Tensions mount at Chaco Canyon over resource development. The Indian Child Welfare Act is personal for an Oklahoma family, and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced new federal protections for the sacred site called Chaco Canyon in early June. 

The UNESCO world heritage site, located in New Mexico near the four-corners area, is a sacred place to many pueblos and the Navajo Nation. For the next 20 years, the government will not allow any new oil and gas leases on federal lands around a 10 mile buffer zone. The decision does not affect already existing leases, but still is not welcomed by some Navajo people in the area. Aliyah Chavez was there at the protest, June 11. Chavez interviewed Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren a few days after the blockade at Chaco Canyon. He mentioned both the action and withdrawal.

Chuck Hoskin, Jr. was reelected to the job of principal chief of the Cherokee Nation earlier this month. ICT’s Pauly Denetclaw has this interview, recorded June 7.

The U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion on the Indian Child Welfare Act in June. Upholding the law is a victory for tribal sovereignty — and it’s personal to an Oklahoma family. Dacoda McDowell-Wahkapehe explains.

Oscar Howe, a Dakota artist born in 1915, changed the genre of American Indian art. Visitors get a rare glimpse of his work this summer at the South Dakota Art Museum. ICT’s Shirley Sneve has this report. 

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. Instagram: @mallencharmley.

Paris Wise, Zia and Laguna Pueblos, 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.

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