Happy Monday! Today is Presidents’ Day in the United States. Many government offices are closed today because of the federal holiday, including tribal, federal, state, and local governments.
Here are some of the articles you may have missed this past weekend:
DHS Secretary Noem Tells Tribes ICE Does Not Target Native Americans
In a letter sent to tribal leaders, enrolled members, and citizens of federally recognized tribes on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) does not target Native Americans and has not conducted operations on tribal lands, responding to concerns raised by tribal leaders about enforcement activities and recognition of tribal identification.
Noem said in the letter that ICE’s mission is “singular and clear” — to apprehend and remove people unlawfully present in the United States — and does not include targeting U.S. citizens based on appearance, ethnicity or community affiliation.
“To date, there have not been any ICE operations in tribal lands,” she wrote.
The letter follows outreach from tribal leaders and community members who expressed concerns about the recognition of tribal identification cards and ICE operations in areas with significant urban Native populations.
The Rock Musician Playing NdN Humor for Valentine’s Day
In the poster for an upcoming concert, Jacob Shije is playing a vintage black-and-white 1960s Silvertone 1446 guitar, a symbol of the Santa Clara Pueblo musician’s love of blues legend Jimmie Vaughan.
Shije’s initials are on the body of the guitar in reflective letters, just like Vaughan’s. The dark sunglasses and leather jacket he wears on stage are another tribute to the musical style that booms from the guitar whenever he plays with his band, The Jacob Shije Trio.
Artists who can blend the old into the new create multi-generational appeal. Shije does this on and off-stage, a big reason why he’s thrilled to perform in this upcoming show in Santa Fe on Feb. 26 with headliner Gary Farmer and the Troublemakers.
Native News Online at 15: Humble Beginnings, Unwavering Mission
On Saturday, Native News Online celebrated its 15th anniversary of delivering news to Indian Country and beyond. With great pride, I still remember the day this publication was born.
The day began in La Jolla, Calif., at the start of the “Longest Walk 3 — Reversing Diabetes.” American Indian Movement co-founder Dennis Banks led the walk from the West Coast to Washington, D.C., calling attention to the devastating toll diabetes was taking on Native communities.
That first night ended at a community center near San Diego on the reservation of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians. The tribe welcomed us with a generous baked chicken dinner. Afterward, Banks spoke candidly about his own battle with diabetes and how he was working to reverse it through discipline, exercise, and diet. I slept in a sleeping bag on the hard floor, listening to the quiet and sometimes loud chorus of snores and whispered conversations. It was humble. It was real. It was the beginning.