December 21, 2024
Indianz.Com Video: Secretary Deb Haaland #WHTNS
White House Tribal Nations Summit
It's the end of an era. President Joe Biden and his administration hosted their fourth and final White House Tribal Nations Summit. The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C.

Following a morning session with Secretary Deb Haaland, tribal leaders heard from Vice President Kamala Harris in the afternoon. Biden closed out the one-day summit.

Here's Your Headlines:
Sitting Bull
America honors the Constitution and our Treaties when it respects our Freedom as Native Nations.

Monument Valley Tribal Park
Snow is on the ground and that means it’s story time in many Native communities.

Cherokee Nation
The Osage Nation and the Cherokee Nation are among the tribes celebrating #LandBack victories.

'Nothing about me, without me': Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) on Indian Country legislation
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) discusses Indian Country legislation on the floor of the U.S. Senate on December 17, 2024.

S.5355 - National Advisory Council on Indian Education Improvement Act
The U.S. House of Representatives debates S.5355, the National Advisory Council on Indian Education Improvement Act, on December 17, 2024.

H.R.1101 - Lumbee Fairness Act
The U.S. House of Representatives debates H.R.1101, the Lumbee Fairness Act, on December 17, 2024.

S.3857 - Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act
The U.S. House of Representatives considers S.3857, the Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act, on December 17, 2024.

Gila River Indian Community
President Biden’s apology for Indian boarding schools was among the top news stories of the year. What else matters to Native people in 2024?

Erica Pinto at White House Tribal Nations
Another Indian Country bill is up for consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives as the 118th Congress comes to a close.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina): 'The Network Working Against the Lumbee Tribe
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) lashes out against the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians at a hearing on sports betting on December 17, 2024. Watch his remarks.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina): 'The Network Working Against the Lumbee Tribe
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) lashes out against the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians at a hearing on sports betting on December 17, 2024. Listen to the speech.

Cheyenne and Arapaho Department of Education
A focus on reducing chronic absenteeism among Native students is paying off for one Oklahoma tribe.

White House Tribal Nations
A controversial bill to extend federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe is moving forward on Capitol Hill amid ongoing opposition in Indian Country.

Chuck Hoskin Jr.
For many decades, the United States attempted to destroy the proud culture of Native nations.

Wayne Wilson
Native patients in four states could now see government health coverage for some traditional healing practices.

NAFOA
It’s not too late to make your gift to Native youth count by donating to NAFOA.

Kapa Workshop with Dalani Tanahy
After a period of colonial suppression, traditional kapa making is enjoying a sustained resurgence in Hawaii.

White House Tribal Nations
Another batch of Indian Country bills is making its way through the 118th Congress, with only about a week left for tribal nations to see success.

Danielle Lowman
Native athletes are working hard to make their names known at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ocmulgee National Monument
A bill to protect the Ocmulgee Mounds in Georgia is making progress in Congress.

Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Tribal businesses and Native entrepreneurs are preparing for tariffs and other international trade shifts with Donald Trump in the White House.

Bryan Newland, Joe Biden and Deb Haaland
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland opens the White House Tribal Nations Summit in Washington, D.C. Watch her speech.

Investing In Indian Country at 2024 White House Tribal Nations Summit
Tribal leaders and federal officials participate in a panel titled “Investing In Indian Country” at the 2024 White House Tribal Nations Summit.

Strengthening the Nation-to-Nation Relationship at 2024 White House Tribal Nations Summit
Tribal leaders and federal officials participate in a panel titled “Strengthening the Nation-to-Nation Relationship” at the 2024 White House Tribal Nations Summit.

"The Federal Indian boarding school system, which continued through the 1960s following practices first used at the Carlisle School, inflicted a legacy of individual, collective, and multi-generational trauma on Tribes and the Native Hawaiian Community," President Joe Biden said.

“No single action by the federal government can adequately reconcile the trauma and ongoing harms from the federal Indian boarding school era,” said Secretary Deb Haaland.

“Today’s designation is an important step in acknowledging and holding ourselves accountable for the country’s complete history, no matter how dark or shameful the era,” said Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Arizona).

"Thank you, President Biden, for designating this national monument and acknowledging the harm caused by Indian boarding schools for more than 150 years," said Executive Director Jennifer Rokala.

“This is exactly what the Antiquities Act is for: Recognizing our history and reaffirming our core values as Americans,” said Caroline Ciccone, president of Accountable.US.

U.S. Supreme Court
Donald Trump focused on transgender issues during his successful presidential campaign. Where does that leave Indian Country?

Deb Haaland
“We are still here,” the first Native person to serve in a presidential cabinet said at the fourth and final White House Tribal Nations Summit of the Joe Biden era.

Carlisle Indian Industrial School
President Joe Biden is establishing a national monument at the site of one of the most infamous Indian boarding schools.

Joe Biden
Respect for Tribal Nations is a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration’s policies for Indian Country, the White House said.

Cherokee Nation At-Large Mutual Assistance Inc
This season, in the spirit of Gadugi, give what you can to Cherokee Nation At-Large Mutual Assistance Inc.

