Good Morning NUNAverse,
Navajo Nation council members are speaking out about recent reports of fraudulent treatment centers targeting Native peoples as part of a health care benefits scheme. Arizona officials recently announced potentially thousands of vulnerable Native peoples have been taken to Phoenix with promises of food and shelter. They’re promised treatment for their substance abuse by behavioral health companies who are allegedly scamming the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System.
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden made a stop in Bethel, Alaska on her way to the G-7 Summit in Japan to meet up with her husband, President Joe Biden on Wednesday. Flying with the first lady was Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo). Dr. Biden and Secretary Haaland were there to highlight the Biden-Harris Administration’s investments to expand broadband connectivity in Alaska, including Alaska Native communities in Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.
The Seneca Indian Nation gave approval last week to allow a local public school district on their land to continue to use its “Warriors” name and imagery. The approval comes a month after the New York Board of Regents voted to ban public schools across the state from using Native or Indigenous nicknames, and imagery unless schools receive written approval from any of the state’s federally recognized tribes.
The Biden administration has negotiated a hard-fought agreement among California, Arizona, and Nevada [bit.ly/3q8xDVW]to take less water from the drought-strained Colorado River. The agreement, to be announced Monday, calls for the federal government to pay about $1.2 billion to tribes, irrigation districts, and cities in the three states if they temporarily use less water.
Keep reading for a full news update.
Health:
Number Of Native American Dental Program Applicants Plummets As Community Faces Oral Health Crisis
USA Today, Marc Ramirez, May 19
Navajo Officials Speak Out About Fraud Targeting Native Americans
ABC Arizona, May 19
‘Failure Of Government’: AZ Moves To End Predatory Medicaid Fraud Targeting Indigenous People
AZ Mirror, Shondiin Silversmith, May 18
Arizona Investigating Multi-Million Dollar Medicaid Scheme Targeting Native Americans
Native News Online, Darren Thomson, May 17
Native Mascots:
Seneca Indian Nation Approves Use Of “Warriors” Mascot Amid New York’s Statewide Ban
Native News Online, Darren Thompson, May 18
Law:
South Dakota Rep. Introduces Bill To Protect Site Of Wounded Knee Massacre
Native News Online, May 19
Environment:
A Breakthrough Deal to Keep the Colorado River From Going Dry, for Now
New York Times, Christopher Flavelle, May 22
Other:
‘Killers Of Flower Moon’ Star Says Native Americans Need Allies Like Scorsese
Reuters, Miranda Murray, May 21
First Lady Jill Biden Highlights Broadband Expansion To Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
Native News Online, Levi Rickert, May 20
At Graduations, Native American Students Seek Acceptance Of Tribal Regalia
AP News, Cheyanne Mumphrey, May 19
Writers Strike Hits Home For Indigenous TV Shows, Films
Indian Country Today, Sandra Hale Schulman, May 19
Montana TikTok Ban Brings Questions About Digital Sovereignty
Indian Country Today, Kolby KickingWoman, May 17