Podcasts about Indian country

With help from Congress, the Trump Administration stripped some $1.5 billion in federal funds previously promised to tribes. A lot of that was in the form of contracts for clean energy manufacturing and development — new money doled out three years earlier as part of President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act. A new analysis by the Brookings Institution identifies three funding and policy changes, including reductions in SNAP and Medicaid, that negatively affect Native Americans. The research firm says the actions continue a pattern of disinvestment and falls short of the federal government's binding responsibility to Indian Country. GUESTS Robert Maxim (Mashpee Wampanoag), fellow at The Brookings Institution Chéri Smith (Mi’kmaq descendant), president and CEO of the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy Timothy Nuvangyaoma (Hopi), vice president of tribal engagement for the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy and former chairman of the Hopi Tribe Dr. Kyle Whyte (Citizen Potawatomi Nation), professor at the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan

The federal government is encouraging tribes to partner with data centers. That could mean leasing land or, as the Mountain West News Bureau's Hanna Merzbach reports, selling power. At a U.S. Department of Energy webinar, Ken Ahmann with Colusa Indian Energy said that is where the big bucks come in. “ Potentially billions of dollars into the coffers of tribes.” His company provides energy infrastructure to data centers on tribal land. He says these partnerships can be good for tribes that have land and resources to power big projects like the Osage Nation in Oklahoma. Paul Bemore is the chair of the tribe's utility board. “Tribes that are casino-dependent really need to look at other ways to build their economies, and I think data centers is one of those opportunities.” Though Bemore says people may be wary about how this will impact the environment. Other tribes have expressed concerns about data centers draining precious water supplies. (Courtesy Disney) Disney's animated film “Moana 2” has been translated into Hawaiian just like the first movie. Hawai‘i Public Radio's Cassie Ordonio reports. Most Disney productions are dubbed in more than 40 languages after appearing in English. The Moana series is one of them. The sequel made history with a global debut on Disney plus this month – marking the beginning of Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, or Hawaiian Language Month. Lāiana Kanoa-Wong is a member of the “Moana 2” Oceanic Cultural Trust. “Things that you could find on the media or in shows, we didn’t have it. We were watching every cartoon you could imagine at the time. We were watching all of these things, but nothing ever looked and sounded like us. And so being able to be a part of this project was a huge honor and privilege.” Kanoa-Wong was honored to be a part of the project and to see the characters brought to life in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. “It was important to make sure that the maoli Hawai‘i was still strong, like the essence and what we’re trying to say was so strong, even if sometimes it didn’t match perfectly with the lip flap, we forgave ourselves sometimes, if it conveyed the meaning and it was helpful for that purpose, or we would sometimes like we would have written it out, and we’re like, Oh, we got to add a few more things why don’t we add this word or these sounds that can also deepen the meaning, but from a Hawaiian worldview.” “Moana 2” tells the story of the Polynesian princess receiving a call from her wayfinding ancestors. She embarks on a dangerous journey across the ocean, reunites with Maui, and recruits other characters from her home in Motunui to join her. The Hawaiian language version of the film is produced by an all-local cast, including the original Moana voice actress Auli‘i Cravalho. The character Loto is voiced by Native Hawaiian actress Pualalea Panaewa. “For me, it was a very special opportunity to be able to voice a character in such a beloved Disney film series. Moana is huge. Not just amongst our people too. Not just amongst Hawaiians or Polynesians or Oceania like in the world.” Jim Gray, former Principal Chief of the Osage Nation, is being remembered for his leadership and advocacy for Indian Country. He passed away last week at age 64. Chairperson Ben Barnes of the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma says Gray's achievements for his tribe and Indian Country have left a profound impact, including modernizing the Osage Nation's government by ratifying its first constitution, and securing equal voting rights for every Osage member. The National Congress of American Indians President Mark Macarro says Gray devoted his life to strengthening the Osage Nation and advancing tribal sovereignty. Funeral services are being held Monday on the Osage Nation. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Monday, February 16, 2026 — Tribes come to grips with $1.5 billion federal funding retraction

With help from Congress, the Trump Administration stripped some $1.5 billion in federal funds previously promised to tribes. A lot of that was in the form of contracts for clean energy manufacturing and development — new money doled out three years earlier as part of President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act. A new analysis by the Brookings Institution identifies three funding and policy changes, including reductions in SNAP and Medicaid, that negatively affect Native Americans. The research firm says the actions continue a pattern of disinvestment and falls short of the federal government's binding responsibility to Indian Country. GUESTS Robert Maxim (Mashpee Wampanoag), fellow at The Brookings Institution Chéri Smith (Mi’kmaq descendant), president and CEO of the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy Timothy Nuvangyaoma (Hopi), vice president of tribal engagement for the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy and former chairman of the Hopi Tribe Dr. Kyle Whyte (Citizen Potawatomi Nation), professor at the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan

Protecting tribal sovereignty is a top discussion at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) 2026 Executive Council Winter Session, which is taking place this week in Washington, DC. NCAI President Mark Macarro (Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians) highlighted the importance of tribal sovereignty in his State of Indian Nations address. Macarro says before there was a U.S., there were sovereign tribal nations. “Our sovereignty was not created by treaties, nor granted by Congress. It is inherent and existed before colonization. Treaties did not give us sovereignty. They recognized it. The Constitution did not define us it acknowledged us. Federal laws did not create our rights, it memorialized them. And yet for centuries, our sovereignty has been attacked and attempts continue to constrain and diminish it. Yet our nations continue to govern, continue to lead, to teach, to resist, and to rise.” Macarro says recent attacks include calls by Gov. Kevin Stitt (Cherokee/R-OK) to limit tribal sovereignty, which Macarro says is appalling. Tribal leaders in Oklahoma agree with Macarro’s sentiment. Reggie Wassana is governor of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. “This day and age, we shouldn’t have to ask why tribes have a sovereignty. We shouldn’t have to ask what the tribe’s capabilities are, how they can function, how they can prosper, and who are tribes.” Wassana and Macarro say tribal leaders are often educating elected officials about American Indian history, tribal sovereignty and the U.S. government's trust and treaty responsibilities. Before every census, the federal government picks several test sites, focusing on hard-to-reach areas, but the bureau has cancelled that testing at four of the six regions, including two that cover Arizona tribal lands. As KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio reports, this is not the first time the Census has changed course with Indian Country. In fact, this also happened in 2016 when two reservations in Washington and South Dakota were nixed, citing budget uncertainty and funding shortages. Census consultant Saundra Mitrovich (Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California), co-leads the Natives Count Coalition. “In the last two decennials, not only have we had the undercount, but we've had this cancellation of test sites for tribal areas twice.” Mitrovich says one concern is that the Trump administration is considering to use postal service staff to replace temporary census workers to conduct the count and cut down on costs. “A lot of the households are left invisible to the census, and they also have non-traditional addresses.” In 2020, the nonprofit Native American Rights Fund reported that more than 80% of all registered Indigenous voters in Arizona – outside of metro Phoenix and Tucson – rely solely on P.O. boxes. This time around, San Carlos and White Mountain Apache homes in Arizona as well as Cherokee households in North Carolina are being left out. The Census Bureau would not say why. “How are we gonna say that we're going to carry out this fair and full representation that the survey is supposed to provide of the country?” And on this day in 1978, the “Longest Walk” by Native activists began. A start-up ceremony took place on Alcatraz Island, where the group then proceeded to travel by foot from Sacramento to Washington D.C. to build awareness of treaty rights and injustice. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Wednesday, February 11, 2026 – Route 66 changed tribes' connections and culture