NAFOA
Don’t forget to register for the Department of the Treasury tribal consultations.

Ohkomi Forensics
The disproportionately high number of unsolved cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women inspired Haley Omeasoo to launch a research lab.

Joe Biden
It’s that time again for the White House Tribal Nations Summit. Will this one be the last?

Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) calls for release of Leonard Peltier
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) calls for the release of imprisoned American Indian Movement activist Leonard Peltier in a speech on the U.S. Senate floor.

Eugenia Charles-Newton
Paul Begay, Anne Curley, Ella Mae Begay and Everett Charley are the names of just a handful of people who have gone missing on the Navajo Nation.

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
Historian and clan leader Mike Aak’wtaatseen Hoyt designed a logo for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree featuring the Tlingit language.

Flathead Reservation
Local officials are still trying to get the state of Montana to pay for law enforcement costs on the Flathead Reservation.

Native America Calling NAC
Tribes and tribal businesses are among the entities facing growing security threats.

S.5355, the NACIE Improvement Act
The U.S. Senate considers S.5355, the National Advisory Council on Indian Education Improvement Act, on December 3, 2024.

Jesse Ed Davis by Wovoka Trudell
Tickets are on sale this week for a concert in honor of Jesse Ed Davis, a Native guitarist who was one of most talented and in-demand musicians of the 1960s and 1970s.

Sage Memorial Hospital
Patients are being welcomed to new $177 million Sage Memorial Hospital, a health facility located on the Arizona portion of the Navajo Nation.

Oneida Indian Nation
The Oneida Indian Nation has reclaimed the remains of seven ancestors who were being held by the Peabody Museum in Massachusetts.

Lynn Valbuena
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians announced $1 million in grants to support recovery, conservation, and wildfire prevention efforts throughout California.

NAFOA
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation has donated $150,000 to the oldest and largest finance organization in Indian Country.

Sage & Oats Trading Post
Native business owners and Native entrepreneurs offer an alternative during the holiday buying rush with unique products and services.

Joe BidenJoe Biden
With just a few weeks left in his term, President Joe Biden is hosting his final White House Tribal Nations Summit.

Raúl Grijalva
Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Arizona) cites efforts to honor tribal sovereignty as among his most important achievements.

Investigating the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
Native women leaders testify about the crisis of missing and murdered relatives on November 20, 2024.

Investigating the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
Federal government officials testify about the crisis of missing and murdered relatives on November 20, 2024.

Investigating the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
The House Committee on Appropriations holds a hearing titled “Investigating the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women” on November 20, 2024.

Arizona State Museum
Arizona State Museum is still not in compliance with NAGPRA, more than three decades after repatriation became the law.

Lisa Finley-DeVille
The proposed Maah Daah Hey National Monument would protect sacred lands in North Dakota.

Flathead Reservation
Local officials have billed the state of Montana nearly $1 million this year to help cover the cost of law enforcement on the Flathead Reservation.

Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital
Residents of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta are mostly Yup’ik, and the rural region is known for high rates of respiratory disease.

Nunavik, Quebec
The Canadian government apologized to the Inuit people of Nunavik for the mass killing of sled dogs in Quebec.

Eugenia Charles–Newton
Despite grants and numerous programs to help mitigate the issue, cases of missing or murdered Indigenous women continue at relatively high rates.

Bridger-Teton National Forest
Native land surveyors are bringing a unique understanding of the land to their work and for the future.

Louise Erdrich
Louise Erdrich’s latest novel draws its name from a river flowing through Ojibwe territory.

Steve Daines
A logo depicting Blackfeet Chief Two Guns White Calf could be revived by the Washington professional football team.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife
What’s on The Menu? Navajo origin stories, wild rice, salmon runs and more!

Vaccination
As COVID-19 is expected to surge this winter, communities across the Southwest face rising hospitalizations and new, resilient variants.

Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke
In a viral video, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke performed a haka on the floor of New Zealand’s Parliament and tore apart a bill that would weaken Māori political rights.

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
With time quickly running out in the 118th Congress, a leading Democratic lawmaker is laying down the law when it comes to advancing Indian Country’s legislative interests.

Michell Hicks
Tribal governments have struggled, fought, and bled for centuries to exist and maintain our cultures.

Chairman Frank White Clay of Crow Tribe: Crow Revenue Act
Chairman Frank White Clay of the Crow Tribe testifies in support of H.R.8952, the Crow Revenue Act, on November 19, 2024.

Questions and Answers: H.R.8952, Crow Revenue Act
A bill aimed at benefiting the Crow Tribe dominated discussion at a hearing in Washington, D.C. on November 19, 2024.

Cherokee Nation
There has never been a better time to unleash the potential of Cherokee families.

National Museum of the American Indian Native Knowledge 360; The First Thanksgiving
Tune into Native America Calling to talk with Native educators about the work they’re doing to bring accuracy and balance to classrooms during the Thanksgiving season.

NAFOA
Stay up to date by subscribing to the NAFOA calendar.

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) is blocking a bill that would protect the Wounded Knee massacre site in South Dakota. Watch the full debate from the floor of the U.S. Senate.

