WASHINGTON — In addition to articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news released from Washington, D.C. that impacts Indian Country recently.

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández Honors Indian Boarding School Relatives Ahead of September 30 Day of Remembrance

U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) recognized Native children, Indian boarding school survivors, families and descendants on the House floor ahead of the September 30 National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding School survivors.

Leger Fernández called for continued efforts to pursue truth, justice and healing for those impacted by the federal Indian boarding school system. She also urged her colleagues to support H.R. 7325, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act, which would establish a commission to investigate, document and report on federal Indian boarding school policies and their generational impacts on Native peoples.

“Across New Mexico, there were 52 Indian boarding schools where Native children were forced to relinquish their own Indigenous heritage and language,” Leger Fernández said. “Many of the children never returned home to their families or their communities. May they never be forgotten.”

The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) welcomed the congresswoman’s recognition, while emphasizing that remembrance should be accompanied by action.

“September 30 is a day to remember our relatives and honor the survivors, families, and communities who have carried this history for generations,” said NABS Chief Executive Officer Nikki Santos (Coeur d’Alene Tribe). “Remembrance gives us an opportunity to honor their lives, listen to their stories, and recommit ourselves to the work of truth and healing.”

NABS is encouraging Congress to support H.R. 7325 and is urging individuals, Tribal communities, organizations, educators and allies to participate in activities honoring Indian boarding school relatives on September 30.

FEMA to Conduct Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test November 17

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Tuesday, November 17, 2026.

The test is expected to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. Eastern Time and will interrupt regular programming on radio and television stations, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers nationwide.

The test message will state that it is a nationwide test covering the United States and that “No action is required by the public.” Normal programming will resume after the test concludes, no later than approximately 2:50 p.m. ET.

The EAS is a national public warning system involving thousands of broadcast and communications providers. It allows the president to address the American public during a national emergency and can also be used to distribute life-saving emergency information.

FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with communications providers and federal, state, tribal and territorial agencies ahead of the test.