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Interior Secretary Deb Haaland sent her recommendation to President Joe Biden on whether to reverse the downsizing of two national monuments in Utah. President Trump in 2017 cut the Bears Ears National Monument by 85 percent and the Grand Escalante Staircase National Monument by half. Details on Haaland’s recommendation were not released. The Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition is concerned that without national monument protection and staffing, artifacts and sites are at higher risk of looting, vandalism, and desecration of burial sites. The coalition is made up of the Hopi Nation, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah Ouray, and Zuni Tribe, which all have ancient ties to sites in the monuments.
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak met with members of the Nevada Indian Commission in Carson City on Friday as he signed legislation removing racially discriminatory identifiers or language from schools. Additionally, counties can no longer sound “sundown sirens,” which once signified it was time for certain people to leave town. The law will require schools to change any name, logo, mascot, song, or identifier that is “racially discriminatory” or “associated with the Confederate States of America or a federally recognized Indian tribe.” Under Assembly Bill 88, exceptions can be made only with tribal approval. The legislation applies to public schools and charters, universities, and community colleges.
In Colorado, State House lawmakers passed a bill that would prohibit K-12 schools and colleges from using Native mascots – and fine them for violations. Schools operated by a tribe or with the tribe’s approval that are located within a reservation would also be exempt. The bill passed on a vote of 40-24 in the House, with no Republican support, and still needs to be approved by the Senate before it heads to Governor Jared Polis’ desk for his signature.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday he is “deeply disappointed” the Roman Catholic Church has not offered a formal apology and made amends for its role in Canada’s former system of church-run Indigenous boarding schools after the remains of 215 children were located at what was once the country’s largest such institution. Trudeau called on the church to “step up” and take responsibility after years of silence. He said the government has “tools” it can use if the church itself doesn’t release documents. Trudeau said Catholics across the country should reach out to bishops and cardinals on this issue.
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma announced last week that its new Choctaw Cultural Center, which tells the 14,000-year-history of the Chahta people and represents more than a decade of research and work in creating the space, will officially open July 23 on the prairie land of southeastern Oklahoma in Durant. The building is situated on 22-acres, is over 100,000 square feet and houses two exhibit halls, an art gallery, auditorium, children’s area, classrooms, offices, gift shop, café, and more. Among its many features is a Permanent Exhibit Hall with a four-part story focusing on the history of the Choctaw tribe from ancestral times to current day in Oklahoma.
Keep reading for a full news update.
Politics:
Deb Haaland Sends Bears Ears Recommendation To President
Indian Country Today, Joaqlin Estus, June 4
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland sent her recommendation to President Joe Biden on whether to reverse the downsizing of two national monuments in Utah. President Trump in 2017 cut the Bears Ears National Monument by 85 percent and the Grand Escalante Staircase National Monument by half. Details on Haaland’s recommendation were not released. Bears Ears, which is named after two distinctive buttes, is the first national monument created at the request of tribes. The Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition is concerned that without national monument protection and staffing, artifacts and sites are at higher risk of looting, vandalism, and desecration of burial sites. The coalition is made up of the Hopi Nation, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah Ouray, and Zuni Tribe, which all have ancient ties to sites in the monuments.
Law:
A New Nevada Law Bans Racial Mascots In Schools And ‘Sundown Sirens’
NPR, Dustin Jones, June 6
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak met with members of the Nevada Indian Commission in Carson City on Friday as he signed legislation removing racially discriminatory identifiers or language from schools. Additionally, counties can no longer sound “sundown sirens,” which once signified it was time for certain people to leave town. The law will require schools to change any name, logo, mascot, song or identifier that is “racially discriminatory” or “associated with the Confederate States of America or a federally recognized Indian tribe.” Under Assembly Bill 88, exceptions can be made only with tribal approval. The legislation applies to public schools and charters, universities and community colleges.
Sisolak Signs Three Bills Benefitting Native Americans
Nevada Appeal, Geoff Dornan, June 5
Gov. Steve Sisolak on Friday signed three bills designed to benefit Nevada’s Native American population — including one that waives registration, per credit and other fees for members of federally-recognized tribes to attend the Nevada System of Higher Education. In addition to the tuition waiver in AB262, he signed AB88 that is a designed to eliminate racist or insensitive sports team names and geographic place names in the state. The third measure, AB270, sets up a system to hold special events at the school complex and credits any revenue received from special events to the Indian Commission’s Gift Fund. The money can be used for programs to preserve and maintain the buildings and grounds at the school.
Native American Mascots Could Be Banned From Colorado Schools By October
The Durango Herald, Faith Miller, June 4
State House lawmakers on Thursday passed a bill that would prohibit K-12 schools and colleges from using Native American mascots – and fine them for violations. The bill is close to becoming law.
COVID-19:
Covid Deaths Ravaged This Native American Tribe. Now, 98% Of Eligible Citizens Are Vaccinated.
NBC News, Erik Ortiz, June 4
The darkest days of the pandemic stretched through the fall, when ambulances were frequently called to transport tribal members of the Blackfeet Nation, whose lands border the snow-capped mountains of Glacier National Park in northern Montana, to hospitals two hours away. While about 10,000 people live on the tribe’s sprawling reservation, which is larger than the state of Delaware, the effects of the coronavirus were acute: Tribal health officials recorded more than 1,390 cases of Covid-19, including nearly 50 deaths. But now, the tribe is boasting a remarkable feat in its fight against the virus: Roughly 98 percent of the reservation’s eligible population has been fully vaccinated against the disease, compared to about 40 percent of Montana’s total population and 41 percent of the U.S. population, according to the latest federal health data.
