Mural honors resilience, spirit and future of Salt River Pima-Maricopa people

PHOENIX – A black and white portrait of a teenager from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community adorns the Monroe Building in downtown Phoenix.


Buttigieg: Indian Country investment a priority of infrastructure plan

WASHINGTON - Indian Country infrastructure needs, for everything from water to housing to broadband, are a high priority of the Biden administration's $2.2 trillion American Jobs Plan, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said this week.


Superior mayor, tribal officials spar over bill to stop Oak Flat mine

WASHINGTON - Superior's mayor testified that the Pinal County town would suffer a "devastating" blow to its economy if Congress canceled a massive copper mine at Oak Flat - a move opponents say must be done to protect the environment and sacred sites there.


‘Water protector’: Indigenous illustrator wins Caldecott Medal for children’s book

Michaela Goade is the first Indigenous illustrator to win the Randolph Caldecott Medal for best American picture book for children. The artist won the honor for “We Are Water Protectors,” written by Carole Lindstrom.


How Arizona’s Havasupai Tribe has kept COVID-19 out of its community

One Arizona community near the Grand Canyon has utilized its isolated location as a defense, sacrificing tourism business.


Comcaac Nation in Sonora demands water with historic gathering

Members of the Indigenous Comcaac Nation have long struggled for access to clean water in their two towns on the Sea of Cortez.


Lower income, Hispanic neighborhoods lag on vaccinations

PHOENIX – Although vaccinations are now open to most Arizonans, some neighborhoods are lagging behind – notably those that are lower income and predominantly Hispanic.


RezTok: Indigenous storytellers find stronger voice on popular platform

PHOENIX – Native American artists and creators have found a home, a community and a voice in TikTok. They use their voices to uplift their communities and their relatives.


Colorado River tribe aims to establish ‘one unified voice’ in policy talks

The Fort Yuma-Quechan Indian Tribe is situated at a nexus in the Colorado River Basin. The tribe is also at a policy nexus on the river. With irrigated agriculture part of the tribe’s past and present connection to the river, the Quechan tribe is intimately tied to future policies on the Colorado River. KUNC’s Luke Runyon interviewed the Fort Yuma-Quechan Tribe’s president Jordan Joaquin to hear his perspective on future policy talks that will be with President Joe Biden's administration.


Tribal efforts to preserve languages get boost from COVID relief funds

The American Rescue Plan will set aside $20 million to help Native American nations preserve their languages. The funding is designed to help assure the survival of tribal cultures, spiritual identities and forms of traditional communication.


Professional bull riders Whitehorse, Jesus find strong support from Native American community

GLENDALE – PBR riders Keyshawn Whitehorse and Cody Jesus are from the Navajo Nation. When the PBR comes to Arizona, many Native American fans show up to support them.


Group steps up to get supplies to Navajo veterans during pandemic

PHOENIX – When two Arizona veterans heard that veterans on the Navajo reservation were struggling during the pandemic, they felt it was their duty to help. So they started raising money to get supplies directly to them.