In Washington, the NFL team announced yesterday that they will use ‘Washington Football Team’ for the 2020 season as they work on fully renaming and rebranding the team. The team will continue the process of retiring their former name, and hopes to be rid of it on physical and digital spaces in the next 50 days. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Baseball team’s owner, Paul Dolan, will consult with Native groups as one of the preliminary steps in a potential name change. The conversation of a name change comes after the team removed the contentious Chief Wahoo logo from its game caps and jerseys after the 2018 season.
The Trump Administration is expected to give the green light to the Pebble Mine in Alaska today, according to Indian Country Today. The Washington Post obtained a copy of the final environmental analysis which claims the gold and copper mine, which would be the largest in North America, will not damage the Bristol Bay fishery – the largest sockeye salmon fishery.
The Indian Health Service has suspended most COVID-19 testing on the Crow Reservation in Montana, citing “high demand” at the Montana State Lab that runs the tests. Only Indian Health Service patients exhibiting symptoms will be able to receive a test for COVID-19. The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation reported Wednesday that 683 people have tested positive for COVID-19 through Indian Health Services, meaning that at least 6% of tribal members have been impacted.
After Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez vetoed a bill that would have canceled the tribe’s August primary election out of COVID-19 concerns, the Navajo Nation Council will vote this week to override the president’s decision. The August 4th primary election is for local chapter leadership on the Navajo Indian Reservation that is spread across parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
The Suquamish Tribe has threatened a lawsuit against the state of Washington’s King County for the violation of clean water laws after sewage spills in Puget Sound over the past two years, totaling more than 6 million gallons, have spoiled the tribe’s annual Tribal Canoe Journey.
First Lady Melania Trump met with Indian Health Service officials on Thursday at the White House and received a task force briefing on “Protecting Native American Children in the Indian Health System.” The First Lady also announced plans to visit the Cherokee Nation at an unspecified date to promote health and well being as part of her Be Best campaign.
Keep reading for a full news update.
Native Mascots:
Washington NFL Team To Use ‘Washington Football Team’ For 2020 Season
ESPN, Adam Schefter, July 23
Effective immediately, Washington will call itself the “Washington Football Team” pending the adoption of a new name, the NFL franchise announced Thursday.
This is not a final renaming and rebranding for the team; this is the name it wants to use until the adoption of a new name at some point.
Washington Has A New Team Name For 2020
Native News Online, Levi Rickert, July 23
The Washington NFL franchise will be known as the Washington Football Team in 2020. The club announced Thursday that the name is temporary and will serve as a placeholder for this season until a new one can be chosen. Part of the team’s official statement regarding the announcement said: On July 3rd we announced a thorough review of the team’s name in light of events in the country and feedback from our community. As the process has continued internally, we want to keep our players, alumni, fans, community and sponsors apprised of key developments.
It’s Washington NFL Team (For Now)
AP News, Stephen Whyno, July 23
The Washington NFL franchise will go by the Washington Football Team for the 2020 season, giving the organization time to choose a new, full-time name. The club announced the placeholder name Thursday, ahead of the start of training camp next week. “The decision to use ‘Washington Football Team’ for this season allows the franchise the ability to undertake an in-depth branding process to properly include player, alumni, fan, community and sponsor input,” the team said in a statement.
Indians To Meet With Native Americans On Potential New Name
AP News, Tom Withers, July 23
Before the Cleveland Indians make a definitive decision on changing their name, they’ll listen to those they may have most offended over the past 105 years. Owner Paul Dolan said the team will speak to Native American groups as one of the preliminary steps in the potential name change, which was spurred by a national movement this summer to remove racist symbols and monuments. Earlier this week, Dolan, whose family took ownership of the franchise in 2000, met with Cleveland’s players, front-office members and manager Terry Francona to discuss the possibility of the name change as well as other issues such as social justice and race relations.
COVID-19:
Yakama Nation Says At Least 6% Of Tribal Members Have Had COVID-19
Seattle Times, Lex Talamo, July 23
The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation reported Wednesday that 683 people have tested positive for the new coronavirus through Indian Health Services.
50 More COVID-19 Cases Reported On Thursday On Navajo Nation
Native News Online, July 23
On Thursday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 50 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and one more death. The total number of deaths has reached 432 as of Thursday. Reports indicate that approximately 6,481 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 75,775 people have been tested for COVID-19. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation is 8,734.
