Good Morning NUNAverse,
Following the first nine stages of the Tour de France, Neilson Powless (Oneida) leads the Tour’s climbers competition by 18 points, meaning he currently wears the polka dot jersey and is in position to become the first rider from the United States to win the King of Mountains (KOM) award. Last year, Powless made history as the first Native cyclist to compete in the Tour de France.
The Behavioral Health and Wellness Program was initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide virtual counseling and in-person crisis services for schools funded by BIE, which include 183 schools on 64 reservations across Indian Country. The program has been extended another five years via a contract with Tribal Tech, LLC, a Native-woman-owned management and technical service provider.
Federally recognized tribal governments can now apply to access and exchange data with national crime databases via the Tribal Access Program (TAP) from the Department of Justice. The goal of the program, according to an announcement from the DOJ, is to support tribal nations to serve and protect their citizens through the exchange of critical public safety data.
Maine lawmakers failed Thursday to override the governor’s veto of a bill that would have expanded the sovereignty of tribes in the state by ensuring more federal laws apply to them. It’s a defeat for the tribes, which are bound by a land claims settlement that puts them on different footing than the nation’s other federally recognized tribes.
Last week, the U.S. General Services Administration debuted a new search tool that enables buyers to search for Native business categoriesin GSA Advantage!, GSA eBuy and GSA eLibrary for commercial products and services. This new feature will help Native businesses be visible in a diverse range of channels where they can sell products and services.
Keep reading for a full news update.
Law:
Tribal Sovereignty Bill Falters As Maine Lawmakers Fail To Override Governor’s Veto
AP News, David Sharp, July 6
‘Protecting An Old Guard’: Tribal Leaders Blast Mills’ Veto Of Sovereignty Bill
Maine Beacon, Dan Neumann, July 5
A Closer Look At Justice Neil Gorsuch’s Opinions On Native American Tribal Sovereignty
WBUR, July 5
Health:
BIE Extends Mental Health Programming For Tribal Schools
Native News Online, July 6
MMIP:
Family Members Of Missing And Murdered Indigenous People Question FBI’s Ability To Address Crisis
Source New Mexico, Megan Gleason, July 4
Environment:
Arizona’s Oak Flat Is Sacred Land To Some Native Americans, But It’s Endangered By A Plan For A Mine
AP News, Deepa Bharath, July 4
Historic Arizona Mining Town Backs Copper Project On Land That Native American Groups Say Is Sacred
AP News, Anita Snow, July 4
Bison Return To Native American Lands, Revitalizing Sacred Rituals
The New York Times, Mike Ives, July 4
Boarding Schools:
Catholic Group Investigates Unmarked Graves And Student Deaths At Its Montana Indian Boarding Schools
Native News Online, Jenna Kunze, July 8
Other:
TDF Daily: Neilson Powless Rides Into First Rest Day With KOM Jersey
EF Pro Cycling, July 9
Amid A Reckoning, Some Native Americans Call For Reparations
The Washington Post, Rachel Hatzipanagos, July 9
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem Spars With Ben & Jerry’s Over Mount Rushmore. What To Know
USA Today, Miles J. Herszenhorn, July 7
Vermont Native American Chief Says Ben & Jerry’s Headquarters On ‘Stolen’ Land
FOX Business, Louis Casiano, July 7
Tribal Governments Can Now Apply To Access National Crime Information Databases
Native News Online, July 6
Parade Entry Of Woman In Native American Dress Pulled By A Rope Sows Outrage, Confusion
AP News, July 6
GSA Debuts New Search Tool To Support Native Government And Business
U.S. General Services Administration, July 5
Season 3 Will Be “Reservation Dogs” Final Season
Native News Online, Neely Bardwell, July 3
Tribal Leaders Look To Reestablish Reservation Boundaries
South Dakota Searchlight, Makenzie Huber, July 3