July 31, 2021
Aniin and hello my relatives! Welcome to our first edition of Native News Weekly, where we round up the biggest stories published on Native News Online at the end of each and every week. As always, there’s a lot happening throughout Indian Country—an Indigenous icon walked on; the White House met with Native leaders on voting rights; a Native Hawaiian surfer claimed Olympic gold in Tokyo; and say hello to the Cleveland Guardians. All that and much more.
Currents
WASHINGTON — Each week, Native News Online brings you the latest Indian Country news and moves from the nation’s capital. Janie Hipp (Chickasaw), who has worked tirelessly for several years on behalf of agriculture in Indian Country was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as General Counsel of the USDA. The “Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021,” an important bill that enhances protections over Native cultural artifacts, has been placed on the Senate calendar for consideration by the body. Read about other important policy items impacting Indian Country here.
Editor’s Note: This is the second story in a series of three about the past, present and future of the Chilocco Indian School that was originally published by Blackwell Journal – Tribune, a newspaper based in Blackwell, Okla. The Journal-Tribune worked closely with Chilocco alumni to present a story that is a respectful and honest representation of the men, women and history of the school itself.
Editor’s Note: This is the first story in a series about the past, present and future of the Chilocco Indian School that was originally published by Blackwell Journal – Tribune, a newspaper based in Blackwell, Okla. The Journal-Tribune worked closely with Chilocco alumni to present a story that is a respectful and honest representation of the men, women and history of the school itself.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs announced Monday that the football team will retire its mascot, a horse called “Warpaint” that would ride across the stadium with a cheerleader on its back each time the Chiefs scored. When the team played at Municipal Stadium from 1963-1971, a man wearing a Native headdress rode Warpaint, according to the Kansas City Star.
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Opinion
For Cherokee families and businesses to thrive in the modern era, we must have well-maintained roads, clean water, fast internet connectivity, and access to great education and job training. Cherokee Nation knows the importance of both the “hard” infrastructure of steel and asphalt and the “soft” infrastructure of economic development and family supports. That’s why we have long been a strong leader and partner in building infrastructure to strengthen our region’s economy.
Last Tuesday, dozens of American Indians from Michigan tribes gathered on the shores of the Straits of Mackinac to see the “Red Road to DC” totem pole. It was the last official stop on its cross-country journey from the Lummi Nation, based in Bellingham, Wash. to Washington, D.C.
Sovereignty
More than 800 water rights claimed by members of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians have been pulled out of legal limbo following the Montana Water Court’s issuance of a first-of-its-kind order this month.
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg on Friday reversed his position on whether law enforcement should accept medical marijuana cards issued by the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe (FSST) to non-tribal members. Ravnsborg's announcement doubles down on South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem stance that state non-tribal residents cannot legally buy medical cannabis with a tribal card, even if it required a physician’s sign off.
Education
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of tribes, parents and students, alleges Montana education officials have failed to meet their constitutional mandate to provide Indian Education for All.
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The Cherokee Nation announced on Friday it is providing $150 in clothing assistance for every qualifying Cherokee student regardless of residency or income, with applications accepted beginning Tuesday, July 20.
Arts & Entertainment
This weekend and next week in Indian Country, the Indigenous animals and people of the Plains get their due at the zoo, Muscogee Nation hosts a hot premiere, and a boundlessly talented Tlingit weaver makes waves at a spirited art show.
Most of my art viewing is on purpose. I hear about something new or intriguing and seek it out. So it’s a joy for me to discover art where I’m not expecting it — art I know nothing about in advance. That happened last weekend when I took a road trip to Deception Pass State Park , which spans Fidalgo and Whidbey islands.
Health
Saturday, July 17, 2021
Business
LAS VEGAS — Actor Mark Wahlberg and his brother, chef Paul Wahlberg took center stage the National Indian Gaming Association's Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention in Las Vegas on Wednesday, July 21, to announce a newly formed partnership between their company, Wahlburgers Franchising and Little River Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned enterprise of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, based in Manistee, Mich.
It all started in a meeting in Las Vegas, where a couple of tribes expressed their concerns about managing the many operations involved with entering the cannabis industry to the Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of Violet Gro, Hyperponic, and Sunflower Consulting Group.