Tribal leaders from across the country are gathered in Washington D.C. this week for the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) 2026 Executive Council Winter Session and State of Indian Nations Address. NCAI Youth Commission Co-Presidents Jonas Kanuhsa (Gila River Indian Community) and Angelina Serna (Oneida Nation and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians) kicked off Monday morning's assembly by delivering the youth commission speech. Serna says her message to tribal leaders is to recognize the contributions being made by Native youth. “I really talk about tokenism when it comes to Native and really putting youth at the forefront and having youth at these tables, at these conversations, giving youth that opportunity to really learn, and for the adults to be learners and teachers as well, and incorporating language and culture in everything that we do because what we do has spirit, has purpose.” Kanuhsa says his message to attendees is to help find ways for Native youth to get more opportunities, especially for those who live in remote areas. “Opening roles for more Native youth. I think Native youth on rural reservations have a hard time maybe connecting to maybe internships, fellowships, maybe just early on new jobs, entry jobs, because of those location barriers.” The Youth Commission co-presidents also touched on safety concerns when it comes to Native people and recent federal immigration actions across the U.S. They also talked about the commission's work this week on Capitol Hill to advocate for funding, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery models for substance abuse. NCAI President Mark Macarro (Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians), who delivered the State of Indian Nations address, followed the youth commission’s remarks by saying young Native people are an important part of NCAI. “In my time here at NCAI, the youth started to say we have a voice, you know, what we have to say matters, and it matters in this moment. And, you know, we took stock of that and been making strides to have them be more inclusive. They’re right and their take on the world or take on issues in Indian Country is different than ours, and so we need to allow ourselves to hear that. but we also need to create those opportunities for us to mentor them.” NCAI’s winter session continues Tuesday with updates from federal agencies including the departments of justice, transportation, and housing. Leaders will also hear from some members of Congress from New Mexico and Washington state. U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids during a 2022 hearing. (Courtesy C-SPAN) The history and effects of Indian boarding schools would be investigated and documented under legislation re-introduced by U.S. Reps. Tom Cole (Chickasaw/R-OK) and Sharice Davids (Ho-Chunk/D-KS). Rep. Davids is one of the first two Native women elected to Congress, and has long spoken of the boarding school era, including on C-SPAN in 2022. “The policies and assimilation practices of the United States had the sole purpose of culturally assimilating American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children in residential boarding schools across the country. Children were coerced and compelled to attend boarding schools away from their home. Many children did not return to their families or their communities. Those that did return lost generations' worth of cultural knowledge, stories and traditions, and communities lost their language keepers, cultural practitioners and future leaders.” H.R. 7325 would establish a commission to investigate and report on the histories of more than 500 federally run boarding schools, which operated between 1819 through the 1970s. President Joe Biden formally apologized for the schools in 2024. British forces under fire from the French and Indian forces at Monongahela, when the Braddock expedition failed to take Fort Duquesne. And on this day in 1763, the French-Indian War officially ended. The armies of France and England wrestled for territory in the Americas, with both sides swaying Native tribes to help their efforts. Some, including the Ojibwe and Winnebago, helped the French, while the Iroquois helped England. While the outcome was favorable for the British, the cost of the war compelled England to raise taxes on the 13 colonies, eventually spurring the American Revolution. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Tuesday, February 10, 2026 – From the child tax credit to paperless refunds: what to know about this year's tax returns

The past year has seen Leonard Peltier's release from prison, record revenue from casinos and other economic development, and the addition of a new federally recognized tribe. It is also seen major upheaval in federal funds and staff that directly affect Indian Country. Looking ahead, tribes are navigating the potential loss of lucrative federal contracts and indications that consultation and treaty rights are taking a back seat. We'll get the annual status update from National Congress of American Indians President Mark Macarro. GUEST Dr. Renae Ditmer (Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians), journalist and independent economic development consultant Break 1 Music: Intertribal (song) Blackfoot Confederacy (artist) Confederacy Style (album) Break 2 Music: Taste Of Red Bull [Crow Hop] (song) Cree Confederation (artist) Horse Dance – Mistamim Simoowin (album)

Our region is facing tremendous setbacks for salmon populations and Northwest tribal treaty rights. Fish runs continue to fall short while Indigenous communities bear the brunt of climate change, political polarization, and existential threats to their way of life. Tribes can't overcome these issues alone, but it's not just a matter of finding allies — it's how to get them in the game. The Billy Frank Jr. Salmon Coalition, formed by Salmon Defense, has taken an innovative approach to protect salmon, restore ecosystems, and build climate resilience by uniting unexpected allies, who have often been at odds in the past. ​This diverse coalition includes tribal leaders, scientists, state and local officials, fishers, attorneys, conservation groups, and local industries. Join us on Indigenous Peoples' Day, for a conversation offering a timely reminder that Indigenous knowledge systems are not only vital to climate resiliency but must also be centered in policy-driven solutions. See how cross-cultural dialogue can help foster creativity and how lasting alliances are strengthened by collaboration amongst groups with different viewpoints. Peggen Frank (SeiiNiiSeii) is a leader in salmon conservation, tribal advocacy, and treaty rights protection. Since joining Salmon Defense in 2011, she has helped grow the nonprofit into a powerful conservation organization focused on education, advocacy, and litigation. Her key projects include the Billy Frank Jr. curriculum, a sčədadxʷ (salmon) education video, and the Salmon Warriors campaign. Peggen is an enrolled member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe, born and raised on the Wind River Indian Reservation, and now lives in the homelands of the Nisqually Indian people. As Executive Director of Salmon Defense, Peggen manages the likeness and legacy of Billy Frank Jr., ensuring his influence inspires future generations. Kadi Bizyayeva is the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians vice-chairwoman, fisheries director, and Northwest Indian Fisheries commissioner. She was also appointed to the Washington Salmon Recovery Funding Board by Gov. Jay Inslee. Kadi is passionate about her role protecting and conserving tribal treaty rights and believes in honest co-management and finding common ground. Her experience includes assisting with project oversight and policy guidance, as well as accounting and administration in several roles within the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and the Stillaguamish Tribes' Natural Resources Department, where she has worked since 2013. Along with her professional roles and achievements, Kadi is also a wife, mother, and a tribal fisher and hunter. Ron Garner is president of the Puget Sound Anglers State Board, a member of the Billy Frank Jr. Salmon Coalition and a key member of the Western Washington sportfishing community. In 2018, he had the rare honor for a nontribal member – let alone a sportfisherman – of attending a Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission meeting. Ron is passionate about advocating for habitat restoration and reconnection in the Stillaguamish River watershed to promote healthy salmon populations, particularly endangered Chinook. His experience also includes serving on several Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife advisory committees and task forces related to marine wildlife. Along with his sportfishing community leadership experience and advocacy, Ron is a self-employed commercial construction business owner. William Frank III served on the Nisqually Tribal Council for many years in several roles, including chairman, and currently serves as chairman of the Wa He Lut Indian School and the Salmon Defense board. He also runs Medicine Creek Tribal Strategies, an independent consulting firm. William is the son of the late Billy Frank Jr., a nationally recognized leader and activist for tribal rights and protecting salmon. His father helped tribes win the landmark 1975 court case that recognized treaty rights and made tribes co-managers of the salmon resource. This court decision completely changed the landscape in Washington after the Fish Wars or 'fish-ins' of the 1960s and 1970s, a series of civil disobedience protests where tribal fishers were arrested, beaten, and jailed for fishing off reservation in their 'usual and accustomed fishing grounds' – as granted by the treaties negotiated in the mid-1800s. As a leader, fisher, and member of the Billy Frank Jr. Salmon Coalition, he carries on his father's legacy of bringing together diverse groups of experts to advocate for salmon and the environment. Cecilia Gobin (dzahdzah'lahk) is a member of the Tulalip Tribes, based in Tulalip, Washington. She is an experienced Policy Analyst, currently working with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) where she focuses on the protection and advancement of tribal treaty rights and resources, including habitat protection and salmon recovery. Prior to NWIFC, Cecilia worked in cultural resources for the Tulalip Tribes, and also for the U.S. House of Representatives' House Natural Resources Committee's Office of Indian Affairs, working with policy and legislation related to natural resources and the effects for tribes in Indian Country. She is also a lifetime commercial fisher and remains deeply connected to her community and traditional lifeways. Lisa Wilson has extensive experience in fisheries policy and treaty rights protection. She earned a bachelor's degree in Native Environmental Science from Northwest Indian College, where she produced the documentary Time Immemorial: A Fishing History of the Lummi People as her capstone project. Lisa primarily serves as an elected member of the Lummi Indian Business Council and as vice chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. She is also on the Salmon Defense board, co-chairs the Natural Resources Committee for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and the Lands and Natural Resources Committee for the National Congress of American Indians and is the former Endangered Species Act manager for Lummi Natural Resources. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and the Billy Frank Jr. Salmon Coalition.

The past year has seen Leonard Peltier's release from prison, record revenue from casinos and other economic development, and the addition of a new federally recognized tribe. It is also seen major upheaval in federal funds and staff that directly affect Indian Country. Looking ahead, tribes are navigating the potential loss of lucrative federal contracts and indications that consultation and treaty rights are taking a back seat. We'll get the annual status update from National Congress of American Indians President Mark Macarro. GUEST Dr. Renae Ditmer (Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians), journalist and independent economic development consultant Break 1 Music: Intertribal (song) Blackfoot Confederacy (artist) Confederacy Style (album) Break 2 Music: Taste Of Red Bull [Crow Hop] (song) Cree Confederation (artist) Horse Dance – Mistamim Simoowin (album)

In this episode, I sit down with Film Producer/Writer/Director Travis Holt Hamilton, whose work centers Native stories, lived experience, and cultural responsibility. We talk about Travis's life journey, how he found his way into filmmaking, and what continues to inspire him to tell stories through a Native lens. From navigating the film industry to staying grounded in community, this conversation is honest, reflective, and encouraging for anyone thinking about storytelling as a path. Travis's work has become well known throughout Indian Country, with films such as More Than Frybread, Turquoise Rose, Touch the Water, Legends from the Sky, Pete and Cleo with James and Ernie, Blue Gap Boys, and his latest film, Finding Hózhǫ́. This episode is about finding purpose, trusting your voice, and remembering that our stories matter - told by us, for us.

