March 20, 2023
NCAI: State of Indian Nations
State of Indian Nations
The National Congress of American Indians is returning to Washington, D.C., for its executive council winter session. It's the first time NCAI has hosted an in-person winter session since the COVID-19 pandemic. The event begins with President Fawn Sharp delivering the State of Indian Nations. Tune in!
Here's Your Headlines:
Ivey Camille Manybeads Tso
The highest court in the land is once again taking up a case that will determine whether the United States lives up to its promises to tribal nations.

Brian Schatz
Efforts to strengthen and improve the Indian Arts and Crafts Act are coming amid criminal cases and renewed claims to Native identities.

Santee Warriors
A high school basketball team from a small reservation made it to the Nebraska state championships for only the second time in the community’s history.

Jorge Aaron Riley
It took more than two years but a self-proclaimed Native Republican wore his “best Trump tie” to court and finally admitted he committed a crime during a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Native America Calling NAC
A merchant who sells works by Native artists is under fire for derogatory and offensive comments to Native dancers.

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Business Meeting to consider S. 70, S. 277 & S. 385
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs convenes for a business meeting on February 15, 2023.

Leonard Peltier
As Leonard Peltier enters his 48th year behind bars, his supporters and legal advocates are renewing the push to have him released through whatever means.

LandBack
Private and public lands are slowly being returned to the care of Native peoples across the country.

H.R.423 - Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act
The U.S. House of Representatives considers H.R.423, the Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act, on February 6, 2023.

H.R.548 - Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act
The U.S. House of Representatives considers H.R.548, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act, on February 6, 2023.

5th Circuit Court of Appeals
“Decades worth of legislation designed to protect women are being overturned by judges appointed by conservative politicians with an agenda that does not align with the vast majority of Americans,” said CEO Lori Jump of StrongHearts Native Helpline.

James Cook
British explorer James Cook’s colonial exploits were often at odds with the Indigenous peoples of the places he visited.

The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing 575,273 COVID-19 cases through February 10, 2023.

The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing 2,373,711 COVID-19 vaccines administered as of February 12, 2023.

Lisa Murkowski and Brian Schatz
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is getting back to work after what the legislative panel’s bipartisan leadership said was an extremely productive session.

U.S. Supreme Court
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is donating $600,000 over two years to support the Tribal Supreme Court Project.

Chuck Hoskin Jr
At the Cherokee Nation, we are especially mindful that without food sovereignty, all other aspects of our sovereignty will be at risk.

NAFOA
Uplifting voices and opportunities from our community members and partners.

Shane Morigeau
“I want a day that acknowledges the rich cultural heritage of all Indigenous people in our state,” said Montana Sen. Shane Morigeau, a citizen of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Super Bowl Business
Inspired by vibrant orange-and-purple sunsets and local tribes, Native artists and brands were able to put their work on display at an NFL pop-up shop.

USACE Partnership Restores Shoalwater Bay Dune
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers partnered with the Shoalwater Bay Tribe to restore the Shoalwater Bay Dune before the first major storm of the season.

Joe Biden
As President’s Day approaches, let’s discuss how Joe Biden’s term so far resonates with Indian Country.

Arizona to Rally Against Native Mascots
Today on Native America Calling, let’s survey the good and bad about the Super Bowl.

IRS 1040
It’s the time of year to start calculating your taxable income and looking over any receipts you have collected in a shoebox.

Tanasi Memorial
The 118th Congress is finally underway and Indian Country bills are among the first to advance in a new political atmosphere on Capitol Hill.

Cherokee Nation
For over two decades, the opioid epidemic has plagued the Cherokee Nation Reservation. It has affected every facet of our tribe and society.

Dreamcatcher
StrongHearts Native Helpline is working to uplift the voices of survivors by recognizing the strength and resilience of Indigenous peoples.

NAFOA
Our “5 Things” Newsletter gives you the info you need to start your week well!

Lake Sturgeon
As the sturgeon spearfishing season gets underway, Native America Calling looks at the ecological status of sturgeons, traditional harvest methods and tribal efforts to protect them.

Bad Press
Organizers of the Sundance Film Festival say this year’s line-up is among the strongest in terms of number and scope of Indigenous works.

Native America Calling NAC
Get the latest recommendations on gratuity and explore the stereotype that Native customers are bad tippers.

Bruce Westerman
A key Congressional committee is finally getting to work, with Republicans pursuing a new agenda for Indian Country and beyond.

JoVonne Wagner
MTFP and ICT have hired JoVonne Wagner, Blackfeet, to increase coverage of the Montana Legislature’s American Indian Caucus.