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
The U.S. Senate considers Indian Country legislation on November 21, 2024. Listen to what happened next.

Mark Trahant
As he marks 50 years in journalism, Mark Trahant is stepping down from his leadership role at ICT, formerly known as Indian Country Today.

Markwayne Mullin
Donald Trump’s election as president and the Republican takeover of Congress are already having impacts on Indian Country’s agenda.

Roll Call on Nomination of Patrice H. Kunesh, of Minnesota, to be Chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission
Members of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs advance the nomination of Patrice Kunesh to lead the National Indian Gaming Commission on November 20, 2024. Watch the rare recorded roll call.

Business Meeting to consider the Nomination of Patrice H. Kunesh, of Minnesota, to be Chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission, S. 4643 & S. 4998
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs convenes for a business meeting on November 20, 2024. Watch the video.

Business Meeting to consider the Nomination of Patrice H. Kunesh, of Minnesota, to be Chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission, S. 4643 & S. 4998
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs convenes for a business meeting on November 20, 2024. Listen to the meeting.

Department of Health and Human Services
A Medicaid scam in Arizona swept up thousands of Native people and sought reimbursement for care they never received.

"Working for Alaska as a member of our federal delegation has been the honor of my life," the outgoing Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) said.

The National Congress of American Indians, IllumiNative, the Native American Rights Fund and Native Organizers Alliance are the latest to address a controversial exit poll.

Antelope Canyon
A new film shares the story of a Navajo father who refused to send his daughter back to the boarding school she ran away from.

Mary Peltola
With votes still being counted at home, Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) is back to work, advancing the interests of Native people on Capitol Hill.

White House
If he lives up to his word, president-elect Donald Trump’s first day in the Oval Office will be a big one.

Pete Hegseth
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) is among the combat veterans and Democrats expressing deep skepticism at Donald Trump’s choice of a Defense secretary with no national security experience.

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is getting back to work as the 118th Congress comes to a close.

Steve Daines
The Crow Tribe is returning to Capitol Hill to seek passage of a mineral development bill.

Wounded Knee Cemetery
Until the Wounded Knee Massacre medals are rescinded, America’s Medals of Honor will always bear the stain of mass murder.

Julia Coates and Johnny Jack Kidwell
Progress for at-large Cherokee Nation citizens has been the result of decades of advocacy by various leaders and Cherokees at the grassroots level.

Lynn Malerba
Don’t forget to join the consultations for the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act rule this week.

Natilus
A high school teacher from the Navajo Nation is part of a science expedition in the Pacific Ocean.

'Welcome to Crow Country'
More than two dozen people have been convicted and sentenced to prison for trafficking methamphetamine on reservation in Montana.

Health Care Facility
For the first time, Latino and Indigenous populations in California will have their health challenges and needs documented in a way that reflects and serves their communities.

Hear Her
Personal stories of pregnancy-related complications from Native women are the centerpiece of a new informational campaign.

Jesse Ed Davis
Kiowa guitarist Jesse Ed Davis was in high demand as a session player and a touring musician. His legacy is finally being spotlighted.

Oyate Health Center
According to the Great Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center, syphilis rates among Native people in its region soared by 1,865 percent from 2020 to 2022.

Donald Trump and Kristi Noem
As anticipated, Kristi Noem of South Dakota plans to focus on border and immigration issues as a member of Donald Trump’s administration.

Mainstream media has often missed the mark or failed when it comes to reporting on Indigenous communities.

Jalama Beach in California
Tribes will share management of a new 4,500 square-mile marine sanctuary in southern California.

Kristi Noem
Donald Trump’s presidential cabinet is beginning to take shape, with an outgoing state governor who has repeatedly clashed with tribes potentially poised to join the administration.

Tamara Grove
Some of South Dakota’s reservations have long been considered Democratic strongholds. Is the picture changing?

Xavier Guillory
“Especially for my Nez Perce people, I want to make them proud as much as possible,” said Xavier Guillory of Arizona State University.

NAFOA
This week we honor the Native veterans who have served.

New Caledonia
Tensions are high in New Caledonia as the remote Pacific island nation’s Indigenous people are pushing for independence.

Cherokee Nation Rare Disease Summit
Cherokees deserve help, treatment and hope — especially those who’ve long felt unseen by the health care system due to their unique conditions.

Eli Crane
Republican Eli Crane has won a second term in the U.S. House of Representatives after defeating Democratic challenger Jonathan Nez, a former president of the Navajo Nation.

Janet Alkire
“We are fighting for our rights and the water that is life for Oceti Sakowin tribes,” Chairwoman Janet Alkire said on Indigenous Peoples Day.

All Nations Health Center
Cooking classes at the All Nations Health Center focus on meal prep and sovereignty.

Alaska Native Resilience: Voices from World War II
The stories Holly Miowak Guise heard from elders inspired her to research and document the experience of Alaska Native veterans of World War II.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Donald Trump made mass deportations one of his signature campaign promises despite lack of national support for the controversial idea.

Little Turtle (Michikinikwa) by Doug Hyde
Concerns about legitimacy continue to be a significant source of contention within the nation’s largest inter-tribal organization.

