January 21, 2025
As the transfer of power from one president to another occurs, so does a transformation of the Oval Office's decor. Each president is allowed to select their preferred carpet and drapery colors, as well as statues and portraits.
Currents
While Republicans now control the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, new chair Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) says the committee’s bipartisan work on tribal priorities will continue during the Trump administration.
From Our Partners
When it comes to funding Tribal-owned projects, Bay Bank is more than just a lender—it’s a trusted partner.
Exhibition examines Indigenous representation and identity during a period of regional transformation
Opinion
Guest Opinion. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), signed by President Gerald R. Ford on January 3, 1975. The act represents a clear shift from past federal policies of forced assimilation and paternalistic decision-making toward respecting Tribal Nations’ right to self-determination and empowering them to decide what is in their best interest.
Guest Opinion. This January 20, we recognize Martin Luther King Day. It is a day on which many in the United States remember and honor Dr. King’s work and the long and ongoing fight for civil rights and social justice that he helped foster.
Sovereignty
Cherokee Nation has reached an $80 million settlement with the federal government to resolve claims of trust resource mismanagement during the 20th century.
A federal judge declined a request to bar the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians from barricading reservation roads on the same day the tribal council voted to keep the disputed roads open.
Education
California enacted Assembly Bill 1821 (AB 1821) last week, mandating the inclusion of Native American history and perspectives in public education.
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) will return to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in the 119th Congress, his office announced today.
Arts & Entertainment
The North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame (NAIAHF) has revealed its 2025 class of inductees, honoring 71 individuals and four teams for their remarkable contributions to athletics. This year’s class features 42 athletes, alongside coaches, trainers, builders, and teams, continuing the Hall of Fame’s mission to spotlight the achievements of Indigenous sports figures across North America.
The crystal waters of the St. Mary’s River in northern Michigan and southern Ontario once teemed with whitefish, a vital food source for the Anishinaabek people. But after two centuries of colonization, overfishing and invasive species, these culturally significant fish populations have declined sharply.
Health
Environment
On January 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename Denali, North America’s tallest peak, back to its former name, Mount McKinley.
The Tohono O’odham Nation signed a co-stewardship agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for federal lands with deep cultural and religious ties for the tribal nation.