- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
Join Native News Online Editor Levi Rickert, along with Senior Staff Reporter Jenna Kunze, for this week’s Native Bidaské as they interview Derrick Belgarde (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians/ Chippewa-Cree), the director of housing and human service nonprofit in Seattle, Chief Seattle Club, and veterans advocate Dean Dauphinais (Spirit Lake).
Native Americans in Seattle are 7.5 times more likely to be homeless, according to officials at the Chief Seattle Club. Across the country, homelessness is on the rise; nationally, the amount of people living without shelter grew by 11 percent last year.
Some 5% of Native veterans are unsheltered as compared to the 2% in the general population, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling gave cities the power to ban people from sleeping and camping in public places, in a decision Native advocates say will disproportionately impact Indigenous people.
Belgarde— who formerly experienced homelessness himself — will speak about the unhoused population in Seattle, and what his organization is doing to help.
Dauphinais, who founded an organization called All Star Vets in 2016 to help veterans through holistic healing, will add perspective on the nuance of homelessness among Native vets, and what bringing culture and tradition back to Native communities means for healing.
Tune into the live stream on the Native News Online Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube social media accounts, and subscribe to our channel.
Support our coverage: https://nativenewsonline.net/donate
Get our newsletter: https://nativenewsonline.net/subscribe-to-native-news-today
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsNative News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Native News Weekly (December 22, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Washington Post Reports Indian School Deaths are Three Times What the Federal Governement Reported
Federal Government Shutdown Averted: How Native Americans in Congress Voted
Can we take a minute to talk about tribal sovereignty?
Sovereignty isn't just a concept – it's the foundation of Native nations' right to govern, protect our lands, and preserve our cultures. Every story we publish strengthens tribal sovereignty.
Unlike mainstream media, we center Indigenous voices and report directly from Native communities. When we cover land rights, water protection, or tribal governance, we're not just sharing news – we're documenting our living history and defending our future.
Our journalism is powered by readers, not shareholders. If you believe in the importance of Native-led media in protecting tribal sovereignty, consider supporting our work today.
Right now, your support goes twice as far. Thanks to a generous $35,000 matching fund, every dollar you give during December 2024 will be doubled to protect sovereignty and amplify Native voices.
No paywalls. No corporate owners. Just independent, Indigenous journalism.