Desert Diamond Casino White Tanks at San Lucy
The Tohono O’odham Nation is getting ready to welcome visitors to its fifth gaming facility in Arizona.

Ledger Art
Native people have a long and rich tradition of producing artwork from behind bars.

Tim Sheehy
A Republican in the White House isn’t the only big change Indian Country is facing as tribes seek to hold the U.S. government accountable for its trust and treaty responsibilities.

Tim Sheehy, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Montana, delivers an election victory speech on November 5, 2024.

Native America Calling NAC
Native people are significantly underrepresented in the information technology workforce. The divide is even wider for Native women.

Donald Trump
Indian Country is waking up to new political realities with Republican Donald Trump headed to the White House after an election season that saw an unprecedented Native vote effort in support of Democrat Kamala Harris.

"This campaign has always been about the voices of rural Arizonans," said Jonathan Nez, the Democratic candidate in the 2nd Congressional District.

Sharice Davids is heading back to the U.S. House of Representatives for a fourth term in office.

Republican Sharon Clahchischilliage was unsuccessful in her bid for the U.S. Congress despite winning support from voters on the Navajo Nation.

"I look forward to building a constructive relationship with the incoming Trump Administration to benefit the Navajo Nation and the country as a whole," said Presdient Buu Nygren.

"During and after the transition of presidential administrations, we will continue pressing the United States to honor its treaty obligations to Native peoples, respect our sovereignty and meet obligations to provide needed resources to tribal nations," said Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump delivers an election victory speech on November 6, 2024.

Election Day on Navajo Nation
There has been a history of voting complications within Native communities in Arizona, and 2024 was no different.

White Mountain Apache Tribe
Arizona was one of the last states to allow voting rights for Native people.

White House
Are Native people poised to benefit from the change in power in Washington?

Native Americans for Harris
Native people have long felt like politicians overlook them, but both parties are seeking the Native vote more than ever before.

Mary Peltola is the first Alaska Native to serve in the U.S. Congress. The Democratic trailblazer has the support of Alaska Natives and a key Republican as she seeks another term in office.

Democrat Jonathan Nez is trying to unseat Republican incumbent Eli Crane in Arizona's 2nd Congressional District, which has never sent a Native candidate to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Oklahoma's largest tribes believe a campaign to oust three judges is an attack on tribal sovereignty.

Election Day
All the messages to encourage Native voting, the legal and technical work to assure access, and the onslaught of campaign ads come down to Election Day.

Tim Walz
Vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz for a bright future in America.

"Are we ready to win?" asks Jade Begay, Native American Engagement Director for the Kamala Harris presidential campaign.

Award-winning Native actress Lily Gladstone endorsed Jon Tester of Montana as he seeks re-election to the U.S. Senate.

Jonathan Nez, a former president of the Navajo Nation, is seeking to make history in Arizona's 2nd Congressional District.

The largest federally-recognized tribe in Oklahoma is reminding citizens of the importance of voting.



Cherokee Nation
Child care is a growing obstacle for Cherokee families.

Virgil Dixon
When Virgil Dixon tried to register to vote in his birthplace state of New Mexico, the Navajo veteran was denied and had to go to court.

Kamala Harris
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris voiced support for full federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe in the battleground state of New Mexico.

NAFOA
Let’s turn out the Native Vote!

Tim Sheehy
Tim Sheehy, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Montana, admits there’s no medical records of his gunshot wound after being asked “Did you shoot yourself in the arm?”

Native America Calling NAC
The possibility of federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe is a factor as voters go to the polls in North Carolina.

Montana State team develops recipes featuring Native crops
A team of students and faculty at Montana State University have developed recipes to help support Native producers and improve food security on reservations.

Dark Winds
Dark Winds, a television series set on the Navajo Nation, is coming back!. Get your first look at the upcoming season.

Gila River Indian Community
“It was long overdue,” said Crystalyne Curley, Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council.

Travis Branson
A man who bragged about going “on a killing spree” was sentenced to 46 months in prison for trafficking eagle feathers and eagle parts.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park
When the ownership of abandoned oil or gas wells is untraceable, responsibility falls to federal, local and tribal governments.

Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police
Join Native America Calling to hear about the history of “Lighthorse” and how they paved the way for tribal law enforcement.

IJA hosted a virtual roundtable, “Reporting on the Native Vote,” on October 29, 2024.

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians
The UKB is not a threat to the historic Cherokee Nation.

Halloween
Halloween is the right time to dive into new spooky books by Native authors.

Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president, campaigns on the Navajo Nation on October 26, 2024.

Deb Haaland campaigns for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on the Navajo Nation on October 26, 2024.

Joe Biden
In the swing state of Arizona, President Biden formally apologized for U.S. government-run Native American boarding schools.

Tim Sheehy and John Barrasso
In true double-down MAGA fashion, I don’t expect Tim Sheehy to apologize to the Crow Tribe or Indigenous peoples of Montana anytime soon for his gross misrepresentation of us.

Jon Tester and Tim Sheehy
With a week left to go until Election Day 2024, polls that show presidential candidates neck-and-neck mirror some of the races closer to the Treasure State.

Greg Stanton, Tony West, Beto O'Rourke and Lauren Underwood
With just a week to go until Election Day, all eyes remain on the swing state of Arizona.

With the 2024 general elections well underway, we are working to ensure voters can cast their ballots and that every vote is counted.

Shelly Lowe, Maria Rosario Jackson, Joe Biden and Jill Biden
Four Native people just received the nation’s highest honor recognizing work and dedication to enriching the community.

Gila River Indian Community
“The federal government has never formally apologized, until today,” President Joe Biden said during a historic visit to the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona.

World Indigenous Business Forum
At least 1,000 Indigenous leaders are gathering in New Mexico for the World Indigenous Business Forum.

Jonathan Nez, a former president of the Navajo Nation, raised more than $1 million in October 2024 alone, according to his U.S. Congressional campaign.

Cherokee Vote
Voting is one of the most powerful ways tribal citizens can make their voices heard, whether in tribal, local, state, or federal elections.

National Congress of American Indians
“We urge Congress to pass legislation that would further illuminate this history and support the ongoing journey toward healing,” said President Mark Macarro.

Seneca Nation
“Our communities are still broken because of what we were forced to endure,” said President Rickey Armstrong, Sr.

Joe Biden
“Congress needs to act now and pass the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding Schools Act, so we can learn from our past and make sure these wrongs are never repeated,” said Chief Executive Officer Francys Crevier.

Indian Boarding School Students
Indian boarding schools notoriously worked to stamp out Native languages, religions, and cultures — along with traditional foodways.

NAFOA
NAFOA looks out for our community — help us grow by forwarding this newsletter!

Republican Kari Lake is running for governor of Arizona, home to nearly two dozen tribes.

President Joe Biden at Gila River Indian Community
President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona on October 25, 2024. Watch the historic speech.

Secretary Deb Haaland at Gila River Indian Community
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland speaks at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona on October 25, 2024. Watch her remarks.

President Joe Biden at Gila River Indian Community
President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona on October 25, 2024.

Secretary Deb Haaland at Gila River Indian Community
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland speaks at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona on October 25, 2024. Listen to her remarks.

Governor Stephen Roe Lewis of Gila River Indian Community
Governor Stephen Roe Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community welcomes visitors to his tribal nation on October 25, 2024. Listen in.

President Joe Biden Delivers Remarks at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona
President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona on October 25, 2024. Tune in!

Cherokee Nation Flag
“Oklahoma was home to 87 boarding schools in which thousands of our Cherokee children attended,” said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.

Ray Halbritter
“Survivors live among our communities and the trauma they endured echoes through our families,” said Oneida Nation Representative Ray Halbritter.

Marshall Pierite
“Today’s apology by President Biden on behalf of the United States government is both welcomed and long overdue,” said Chairman Marshall Pierite of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe.

Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation
“Genocide, institutional racism, abuse in all forms, cultural disconnection, alienation and pressure to assimilate away from Native culture and identity have haunted our people for generations,” said the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.

Buu Nygren
“For generations, Native children, including many Navajo, endured an education system that aimed to erase our languages, cultures, and identities,” said President Buu Nygren.

Crystalyne Curley and Eugenia Charles-Newton
“President Biden’s apology is a critical acknowledgment of past injustices and wrongdoings by the federal government, and it lays the groundwork for continued healing,” said Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley.

Benjamin Mallott
“This apology is an important step forward, but it must be accompanied by meaningful actions addressing these historical injustices’ ongoing impacts,” said AFN President Benjamin Mallott.

Rodney Butler, Crystal Williams and Marshall Pierite
“President Biden’s acknowledgment of the deep wounds caused by the Indian boarding school era is a crucial step towards healing and reconciliation,” said Chief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Nation.

Coalition of Large Tribes
“Indigenous communities have been subjected to trauma at every scale and dimension imaginable,” said COLT Vice Chairman Tracy King.

StrongHearts Native Helpline
“It is our deepest hope that the apology opens the doors to restoration of those things lost due to boarding school era policies – our culture, traditions, and most importantly our languages,” said Chief Executive Officer Lori Jump.

National Indigenous Women's Resource Center
Native peoples continue to endure the consequences of this era, evident in ongoing trauma, loss of cultural heritage, and persistent systemic inequalities, said the NIWRC.

Joe Biden
“President Biden’s apology is a moment of validation for our communities, recognizing the profound trauma endured by generations of Native children and families—including my own mother,” said National Indian Health Board Chairman William Smith.

Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women
“It is essential that this apology is not merely symbolic but is accompanied by actionable commitments to repair the harm done,” said CSVANW Executive Director Tiffany Jiron.

Native American Church of North America
Apologies offer hope for continued healing, acknowledgment of a tragic historical record, and movement toward righting a wrong, said the Native American Church of North America.

Indian Health Service
“The impact of boarding schools upon the health and well-being of Native American children and families cannot be overstated,” said IHS Director Roselyn Tso.

Carlisle Indian Industrial School
“This is an important day for our country and for all Native peoples,” said Shelly Lowe, the first Native person to chair the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
“For more than a century, the federal government’s Indian Boarding School policies and practices stole hundreds of thousands of Native children from their homes in an effort to destroy Native languages, cultures, and identities,” said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii).

