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‘I just want to free my dad,’ Leonard Peltier
WHITE HOUSE — A young Indigenous girl walked through Lafayette Park in front of the White House with an American Indian Movement flag. Her tiny frame held the six-foot bamboo stake steady as the flag blew in the wind. A stark reminder of how many generations the movement to free Leonard Peltier from prison has […]
The past and present Diné government
It’s the centennial of the Navajo Nation Council and the 24 delegates have convened for another summer to vote on 28 legislative bills, ranging from virtual meeting attendance for delegates to infrastructure update. “There are things that are very traditional today, or very historical,” said Lloyd Lee, professor of Native American studies at the University […]
Navajo Nation opposes any Chaco Canyon buffer zone
WASHINGTON — The 10-mile buffer zone around Chaco Culture National Historical Park in northwest New Mexico continues to be a contentious issue. The latest move by Navajo Nation officials and allottees is supporting H.R. 4374, the Energy Opportunities for All Act. Navajo Nation officials and allottees testified Thursday before the Energy and Mineral Resources subcommittee […]
Supreme Court: Tribal sovereign immunity doesn’t extend to bankruptcy court
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday morning that tribes are like any other state or government and cannot use sovereign immunity in Bankruptcy Court. The ruling derails an argument made by the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, which tried to extend the reach of tribal sovereign immunity in bankruptcy proceedings. “The […]
Could Arizona elect an Indigenous candidate for Congress in 2024?
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
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
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
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
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 […]