How a small Arizona town saved itself from the COVID-19 food crisis
Ajo, Arizona, is an unincorporated community 110 miles south of Phoenix. It borders the Tohono O'odham Indian Nation, serving as a hub for supplies for some of the 7,500 people who live on the reservation. The Ajo Center for Sustainable Agriculture is a nonprofit working in agricultural education, culturally appropriate food and economic development. When the coronavirus pandemic hit Ajo, the shelves of its one grocery story were cleaned out. The organization's all Native American board stepped up to feed its community.
‘I am that character’: New Marvel heroes battle underrepresentation of Native Americans in comics
FLAGSTAFF – Marvel releases new comic book about indigenous heroes
Three Arizona tribal leaders on diverse slate of 11 electoral voters
WASHINGTON - The slate of 11 Democratic electors who will cast Arizona's Electoral College votes Monday for President-elect Joe Biden includes, for the first time, leaders of three tribes: the Gila River Indian Community, Navajo Nation and Tohono O'odham Nation.
Pandemic, Trump and racism drive voter turnout in some tribal communities
Native American voters say they were driven to vote by COVID-19, racism and President Trump’s disregard for sacred tribal land.
Navajo program again distributes reservation coal to heat tribal homes
WASHINGTON - For the fifth straight year, the Community Heating Resource Program is helping Navajo residents stay warm through fall and winter months by distributing coal to tribe members for free from the Navajo Mine - one ton at a time.
No cold elders: Volunteers provide firewood for Navajo families ahead of winter
Because many Navajo rely on firewood to heat their homes, volunteers with the nonprofit Chizh for Cheii provide elders across the reservation with free firewood.
Navajo warn hospitals at ‘breaking point’ in worsening COVID-19 surge
WASHINGTON - With a shortage of beds, oxygen and staff, the Navajo Nation can no longer depend on regional aid and is sending critical patients farther afield for care, officials reported Thursday.
Navajo health director named to Biden’s advisory board on COVID-19
WASHINGTON - President-elect Joe Biden has said dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic will be one of the first orders of business for his administration, and the director of the Navajo Health Department will be there to advise him on it.
Copper rush: Opponents worry feds have fast-tracked Resolution mine OK
WASHINGTON - Activists worry that the Trump administration has fast-tracked the final environmental impact statement for the massive Resolution Copper mine, a project planned for lands near Superior that are claimed as sacred by the San Carlos Apache.
Food banks receive government help to fill bellies during holidays
PHOENIX – St. Mary’s Food Bank and Local First Arizona partner with local governments to provide meals to those in need this holiday season.
‘It’s creating a new normal’: A Navajo school district and its students fight to overcome amid COVID-19
PIÑON – Even in the best of times, Native American K-12 students have faced an uphill battle to getting a high school diploma. Now COVID has brought new challenges, but one district is doing everything it can to help its students persevere.
‘Disruptive and cruel’: Native Americans worry as Supreme Court weighs repeal of health care act
PHOENIX – The Affordable Care Act expanded the number of Americans covered by private or public health insurance, but also included a number of provisions specific to Indian Country. As the Supreme Court considers a potential repeal, Indian Country watches and waits.