Good Morning, NUNAverse,
The New York State Education Department has effectively banned the use of most Native mascots for public schools in the state. Schools must be in compliance by the end of the 2022-23 school year or face withholding of state aid, with the exception of districts that receive approval of a mascot from a recognized tribe. Any use of Native logos or imagery is no longer allowed without approval. Penalties for schools that don’t comply include removal of school officers in addition to loss of state aid.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) last week announced it had awarded $224 million to tribal governments as part of its Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. The awards are the latest round of NTIA funding, which is directed to tribal governments for broadband on tribal lands, as well as telehealth, distance learning, affordable high-speed Internet access and digital inclusion. In total, the NTIA program has awarded $1.6 billion to 114 tribal communities.
Last week, supporters asking for the release of American Indian Movement activist Leonard Peltier arrived in Washington and hosted a march and rally at the Lincoln Memorial. The American Indian Movement’s Grand Governing Council (AIMGGC) began the 1,100-mile Leonard Peltier’s Walk to Justice on September 1. The group completed their final mile from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial with nearly 2,000 supporters.
Keep reading for a full news update.
Native Mascots:
New York Public Schools Must Drop Native American Mascots Or Lose Funding, State Officials Say
USA Today, Andrew Legare, November 19
Law:
Blackfeet Nation Challenges Montana Ban On Vaccine Mandates As Infringement On Sovereignty
Native News Online, November 20
17 Arrested For Violent Crimes Committed On The San Carlos Reservation
Native News Online, November 19
Former Tribal Leader Gets 3 Years In Casino Bribery Case
AP News, November 16
FBI Investigates Maine Auction House For ‘Apache Scalp’
Native News Online, November 15
Health:
IHS Breaks Ground On New Virginia Health Center
Native News Online, November 15
Politics:
Pete Buttigieg Gets An Earful About Tribal Roads
Indian Country Today, Shaun Griswold, November 17
Cherokee Nation Fights For Delegate In Congress
Native News Online, Jenna Kunze, November 16
Other:
Western Series ‘The English’ Thrills With Pawnee Authenticity
Indian Country Today, Sandra Hale Schulman, November 21
Bison Spared As Native American Tribes Reclaim Stewardship
AP News, Matthew Brown, November 21
Minnesota Wild Unveil Special Jerseys To Celebrate Native American Heritage Day
CBS News, November 19
Commerce Dept. Awards More Than $200 Million For High-Speed Internet In Indian Country
Native News Online, Darren Thompson, November 19
Panel OKs Name Change Of Colorado Mountain Tied To Massacre
AP News, Thomas Peipert, November 18
Tribes Celebrate Plan To Remove Dams On Klamath
Indian Country Today, Chris Aadland, November 18
BIA Announces “Historic” Land Acquisition In Alaska
Native News Online, November 18
Chicago Group Puts Spotlight On Indigenous Issues
Indian Country Today, Amelia Schafer, November 18
VA Education Dept. Backtracks From Labeling Native Americans As “America’s First Immigrants”
Native News Online, November 18
Tribe Continues Fight Against Proposed Copper Mine
Indian Country Today, November 17
After Long Fight, Tribal Water Bills Get Primary Ok
Cronkite News, Ryan Knappenberger, November 17
What Are The Barriers To Native American Homeownership?
Forbes, Janice Asare, November 14
California Breaks Ground On Native American Monument
AP News, Adam Bean, November 14
After 1,100 Miles, Leonard Peltier’s Walk To Justice Arrives In Washington, D.C.
Native News Online, November 14