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 2pm Eastern, in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, will hold an oversight hearing titled “Making Federal Economic Development Programs Work in Indian Country.” Witnesses Panel I (Outside Experts) The Honorable Hope Silvas Chairwoman Shivwits Band of Paiutes Ivins, Utah The Honorable Rodney Butler (Chairman, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation) President Native American Finance Officers Association Board of Directors Washington, D.C. Mr. Haven Harris Co-Chair Board of Directors, Native American Contractors Association Anchorage, Alaska Mr. Derrick Watchman (Minority Witness) Chairman The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development Mesa, Arizona More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/02/03/witness-list-making-federal-economic-development-programs-work-in-indian-country/

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 2pm Eastern, in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, will hold an oversight hearing titled “Making Federal Economic Development Programs Work in Indian Country.” Witnesses Panel I (Outside Experts) The Honorable Hope Silvas Chairwoman Shivwits Band of Paiutes Ivins, Utah The Honorable Rodney Butler (Chairman, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation) President Native American Finance Officers Association Board of Directors Washington, D.C. Mr. Haven Harris Co-Chair Board of Directors, Native American Contractors Association Anchorage, Alaska Mr. Derrick Watchman (Minority Witness) Chairman The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development Mesa, Arizona More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/02/03/witness-list-making-federal-economic-development-programs-work-in-indian-country/

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 2pm Eastern, in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, will hold an oversight hearing titled “Making Federal Economic Development Programs Work in Indian Country.” Witnesses Panel I (Outside Experts) The Honorable Hope Silvas Chairwoman Shivwits Band of Paiutes Ivins, Utah The Honorable Rodney Butler (Chairman, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation) President Native American Finance Officers Association Board of Directors Washington, D.C. Mr. Haven Harris Co-Chair Board of Directors, Native American Contractors Association Anchorage, Alaska Mr. Derrick Watchman (Minority Witness) Chairman The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development Mesa, Arizona More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/02/03/witness-list-making-federal-economic-development-programs-work-in-indian-country/

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 2pm Eastern, in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, will hold an oversight hearing titled “Making Federal Economic Development Programs Work in Indian Country.” Witnesses Panel I (Outside Experts) The Honorable Hope Silvas Chairwoman Shivwits Band of Paiutes Ivins, Utah The Honorable Rodney Butler (Chairman, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation) President Native American Finance Officers Association Board of Directors Washington, D.C. Mr. Haven Harris Co-Chair Board of Directors, Native American Contractors Association Anchorage, Alaska Mr. Derrick Watchman (Minority Witness) Chairman The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development Mesa, Arizona More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/02/03/witness-list-making-federal-economic-development-programs-work-in-indian-country/

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 2pm Eastern, in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, will hold an oversight hearing titled “Making Federal Economic Development Programs Work in Indian Country.” Witnesses Panel I (Outside Experts) The Honorable Hope Silvas Chairwoman Shivwits Band of Paiutes Ivins, Utah The Honorable Rodney Butler (Chairman, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation) President Native American Finance Officers Association Board of Directors Washington, D.C. Mr. Haven Harris Co-Chair Board of Directors, Native American Contractors Association Anchorage, Alaska Mr. Derrick Watchman (Minority Witness) Chairman The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development Mesa, Arizona More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/02/03/witness-list-making-federal-economic-development-programs-work-in-indian-country/

In response to recent concerns raised across Indian Country, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) hosted a “Know Your Rights” webinar about Tribal Citizens, Law Enforcement Encounters, and Practical Steps to Stay Safe. The webinar was held January 28,2026, and included an hour of presentation, followed by questions and answers. Speakers: Larry Wright, Executive Director, National Congress of American Indians Matthew Campbell, Deputy Director, Native American Rights Fund Beth Margaret Wright, Senior Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund Leonard Fineday, General Counsel, National Congress of American Indians Know Your Rights: https://narf.org/webinar-know-your-rights/

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 2pm Eastern, in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, will hold an oversight hearing titled “Making Federal Economic Development Programs Work in Indian Country.” Witnesses Panel I (Outside Experts) The Honorable Hope Silvas Chairwoman Shivwits Band of Paiutes Ivins, Utah The Honorable Rodney Butler (Chairman, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation) President Native American Finance Officers Association Board of Directors Washington, D.C. Mr. Haven Harris Co-Chair Board of Directors, Native American Contractors Association Anchorage, Alaska Mr. Derrick Watchman (Minority Witness) Chairman The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development Mesa, Arizona More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/02/03/witness-list-making-federal-economic-development-programs-work-in-indian-country/

In response to recent concerns raised across Indian Country, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) hosted a “Know Your Rights” webinar about Tribal Citizens, Law Enforcement Encounters, and Practical Steps to Stay Safe. The webinar was held January 28,2026, and included an hour of presentation, followed by questions and answers. Speakers: Larry Wright, Executive Director, National Congress of American Indians Matthew Campbell, Deputy Director, Native American Rights Fund Beth Margaret Wright, Senior Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund Leonard Fineday, General Counsel, National Congress of American Indians Know Your Rights: https://narf.org/webinar-know-your-rights/

In response to recent concerns raised across Indian Country, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) hosted a “Know Your Rights” webinar about Tribal Citizens, Law Enforcement Encounters, and Practical Steps to Stay Safe. The webinar was held January 28,2026, and included an hour of presentation, followed by questions and answers. Speakers: Larry Wright, Executive Director, National Congress of American Indians Matthew Campbell, Deputy Director, Native American Rights Fund Beth Margaret Wright, Senior Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund Leonard Fineday, General Counsel, National Congress of American Indians Know Your Rights: https://narf.org/webinar-know-your-rights/

In response to recent concerns raised across Indian Country, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) hosted a “Know Your Rights” webinar about Tribal Citizens, Law Enforcement Encounters, and Practical Steps to Stay Safe. The webinar was held January 28,2026, and included an hour of presentation, followed by questions and answers. Speakers: Larry Wright, Executive Director, National Congress of American Indians Matthew Campbell, Deputy Director, Native American Rights Fund Beth Margaret Wright, Senior Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund Leonard Fineday, General Counsel, National Congress of American Indians Know Your Rights: https://narf.org/webinar-know-your-rights/

In response to recent concerns raised across Indian Country, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) hosted a “Know Your Rights” webinar about Tribal Citizens, Law Enforcement Encounters, and Practical Steps to Stay Safe. The webinar was held January 28,2026, and included an hour of presentation, followed by questions and answers. Speakers: Larry Wright, Executive Director, National Congress of American Indians Matthew Campbell, Deputy Director, Native American Rights Fund Beth Margaret Wright, Senior Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund Leonard Fineday, General Counsel, National Congress of American Indians Know Your Rights: https://narf.org/webinar-know-your-rights/

In response to recent concerns raised across Indian Country, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) hosted a “Know Your Rights” webinar about Tribal Citizens, Law Enforcement Encounters, and Practical Steps to Stay Safe. The webinar was held January 28,2026, and included an hour of presentation, followed by questions and answers. Speakers: Larry Wright, Executive Director, National Congress of American Indians Matthew Campbell, Deputy Director, Native American Rights Fund Beth Margaret Wright, Senior Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund Leonard Fineday, General Counsel, National Congress of American Indians Know Your Rights: https://narf.org/webinar-know-your-rights/

In response to recent concerns raised across Indian Country, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) hosted a “Know Your Rights” webinar about Tribal Citizens, Law Enforcement Encounters, and Practical Steps to Stay Safe. The webinar was held January 28,2026, and included an hour of presentation, followed by questions and answers. Speakers: Larry Wright, Executive Director, National Congress of American Indians Matthew Campbell, Deputy Director, Native American Rights Fund Beth Margaret Wright, Senior Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund Leonard Fineday, General Counsel, National Congress of American Indians Know Your Rights: https://narf.org/webinar-know-your-rights/

