Navajo hemp investigation expands to federal marijuana, labor probe
WASHINGTON - A Navajo Nation probe of a controversial, Navajo-owned hemp operation has turned into a federal investigation into reports of marijuana production, interstate drug trafficking and violations of labor and child labor laws.
Pandemic shines light on complex coexistence of modern times, traditional ways on Navajo Nation
PHOENIX – People went to medicine men in Indian Country for help, exposing them to the virus and tensions between modern medicine and traditional ways.
FCC grants no-cost broadband spectrum licenses to 11 Arizona tribes
WASHINGTON - The Federal Communications Commission has granted broadband spectrum licenses to 11 Arizona tribes in what FCC Chairman Ajit Pai called "a major step forward in our efforts to close the digital divide on Tribal lands."
Judge denies early Pascua Yaqui voting site, ending years-long feud
WASHINGTON - The Pascua Yaqui Tribe will not get the early voting location it has been asking for since 2018, after a federal judge flatly denied the request he said would overburden an elections office "already stretched to its breaking point."
Court: Mailed Navajo ballots should not get extra time to be counted
WASHINGTON - Native Americans may face barriers to voting in general, but that is not enough to require that ballots mailed from the Navajo Nation get 10 extra days to be counted, a federal appeals court said Thursday.
State, tribal leaders condemn use of force against border protesters
WASHINGTON - Tohono O'odham and congressional officials are condemning the "utterly shameful" use of tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a small group of people during a peaceful border wall protest Monday near Ajo.
Goodbye, Columbus?: Arizona celebrates first Indigenous Peoples’ Day
WASHINGTON - After years of advocacy by tribal groups, Arizona on Monday celebrated its first Indigenous Peoples' Day, but the proclamation designating the day was just for this year and it still shared the calendar with Columbus Day.
Bill pressures CDC to give Native Americans better access to federal health data
PHOENIX – A bipartisan bill co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Tom O’Halleran of Arizona reaffirms that Native Americans are entitled to federal health data, which could help them in the COVID-19 pandemic. Tribal officials say it addresses a long-standing issue.
UArizona and partners work to increase colorectal cancer screenings among American Indians
PHOENIX - Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among Native Americans, but various groups are working to change that.
Hopi leader: Congress must act to save ‘life changing’ diabetes program
WASHINGTON - A "life-changing" diabetes program for Native Americans will expire Dec. 11 if Congress doesn't take action, a move that Hopi Chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma said it is "critical" for tribes across the nation, including his.
Feds cite safety for Quitobaquito closing; critics see other motives
WASHINGTON - The National Park Service cited public safety concerns for its decision this week to prohibit access to a sacred Tohono O'odham site, a move that comes amid rising tensions between border wall protestors and federal agents.
Navajo drives unite two goals: COVID-19 relief and upping census participation
The Navajo Nation is holding relief drives across the reservation to gather COVID relief supplies and signing residents up for the census.