COVID-19 Pandemic May Cancel Navajo Nation Primary Election
Native News Online, Levi Rickert, July 23
After Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez vetoed a bill on July 3 that would have canceled the tribe’s August primary election out of COVID-19 concerns, the Navajo Nation Council will vote this week to override the president’s decision. To overturn a presidential veto requires two-thirds of the legislative branch to vote in its favor. The Aug. 4 primary election is for local chapter leadership on the Navajo Indian Reservation that is spread across parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The Navajo Nation’s primary date coincides with the state of Arizona’s primary election date.
New COVID-19 Disaster Relief Program Established, Supersedes Previous Plans
Indianz.com, July 23
On July 21, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors voted to establish a new direct benefit plan for Sault Tribe members residing in the seven-county service area who have been impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Members residing in the tribe’s service area who have been impacted by the pandemic will each receive $1,000. Non-tribal parents or legal guardians of Sault Tribe minor children will be eligible to receive the benefit for their tribal child.
Kewa Pueblo (New Mexico)
Indianz.com, July 23
A total of 82 people have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, according to data posted by the Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation on July 22, 2020. Almost all of the COVID-19 results have led to recoveries, the corporation reported. And while the number of cases has risen over the last month, the rate of infection has not grown significantly at Kewa Pueblo, the data shows, as fewer than 3 percent of the tests have been positive.
Crow Indian Health Service Unit (Montana)
Indianz.com, July 23
The Indian Health Service has suspended most COVID-19 testing on the Crow Reservation in Montana, according to a July 22, 2020, notice on social media. The Montana State Lab is dealing with “high demand,” the notice states. As a result, only IHS patients exhibiting symptoms can obtain a coronavirus test. “IHS has been asked to prioritize individuals exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or those who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, due to the test backlog,” the notice states.
‘Quite A Bit Of Relief’ In Kayenta
Indian Country Today, Patty Talahongva, July 23
In March a small community on the Navajo Nation recorded the tribe’s first positive case of the coronavirus. Chilchinbeto, in the far northern part of Arizona, just west of the four corners region, became the hot spot on the Navajo Nation as the pandemic spread across the country. First, two cases were reported and within a week the number had grown to more than a dozen. The closest hospital is nearly 100 miles away. Within weeks volunteers with Team Rubicon were on the ground in Kayenta, the closest town with a medical center, to help with the influx of patients.
Law:
National Congress Of American Indians Stands Strong Against Efforts To Erode Tribal Sovereignty
Indianz.com, Acee Agoyo, July 23
The nation’s largest inter-tribal advocacy organization is diving into controversy over the U.S. Supreme Court decision that affirmed the treaty rights of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, vowing to oppose legislation aimed at undermining the historic victory. In a statement on Thursday, the National Congress of American Indians acknowledged efforts on Capitol Hill to “disestablish or terminate” reservations in Oklahoma following the landmark win in McGirt v. Oklahoma. But the organization said it would “aggressively oppose this baseless action.”
Suquamish Tribe Intends To Sue King County After 2019 Tribal Canoe Journey Marred By Wastewater Spill
The Seattle Times, Lynda Mapes, July 23
Sewage spills in Puget Sound over the past two years, totaling more than 6 million gallons, have driven the Suquamish Tribe to threaten a lawsuit against King County for the violation of clean-water laws. In a letter to King County officials Tuesday, lawyers representing the tribe stated the tribe’s intent to sue the county within 60 days for violation of the Clean Water Act because of sewage spills from its West Point Treatment Plant in 2018 and 2019 — in addition to other violations of county permits reported by King County to its regulator, the state Department of Ecology.
CARES Act:
Kiowa Legislative Branch Seeks Injunction To Halt Distribution Of Cares Act Funds
Native News Online, Lenzy Burton, July 23
The Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma may be pushing pause on its CARES Act spending. Judge Shannon Edwards with the Southern Plains Court of Indian Offenses heard two hours of questions Tuesday afternoon via Zoom on a request for an injunction from the Kiowa Tribe’s legislature. The seven members made the request on the grounds that the tribe’s chairman, Matthew Komalty, ignored the Kiowa Constitution by spending CARES Act money without getting a budget approved first by the legislature and the Kiowa Indian Council, which consists of all Kiowa adults aged 18 and older.
