October 20, 2025
Opinion. When U.S. Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) passed away on March 13, 2025 at the age of 77, Indian Country lost one of its strongest voices in Congress. After more than two decades in Congress, Grijalva championed Native American issues, supporting tribal sovereignty, environmental justice and education equity.
Currents
The Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Anchorage, while it featured the usual cultural celebrations, socializing and discussions of state and federal policies, had a strong focus this year on a particular subject: the ravages on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta of ex-Typhoon Halong.
From Our Partners
Imagine, for a moment, that your Nation is collaborating with a renewable energy developer to construct a medium-scale solar farm on newly acquired trust land within its reservation boundaries. The Nation and developer agree on a lease, project plan, and financing. However, when submitting the deal for final approval, they encounter delays at multiple levels: the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) regional office delays title examination, and the Department of the Interior (DOI) takes months to approve rights-of-way; additionally, overlapping environmental and historic preservation reviews pile on further hold-ups.
Opinion
Opinion. When U.S. Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) passed away on March 13, 2025 at the age of 77, Indian Country lost one of its strongest voices in Congress. After more than two decades in Congress, Grijalva championed Native American issues, supporting tribal sovereignty, environmental justice and education equity.
Ireland once had its own indigenous legal system, called Brehon law, originally written between the 7th and 8th centuries. These laws including governance of the ancient feast of Samhain or the old spelling, Samain (pronounced SOW-han).
Sovereignty
The Chickasaw Nation is now accepting nominations for the 2026 class of the Chickasaw Hall of Fame, honoring citizens who have made lasting contributions to their Nation, communities, and beyond.
The 25th Navajo Nation Council took a historic step Tuesday by approving amendments to formally recognize and establish Agency Veterans Organizations (AVO) and Chapter Veterans Organizations (CVO) under Title 2 of the Navajo Nation Code.
Education
ALLENDALE, Mich. — Grand Valley State University will get an early jump on celebrating Native American Heritage Month, which is recognized during November, with a public lecture by Ojibwe scholar and author Anton Treuer, who will speak on “Decolonizing Our Future: Truth, Sovereignty, and Student Success.”
Indigenous education experts and advocates are outraged over the state’s draft action plan for improving education, which they say lacks detail and fails to meaningfully incorporate community input.
Arts & Entertainment
Tlingit hunter, fisherwoman, and artisan Heather Douville (Shank’weidi Wolf Clan), known by her traditional name Kootink', is using modern media to carry forward cultural traditions.
At the premiere of the new short film, Following Enchantment’s Line , Jock Soto, the Diné and Puerto Rican ballet dancer, could be seen gliding underneath vast blue New Mexico skies — the only time the audience saw him dance.
Health
Environment
Ten Michigan Tribal Nations have filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reject Enbridge’s “underhanded procedural tactics” in the ongoing legal fight over the Line 5 oil pipelines.
Alaska Native organizations and tribal governments, in collaboration with the Alaska Community Foundation (ACF), regional nonprofits, and community partners, have launched the Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund to deliver immediate and long-term support to communities devastated by Typhoon Halong.