Photo: A crowd congregates in Mesa, Ariz. where a roadside memorial remembering slain San Carlos Apache teen Emily Pike was taken down nearly a year after she disappeared. (Gabriel Pietrorazio / KJZZ) It was one year ago, on January 27, 2025, that San Carlos Apache teenager Emily Pike went missing from a Mesa, Ariz. group home. Her dismembered remains were discovered a month later in garbage bags more than 100 miles away. No arrests have been made, nor suspects named. Earlier this month, a memorial in Mesa marking where Emily was last seen alive got taken down. As KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio reports, it's the latest rallying cry for justice in the 14-year-old girl's unsolved murder. “Who are we here for?” “Emily Pike.” “Then say her name.” “Emily Pike.” At the corner of Mesa Drive and McKellips Road, dozens of demonstrators met on a recent Saturday as cars drove by honking their horns. “Justice for who?” “Emily Pike.” “Justice for who?” “Emily Pike.” “Who do we love?” “Emily Pike.” “Who do we love?” “Emily Pike.” This is where Emily was last seen alive. Since her disappearance, a chain-link fence hugging the edge of a 28,000-square-foot vacant lot has become home to a roadside memorial for the slain Apache teen. And it just kept on growing as more shared her story. Visitors from near and far have flocked to this bustling intersection, adorned with flowers, stuffed animals, a banner of Emily's face, and lots of red ribbons – each markers of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) movement. That was, until someone suddenly took everything down earlier this month. No matter who did it, Jolene Shorty is still upset. “Look what you guys did. You took down her stuff. There is a respectful way. There is a traditional way to let things go. This is not the way.” For Shorty, she says this is the second tragedy to happen there. “But what I see here my people, what I see here my tribal nations, I see a clean slate, a clean slate to start over. … In a way, they almost helped us. We're going to come back and put up more stuff. We're going to honor them the way we're supposed to.” Delvina Charley (Diné) thinks taking down those mementos adds insult to injury. “This is the respect that we got … we're pushed to the side that our voices meant nothing, that she meant nothing. If this was a different privileged girl, it would have been handled differently.” Since the items were taken down, Emily's family has been in talks with the city of Mesa on planting a tree and placing a bench at Fitch Park – just a few blocks from her last known location. They're also in discussions with the Arizona Department of Transportation about putting up a highway sign honoring Emily at milepost 277 along US 60 near Globe – where her remains were found in the Tonto National Forest. “This girl lost her life thinking nobody cared.” Jared Marquez is San Carlos Apache and treasurer of the Turtle Island Women Warriors. “I've been there, being a 13-year-old kid, never talking to my parents, running around on the reservation, you know, nobody ever truly caring. And it's hard to think what this girl went through – a lot of us could have been through.” As for the investigation into Emily's murder, KJZZ asked the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Missing and Murdered Unit, and the lead agency, Gila County Sheriff's Office, for the status but did not receive any updates. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) are hosting a webinar titled “Know Your Rights,” followed by a Q&A on Wednesday. NARF will provide practical guidance for Tribal citizens on interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The organizations say it is in response to growing concerns from across Indian Country. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out the latest episode of Native America Calling Tuesday, January 27, 2026 – The concern over rising American imperialism to Indigenous people abroad and at home

What really happened inside the FBI during the first year of the new administration? In this America Off the Rails special, we take a deep, data-driven look at every major FBI operation from January 20, 2025 through January 26, 2026 — cutting past narratives and focusing on measurable outcomes. Over the course of the year, the FBI launched multiple nationwide enforcement surges, including:sweeping crackdowns on crimes against children, rescuing hundreds of victims and arresting hundreds of offenders,Operation Summer Heat, a massive violent-crime initiative resulting in thousands of arrests, major weapons seizures, and large-scale drug interdictions,the largest health care fraud takedown in U.S. history, targeting more than $14 billion in alleged fraud,targeted deployments into Indian Country to address unresolved violent crime,and the quiet dismantling of transnational theft rings and nation-state-linked fraud schemes.Most notably, during this same period, the FBI took down six of its ten Most Wanted fugitives — a 60% turnover of the Bureau's highest-priority targets in roughly one year. This episode isn't about press releases or politics. It's about operational tempo, enforcement capacity, and what the numbers actually say about how federal law enforcement functioned in 2025. Whether you trust the FBI or distrust it, the question isn't how you feel. The question is: did they go loud? This episode answers that.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/america-off-the-rails--986237/support.

A bipartisan bill signed into law last year is now giving Native Americans residing in Arizona the option to update their state-issued identification to show their tribal affiliation. As KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio reports, it comes at a time when Indigenous peoples are being swept up in immigration raids – including Peter Yazzie (Navajo), who was recently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the Phoenix metro area. This new marker is akin to getting an organ donor or veteran insignia on any form of ID, including a driver license. To do so, applicants need to prove that they're enrolled in a tribe by submitting a Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB), and so far, the Arizona Department of Transportation has gotten more than 1,600 requests for the designation. That idea of streamlining legal documents came from State Rep. Myron Tsosie (Navajo/D-AZ). “Instead of having to dig out all your cards to show that you are Native American.” And had nothing to do with ICE. “That wasn't the purpose, but I'm hearing from constituents saying that I feel safer now.” And it's something Thomas Cody, executive director of the Navajo Nation's Division for Child and Family Services, is encouraging his Diné urban relatives to seek out. “It's unfortunate that we have to have an ID that we're Native Americans. We shouldn't but I'm glad the state of Arizona, Gov. [Katie] Hobbs is taking an extra step.” His deputy director Sonlatsa Jim thinks this service is much-needed – not just for Navajos living in the Grand Canyon State. “Because we are the largest Native American tribe, you'll find a Navajo tribal member anywhere in the United States.” That's why Tsosie is working with neighboring Utah and New Mexico state lawmakers to adopt his legislation aiming to help cover more of Indian Country, including the rest of his sprawling 27,000-square-mile reservation. The federal government is reviewing the business program that benefits Alaska Native corporations and tribes. The Alaska Desk’s Alena Naiden from our flagship station KNBA reports. In a video posted on X January 16, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said his department will review the 8(a) Business Development Program. That program falls under the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) and supports businesses owned by socially disadvantaged individuals or tribes including Alaska Native Corporations. We are taking a sledgehammer to the oldest DEI program in the federal government—the 8(a) program. pic.twitter.com/c9iH8gcqG7 — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) January 16, 2026 Sec. Hegseth said in the video that the 8(a) program promotes the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) framework and race-based contracting. In the 8(a) program, the federal government sets aside contracting opportunities for disadvantaged small businesses. Tribal entities can have multiple companies in the program, while individuals can only have one. Alaska Native Corporations rely heavily on federal contracts often received through the 8(a) program. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis shows that it is their primary source of revenue. And most of those contracts come from the U.S. Department of Defense. Quinton Carroll is the executive director of the Native American Contractors Association, and originally from Utqiagvik. “Native participation in the 8(a) program is not a DEI initiative.” Carroll says the program “fulfills longstanding federal trust and treaty obligations to tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and Native Hawaiian Organizations.” Hegseth ordered a line-by-line review of sole-source 8(a) contracts that are over $20 million. He said in the social media video that the department will get rid of contracts that do not make the country's military more lethal. Hegseth also said the department will make sure that the businesses getting a contract are the ones actually doing the work. He claimed that often small businesses receive the contract, take a fee, and pass it to a giant consulting firm. However, Carroll says Native federal contractors have been partners of the Department of Defense. He added that Native contractors also support the elimination of fraud and waste within the program. The 8(a) program has faced scrutiny from other directions as well. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in April, directing rewriting of federal contracting regulations. The SBA and Treasury department have been both investigating the program as well. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out the latest episode of Native America Calling Friday, January 23, 2026 — Native Bookshelf: “Special Places, Sacred Circles” by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve

Members of the House Committee on Natural Resources pay tribute to the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-California). LaMalfa passed away on January 6, 2026, at the age of 65. He sponsored and co-sponsored a number of Indian Country bills during his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, which included a stint as chair of the House Subcommittee on  Indian and Insular Affairs. " I think he did that job admirably as well," Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colorado), the current chair of the subcommittee, said at a markup session on January 22, 2026. Speakers: Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Arkansas), Chair of House Committee on Natural Resources Rep. Jared Huffman (D-California), Ranking Member of House Committee on Natural Resources Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minnesota) Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-Utah) Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Arizona) Rep. Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho) Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colorado) The markup took place in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building.