Maria Cantwell
“The Indian Boarding School era left lasting, intergenerational scars on tribal families and communities,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington).

Ben Ray Luján
“Let us never forget the scars inflicted on our Native brothers and sisters,” said Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico).

Tina Smith
“The incredible resilience of Native peoples, even as the United States government tried to erase and eradicate their identities, is deeply inspiring,” said Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minnesota).

Mark Kelly
“For generations, Native children were taken from their families and communities in an inhumane attempt to erase their culture that led to the abuse and even murder of young students,” said Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona).

Jeff Merkley
“The Federal Indian Boarding School era was a shameful, dark chapter in American history,” said. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon).

Phoenix Indian Boarding School
President Joe Biden is taking the historic step to formally apologize for the federal government’s role in the genocidal Indian boarding school era.

“The Native American boarding school policy represents a dark chapter in U.S. history, characterized by the forced assimilation of Indigenous children into Euro-American culture," said U.S. Congressional candidate Jonathan Nez.

Tim Sheehy
More than 200 people and four organizations are supporting the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in denouncing a Republican candidate’s derogatory remarks about Native Americans.

“Here in Arizona, there is a lot of enthusiasm, there’s a lot of energy,” Sen. Mark Kelly said as he campaigned for Kamala Harris and Democratic candidates.

Joe Biden
President Joe Biden is highlighting his administration’s Indian Country achievements as he prepares to visit a tribe in Arizona.

Pershlie Ami
For the first time in history, a sitting U.S. president is set to apologize for the federal government’s role in abuse and mistreatment at Indian boarding schools.

Bryan Newland
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is moving forward with regulations to implement the Safeguarding Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act, also known as the STOP Act.

Department of Health and Human Services
Every year, thousands of Native people are going without the health care they’re entitled, or are risking costly medical bills for treatment that should be covered.

Jonathan Nez is seeking to make history as Arizona’s first Native member of Congress.

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris
The Affordable Care Act, which permanently authorized the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, is once again a subject of debate in the 2024 presidential race.

Reno-Sparks Indian Colony
With less than two weeks before the November 2024 election, join Native America Calling to discuss progress — and continuing hurdles — for Native voters.

Jonathan Nez is seeking to make history as the first Native person to serve in the U.S. Congress for Arizona.

Leticia Nogueira
Indigenous communities across the Southwest face adversities that stem from historical marginalization.

National Humanities Medal
As his time in the White House winds down, President Joe Biden continues to celebrate and champion Native artists and Native cultures.

Shelly Lowe (Navajo) of National Endowment for the Humanities at White House
Shelly Lowe, Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities, addresses a reception at the White House on October 21, 2024.

National Arts and Humanities Reception at White House
President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden host a National Arts and Humanities reception at the White House on October 21, 2024.

Jonathan Nez
Voters on the Navajo Nation are enthusiastic in Arizona, one of the battleground states in the 2024 election.

Indigenous Peoples Day
“Indigenous Peoples Day is a day to embrace all Indigenous people everywhere,” said Deeanna Talley, a singer who goes by Nanibaah.

John Harvard
Native student admissions for the class of 2028 have suffered after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down race-conscious recruitment in colleges and universities.

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments in Turtle Mountain Chippewa v. Howe on October 22, 2024.

Chickasaw Nation
The Department of the Treasury is celebrating a major milestone in tribal economic development, surpassing the $500 million mark in investments for small businesses and entrepreneurs in Indian Country.

John Kinsel Sr.
The Navajo Nation is mourning the loss of John Kinsel Sr., who was the oldest Code Talker.

Chuck Hoskin Jr.
I cannot meet my oath of office if I do not defend Cherokee sovereignty against all attackers.

USACE Omaha District, tribally-owned company partner for Missouri River maintenance
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers partnered with Flatwater Group, owned by the Winnebago Tribe’s economic arm, to enhance maintenance operations along the Missouri River.

Morgan Farley and Maribel Rodriguez
Federal funding expires at the end of the year for a program that has reduced diabetes among Native people.

NAFOA
Your weekly digest on the latest in tribal economic growth.

Grizzly Bears
Tribes across Montana have continued to call for protections of grizzly bears, a sacred and important anima in their cultures.

Claudia Sheinbaum
Claudia Sheinbaum has made history as Mexico’s first female president, taking office with promises to improve the nation’s relationship with Indigenous peoples.

Ruben Gallego, the Democrat running for U.S. Senate in Arizona, hiked for miles to reach the Havasupai Tribe.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris discusses tribal sovereignty at a campaign rally in Wisconsin.

Shannon Holsey, the president of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, campaigns for Kamala Harris in Wisconsin.

Department of the Treasury
The Department of the Treasury released a list of State Small Business Credit Initiative Tribal Government Approvals through October 2024.

Department of the Treasury
The Department of the Treasury released a list of State Small Business Credit Initiative Technical Assistance Application Approvals through October 2024.

Native America Calling NAC
In the final days before the November 2024 election, campaigns are working at a feverish pace to reach Native voters.