Other:
We Won’t Forget About The Children’
Indian Country Today, Mary Annette Pember, June 6
The world was shocked to hear about the discovery of the unmarked graves of 215 children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British, Columbia Canada. For many Indigenous people, however, the most shocking element of the story is not the discovery of the graves but the fact that it’s taken so long for non-Natives to acknowledge the grim details of this long-ignored history of Indian boarding and residential schools, a story that is part of both U.S. and Canadian history. Moreover, the news in Canada begs the question: Are there similar burial sites at U.S. Indian boarding schools? Researchers, advocates and allies agree with a resounding, “Yes.”
Thousands To Gather On White Earth Indian Reservation For ‘largest Gathering Yet’ Against Line 3 Construction On Monday
Native News Online, Darren Thompson, June 6
In what may become the largest gathering of water protectors since Standing Rock five years ago, thousands are expected to rally against Enbridge’s Line 3 oil pipeline in northern Minnesota on Monday. Organizers of the Treaty People Gathering say that up to 2,000 people from all over the country are expected to gather on the White Earth Indian Reservation near Mahnomen, Minn. in an effort to stop the ongoing construction of the Line 3 oil pipeline project on tribal land. More than 50 Indigenous, environmental and faith groups are sponsoring Monday’s main action against the pipeline’s new construction route. Several well-known celebrities and activists are expected to address the crowds, including film star and activist Jane Fonda.
The 400 Years Project Looks At Native American Identity Through The Native Lens
NPR, Sheyahshe Littledave, June 6
Correcting colonialism myths and looking at the evolution of Native American identity over the last 400 years is the mission of The 400 Years Project, a pictorial collection of Native American life. It includes original photo essays, text essays and a digital library of Native photographers from the mid-1800s to the present. Project founders Stacke, Sheena Brings Plenty and Brian Adams want to address colonization while centering the Native voice. The site’s library of Native American photographers currently stands at more than 60, but Brings Plenty is hoping to expand. The goal is for Native photographers to tell their stories and showcase their work. “The library is 100% Native and all we ask is that they are dedicated to the craft of photography,” Brings Plenty says.
Native Professionals Embrace Virtual Policy Work
Indian Country Today, Kolby Kickingwoman, June 5
Tumbleweeds aren’t rolling through the streets of Washington, D.C., but the hustle and bustle is looking a bit different in the nation’s capital. Due to COVID-19 and subsequent lockdowns over the last year plus, Native organizations haven’t been able to host conferences and events in Washington or across the country. The U.S. House and Senate hearings have also gone virtual in many cases. Protecting their communities and themselves, tribal leaders have forgone travel to the Capitol and left to conduct business in the virtual world for better and for worse.
Four Directions Native Vote And Fair Count Join Forces To Overcome Voter Suppression
Native News Online, June 5
Four Directions Native Vote and Fair Count have joined forces in the effort to overcome voter suppression efforts. Four Directions Native Vote is a nonpartisan organization that takes a leading role in Native American voter registration and turnout efforts throughout various parts of the United States. The organization is led by OJ Semans (Rosebud Sioux). Fair Count works to establish long-term power in communities that have been historically underrepresented at the polls and whose communities are often torn apart in redistricting.The two organizations joined forces because they share a common belief in the importance for fair and accurate count of all people in Georgia and across the country.
Taekwondo Kick Challenge Video Sends Native Youth Viral On TikTok With Millions Of Views
Native News Online, Darren Thompson, June 5
A how-high-can-you-kick taekwondo challenge video has 8-year-old Liam Armstrong, a tribal citizen of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, soaring to new heights on TikTok. The video captured by his stepmother, Ashley Ogimaabiik Armstrong, has garnered millions of views and nearly 8.2 million likes and 100,000 comments in a week on the social media service. Ashley turned on the video recorder at Liam’s practice so everyone in the family could see his kicks after practice. His first two kicks went well, but then his instructor raised the height of the board he was kicking, and Liam went for it.
Chahta Nowvt Aay: The Journey Of The Choctaw Nation Of Oklahoma Comes To Life July 23
Native Business Mag, June 4
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma today announced that its new Choctaw Cultural Center, which tells the 14,000-year-history of the Chahta people and represents more than a decade of research and work in creating the space, will officially open July 23 on the prairie land of southeastern Oklahoma in Durant. Featuring rich interactive and immersive exhibitions and engaging programs and activities, the Choctaw Cultural Center showcases the Nation’s treasured history and culture, and serves as a place to gather, learn, and preserve the Choctaw spirit and way of life.
Trudeau Wants Vatican Apology For Church-Run School Abuses
AP News, Rob Gillies, June 4
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday he is “deeply disappointed” the Roman Catholic Church has not offered a formal apology and made amends for its role in Canada’s former system of church-run Indigenous boarding schools after the remains of 215 children were located at what was once the country’s largest such institution. Trudeau called on the church to “step up” and take responsibility after years of silence. He said the government has “tools” it can use if the church itself doesn’t release documents. Trudeau said Catholics across the country should reach out to bishops and cardinals on this issue.
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Begins Beekeeping
Native News Online, June 4
The Potawatomi Nation is known as the “Keepers of the Fire,” and approximately three weeks ago the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation (PBPN) became keepers of the bees. The PBPN Planning and Environmental Protection (PEP) program recently installed three brood boxes at the Land Maintenance complex, across the road from the Nation’s orchard located on K road. The new hives which each consist of roughly 10,000 bees are the tribe’s initial introduction to beekeeping. This new endeavor is off to a good start and it is anticipated that it will continue to grow and thrive and potentially become an economic resource in the future.