In this episode, special co-host Diana Yáñez and Sweet Miche explore the concept of belonging, not just to each other, but to all of existence. From the linguistic wisdom of the Aymara people to the radical call of liberation theology and the hard work of healing Quaker involvement in Indian Boarding Schools, we're asking what might happen to our faith if we start living from the "We" instead of the "I"? Jiwasa: The Communal We with Rubén Hilari Quispe  Rubén, an Aymara Quaker and linguist, introduces us to jiwasa – a concept of "we-ness" that includes humans, the environment, and even the objects around us. He invites us to sit with the unsettled feeling of language that doesn't center the individual. Read Rubén's article, "Jiwasa, the Communal We" in the January 2026 issue of Friends Journal or at FriendsJournal.org. You can hear an extended interview in Spanish with English subtitles at the Friends Journal YouTube page.  Liberation Theology and the Inner Light with Renzo Carranza  Guatemalan Friend Renzo Carranza explores how the Quaker Inner Light intersects with the radical tradition of liberation theology. Together, they form a call to action: to reinterpret the gospels from the perspective of the marginalized and transform society. Watch the full QuakerSpeak video, “Transforming the SPIRIT: Liberation Theology and the Inner Light” at QuakerSpeak.com. Collective Relationship and Boarding Schools with Rachel Overstreet  Rachel Overstreet (Choctaw Nation) discusses the history of Quaker Indian boarding schools. She suggests that the way forward isn't through individual guilt, but through collective relationship. Read Rachel's article, “Speaking with Friends About Indian Boarding Schools” in the January 2026 issue of Friends Journal or at FriendsJournal.org. Rachel writes the Native American Legislative Update, a monthly newsletter on the most important developments on Capitol Hill related to Indian Country. You can also write your Congressperson to cosponsor and pass the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act. Find out more at fcnl.org/issues/native-americans. Book Review: Chooch Helped  Katie Green reviews a charming children's book by Andrea L. Rogers and Rebecca Lee Koons (Cherokee Nation) that celebrates present-day Cherokee family life and love. Read Katie's review of Chooch Helped in the January 2026 issue or at FriendsJournal.org. Recommended Resources by Indigenous Creators Jonny Appleseed (Novel) By Joshua Whitehead (they/them) A beautifully fragmented story about a Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer person navigating life in Winnipeg. The title ironically reclaims a settler-colonial myth to tell a raw story of modern Indigenous identity. Coyote & Crow (Tabletop Role-Playing Game) Created by a team of over 30 Indigenous creators Set in an "Indigenous Futurism" world where the Americas were never colonized. This RPG focuses on community, advanced technology, and spirits in a world where history took a different path. Drama & Performance The Thanksgiving Play (Play) By Larissa FastHorse (Sicangu Lakota Nation) A biting, hilarious satire that made history as the first play by a Native American woman on Broadway. It follows four well-meaning white people trying to create a "politically correct" Thanksgiving play for a school. The Rez Sisters (Play) By Tomson Highway (Cree) A modern classic of Indigenous drama. It tells the story of seven women on a reserve who dream of winning "the biggest bingo game in the world." It's a powerful blend of humor, tragedy, and the supernatural. Mary Kathryn Nagle: Land Sovereignty and Indigenous Women's Rights (Podcast/Interview) Produced by Peterson Toscano for Citizens Climate Radio A deep-dive conversation with Cherokee playwright and attorney Mary Kathryn Nagle. She discusses how her plays, like Sovereignty and Manahatta, serve as "living law," using the stage to advocate for tribal jurisdiction and the safety of Indigenous women. Music & Audio Come and Get Your Love (Song) By Redbone The 1974 hit that made Redbone the first Native American band to reach the top five on the Billboard Hot 100. Forged (Podcast) CBC Listen / Host: Adrian Stimson A gripping series exploring a massive art fraud ring involving the works of Norval Morrisseau, the "Picasso of the North." Literature & Thought Sacred Instructions (Book) By Sherri Mitchell (Weh'na Ha'mu Kwasset) A roadmap for "spirit-based change" drawing on Penobscot ancestral wisdom to address modern crises. Dr. Lyla June Johnston (Scholar & Musician) A Diné (Navajo) and Cheyenne artist whose work blends hip-hop with traditional acoustics and ecological activism. Digital Culture & Media Trixie Mattel: Root Maintenance (Video/Q&A) The world-famous drag queen discusses her biracial Ojibwe heritage and navigating identity in the public eye. Rez Ball (Film) Produced by LeBron James and Sterlin Harjo A 2024 film following a Navajo high school basketball team, capturing the unique, fast-paced style of "Rezball." Next Month's Question A central part of Quakerism is our commitment to peace. But that doesn't mean we should avoid conflict. In fact, it means we have a specific responsibility to it. What is a small practice that brings you a measure of peace or stability in the midst of conflict and turmoil? Leave a voice memo at 317-QUAKERS (317-782-5377) Email us at podcast@friendsjournal.org Sponsors Quakers Today is a project of Friends Publishing Corporation. This season is sponsored by: Friends Fiduciary: Ethical investing through a Quaker lens. Learn more at FriendsFiduciary.org. American Friends Service Committee (AFSC): Challenging injustice and building peace. Visit afsc.org. For a full transcript, visit QuakersToday.org.

On this month's episode, Jessica checks back in with Aaron Brien (Apsáalooke), who you may remember from Episode 23 on Salish-Kootenai College's Tribal Historic Preservation Program, Episode 25 on Technology, and episode 41 on Collecting Oral Histories in Indian Country. In the more than 5 years since our last recording, Aaron has moved from being Tribal Historic Preservation Program faculty at Salish-Kootenai College to being the Crow Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. We talk about how that transition happened, the process of reinventing the Crow THPO program, and how the SKC program prepared him for being a THPO. On that note, the podcast Aaron and Dr. Shandin Pete started right before we recorded episode 41 is now called the Tribal Research Specialist podcast and is still going strong! Finally, the third segment focuses on the work the Crow THPO is doing and ongoing challenges as a THPO. We close out by discussing how the second Trump administration affects the work of a THPO and what we should all be doing to support THPOs and the resources they fight for.LinksHeritage Voices on the APNCTHPO (Crow Tribal Historic Preservation Office)Tribal Research Specialist: The PodcastSalish-Kootenai College's Tribal Historic Preservation Program - Ep 23 — Heritage VoicesTechnology - Episode 25 — Heritage VoicesCollecting Oral Histories in Indian Country - Ep 41 - Heritage VoicesSustaining StewardshipTribal Historic Preservation Department - Salish Kootenai CollegeContactJessicaJessica@livingheritageanthropology.org@livingheritageAArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetTee Public StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this month's episode, Jessica checks back in with Aaron Brien (Apsáalooke), who you may remember from Episode 23 on Salish-Kootenai College's Tribal Historic Preservation Program, Episode 25 on Technology, and episode 41 on Collecting Oral Histories in Indian Country. In the more than 5 years since our last recording, Aaron has moved from being Tribal Historic Preservation Program faculty at Salish-Kootenai College to being the Crow Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. We talk about how that transition happened, the process of reinventing the Crow THPO program, and how the SKC program prepared him for being a THPO. On that note, the podcast Aaron and Dr. Shandin Pete started right before we recorded episode 41 is now called the Tribal Research Specialist podcast and is still going strong! Finally, the third segment focuses on the work the Crow THPO is doing and ongoing challenges as a THPO. We close out by discussing how the second Trump administration affects the work of a THPO and what we should all be doing to support THPOs and the resources they fight for.LinksHeritage Voices on the APNCTHPO (Crow Tribal Historic Preservation Office)Tribal Research Specialist: The PodcastSalish-Kootenai College's Tribal Historic Preservation Program - Ep 23 — Heritage VoicesTechnology - Episode 25 — Heritage VoicesCollecting Oral Histories in Indian Country - Ep 41 - Heritage VoicesSustaining StewardshipTribal Historic Preservation Department - Salish Kootenai CollegeContactJessicaJessica@livingheritageanthropology.org@livingheritageAArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetTee Public StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The federal government's oldest legal obligations to provide health, education, and economic support for Tribal Nations remain chronically underfunded and uniquely vulnerable to shutdowns. A new Brookings Institution analysis argues Congress should shift more Native American funding to mandatory spending to protect treaty commitments. Here with more details is the report's author, Brookings Fellow Robert Maxim. Read the report here: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-government-shutdown-shows-the-need-to-reform-how-the-federal-government-funds-native-american-tribes-and-communities/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CTSI tribal members Todd Logan, Joshua Rilatos, and Dylan Gorman work with anatomic pathologist Kurt Williams of the OSU necropsy team to remove blubber, bones, and baleen for cultural use and tissue samples for diagnostic testing on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Photo: Jens Odegaard / Oregon State University) Last November, a stranded humpback whale near Yachats, Oreg. had to be euthanized after rescue efforts to put the 10-ton, 28-foot-long mammal back into the ocean failed. As Brian Bull of Buffalo's Fire reports, what followed became a meaningful collaboration between the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and a team from Oregon State University (OSU). In mid-November, volunteers worked around the clock to keep the whale doused in sea water – and to try pulling it back into the sea. Video from The Oregonian captured some of those harried efforts. Finally, on-site stranding experts and veterinarians agreed to put the whale down. A necropsy team from OSU prepared to remove samples to determine how the whale lived before getting tangled in crab pot line. Kurt Williams is the director of the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. “I've never done a necropsy exam on a whale, before. I don't think I'll have another opportunity – I hope I don't have another opportunity, because I don't want this to happen to these animals.” Another group of roughly 20 Siletz tribal members also came. Among them was Lisa Norton, chief administrative officer for the tribe. She said they began by laying down tobacco and praying with Williams' team. “We offer up prayers for the animal and the bounty it's going to give us. People kinda did their own thing, they prayed in whatever way was comfortable for them. But we just spent some time taking in the enormity of the task.” There's been a historic tension between tribes and scholars, often due to academic institutions pillaging remains and artifacts from Native burial mounds and village sites. But these two groups – standing side by side with the whale – worked in tandem, conferring with each other as they worked against the incoming tide and pending sunset, said Norton. “We were able to get them to get more specimens than they would have otherwise, that resulted in them finishing quicker and getting more samples had they just done it on their own. But also allowed us to preserve more parts of the whale for future use.” Williams praised the experience. “I'm not going to kid you, being able to work alongside the members of the Siletz Tribe, it was amazing. And they were gracious and collegial, and to even allow us just a glimpse into their community and culture was, I felt honored to be honest with you.” The Siletz have stored 1,500 pounds of blubber for possible soap or oil, while the whale's skeleton has been buried for possible use later as a museum piece. While the whale's death was a sad event for many, the collaboration between the tribe and university gave a primer for how to handle similar incidents in the future. Angela Sondenaa is the Natural Resources Director for the Siletz. “We would anticipate that if something similar happened, that we would revive those relationships and collaborations that we've built from this experience.” Health and Human Services Secretary. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with Gabriel Lopez, chairman of the Ak-Chin Indian Community, in Scottsdale, Ariz. in November 2025. The Indian Health Service (IHS) recently announced seven projects to build or renovate health care facilities – often in rural areas – throughout Indian Country. As KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio reports, one of those beneficiaries will be Arizona's Ak-Chin Indian Community. Gabriel Lopez, the tribe's chairman, is grateful. “Currently, we have a satellite facility, which is 2,000 square feet and a triple-wide trailer with minimal services.” Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. met with the Ak-Chin Indian Community in November. After that visit, he made a social media post with Lopez. “The elders in the community have to drive 60 to 80 miles to get decent care, and they have to go through Maricopa County with all the traffic, so it's an inconvenience and it can be a lethal inconvenience.” Ak-Chin will construct a 60,000-square-foot facility and lease it at no-cost to IHS for two decades. In exchange, the agency will lobby Congress on behalf of the tribe for federal funding to staff and maintain the building. “In a roundabout way, we're looking at maybe two years to be up and running,” said Lopez. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out the latest episode of Native America Calling Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – Remembering Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Harvey Pratt