Joe Biden and Richard Peterson
Today on Native America Calling, get the back story on the land-into-trust process and what it means for Alaska Natives.

George Santos
An overwhelming majority of Jewish voters in New York’s 3rd Congressional District – 94% – think George Santos should resign from Congress over a web of lies about his background.

Ruben Gallego
Rep. Ruben Gallego has launched long-anticipated challenge to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a first-term lawmaker who recently left the Democratic Party.

Cherokee Nation
As a father and grandfather, I know personally how valuable it is for youth to have a positive and safe environment to learn and grow.

Lourdes “Lulu” Pereira
In Arizona, 22 federally recognized tribes inhabit nearly every region of the state. But Hia-Ced O’odham isn’t one of them.

NAFOA
NAFOA stays on top of the news so you always start your week informed and ready.

Ray Fougnierr
Join Native America Calling and get some tips from Native exercise experts about making the most of your regimen and keeping your motivation going.

Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation will continue to enforce its mask mandate at all reservation health care locations in Arizona.

President Joe Biden is threatening to veto a Republican bill that removes a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for health care providers.

ʔálʔal Cafe - By Chief Seattle Club
What’s on The Menu? Join host Andi Murphy for news about the James Beard Award nominations and more.

Protect Thacker Pass
A lithium mine in Nevada is considered an environmental and cultural affront to tribal nations.

U.S. Supreme Court
Indian Country is gearing up for another round of big cases at the nation’s highest court, with water rights and tribal sovereignty on the line.

Over-Incarceration of Native Americans: Roots, Inequities, and Solutions
The research on the over-representation of Native people behind bars is long and vast.

Cherokee Nation
Whether it’s new construction, refurbished existing buildings, improved water or better roads, we are investing in what the Cherokee people have asked for.

Michael Hoenig
Michael Hoenig, the longest-serving general counsel at the National Indian Gaming Commission, is departing on January 27, 2023.

Yellowstone Bison
A tribal hunter was accidentally shot in connection with a bison hunt on the northern border of Yellowstone National Park in Montana.

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

Native America Calling NAC
The usage of artificial intelligence is raising questions about copyright protections for Native creatives and concerns about appropriation.

Salt River Project
Salt River Project has partnered with a private renewable energy company to open its largest solar plant in Arizona.

Oklahoma City Indian Clinic has achieved Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Full Plus recognition for a diabetes prevention program.

Alligator
Alligators are traditional touchstones and an important source of food for Southern and Southeastern tribes.

Montana State Capitol
Native America Calling looks at the continuing verbal, legal, and legislative affronts to tribal sovereignty based on outdated, stereotypical and uninformed perspectives.

The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing 569,750 COVID-19 cases through January 18, 2023.

Seneca Nation
Leaders of the Seneca Nation are speaking out after the governor of New York vetoed a bill that would have protected burial grounds across the state.

Battle of Hayes Pond
In 1958, members of the Lumbee Tribe showed up in force to stop a KKK rally in North Carolina.

Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee language is a bedrock of our strength as a tribe.

NAFOA
Uplifting voices and opportunities from our community members and partners.

Jana Schmieding
Join Jana Schmieding (Mniconjou and Sicangu Lakota) for a conversation about her life and career in entertainment.

Prescott National Forest
About 100,000 mines have been abandoned in Arizona, according to the state inspector, leaving behind huge amounts of toxic waste.

Native America Calling NAC
Native educators have a keen eye for guiding how schools teach students about Native history and culture.

Avatar The Way of Water
The creators of the new Avatar sequel continue what they see as a science fiction account of colonialism and Indigenous resistance. But it’s getting plenty of push-back from Native audiences.

P-22
Tribes in California want a say in what happens to the remains of P-22, a famous mountain lion.

Joye Braun
A dauntless advocate of Indigenous justice walked on with the passing of indomitable Water Protector and fearless Warrior Joye Braun.

FEMA
The federal government issued translations on official documents to help Native people following destructive storms in Alaska. The trouble is, the text is indecipherable.

Sitting Bull
A non-Native collector who claims to know a secret tribal language is selling items that supposedly came from Little Bighorn and other battles. Some have doubts.

Eighth Generation
Native-owned galleries and organizations are working to ensure Native artists get full value for their works.

Cherokee Nation Domestic Violence Shelter
Sadly, there is a great deal of domestic violence in our modern society, and the Cherokee Nation and Cherokee society are not immune.

NAFOA
Your latest news on tribal finance and economic development.

