martin Brokenleg holds a doctorate degree in psychology and is a graduate of the Episcopal Divinity School. He has a history of teaching and retired as the director of Indigenous Ministries at the University of British Columbia.

  • Last week, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland issued an order that will block new oil and gas leases surrounding Chaco Canyon. The area has a deep cultural connection to pueblos and other tribal nations. The order, which was part of a lengthy decision-making process, applies to federal lands within a 10 mile radius of Chaco and will last for the next 20 years.
  • The Upper Sioux Community in Minnesota is making progress in a land return of the site of Dakota War battles in 1862. The Minnesota Legislature approved bills that pave the way for transferring a 14,000 acre state park to the tribe. Chairman Kevin Jensvold said he has been asking for this land transfer for 18 years.
  • Yankton Sioux Tribe citizen Francis Arpan will serve as the new president of Haskell Indian Nations University. The Kansas school was founded in 1884 and is a national leader in Native education, research, and cultural preservation.
  • The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $95 million for affordable housing and community development activities. There were 55 communities selected for the grants as part of the Indian Community Development Block Grant Program.
  • It is now guaranteed that an Indigenous player will be a 2023 National Hockey League champion. The Vegas Golden Knights and The Florida Panthers faced off in Nevada for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals on Monday. Mohawk citizen Brandon Montour and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation citizen Zach Whitecloud have been standout defensive players for their respective teams throughout the playoffs. 

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 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.

Daniel Herrera Carbajal is a video editor 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.