Other:
BREAKING NEWS: Trumo Administration To Give Green Light To Alaska’s Pebble Mine
Indian Country Today, Joaqlin Estus, July 24
The Trump administration is expected Friday to give a green light to the huge Pebble Mine in Alaska.
The Washington Post obtained a copy of the final environmental analysis which claims the gold and copper mine, which would be the largest in North America, will not damage the Bristol Bay fishery.
House Passes Great American Outdoors Act; Bill Now Awaits Trump’s Signature
Billings Gazette, Brett French, July 23
Legislation that would fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund was passed by the U.S. House on Wednesday by a 310-107 margin.
Melania Trump Talks Native Children Health
Indian Country Today, July 23
First Lady Melania Trump met with Indian Health Service officials on Thursday at the White House. Trump received a task force briefing on “Protecting Native American Children in the Indian Health System.” The White House streamed the roughly 30-minute briefing on social media. Trump talked about her Be Best campaign and its focus on children’s well-being. “Native American children, like all children, deserve to grow up in a safe, supportive, nurturing environment,” Trump said. “Strong Native American communities are strong American communities.”
(video) First Lady Melania Trump | Task Force Briefing on Protecting Native American Children
Indianz.com, July 23
First Lady Melania Trump provides opening remarks at a briefing of the Presidential Task Force on Protecting Native American Children in the Indian Health Service System on July 23, 2020.
Slow, Late Salmon Run Hurting Fishers
Indian Country Today, Meghan Sullivan, July 23
Many Alaska Native people subsistence fish in the summer, traveling to their fish camps up and down the Yukon River to harvest the spawning salmon. This summer, the Yukon River encountered another below average run of chinook and chum salmon. The low numbers are consistent with the weak and late salmon runs seen across Alaska this fishing season. It is also on par with the past decade’s negative Yukon River salmon run trends.
Grand Opening Of Center For Land-Based Learning Postponed By Pandemic
Native News Online, Nanette Kelley, July 23
In May 2019, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, the historical farmers and caretakers of California’s Capay Valley and surrounding area, made the lead donation to the Center for Land-Based Learning to build a new statewide headquarters and expand its programs and services. The tribe donated $1.5 million to the Center for Land-Based Learning’s new site in Woodland, Calif., which broke ground in May 2019. But due to COVID-19 closures, this year’s grand opening has been postponed.
A Passion For Journalism, Capital J
Indian Country Today, Mary Pember, July 23
The annual Native American Journalists Association-Medill Milestone Achievement Award is given to journalists who have made a lasting impact on media to the benefit of Indigenous communities. This year’s recipient, Lori Edmo of the Shoshone Bannock Tribes exemplifies such a journalist. Edmo has been editor of the Sho-Ban News, owned by the Shoshone Bannock Tribes of Fort Hall, Idaho for over 25 years; she is also past president of the Native American Journalists Association.
Yurok Tribe Implements Extensive Broadband Project
Indianz.com, July 23
The Yurok Tribal Council recently approved a $2.1 million project that will significantly boost Yurok Connect’s data transmission speeds and expand its coverage to many family homes that have never had access to the internet. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act-funded, Yurok Connect Broadband Project is expected to be completed before the end of this year. Launched in 2013, Yurok Connect is a Yurok Tribe-owned, wireless internet service provider.
‘A Giant In Native Broadcasting’
Indian Country Today, Joaqlin Estus, July 23
Harlan McKosato, Sac and Fox, once estimated he’d hosted more than 3,500 one-hour radio shows on Native American issues, covering everything from crime, the environment, education, and homelessness, to history, culture, and elections. He was the long-time award-winning host of a national Native American radio call-in show, a journalist, actor, writer and multimedia producer.
Menominee Tribe Offers Rewards On Missing Tribal Citizens Cases
Native News Online, Levi Rickert, July 23
The Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin in Keshena, Wis. announced Wednesday it is offering two $5,000 awards for information about two missing tribal citizens. The tribe is offering a $5,000 reward for information about Katelyn Kelley, a tribal citizen who has been missing since last month on June 16.