Alpha Pi Omega Sorority
Native fraternities and sororities began in the mid-1990s and offer a chance for Native students to connect with each other and draw support from shared cultural values.

Please join Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer for the final COVID-19 update of their administration.

The Navajo Nation reported 141 new COVID-19 cases and three coronavirus related deaths between December 24, 2022, and January 4, 2023.

Native America Calling NAC
Indigenous wrestlers comprise only a small faction of the wrestling world, but they are making names for themselves.

Jim Yellow Hawk
The Black Hills Indian Artist Market once again brought art, music, fashion and food to He Sapa.

School District Is Ground Zero for Harsh Discipline of Native Students in New Mexico
An investigative report in New Mexico finds Native students are expelled at a far greater rate than their white counterparts.

Roselyn Tso
After years of work, tribes finally achieved a historic first for the Indian Health Service. But Republicans are already ripping apart the funding agreement.

Frank Star Comes Out and Ryman Lebeau
Lakota citizens met to discuss the return of items taken from their ancestors during the Wounded Knee Massacre of December 1890.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Thousands of migrants, many of whom are seeking asylum as they escape violence, extreme poverty, and oppression, are stopped at the U.S. border.

The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing 565,910 COVID-19 cases through January 2, 2023.

U.S. Capitol
The 118th Congress began in a most unusual fashion as Republicans descended into what one Democrat derided as “chaos” in the U.S. House of Representatives.

George Santos
A Republican candidate’s lies about his education, employment and even his ethnic background take him all the way to the U.S. Congress.

NAFOA
We’re hitting the ground running this new year!

Native America Calling NAC
Speak with Native wellness experts and motivational speakers about bridging divisions and avoiding the traps that drive wedges between us.

High Desert Trail in Gallup, New Mexico
In New Mexico, Native students are expelled far more often than any other group and at least four times as often as white students.

Montana State Capitol
A Republican aide with political aspirations questioned whether members of tribes living on reservations should be able to vote in state elections.

Stickball - The Museum of the Cherokee Indian
Stickball is the older, rougher cousin of lacrosse, developed many centuries ago as both a game and a training exercise.

The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing 564,617 COVID-19 cases through December 27, 2022.

The Navajo Nation reported 152 new COVID-19 cases and two coronavirus related deaths between December 22-28, 2022.

Cherokee Nation
A good government makes life better for its people and for future generations.

NAFOA
And with that, the 2022 season is over. Thank you for a great year.

Kendra Potter - Daughter of a Lost Bird
2022 was a strong year for feature films, documentaries and shorts produced by Native filmmakers, as well as those that relied on Native talent or focused on Native issues.

The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing 561,287 COVID-19 cases through December 14, 2022.

Newtok School in Alaska
The Native village of Newtok in Alaska is losing its battle with climate change.

'Every Child Matters' at U.S. Supreme Court
With one negative ruling on the books and a potentially devastating one on the way, tribal leaders continue to look to the Biden administration to address the impacts of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Lakota Nation Invitational
The 45th annual Lakota Nation Invitational in Rapid City, South Dakota, is underway.

'Indians Allowed'
People headed to a Native basketball, educational and cultural tournament were shocked to learn that some hotels were charging more than $2,000 a night.

International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity
The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity warns Indigenous priorities may not be heard or heeded at the COP15 UN Biodiversity Conference.

Senate Committee on Indian aAffairs
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is holding a business meeting as the 117th Congress enters its final stretch.

Chuck Hoskin Jr.
From individual Cherokee families to the whole Cherokee Nation, keeping children safe is our most essential responsibility.

Badger-Two Medicine
An area sacred to the Blackfeet Nation remains under threat from energy development after a federal judge’s ruling.

NAFOA
This holiday season, remember to #BuyNative!

World Pride 2019
Native America Calling checks in with Native experts about both progress and setbacks when it comes to public acceptance.

Walthill, Nebraska
On a sunny afternoon in October, young people gathered for the grand opening of a new skate park on the Omaha Reservation.

'A Cedar Is Life'
Cedar is an important part of many tribal cultures.

The Navajo Nation reported 355 new COVID-19 cases and eight coronavirus related deaths between December 2–8, 2022.

National Congress of American Indians Embassy of Tribal Nations
The Embassy of Tribal Nations, the home of the National Congress of American Indians, is on the market.

Kilauea in Hawaii
ICYMI: Catch up on some interesting and engaging topics that are important to Native people.

A growing number of Native writers are turning to self-publishing — and there’s a number of supportive organizations and independent publishers that can help.

Please join Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer for a COVID-19 and monkeypox update.