Overview:
The weekend may be over, but the news affecting Indian Country doesn’t stop. Each Monday, Native News Online brings you “Articles You May Have Missed”—a quick look at the important stories from across Indian Country that deserve your attention.
Happy Monday
Tomorrow is Election Day across the United States. Native News Online is a strong believer there is power with the Native Vote. If you have not already voted, make sure you have aa plan to vote.
November Marks National Native American Heritage Month
Nov. 1 marks the beginning of Native American Heritage Month, an opportunity to raise awareness of Indigenous history and contemporary Native issues and to recognize the Native people who enrich our nation’s culture and society.
National Native American Heritage Month, as it is officially called, is the culmination of a centuries-long effort to recognize the substantial contributions of Indigenous peoples.
Dr. Arthur Caswell Parker, a Cattaraugus Seneca Indian, historian, anthropologist, and author from New York, was an early proponent of establishing a day to honor Native Americans. Parker founded several influential American Indian rights organizations, including the Society of American Indians in 1911 and the National Congress of American Indians in 1944. He also advocated for American Indians to receive U.S. citizenship.
What Our Readers Told Us About the Midterm Elections
With midterm elections already underway across the country and Election Day set for November 3, 2026, Native News Online asked its readers which political party they plan to vote for in the midterm elections.
In the survey conducted from October 21–25, 2026, 75% of respondents said they plan to vote for Democratic candidates in the midterm elections. Of those who responded, 40% said they had already voted.
The survey asked respondents to answer the following question:
What issues or concerns are most important to you as a Native voter in the 2026 midterm elections, and why?
Federal Judge Dismisses DOJ Lawsuit Seeking to Block Certification of Alaska Senate Election Results
A federal district judge in Alaska dismissed the Trump administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit United States v. State of Alaska, Case No. 3:26-cv that sought to block certification of Alaska’s Senate election results for the upcoming midterm elections.
On Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason, an Obama appointee, issued a 20-page decision decision just two days before the general election. The lawsuit centered on incumbent Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan and Daniel J. Sullivan, another candidate whose name appears on the same ballot.
The senator’s campaign blames Democrat Mary Peltola (Yup’ik), who is running for the seat held by Sen. Sullivan, her campaign or the Alaska Democratic Party for Dan J. Sullivan entering the race.