Photo: Youth royalty from the Colorado River Indian Tribes stamp the Ireichō – or Book of Names – in Parker, Ariz. on October 25, 2025. (Gabriel Pietrorazio / KJZZ) The internment of Japanese Americans during World War II is among the chapters of U.S. history that the Trump administration is actively working to erase. It is part of a sweeping campaign to remove so-called “disparaging” signs and markers of the country's past and focus only on “American greatness”. In the final installment of his series on the camps, KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio visits the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) to see how others are making sure victims are highlighted in – not erased from – the history books. Inside a strip mall owned by the tribe, hundreds flock to its museum in Parker, Ariz. Director Valerie Welsh-Tahbo says her space used to be an old swimwear shop. Tucked in one teal-hued corner is an exhibit dedicated to the Poston camp's 18,000 internees.  “This was already up here, this structure in this store and I said, ‘Let's hang onto this … just because of where it was situated, and that design, it just spawned that idea.” To honor Poston's past. another way the museum is paying respect is by welcoming Soto Zen Buddhist priest Duncan Ryūken Williams and his Ireichō. “Chō, chō means like a book or a registry, and so we created a book with everybody's names in it, and said, ‘How do we honor everyone?' And we came up with this idea of stamping or placing this mark under people's names.” The Japanese word Irei essentially means “to console the spirits”, and that's what Wiliams hopes his book does by bringing forth personhood and dignity – one name at a time. “A lot of government camp rosters mangle Japanese names, and so we can't honor people if their names are misspelled.” And their goal? “To make sure all 125,284 people whose names are printed in this book get at least one mark of acknowledgement.” There's still 30,000 names unmarked, but Williams has a plan. “We'll just systematically, from the beginning of the book, invite the general public to come and place a mark under the next name in the sequence of names that doesn't yet have a mark.” “I think this person – Hisayo Kotsubo – does not yet have a stamp. She's born in the year 1897 so if I could ask you to just place this stamp right under the letter H.” Their blue-tipped stamp is no bigger than your thumb. Some even practiced that art of dotting with Susan Kamei. “It's a personal story.” Her parents, grandparents, and one set of great-grandparents were internees. Her dad's side was brought to Poston, while her mom's ended up in Heart Mountain, Wyo. “I try to put myself in their shoes.” 84-year-old Janet Brothers doesn't have to imagine, because she lived it. “I was here at camp as a baby. I was six months old … feeling the heat, looking around, and seeing the desert and the mountains, knowing that's what my parents saw every day, was very emotional for me.” The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is remembering the life of former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Northern Cheyenne/R-CO), who died Tuesday at age 92. NCAI President Mark Macarro in a statement said Campbell broke barriers and left a path for those who seek to follow as leaders in Indian Country and in America. Sen. Campbell is being remembered for his work on Indian policy and elevating Indian Country issues, serving on the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. The Associated Press reports, his daughter said Campbell died of natural causes surround by family. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Wednesday, December 31, 2025 – Memorable moments in Native film and TV in 2025

Photo: Mrs. Crystal Claus, Peppermint the Elf, and Solte Santa, as portrayed by Colleen Payne, Qalch'ema Friedlander, and Jerry Payne, visit the Chifin Native Youth Center in Springfield, Oreg., Sunday, December 14, 2025. (Buffalo's Fire/Brian Bull) It's the holiday season with many families across Indian Country waiting for Santa's visit to reward all good children with presents. And while the mainstream depiction is of a jolly old elf who's white and decked out in a red, fur-lined suit, some Native Santas are inspiring yuletide cheer in their own ways. Brian Bull of Buffalo's Fire shadowed one across Oregon. At the Chifin Native Youth Center in Springfield, Oreg., a packed classroom welcomes Solte Santa, accompanied by Mrs. Claus, Peppermint the Elf, and others from the North Pole. Jerry Payne, the man behind the curly beard, explains his role. “'Solte' in Salish means 'warrior', so I wanted to honor that. And I'm a veteran myself. Every community has their own style of Santa so I wanted to make sure that the Indigenous Natives got to be represented as well.” Solte Santa has made nine appearances across Portland, Eugene, and other places this month, listening to kids' wish lists and posing for family photos. With a feathered bustle, candy cane staff, and festive beadwork, he contrasts sharply with the Coca-Cola Santa that's been widely iconic since the 1930s. But Payne says that's a plus. “The mall Santa or typical Santa that everybody knows like the Coca-Cola Santa … for whatever reason, kids are scared of that Santa. But I've had kids that … their parent would say that they would never come up to take a picture with me. Next thing you know, they're hugging me and jumping in my lap and we take a good picture. Their parents are crying because they never got a good picture with their kid.” A study involving an Oregon State University scholar looked at non-traditional Santas. Bori Csillag, Stirek assistant professor of management, said for many Father Christmases, spreading love and joy for the holidays surpassed the need to conform 100% to the mainstream depiction of Santa Claus. “They see the fit, they hear the calling in their heart, they know that they are able to portray their role successfully.” Besides Solte Santa, a First Nations dancer called Powwow Santa has been firing up social media, and there are many others across tribal communities, reminding people that the Christmas spirit exists for everyone. A Navajo children's television show returned this month with a holiday special. Jill Fratis reports. The “Navajo Highways” special is titled “Ya’ah’teeh Keshmish,” which is “Merry Christmas” in Navajo. It's the show's first full holiday themed episode. The creator of the series, filmmaker, and musician Pete Sands, says the show teaches Navajo language and culture. “Parts of it is my childhood, and part of it is how I wish my childhood was. It's a balance of both, and I think shining positivity on Indigenous cultures is important to do.” The series blends puppetry, storytelling, and Navajo humor, all set along the winding highways of the Navajo Nation. Sands says that a memory he had of a teacher using puppets to help children listen, gave him the idea to use them in his show. “Seen a teacher friend of mine who was trying to tell her first grade students to clean up, but they wouldn't listen to her, so she reached into her desk and she pulled out a hand puppet and started talking to her class, and they listened to her, through the puppet actually, and a lightbulb went off in my head like wait, maybe there's something to this. Maybe I can use this.” The holiday episode highlights traditional winter teachings, including family gatherings, gratitude, and the meaning of giving. Season two of the series begins production next year. Sands says there will be new puppets and new locations, but says the heart of the show remains the same: teaching children simple Diné words and phrases through everyday scenes and conversations. The “Navajo Highways” holiday special, and season one, is now streaming on the First Nations Experience (FNX) platform. View this post on Instagram A post shared by FNXTV First Nation Experience (@fnxtv) Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out the latest episode of Native America Calling Thursday, December 25, 2025 – Mental health experts point to personal connections to maintain winter mental health

