On this Wednesday’s newscast, we look ahead at the South Carolina Republican primary and a deep dive into concerns surrounding the age of the presidential candidates on IndigiPolitics. ICT political correspondent Pauly Denetclaw is talking with regular contributor Michael Stopp, CEO of SevenStar Holdings.

Then we turn to Big Sky Country where poet laureate Chris La Tray is shining a spotlight on Native language revitalization in Montana. ICT education correspondent Renata Birkenbuel talked with La Tray about his work.

To close up the show, we learn about the growing popularity of Two-Spirit powwows. They are inclusive gatherings to recognize and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. One of them is the 13th Annual Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirit Powwow in San Francisco, California, believed to be the first Two-Spirit powwow in the country. Angel Fabian, executive director of the Bay Area American Two Spirits, talks with the ICT Newscast about the annual powwow and why it’s so important.

  • In Washington, D.C., two major federal agencies want to strengthen representation for Alaska Natives on its federal subsistence board. The Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture are proposing adding three new subsistence board members. The new additions would be nominated by federally recognized tribal governments in Alaska. Subsistence living provides food, shelter and traditional clothing for Alaska Natives.
  • In Alaska, officials are praising the United States Department of Agriculture for its plans to purchase seafood from the state. The federal agency will buy $100 million worth of Alaska pink and sockeye salmon. The purchase will support Alaskan communities by providing jobs and helping those experiencing food insecurity. According to Yup’ik congressional representative Mary Peltola the agreement is a first step in putting more Alaska seafood in federal programs and supermarkets across the country.
  • In North Dakota, a new program is increasing the number of Native American teachers in the state. In partnership with the University of Jamestown, Minnewaukan Public School and the Northeast Education Services, the initiative will support Native Americans pursuing teaching careers. Some schools in the state are made up of 90 percent Native American students but there are rarely Native educators to teach them.
  • In Michigan, millions in funding is set to expand educational experiences and facilities at Straits State Park. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources received a $3.6 million grant from the Mellon Foundation to add learning commons for exhibits, powwow ground structures, and a community kitchen pavilion.
  • Last year, was the first time in over a century that buffalo returned to roam free on Blackfeet lands. Now, the documentary, “Bring Them Home,” explores buffalo revitalization efforts from the perspective of Blackfeet citizens. 

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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.

Paris Wise, Zia and Laguna Pueblo, 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.or

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

Ebonye Delaney is the Executive Producer for the ICT Newscast. Email: ebonye@ictnews.org