Author

Pauly Denetclaw, a citizen of the Navajo Nation, is Haltsooí (Meadow People) born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House People). An award-winning reporter based in Gallup, New Mexico, she has worked for the Navajo Times and Texas Observer covering Indigenous communities, and her radio pieces have aired on KYAT, National Native News, NPR’s Latino USA and Texas Public Radio. She is a board member of the Native American Journalist Association.
Could Arizona elect an Indigenous candidate for Congress in 2024?
By: Pauly Denetclaw, ICT - December 14, 2022
For more than two decades, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has held public office. From vice-president of Shonto Chapter to a Navajo county supervisor and finally as president of what he called the largest Indigenous nation in the country. Although he was voted out of his latter position in November, Nez continues to move forward, […]
Tribal leaders get Joe Biden’s attention
By: Pauly Denetclaw, ICT - December 1, 2022
WASHINGTON — The halls of the Department of the Interior were abuzz with conversations and laughter before the beginning of the 10th annual White House Tribal Nations Summit, and the first in-person one since 2016 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Yates Auditorium, five flag bearers wearing jingle dresses were walking slowly back from […]
Indigenous people flock to DC for ICWA hearing
By: Pauly Denetclaw, ICT and Jourdan Bennett-Begaye, ICT - November 10, 2022
WASHINGTON — Kimberly Jump-CrazyBear held up a self-made “Uphold ICWA” sign across the street from the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., Wednesday morning. “I’m just here on behalf of all of you who can’t be here today. To help lend my voice,” she said before the oral arguments for Haaland v. Brackeen began. “Without our children, […]
Redistricting affects ‘power’ in Native vote, Indigenous candidates
By: Pauly Denetclaw, ICT - October 18, 2022
The Native vote has become increasingly influential, with the ability to determine whole elections in several states across the country. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski often credits her win to the Alaska Native vote. The Native vote swung the election for U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, Sen. Jon Tester in Montana, and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp in North […]
Navajo Nation citizen will head Indian Health Service
By: Pauly Denetclaw, ICT - September 26, 2022
Navajo Nation citizen Roselyn Tso was confirmed by the Senate Wednesday to lead the Indian Health Service, the first permanent director the agency has had in nearly two years. Tso’s term will last four years. The director of Indian Health Service is the most senior position that helps to develop healthcare policy for 2.6 million […]