Muscogee (Creek) Nation
A federal appeals court has revived a long-simmering dispute between two tribal nations but both parties remain far apart on what the decision means for sacred Creek land

Angoon, Alaska
The U.S. Navy is formally apologizing to Alaska Native residents of Angoon, more than 140 years bombarding the Tlingit village.

Miss Navajo Nation
The Miss Navajo Nation pageant celebrates tribal culture and tradition, and imbues the winner as a role model on the largest reservation in the U.S.

Shawnee game play in 'Civilization'
The Civilization video game franchise is getting a Shawnee storyline, thanks to a collaboration with the Shawnee Tribe.

"The future in Indian Country looks bright with Kamala Harris and Tim Walz," Peggy Flanagan says in a video promoting the Democratic presidential ticket.

Howard H. Baker, Jr. United States Courthouse
Chitina Diversified Services, an Alaska Native corporation owned firm, has won a $7.4 million contract from the General Services Administration.

Trail of Tears Artists
For the second year in a row, the “Trail of Tears” art show was held in Woodbury, Tennessee.

Buu Nygren
Seven states that rely on the Colorado River each got a cut of water under a deal struck over a century ago – a deal that excluded tribal nations.

Rebecca Nagle
Native land is the medium Cherokee journalist and writer Rebecca Nagle uses to convey the long fight for justice and accountability.

NAFOA
Every day is Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

"We have a duty to make sure that all Native people have the opportunity to thrive," Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris says in a campaign ad.

Joe Biden
President Joe Biden has issued the last Indigenous Peoples’ Day proclamation of his administration.

The Democratic National Committee is targeting Native voters in four states through Native media outlets.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris speaks with Native youth during a campaign stop in Arizona on October 10, 2024.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris campaigns on the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona on October 10, 2024.

Chuck Hoskin Jr.
We are in the midst of what could become the greatest century in Cherokee history.

Stephen Roe Lewis
The Gila River Indian Community received nearly $6 million in federal funds to create a first-of-its kind renewable energy project.

Duke Redbird
Duke Redbird's activism initially rose from hardship, and he turned to writing after encountering racism and discrimination in school.

Tim Sheehy and Greg Gianforte
Despite considerable controversy over his comments about Native people, Republican Tim Sheehy is leading Democrat Jon Tester in the U.S. Senate race in Montana.

Join Native Americans for Harris-Walz for a National Organizing Call on October 11, 2024.

Shut Down DAPL
Under the Biden-Harris administration, tribes got more of a say in Congress and tons more funding. A Trump-Vance win could upend that.

Montana Barlow
The Native American Rodeo is part of the rich tradition of the Arizona State Fair, with spectators and competitors from tribal nations across the country.

Arizona Native Vote
Both presidential campaigns are pouring resources into Arizona, a swing state where Native voters could make a substantial difference in the outcome of the election.

Hurricane Helene
Lies about various aspects of FEMA’s response to Hurricane Helene could potentially endanger first responders on the ground.

Hurricane Milton
The Miccosukee Tribe and the Seminole Tribe are dealing with the effects of Hurricane Milton after the catastrophic storm hit their homelands in Florida.

World Mental Health Day 2024
The Indian Health Service finds Native people are two and a half times more likely to report serious psychological distress.

'Tulsa King'
“The Quapaw Nation opposes any use of its name or purported portrayal of our people without the Nation’s consent,” a tribal statement reads.

'Rez Ball' on Netflix
The Native-written and Native-directed ‘Rez Ball’ is coming in strong following its debut on the Netflix streaming service.

Dan Foreman
Dan Foreman, a Republican lawmaker in Idaho, stormed out of a “Meet your candidates” event after a question about racism and discrimination.

"People like Dan Foreman do not represent our diverse community, and I will continue to stand against the hatred and racism they spread," said Trish Carter-Goodheart, a candidate for the Idaho Legislature.

The Nez Perce Tribe is condemning remarks from a Republican politician who told a Native candidate to "go back to where you came from."

Hurricane Helene
Join Native America Calling to hear from tribal emergency management officials about their evolving disaster plans.

Pinyon Plain Mine Protest
Uranium mining has been a point of contention for Southwest tribal nations for decades.

Rebecca Nagle
With her debut book, award-winning journalist Rebecca Nagle is taking a look at one of the most consequential U.S. Supreme Court decisions in Indian Country.

Tommy G - Tommy McGee
A portrayal of the Pine Ridge Reservation by a YouTube personality with more than 2 million subscribers is drawing criticism for focusing on stereotypes.

Red Shawls
Having endured colonization, Native women and advocates are speaking up to reclaim justice -- one piece at a time.

Tim Sheehy
The tribally-owned Char-Koosta News released audio that confirms what Republican candidate Tim Sheehy said about Native people being “drunk at 8am.” And there’s more.

Robert Mirabal
Robert Mirabal, the award-winning flutist from the Pueblo of Taos, is embarking on a short tour with Ethel, a string quartet.

Bureau of Indian Affairs
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is investing nearly $10 million in tribal treaty fishing sites along the Columbia River.

