Supreme Court to hear Indian Child Welfare Act case involving Navajo child
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear a challenge to the Indian Child Welfare Act filed by a white Texas couple that was almost denied the chance to adopt a Native American boy who was set to be placed with a Navajo family.
Despite gains, tribal nations seek more inclusion in national affairs
WASHINGTON - Tribal governments have "a foot in the door" with the federal government but they don't yet have a seat at the table where decisions concerning them are being made, the president of the National Congress of American Indians said Monday.
Count the Kicks campaign to combat stillbirths expands to Arizona
PHOENIX – Shawn Soumilas lost her second child in a stillbirth 12 years ago. Today, the Prescott mother is part of an effort expanding to Arizona this month to teach expectant mothers about fetal movement and tracking the health of their unborn babies.
Tribal official calls on Congress to fund ‘critical’ water infrastructure
WASHINGTON - The chairman of the Pascua Yaqui told a House subcommittee Tuesday that tribes need more federal support to implement “critical” water infrastructure projects on their lands, and that includes funding as well as better communication with tribes.
Court: Navajo man guilty of assault can’t be convicted of kidnapping, too
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court said a Navajo man who held his girlfriend while he assaulted her cannot also be convicted of kidnapping, saying such an expansion of kidnapping would lead to a "steroidal version" of assault laws.
200 Pascua Yaqui families getting new homes through Arizona tax credits to tribe
TUCSON – The Pascua Yaqui Tribe received millions of dollars in state tax credits to fund a new subdivision of affordable homes in southern Arizona.
Hail to the rename: Indigenous advocates welcome new Washington team name
WASHINGTON - Native American advocates welcomed the announcement Wednesday that Washington's pro football team will now be called the Commanders, ending a yearslong fight to get rid of a name many deemed racist.
Oklahoma tribal sovereignty case gets Supreme Court review, not reversal
The Supreme Court will revisit - but not overturn - its landmark 2020 decision that said a large part of eastern Oklahoma is still legally Muscogee (Creek) reservation land, a ruling that state officials claim has upended trial courts there.
Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project projected to serve thousands of people
PHOENIX – The ongoing project aims to bring drinking water to the Navajo Nation, the Jicarilla Apache Nation and Gallup, New Mexico. Some residents have received water while others are still waiting.
Pima County works to reduce overrepresentation of Native Americans in its jails
PHOENIX – Native Americans are overrepresented in Pima County jails, often held before their trial or for nonviolent offenses. Community leaders are implementing programs to combat the trend, including pre-trial behavioral health diversions and warrant resolution.
Vicious circle: Tribal broadband program hindered by lack of broadband
WASHINGTON - Many tribes did not have the broadband access needed to apply for funds that would let them improve broadband access.
Pride of Navajo Nation: Diné College works to rebuild rodeo program amid the pandemic
TSAILE – In the heart of the Navajo Nation lies Diné College, home to a once-prominent rodeo program riddled with issues from COVID. Now the school is trying to return the program to the collegiate rodeo championships.
