The National Congress of the American Indians is the largest assembly of sovereign nations in the United States. Policies and programs affecting tribal nations are on the agenda — with a look towards the future. ICT’s Paris Wise has this report.

Mika Westwolf was walking on the Flathead Reservation in Montana when she was struck by a car – and killed. The investigation into her death continues after two months. Mika’s mother Carissa Heavy Runner says she finds strength in her grief. ICT’s Stewart Huntington has the story.

First Peoples Fund invests in the creative spirit of Indigenous artists and culture bearers. That came together during the grand opening of the Oglala Lakota Artspace last month, which brought the community together in Kyle, South Dakota. Lori Pourier is president and CEO of First Peoples Fund. ICT’s Shirley Sneve asked her to reflect on her career and impact.

School is out, which means young people are finding ways to stay busy and active. ICT’s Pacey Smith-Garcia reports on baseball bringing out team spirit.

  • A bill that would establish an investigation into the Native boarding school system passed unanimously by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. It would create a Truth and Healing Commission. The amended bill now heads to the full Senate for a vote on the legislation before it heads to the U.S. House, if passed favorably.
  • The Society Of American Indian Dentists met in Omaha, Nebraska recently. ICT’s Shirley Sneve was there and has this report.
  • For the first time, a Native American has been appointed to Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources. Dylan Bizhikiins Jennings, Bad River Ojibwe, was selected to join the department by Gov. Tony Evers last week.
  • In New Zealand, a popular Disney film is being adapted into the Māori language. The Pixar film “Coco” will be made in Māori, by Māoris and for a Māori audience. It’s the fourth film to be reimagined into the language — and the first Academy Award winning Pixar film to be remade in the country’s only Indigenous dialect of Te Māori Reo. The film is set to be released July 13.

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. 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.

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

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