Farley Eaglespeaker
The U.S. government recently recognized the harm caused by the dams and has promised to work to restore salmon runs but tribal members doubt much will change.

Cherokee Nation
There is no greater aspiration than building a stronger, healthier world for the next generation.

NAFOA
Learn how you can support Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.

St. Paul Island in Alaska
A possible rat sighting on a remote island in Alaska has Native people and scientists on alert.

'Indigenous Votes Count'
Ahead of the 2024 election, organizations across Arizona are ramping up efforts to register Native voters and address challenges in getting to the polls.

Sierra Spirit
Hitaałiinez Wheeler (Diné) and Sierra Spirit (Otoe-Missouria / UKB) are dropping new music for listeners.

Kamala Harris Campaign at Navajo Nation Fair
With a little over a month before the election, Native advocates are working to ensure Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris wins the race for the White House.

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation will host a voter registration drive in Pendleton, Oregon, on October 10, 2024.

The campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris announces the launch of Native Americans for Harris-Walz on October 2, 2024.

“Vice President Harris has been a fierce advocate for Tribal sovereignty, working to secure funding for health care, education, and economic development that truly empowers our communities,” said Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan.

New Mexico Community Capital
An organization in New Mexico is cutting the ribbon on a new building they say will help develop Native entrepreneurs.

Deb Haaland
Secretary Deb Haaland visited one of the most infamous Indian boarding school sites amid ongoing efforts to hold the U.S. accountable for a genocidal era in history.

Raul Grijalva
Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Arizona) is the highest-ranking Democrat on the committee with jurisdiction over Indian issues.

Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes
Citizens of the Fort Peck Tribes are seeking satellite voting locations on the reservation, arguing that Native voters have poor access to the polls.

Tim Sheehy
Republican U.S. Senate challenger Tim Sheehy is drawing fire for comments deemed derogatory against Native people.

Tim Sheehy and Jon Tester
Native issues are playing a big role in the U.S. Senate race in Montana, the outcome of which is being closely watched in an already heated presidential election year.

Tim Sheehy and Charlie Kirk
Native people were removed from a conservative rally featuring Tim Sheehy, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Montana.

“You're a big guy. Just apologize." Watch what Tim Sheehy couldn’t do at the Montana PBS debate with Jon Tester.

Tim Sheehy, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Montana, finally admitted making negative remarks about Native people. But he said he was joking. And he refused to apologize.

Caja del Rio
The increasing demand for power is prompting challenges from a number of tribes who say the means to transmit that power is harming sacred and culture sites.

Hurricane Helene in North Carolina
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is counting its blessings and coming together as a community amid widespread damage caused by Hurricane Helene.

Chuck Hoskin Jr.
Cherokee Nation has a sovereign right to issue tags on our reservation, and the state has no authority to interfere with that.

NAFOA
Falling into new opportunities with NAFOA!

Rally for Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act (RECA)
People exposed to radiation from atomic bomb tests and uranium mines rallied at the U.S. Capitol to demand action on a stalled compensation program.

Rio Arriba County Courthouse
Ryan Martinez was recorded on video shooting a Native activist during a prayer ceremony and protest against genocide and colonization.

Greg Gianforte
“This funding will provide tribes and rural counties with the resources they need to design and implement programs that work best for the Montanans they serve,” said Gov. Greg Gianforte (R).

Joel Jackson
The U.S. Navy formally apologized to the Village of Kake for a devastating bombardment of the Tlingit community more than 150 years ago.

Native America Calling NAC
How much do the proposed USDA Dietary Guidelines reflect what industries want to promote as opposed to what Native people consider nutritious?

Legislative Hearing to receive testimony on S.4444, S.4633, S.4643, S.4705 & S.4998
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hosts a legislative hearing on September 25, 2024. Watch the testimony.

Legislative Hearing to receive testimony on S.4444, S.4633, S.4643, S.4705 & S.4998
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hosts a legislative hearing on September 25, 2024. Listen to the testimony.

Business Meeting to consider S.465, S. 2908 & S.4370
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hosts a business meeting on September 25, 2024. Watch the video.

Business Meeting to consider S.465, S. 2908 & S.4370
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hosts a business meeting on September 25, 2024. Listen to the audio.

Rez Ball
In “Rez Ball,” a Native director and cast tell the story of trauma and healing within a reservation basketball team.

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Nearly every American has forever chemicals in their body. But information specific to Native people is limited.

"We’ve got your back for the next 42 days, sister!" Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (D) said of Jade Begay joining the Kamala Harris team.

Native voters in Montana say state and local officials are trying to keep them from getting to the polls.

Watch Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump make another promise to the Lumbee Tribe.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is once again promising to help the Lumbee Tribe.

Pueblo of Zuni
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is taking testimony on legislation affecting tribal water rights and natural resources.

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is taking up three bills at a business meeting.

U.S. Capitol
Survivors of nuclear testing and uranium mines are ramping up pressure on Congress to reauthorize a federal compensation program that expired in June.

Senate Leadership Fund: 'White Farmers'
Crow people were still fuming over a Republican candidate deriding them as being “drunk at 8 a.m.” when a campaign ad began circulating about “white farmers.”