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
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. The federal goverment remains under a partial shutdown. If there is no progress made or an agreement made on how to fund the federal government, on Wednesday, the will enter its fifth week of the shutdown.
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
Guest Opinion. The Cherokee language is the heart of who we are as a people. It carries our history, our way of life, and the values that connect us across generations. When we speak our language, we honor our ancestors and ensure that future generations can know themselves as Cherokee.
This guest opinion was adapted from a speech given by Dr. Nichole Keway Biber (Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians), on the steps of the Michigan State Capitol at the No Kings rally in Lansing, Michigan on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
Sovereignty
The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has signed a historic Tribal-State Cannabis Compact with the State of Minnesota, marking a significant milestone in the state’s growing legal cannabis industry. The agreement, authorized under state statute, was signed on October 20 by Governor Tim Walz and Fond du Lac Band Chairman Bruce M. Savage. Facilitated by the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management, the compact reflects the formal government-to-government relationship between the Band and the State, outlining a framework for cooperative and lawful cannabis regulation that prioritizes public health and safety.
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.
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
AMC and AMC+ have announced the return of Dark Winds for its fourth season, premiering Sunday, February 15, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
A teen is planning his path to Broadway, building upon past experiences and honing his skills at the Chickasaw Arts Academy.
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.