Good Morning, NUNAverse,
Washington’s NFL team announced Tuesday it will unveil its new name on February 2 and that it will not be the Wolves or RedWolves. Commanders, Admirals, Armada, Brigade, Sentinels, Defenders, Red Hogs, Presidents, and the status quo “Washington Football Team” were among the other finalists. The decision was made not to go with Wolves or RedWolves because of trademarks held by other organizations. Those possibilities were popular among Washington fans.
The American Indian Movement’s Grand Governing Council (AIMGGC) announced on Tuesday that it’s organizing a freedom walk for Leonard Peltier later this year, from September 1 through November 14, 2022. “Leonard Peltier’s Walk to Justice” will start in Minneapolis and end in Washington, D.C., where organizers plan to meet with government officials to demand the release of Peltier from the U.S. federal prison system. Peltier has been in prison since April 1977, when he was convicted by a federal jury in Fargo, N.D., for the killing of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He is considered by many as America’s political prisoner. The Supreme Court has twice denied his petitions for a rehearing.
The Wilma Mankiller quarter, slated to begin circulating in 2022, will feature an image of the Cherokee Chief, wrapped in a traditional shawl with the seven-pointed star of the Cherokee Nation to the right and “Cherokee Nation” written in the Cherokee syllabary below her name. The selection of Mankiller, who was the first woman elected principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, was announced in June by the U.S. Mint. Her quarter – which was designed by noted Mint sculptor Phebe Hemphill, who also sculpted several Code Talkers $1 coins – is the third coin of the American Women’s Quarters program.
The American Indian College Fund is launching a two-and-a-half-year Native teacher education program at tribal colleges and universities serving Native communities across the country to support teacher recruitment, development, and retention. Funding for the program is provided by Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies. The program, called Wounspekiya Unspewicakiyapi, or teaching teachers, will increase the number of Native teachers working in Native communities while ensuring the continuity and sustainability of Indigenous knowledge and lifeways in Native students.
Keep reading for a full news update.
Health:
White Mountain Apache Tribe Sees Slightly Lower Number Of COVID Cases
Native News Online, January 4
As COVID cases rise around the country, White Mountain Apache Tribe’s positive numbers are lower today than they were less than two months ago – 353 positive cases on November 12, 2021 compared to 210 positive cases as of January 3, 2022. The tribe continues to be in a “phase 1” lockdown.
Native Mascots:
Washington’s NFL Team To Reveal New Name
AP News, Stephen Whyno, January 4
Washington’s NFL team announced Tuesday it will unveil its new name on Feb. 2 and that it will not be the Wolves or RedWolves. Commanders, Admirals, Armada, Brigade, Sentinels, Defenders, Red Hogs, Presidents and the status quo “Washington Football Team” were among the other finalists. Wright said the decision was made not to go with Wolves or RedWolves because of trademarks held by other organizations. Those possibilities were popular among Washington fans. After the initial announcement in July that the team would not use a Native-themed mascot in the next team name, Suzan Harjo, Cheyenne and Hodulgee Muscogee, said it was far past time for the organization to do the right thing. Harjo had been pushing for change for decades.
Law:
Tribes Give Cox High Marks For COVID But Say Decision To Fight Bears Ears Is Dissapointing
The Salt Lake Tribune, Alastair Lee Bitsóí, January 4
When it comes to Indigenous issues across Utah, Gov. Spencer Cox is listening and helping the approximately 41,644 Native Americans living in the state with COVID-19 and infrastructure development for rural communities, according to tribal leaders. Leaders from most of Utah’s sovereign tribal nations give Cox a B-grade and say they’re mostly happy with the governor’s work in his first year of office.
Boarding Schools:
As Tribes Wait For Investigation To Conclude, Debate Over Indian Schools Continues
Gaylord News, Nancy Marie Spears, January 5
Tribes across the Southwest dread the possibility that thousands of unmarked graves might be uncovered by a federal investigation into abandoned Native American boarding schools expected to wrap up early this year. The investigation, ordered by U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, came in the wake of the discovery this year of more than 1,200 unmarked graves at two long-shuttered boarding schools in Canada’s British Columbia and Saskatchewan provinces.
Other:
Overdue Education Plan Frustrates New Mexico Native Leaders
AP News, Cedar Attanasio, January 4
New Mexico’s plan to address the needs of underserved Indigenous students hasn’t been shared with tribal leaders or the public despite promises made by state officials that they would do so last year. Tribal leaders were expecting to be invited to comment on a draft last October, ahead of a public release of the plan by Dec. 1 that did not happen. The New Mexico Public Education Department, known as PED, had hired former Santa Fe Public Schools Superintendent Veronica García to write the plan. García said she submitted a draft in early October and understood at the time that state education officials would refine and format it. But she never heard back from them.
Design Chosen For Wilma Mankiller Coin
Gaylord News, Nancy Marie Spears, January 4
The Wilma Mankiller quarter, slated to begin circulating in 2022, will feature an image of the Cherokee chief, wrapped in a traditional shawl with the seven-pointed star of the Cherokee Nation to the right and “Cherokee Nation” written in the Cherokee syllabary below her name. The wind is at her back as she gazes into the future. The selection of Mankiller, who was the first woman elected principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, was announced in June by the U.S. Mint. Her quarter – which was designed by noted Mint sculptor Phebe Hemphill, who also sculpted several Code Talkers $1 coins – is the third coin of the American Women’s Quarters program.
Navajo Nation President Nez Thanks Director Rain For MMIWR Films At Event Hosted By Congressman Greg Stanton
Native News Online, January 4
During his keynote address at a Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women & Relatives (MMIWR) event at The Heard Museum, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez made a point to thank award-winning film director Rain for making Somebody’s Daughter (1492-) and Say Her Name. The event, hosted by Congressman Greg Stanton (D-AZ), brought a capacity crowd to the museum’s Steele Auditorium. President Nez cited Navajo culture as a point of reference to emphasize the importance of the films. A written statement from the Office of the President and Vice President of the Navajo Nation subsequently affirmed President Nez’s appreciation for Rain’s work, and also acknowledged “all grassroots and community advocates, victims, and survivors for telling their stories and for their dedication and commitment to helping families and communities.”
American Indian Movement Announces Walk For Leonard Peltier
Native News Online, Darren Thompson, January 4
The American Indian Movement’s Grand Governing Council (AIMGGC) announced on Tuesday that it’s organizing a freedom walk for Leonard Peltier later this year, from September 1 through November 14, 2022. “Leonard Peltier’s Walk to Justice” will start in Minneapolis and end in Washington, D.C., where organizers plan to meet with government officials to demand the release of Peltier from the U.S. federal prison system. Peltier has been in prison since April 1977, when he was convicted by a federal jury in Fargo, N.D., for the killing of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He is considered by many as America’s political prisoner. He’s been eligible for parole since 1993, for 29 years. The Supreme Court has twice denied his petitions for a rehearing.
American Indian College Fund Launches $2.25 Million Wounspekiya Unspewicakiyapi Native Teacher…
KULR 8, January 4
Teachers are some of children’s first role models. However, according to the U.S. Department of Education, fewer than one percent of all people in the teaching profession in the United States are Native American, which is compounded by a lack of Native role model teachers serving in K-12 classrooms in rural areas and reservation-based schools. The American Indian College Fund is launching a two-and-a-half-year Native teacher education program at tribal colleges and universities serving Native communities across the country to support teacher recruitment, development, and retention. Funding for the program is provided by Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies.