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The Girl Scout Murders have garnered national attention through features on true crime documentaries. The case remains especially compelling, as it remains unsolved nearly 50 years later.

Join host Levi Rickert for an episode of Native Bidaské, featuring Gary Pitchlynn, the Choctaw attorney who defended Gene Leroy Hart in one of Oklahoma's most notorious criminal cases.

In this interview, Pitchlynn reveals the shocking details behind the 1977 Girl Scout murders, sharing how he and his partner, Garvin Isaacs, successfully defended Hart against what they believed was a deeply flawed prosecution. The episode explores the complex intersection of Native American justice, evidence manipulation, and the power of legal advocacy.

Pitchlynn's firsthand account offers unprecedented insights into a case that has captivated true crime audiences for decades. Discover the untold story of how two young lawyers fought against a system seemingly designed to convict their client, with unexpected help from Cherokee medicine men.

Don't miss this compelling narrative that challenges our understanding of justice, racial bias in law enforcement, and the resilience of Native American legal professionals.

Tune in to Native Bidaské on June 6th at 12 pm ET - an episode you won't want to miss. 

Streaming on Facebook and YouTube.

Can we take a minute to talk about tribal sovereignty?

Our mission draws from the warrior spirit that has sustained Indigenous peoples for generations — the same spirit that drives us to stand guard over tribal rights through relentless investigation and fearless reporting. 

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. 

June 05, 2025 Levi Rickert
The Trump administration is proposing a drastic reduction in funding for tribal colleges and universities—nearly a 90% cut—that could force most, if not all, of these institutions to shut down.
Currents
June 05, 2025 Native News Online Staff Currents 1584
During the quarterly meeting of the Coalition of Large Tribes (COLT), held June 2–3 at Eagle Crest Resort in Redmond, Oregon, Navajo Nation Council Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton successfully passed legislation urging continued support for Othram’s forensic DNA services. The legislation encourages collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services (BIA-OJS) through its Operation Spirit Return initiative.
Opinion
June 05, 2025 Judith LeBlanc Opinion 346
Guest Opinion. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a pristine wilderness, and it is sacred land. Since time immemorial, it has sustained the Gwich’in people, who call the coastal plain “Iizhik Gwats’an Gwandaii Goodlit” -- the Sacred Place Where Life Begins . It’s also home to the Iñupiat, whose culture, health, and subsistence depend on the balance of this fragile ecosystem.
June 02, 2025 Levi Rickert Opinion 2612
Opinion. T he Trump administration released new details about its 2026 budget, which includes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Budget in Brief. As with past budgets, this document was rolled out with the usual talking points: commitment to tribal sovereignty, honoring federal trust obligations, and improving health outcomes for Native people.
Sovereignty
June 06, 2025 Native News Online Staff Sovereignty 211
The Yurok Tribe, California's largest federally recognized tribal nation, was given 73 square miles of land -- or 47,097 acres -- along the eastern side of the lower Klamath River on Thursday. The land exchange is being called the argest single “land back” deal in California history. The land deal was announced by the Tribe, the Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC), the California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) and the California State Coastal Conservancy (CSCC).
June 04, 2025 Native News Online Staff Sovereignty 405
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), and Desert Water Agency (DWA) have reached a landmark agreement resolving two long-standing water rights lawsuits. The settlement marks a significant step toward long-term water management stability and increased reliability for residents across the Coachella Valley.
Education
June 05, 2025 Levi Rickert Education 956
The Trump administration is proposing a drastic reduction in funding for tribal colleges and universities—nearly a 90% cut—that could force most, if not all, of these institutions to shut down.
June 04, 2025 Native News Online Staff Education 1466
A recent study from Utah State University highlights the importance of relationship-building and incorporating local cultural knowledge when designing climate change education tailored for Indigenous learners.
Arts & Entertainment
June 04, 2025 Kaili Berg Arts & Entertainment 2536
Actor Jonathan Joss (Comanche/White Mountain Apache) was fatally shot near his former home in San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday, June 1. Best known for voicing John Redcorn in the animated series King of the Hill and for his role as Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation, Joss had stopped to check his mail. He was 59.
June 03, 2025 Chickasaw Nation Media Arts & Entertainment 1090
Join the Chickasaw Cultural Center for a day of family fun and cultural celebration during the Toompalli' (Summer) Festival and Inki' (Father) Day Celebration, taking place Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Health
Environment
June 04, 2025 Native News Online Staff Environment 827
The U.S. Department of the Interior today announced the availability of more than $119 million in fiscal year 2025 grant funding to support the reclamation of abandoned coal mines across the country. These Abandoned Mine Land (AML) fee-based grants, authorized under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and administered by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), will support 24 coal-producing states and two tribal programs in restoring former mine sites.
May 24, 2025 Native News Online Staff Environment 2272
The Osage Minerals Council proudly announces the final dismissal of the Hayes II litigation, ending nearly a decade-long legal battle that posed a serious threat to oil and gas production within the Osage Mineral Estate. Originally filed in 2016, the case challenged the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ (BIA) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review of two mineral leases. On May 5, 2025, the Federal District Court issued a judgment officially dismissing the case.