As a child Raphael Regan spent time in the costume shop while his mother went to college to earn her degree in theater. In that space, he found his love for sewing and it planted the seeds for his career as a freelance costume designer. Raphael joins us virtually to talk about his work.

Cultural tourism is a movement that continues to grow rapidly and now in Alaska, tourists hoping for a “real Alaska” experience have a new brochure to guide them. ICT’s McKenzie Allen-Charmley spoke with director of operations for the Alaska Native Heritage Center Nikki Graham.

(Related: Tourism in Indian Country regrouping)

The month of January after an election year is filled with swearing-in ceremonies of newly elected leaders. That includes from federal officials to tribal leaders. ICT Political Correspondent Pauly Denetclaw has more about the events. 

A slice of our Indigenous world:

  • Tribes in Arizona met on Wednesday with state lawmakers at the 28th Annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day.
  • In Washington state, there is a proposal for new legislation that could solve cases of missing and murdered Indigenous people.
  • The Seneca Nation in New York is celebrating the return of ancestral land within its territory.
  • New York Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill that could potentially protect unmarked Indigenous gravesites.
  • Native astronaut Nicole Mann will be living a few months longer in space. 

Thank you for watching!

Today’s newscast was created with work from:

Shirley Sneve, Ponca/Sicangu Lakota, is vice president of broadcasting for Indian Country Today. Follow her on Twitter @rosebudshirley She’s based in Nebraska and Minnesota.

Aliyah Chavez, Kewa Pueblo, is the anchor and managing editor of the ICT newscast. On Twitter: @aliyahjchavez.

R. Vincent Moniz, Jr., NuÉta & Oglala, 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.

Patty Talahongva, Hopi, works for Indian Country Today. Follow her on Twitter: @WiteSpider.

Drea Yazzie, Diné, is a producer/editor for the ICT newscast. On Twitter: @quindreayazzie Yazzie is based in Phoenix.

Maxwell Montour, Pottawatomi, is a newscast editor for Indian Country Today. On Instagram: max.montour Montour is based in Phoenix.

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

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.