- Details
- By Levi Rickert
Easter 2020
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — As Christians celebrate the miraculous resurrection of Jesus Christ this Easter, this year's Easter is vastly different than others in years past. Never in the history of the United States have all 50 states been under a disaster declaration simultaneously. The COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic has overtaken our normalcy and is causing pain throughout the country with loss of lives and a crippled economy.
Indian Country has not been spared the spread of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus).
This Easter, our tribal nations should be unified in prayer. I fully understand all American Indian and Alaska Natives do not embrace Christianity; therefore, they do not celebrate Easter. However, I know many still maintain the traditional ceremonial practices of tribal ancestors. In both cases, prayer is a key component of their belief systems. Today, we all should pray for healing for Indian Country, the United States of America and the world.
We are in this fight togther. Stay Home...Stay Stay!
To those of you who celebrate Easter, Happy Easter from all ouf us at Native News Online.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Native News Weekly (July 27, 2025): D.C. Briefs
An Interior Department Veteran Looks to the Future
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