For longtime GRITTY listeners: this isn't our usual episode. For the next several weeks, we're running a special 26-part series on the life of Daniel Boone — and we're releasing each episode simultaneously on both the GRITTY Podcast Youtube channel and the already-launched Dueling Pistols YouTube channel and both on their own respective podcast feeds. Once the Boone series wraps, GRITTY will go back to its regular content. But all future Dueling Pistols content will move exclusively to the Dueling Pistols channel, so if you want the full Boone journey — and every legend after — head over and subscribe so you don't miss it. New episodes drop every Monday, Wednesday, & Friday. Here is the link to the Dueling Pistols Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/@DuelingPistols?si=w5hmrPKivOp5s9fC  

A Tucson, Ariz. resident is facing federal charges for allegedly excavating and trafficking archeological resources from the Gila River Indian Community. The U.S. Attorney's Office says 46-year-old Leo Reynoso stands accused of violating the Archeological Resources Protection Act. Prosecutors said Reynoso allegedly removed several artifacts from the community without authorization. This included jewelry, Indian Trader tokens, crucifixes, and buttons from archeological sites on tribal land. He also stands accused of selling these items without a permit. The archeological value of the items is estimated at $29,000, while the cost of repairing the archeological sites is estimated at $23,000. If convicted, Reynoso faces a $20,000 fine and could get up to two years in prison. U.S. soldiers at a burial for some of those who were killed at Wounded Knee, S.D. on January 1, 1891. December 29 will mark 130 years since the Wounded Knee Massacre. In part two of his story, KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio shares some Native reactions to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's assertion that the soldiers who took part in the violent and tragic incident deserved their Medals of Honor. David Martinez (Akimel O'odham) is founder and director of ASU's Institute for Transborder Indigenous Nations. “Wherever you see America invading, sending troops, trying to intimidate – all that comes from America's original attitude towards the so-called frontier, which was regarded as wild, which was regarded as dangerous, which was regarded as full of savages.” From the Utes across modern-day Utah and Colorado to the Apaches in Arizona and New Mexico, the Army fought over a dozen conflicts predating federal recognition of tribal governments. “There's not a tribe anywhere in North America that did not experience deep, historic trauma.” Even the Bureau of Indian Affairs emerged in 1824 from within the original War Department. Two centuries later, Martinez suggests it's fitting that President Donald Trump has restored the agency's old moniker. “Well, for me, the Department of War is the true name, because, from my point of view as an Indigenous person, the objective in America's conquest of Indian Country was to make Indian Country like America. It did so at the expense of Indian land and people. And so the reservation system that we see around us today, which includes my people, Akimel O'odham, is a product of war.” Lakota attorney Chase Iron Eyes calls the reservations prison camps. “There are those of us who never perceived an end of war. If you look at what the reservation system is, it's not peace, prosperity, and privilege for Native people; it's a little open-air prison camp.” For Iron Eyes, who runs the Lakota People's Law Project, Wounded Knee is deeply personal. “As the great-great grandson of people who were killed at Wounded Knee, nobody in their right mind takes pride in the slaughtering of non-combatants – women and children.” Marlis Afraid of Hawk grew up hearing horror stories from her grandfather, Richard, who was only 13 when he survived Wounded Knee. The 68-year-old Oglala Lakota elder insists Sec. Hegseth is wrong. “He's in denial, look it up. But he's not going to.” Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out the latest episode of Native America Calling Friday, December 12, 2025 — Persistence pays off for tribes working to remove disturbing public monuments

November is Native American Heritage Month, and in the lead-in to this week's convo, I speak about the whitewashing of U.S. history, not to be a Thanksgiving buzzkill (sorry, not sorry), but because truth matters. Then I invite listeners into a conversation that explores the critical differences between Western and Indigenous perspectives on leadership. My guest, Wyatt Kelly, is a young Apache leader, public policy manager, and self-described ‘yelder.' Wyatt opens up about his experiences growing up as an urban Native, then shares about his work in public policy and community health. I ask him how his leadership style runs counter to conventional colonialist models, and he shares stories about uplifting Native communities, sponsoring youth initiatives, and fostering meaningful everyday connections. Our conversation highlights the significance of storytelling, intergenerational knowledge, and empathy in leadership. We wrap with a call to action to support Native organizations, uplift Indigenous voices, and make way for leadership approaches that have cross-cultural well-being in mind. Wyatt Kelly is a young Apache man, a dedicated advocate, creative, and organizer deeply rooted in community health and well-being. His efforts span across urban and rural Indian Country, where he focuses on equity, healing, and Indigenous self-determination. Whether leading statewide public health initiatives, advising on policy, or contributing to research, Wyatt weaves together traditional knowledge and modern innovation to uplift Native communities. He currently serves as a statewide manager, trusted advisor to the State of California, and collaborator on numerous Native-led projects and initiatives. Guided by the principle of acting for the next seven generations, Wyatt is committed to transforming systems, centering Native voices, and helping build a future rooted in sovereignty, strength, and community well-being.Referenced In This Episode:Yavapai-Apache Nation Remembers Exodus Day (article)Dr. Bernard Navarro — The 7th Generation PodcastCCUIH — California Consortium on Urban Indian HealthSage LaPena — Traditional Native HerbalistSupport the showThe stories and opinions shared in this episode are based on personal experience and are not intended to malign any individual, group, or organization.Join The Deeper Pulse at Patreon for weekly bonus episodes + other exclusive bonus content. Follow The Deeper Pulse on IG @thedeeperpulse + @candiceschutter for more regular updates.

On this episode of the Inside the FBI Podcast, we'll learn about this year's iteration of Operation Not Forgotten and connect you with resources about our efforts to investigate violent crimes and other federal offenses committed in Indian Country. For a full transcript and additional resources, visit fbi.gov/podcasts. This episode is part of "Your FBI: Crushing Violent Crime," a campaign highlighting the people, partners, and mission of Your FBI and our ongoing work to dismantle violent crime and keep our communities safe. You can visit fbi.gov/news to discover additional stories, podcasts, videos, and blog posts about the Bureau's efforts to combat violent crime and protect the American people.

Today on Hudson Mohawk Magazine, we have special programming in place of our regular programming. In this segment we have an interview with Myron Dewey by producer Anna Steltenkamp as part of the series "Indigenous Voices at the Intersection of Environmental & Social Justice." Myron Dewey is a filmmaker, journalist, digital storyteller, and the founder of Digital Smoke Signals, a media production company that aims to give a platform to Indigenous voices in media. He co-directed the award-winning 2017 film "Awake: A Dream from Standing Rock," which tells the story of the NoDAPL movement and the Native-led peaceful resistance and fight for clean water, the environment, and the future of the planet. Through both Digital Smoke Signals and his own media work, Myron seeks to bridge the digital divide throughout Indian Country and to indigenize media with core Indigenous cultural values.

