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!
Here are some of the articles you may have missed this past weekend:
After 14 Years, Man Convicted in Killing of Haliwa-Saponi Tribe Citizen Faith Hedgepeth
The high-profile case of a missing and murdered Indigenous person (MMIP) was finally resolved with the conviction of Miguel Salguero-Olivares, 33, on Friday, October 23, 2026, in the killing of Faith Danielle Hedgepeth, 19, a citizen of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe, in September 2012.
Hedgepeth was a sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill when she was killed. She had ambitions of becoming a pediatrician and returning to her home tribal community in rural North Carolina to provide medical care.
“While nothing can ever take the place of having Faith live out her natural life, I am prayerful that this verdict will give some sense of closure to her immediate family, extended relatives, and our tribal nation,” Haliwa-Saponi Tribal Chairman Earl Evans told Native News Online on Friday evening.
Mary Peltola Reschedules Fairbanks, Bethel Campaign Events After Vehicle Accident
U.S. Senate candidate Mary Peltola (Yup’ik) and her family sustained minor injuries in a vehicle accident while traveling to the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Banquet, prompting the campaign to reschedule two upcoming events on her statewide campaign tour.
According to a statement released Sunday by Alaskans for Mary, the vehicle transporting Peltola and her family was struck by another driver Saturday night. The family sustained minor injuries and received medical attention.
Cheryl Bruce, campaign manager for Alaskans for Mary, said Peltola and her family were in good spirits following the accident.
Navajo Nation Urges Caution as Rainfall, Flooding Damage Roads
The Navajo Nation Commission on Emergency Management is urging residents to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel and monitor official road and weather updates as continued rainfall, flooding and roadway damage create hazardous driving conditions across the Navajo Nation.
The Navajo Division of Transportation (NDOT), Navajo Police Department and emergency personnel are responding to weather-related road damage and hazardous conditions throughout the Nation.
Residents are advised to avoid roads that are closed or compromised and to use alternate routes when available.
