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- By Valerie Vande Panne
As we in Indian Country know, our lives are filled with challenges and triumphs. As we at Native News Online looked at our top stories of 2021, it was a heart-wrenching reminder of that. From Pregnant 18-year-old Mashpee Wampanoag Woman Found Dead in a Florida Field to Alaska Native Teen Makes Waves as May Vogue Mexico Covergirl–both in the top 21 of our most read stories–Native News Online worked to uplift stories that need to be told.
Sometimes, these stories are especially challenging, such as our second and third most read stories of the year, Remains Found in North Carolina Storage Unit Identified as Turtle Mountain Chippewa Woman Missing for 15 Years and The Remains of 10 Children at the Carlisle Indian Boarding School Are Returning Home.
Both of these stories, even writing about and linking to them here, bring tears to our eyes. It is, perhaps, one of the hardest parts of being a reporter: Covering absolute tragedy that we are–almost–powerless to do anything about.
The one thing we can do, the place where our power lives, is what we turn to: We tell the story.
That power, with yours, our reader, continues to grow. Our most read story of 2021 was Haaland Retains Her Composure in the Face of “Immense Disrespect” in Confirmation Hearing. The U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, a proud Laguna Pueblo woman, is perhaps the most visible embodiment of our hopes for the future. One where we face the world and all its ugliness with dignity, and one where, even amidst profound tragedy, we can stand in our power and do what must be done–for our communities now, and for ten thousand generations to come.
And so, reflecting back on 2021, we can say: We told the stories. It is our commitment, both as reporters and as part of the fabric of Indian Country. You supported us, and you heard and shared our stories. Our lives are woven together, and it is through our stories that our cloth becomes stronger, and that our relations, our relatives, and our connections strengthen.
We are grateful to you, our readers and supporters, and we look forward to continuing to serve and uplift our voices and communities in 2021.
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November is celebrated as “Native American Heritage Month.” At Native News Online, we amplify Native voices and share our relatives’ unique perspectives every day of the year. We believe every month should celebrate Native American heritage.If you appreciate our commitment to Native voices and our mission to tell stories that connect us to our roots and inspire understanding and respect, we hope you will consider making a donation this month to support our work. For those who commit to a recurring donation of $12 per month or more, or make a one-time donation of $150 or greater, we're excited to offer you a copy of our upcoming Indian Boarding School publication and access to our quarterly Founder’s Circle meetings and newsletter.