Artist Nicholas Galanin is no stranger to high profile installations. He gained wide recognition for his piece “Indian Land” that echoed the famous Hollywood sign. Today, he has a monumental piece under the Brooklyn Bridge in New York that simply proclaims, “Land.” ICT’s Stewart Huntington caught up with Galanin in his hometown of Sitka where he is taking some time with family to catch and smoke salmon.

In Washington State several initiatives are underway that could benefit Indigenous communities in the Columbia River basin. That includes offensive historical monuments that are getting a fresh look. Spokane Tribe of Indians historian Warren Seyler spoke with ICT’s Stewart Huntington.

Indigenous people in the Andean mountains, north of Ecuador are already welcoming winter. ICT’s Vincent Moniz has the story.

A Navajo dentist has received a prestigious award from her peers. Darlene Sorrell has been named one of 12 Health Equity Heroes in the honor given by DentaQuest. She chairs the board of Nizhoni Smiles and she’s also a co-founder of the Society of American Indian Dentists. 

  • Native American people are leading a search for their ancestors. Built on the original land of the Pawnee, the Genoa U.S. Indian Industrial School educated around 43 hundred children from over 40 tribal nations. Starting in 1884, it is estimated that 80 students died at the 640 acre school. Because records of the cemetery location have not been discovered, the search continues. ICT’s Kevin Abourezk and Shirley Sneve have this report.
  • Rural Alaska villages are receiving millions of dollars in federal funding for water infrastructure.
  • The United States Environmental Protection Agency announced over $39 million in grant funds last week to prioritize improving water facilities in remote parts of the state.
  • In Ecuador, an Indigenous rights advocate is getting some major attention for his run for president. Last week, Yaku Pérez received backing from several political movements ahead of the country’s presidential election on August 20.
  • North Carolina tribes are being highlighted in a new way. Last month, the state’s Highway Marker Commission approved applications to put up nine markers alongside roadways. An installation ceremony is scheduled for November.

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 award winning 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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