Walking Shield has spent nearly four decades improving quality of life for Native communities across the United States—bridging sovereign tribal nations with philanthropy, federal agencies, and the U.S. military.  Alongside the Walking Shield team, Executive Director, Dr. John Castillo, and Senior Fellow, Mariano Diaz help tribes build the capacity needed to secure federal funding, strengthen infrastructure, and advance true self-determination. Their work blends grassroots trust-building with systems-level strategy, supporting tribes on projects ranging from road repairs and water access to energy development, environmental co-management, and leadership planning. This Episode: What does true collaboration with tribal nations require? Dr. John Castillo and Mariano Diaz highlight the deep assets that guide Native communities, including long-standing governance traditions, cultural and environmental knowledge, and a strong commitment to collective well-being. They share how Walking Shield helps tribes use these strengths to access federal resources, plan for long-term development, and steward land and water. They also discuss the systemic barriers tribes still face, such as underinvestment and complex federal requirements, and how capacity-building can make a meaningful difference. Together with Grant, they explore San Diego's uniquely rich tribal landscape, the growing promise of co-management of natural resources, and why trust, relationship-building, and listening first are essential for any partnership with Indian Country. At its heart, the conversation offers a long view of resilience and strategy, reminding us that when Native leadership is honored and communities have the tools to act on their priorities, progress becomes both possible and lasting. Key Moments: [9:40] San Diego has the most tribes per capita and what that means for the region  [14:02] The capacity gap: why many tribes can't access federal funds designed for them  [16:34] Everybody benefits: how the National Guard helped rebuild dangerous reservation roads  [34:10] Co-management, water rights, and environmental stewardship  [51:15] What partnership looks like when it works  Resources Mentioned: Walking Shield – Improving quality of life for Native communities since 1986 Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association – Regional tribal leadership and coordination Prebys Foundation's BRIDGE Initiative – Supporting organizations that expand community capacity Take Action: Read and Learn More— Explore the history and present realities of San Diego's tribal nations. Build Relationships — If you work in philanthropy, government, or community development, ask how you can learn directly from tribal leaders. Support Sovereignty — Advocate for funding systems that recognize tribal governments' authority and needs. Visit and Listen — When invited, spend time on tribal lands to understand local priorities firsthand. Keep the Long View — Remember that partnership, persistence, and shared purpose can outlast political cycles. 

Phil Ginsburg on San Francisco's parks and public spaces; California delegation turns heads at UN Climate Conference COP30; Author Shobha Rao joins us to talk about her new book, Indian Country.

No parcel of land at Disneyland has had more title changes than this little wedge of Disneyland. It's perhaps the smallest land in Disneyland, but it has a history that goes back to nearly the beginning. And it's a history few know much about. Most know it as Bayou Country today, and many know it as Critter Country, home to Splash Mountain. But before that it was Bear Country, and before that it went for some time not as Indian Country but as the Indian Village. We look at all four eras which include many well-known attractions, shops and eateries. As part of our 70th anniversary celebration join us as we head into the back country to experience this very special corner of Disneyland. You'll learn some things you may never have known about the Happiest Place on Earth. ________________________________________________________ Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe. DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts. Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others. My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!  Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You.  Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence. ________________________________________________________ Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation! David & Leah Zanolla ZanollaTravel.com Owner/Agents (309) 863-5469 _________________________________________________________ Performance Journeys This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level. Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench. Need Consulting? I've worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.  Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement. Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!

Throat-singing Inuit sisters Tiffany Ayalik and Inuksuk Mackay released their sixth album, offering a soundtrack to the traditional stories they grew up with. "Legends" blends PIQSIQ's cultural improvisational technique with sophisticated studio production. First Nations Cree singer LOV is on tour, propelled by the success of the video releases for the singles, "Matriarch" and "Mama". Her upbeat soulful, rhythmic style invokes Amy Winehouse, but LOV has a message all her own drawn from her roots on her Treaty Six Reserve. Country crooner Blaine Bailey barely blinked after getting eliminated from the musical competition reality show, "The Road". He hit the road with his own tour singing songs from his album, "Indian Country", with a classic sound built around lyrics full of Native pride. GUESTS Blaine Bailey (United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians), singer and songwriter LOV (Plains Cree from Treaty 6 Territory from the Poundmaker Cree Nation), singer and songwriter Tiffany Ayalik (Inuit), singer and songwriter for the duo PIQSIQ Inuksuk Mackay (Inuit), singer and songwriter for the duo PIQSIQ

For nearly four decades, MPR News reporter Dan Gunderson told stories that remind us how much meaning can be found in everyday life. He's covered floods and farming, faith and politics, the changing landscape of rural communities — and the people who live there.  But what's made Dan's work so memorable isn't just what he's covered. It's how he's covered it — with patience, curiosity, and a deep respect for the people he meets along the way. Now, after 38 years with MPR News, Dan is retiring. At an event in Moorhead in late October, MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talked with Gunderson about storytelling, some of the people he's met over the years and what he's discovered about Minnesota along the way. Guest:Dan Gunderson is a reporter based in Moorhead. He covers general news for a wide swath of western Minnesota and eastern North Dakota with a focus on the environment, agriculture and Indian Country. He has reported for MPR News since 1987. 2025 Dan Gunderson, longtime MPR journalist and master Minnesota storyteller, retires 2025 Minnesota minister rediscovers his faith among people in need 2025 In this west-central Minnesota town, fiddle jams draw players from ages 3 to 86 2025 Minnesota woman on a quest to preserve stories of disappearing towns 2025 ‘Loon lady' turns passion into action to protect Minnesota's iconic bird 2011 Researchers investigating movement of black bears into new habitats 2007 Moorhead orchestra students rock 2001 The land of the dancing tractors Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

Award-winning novelist Shobha Rao joins Saadia Khan to talk about the stories that define and defy us. In this wide-ranging conversation, Shobha reflects on immigrating to the U.S. at age seven, learning English through Little House on the Prairie, and how the quiet of her first snowfall changed her forever. Her latest book, Indian Country, connects the legacies of British colonialism and American expansion while weaving a tender meditation on marriage, identity, and the longing for home. Shobha shares how failure shaped her writing, why language can both limit and liberate, and what “mutating through love” truly means. Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can find more information at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://immigrantlypod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠to help more people find us!  You can connect with Saadia on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG ⁠⁠@itssaadiak⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠saadia@immigrantlypod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound Immigrantly Podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to subscribe to ⁠⁠Immigrantly Uninterrupted⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for insightful podcasts. Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon Moya-Smith and Julie Francella discuss the government shutdown and the White House's planned $300 million ballroom project, coming at the same time SNAP benefits are being cut and the GOP moves to gut VA healthcare. The impact on Indian Country is expected to be severe, with nearly one in four Native households relying on SNAP. They also covered the Vatican's return of Indigenous artifacts, Iliff Seminary's reckoning with its gruesome past, and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe's lawsuit against 3M over PFAS contamination. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The effects of government shutdowns are felt particularly deeply in tribal communities across the United States. That's because the federal government has a constitutional obligation to fund services in Indian Country. But when the government closes, tribal nations are left to pick up the tab. Marketplace's Savannah Peters joins Kimberly to explain how tribal communities get caught up in the federal government's dysfunctional budget process and why tribal leaders argue this needs to change.Here's everything we talked about today:"How the government shutdown is playing out in Indian Country" from Marketplace "Tribal governments fend off the worst of the impacts of the shutdown" from High Country News "The shutdown isn't big for Utah's tribes yet. If it drags on, that's the problem" from KUER "In Indian Country, federal budget dysfunction takes a toll" from MarketplaceWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

The effects of government shutdowns are felt particularly deeply in tribal communities across the United States. That's because the federal government has a constitutional obligation to fund services in Indian Country. But when the government closes, tribal nations are left to pick up the tab. Marketplace's Savannah Peters joins Kimberly to explain how tribal communities get caught up in the federal government's dysfunctional budget process and why tribal leaders argue this needs to change.Here's everything we talked about today:"How the government shutdown is playing out in Indian Country" from Marketplace "Tribal governments fend off the worst of the impacts of the shutdown" from High Country News "The shutdown isn't big for Utah's tribes yet. If it drags on, that's the problem" from KUER "In Indian Country, federal budget dysfunction takes a toll" from MarketplaceWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Federal programs and funding play an important role in Indian Country, because of the government's trust responsibility to provide or fund services to tribal nations in exchange for ceded land that now comprises the United States. That relationship also means that shutdowns hit tribal nations particularly hard. We'll learn what that means for services like health care and food distribution programs. Then, a lifelong Las Vegas resident reflects on the city's economic slowdown.

The federal government shutdown drags on this week, leaving a labor data vacuum. Private firms are hoping to fill the gap with their own data sets — some are even offering ‘em for free. Unfortunately, that private data is narrower and less comprehensive than typical BLS reports. Also in this episode: The popularity of all-cash home sales, the unique risks and boons AI presents for Indian Country, and the vital role of equipment auctions for small contractors.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

The federal government shutdown drags on this week, leaving a labor data vacuum. Private firms are hoping to fill the gap with their own data sets — some are even offering ‘em for free. Unfortunately, that private data is narrower and less comprehensive than typical BLS reports. Also in this episode: The popularity of all-cash home sales, the unique risks and boons AI presents for Indian Country, and the vital role of equipment auctions for small contractors.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.