fbpx
 

WASHINGTON — In addition to articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news released from Washington, D.C. that impacts Indian Country recently.

A Bill to Expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Advances Through the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act was introduced by Senator Ales Padilla (D-CA). On July 21, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources passed the act. It passed in a unanimous vote.  

If passed, this bill would permanently protect a unique Northern California landscape. It would add an adjacent 3,925 acres to the current Monument, support Tribal co-management, and change the name of the additional wildlands from “Walker Ridge” to Molok Luyuk—Patwin for “Condor Ridge”—a name the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation provided. So far, it has bipartisan support. 

It would also increase recreational access to world-class nature and outdoor activities, like hiking, sightseeing, mountain biking and more, for locals and visitors. 

By making the land part of the existing monument, it would improve land management, protect sensitive wildlife and prime habitat areas, and bring additional resources for trail construction and maintenance.

A letter of support for the legislation from over 50 organizations is available here

Broadband Data Collection Review Webinar to Be Held July 26 

The Federal Communications Commission’s Office of Native Affairs and Policy is holding a webinar to review the Broadband Data Collection system for Tribal leaders, Tribal providers and other Tribal filers who are going to submit broadband availability data. 

Registration is still open and name, contact information, adn Tribal affiliation can e sent to  [email protected] to register. 

FCC staff will be available to answer participant questions.  Participants will be able to submit questions during the webinar through the WebEx platform.  Questions may also be submitted in advance at:  [email protected].  The webinar will be recorded and made available on the FCC’s website and YouTube channel following the event. The webinar will be webcast with open captioning at www.fcc.gov/live

The Natural Resources Committee is Holding Three Live stream Events Next Week

On Wednesday, the Environmental Justice For All Act is set for a markup. The bill hopes to be the most comprehensive piece of environmental justice legislation in history. 

The markup will start at 9:30 a.m. EDT. You can watch it here.

On Thursday, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is holding an oversight hearing titled, Preventing Polluters from Getting Government Contracts: Bureau of Land Management’s Corporate Exclusions Lists.  

The Honorable Mark Greenblatt, Inspector General, U.S. Department of the Interior, and Mr. Mike Nedd, Deputy Director for Operations, Bureau of Land Management are being called as witnesses. 

It will start at 10:00 a.m. EDT and can be watched here

The Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States is holding a hearing on H.R. 5549, the Indian Health Service Advance Appropriations Act, that would amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to authorize advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service by providing 2-fiscal-year budget authority, and for other purposes.

President of Navajo Nation, Navajo Area Representative of National Indian Health Board, Johnathan Nez is one of the witnesses. 

It will start at 1:00 p.m. EDT and can be watched here

Neely Bardwell (direct descendant of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians), a Michigan State University student who is interning with Native News Online, contributed to these briefs.

More Stories Like This

House Passes Bipartisan Debt Ceiling Deal; How Native American Members of Congress Voted
History Made as First Navajo Appointed U.S. Federal Judge in California
California Bill Aims to Increase State Funding for Tribal Housing
Navajo Nation Leaders Recognized the Fallen on Memorial Day
This Day in History — May 28, 1830, Andrew Jackson Signs Indian Removal Act

Native News is free to read.

We hope you enjoyed the story you've just read. For the past dozen years, we’ve covered the most important news stories that are usually overlooked by other media. From the protests at Standing Rock and the rise of the American Indian Movement (AIM), to the ongoing epidemic of Murdered and Missing Indigenous People (MMIP) and the past-due reckoning related to assimilation, cultural genocide and Indian Boarding Schools.

Our news is free for everyone to read, but it is not free to produce. That’s why we’re asking you to make a donation to help support our efforts. Any contribution — big or small — helps.  Most readers donate between $10 and $25 to help us cover the costs of salaries, travel and maintaining our digital platforms. If you’re in a position to do so, we ask you to consider making a recurring donation of $12 per month to join the Founder's Circle. All donations help us remain a force for change in Indian Country and tell the stories that are so often ignored, erased or overlooked.

Donate to Native News Online today and support independent Indigenous journalism. Thank you. 

About The Author
Native News Online Staff
Author: Native News Online StaffEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at [email protected].