Cronkite News changes name of topic category to ‘Indigenous Communities’
PHOENIX – Cronkite News is changing the name of one of our main topics – Indian Country – to Indigenous Communities. The reason: The term Indigenous is viewed by many as more inclusive.
Arizona students come to lobby as courts, Congress, fight over Oak Flat
WASHINGTON - A group of Arizona high school students and alumni was in Washington this week to lobby for a bill that would block development of a copper mine at Oak Flat, land that is sacred to the San Carlos Apache.
Appeals court gives Resolution Copper mine opponents another chance
WASHINGTON - A federal court said it will take another look at claims that the proposed Resolution Copper mine should be delayed because it sits on land sacred to the Apache and would violate their religious rights by destroying Oak Flat.
After long fight, tribal water bills get primary OK; still far from final
WASHINGTON - A trio of bills affecting water rights and infrastructure for Arizona tribes took a step closer to becoming law Wednesday, a move one official said his tribe has been waiting for since being forced onto the reservation.
Arizonans among those celebrating national memorial to Native veterans
WASHINGTON - A group of 51 Native American veterans from Arizona were in Washington for Veterans Day, part of a contingent of 1,500 Indigenous vets from across the country who were on hand for the formal dedication of the National Native American Veterans Memorial.
Justices grapple with legality of Indian Child Welfare Act in marathon hearing
WASHINGTON - Over the course of three hours Wednesday, the Supreme Court grappled with whether a law meant to keep Indigenous children with Native American families should be overturned as racist and unconstitutional, as critics charge.
Supreme Court asked to rule ‘gold standard’ of tribal adoption laws racist
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court will consider Wednesday whether the Indian Child Welfare Act is the "gold standard" of child welfare policy or a "outrageous and unconstitutional" law that has outlived its time.
Ride to the polls: Grassroots effort gets people out to vote on the Navajo Nation
KAYENTA – Protect the Sacred is a grassroots effort to find new and creative ways to engage with young Indigenous voters. Earlier this year, the group skateboarded to the polls for the primary election, and recently they gathered in Kayenta to ride horses to the polls ahead of Nov. 8.
Healing through culture: Increasing access to Native American practices to treat mental health
HOUCK – Traditional healing has always been a part of Indigenous culture, and it’s especially useful for treating mental health. But access often is limited. Arizona and other states are seeking authorization from the federal government to cover these services under Medicaid.
Fact-check: No, assistance to U.S. tribal nations isn’t foreign aid
Republican Arizona Corporation Commission candidate Nick Myers said financial assistance given to tribal nations would be foreign aid. Federally recognized tribal nations are sovereign “domestic dependent nations” within the United States and are not considered foreign governments. Federal support in tribal areas mainly comes from the Interior Department. None comes from the State Department.
Casino divide: Tribes split as California voters consider online sports betting
LOS ANGELES – A year after Arizona legalized sports betting, California may follow suit. Propositions 26 and 27 would legalize in-person and online sports betting, and expand in-person games, like roulette and craps. Tribes, however, are in a bind.
Tribal officials: Court ruling poses ‘real threat’ to sovereignty, safety
WASHINGTON - Indigenous leaders called on Congress Tuesday to reverse a Supreme Court ruling that expands states' ability to prosecute crimes on tribal land, a ruling they said threatens their sovereignty and their ability to protect their citizens.
