Lori Piestewa Native American Games honor legacy of fallen soldier

SCOTTSDALE -- To appreciate the spirit of the Lori Piestewa National Native American Games is to understand what occurs beyond the competition.


Court says tribal agency has jurisdiction in state school labor dispute

WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that the Navajo Nation Labor Commission can decide a labor dispute between state school districts and their employees at schools on Navajo land.


Navajo OK plan to begin shutdown of Navajo Generating Station

WASHINGTON - The lights will stay on at the Navajo Generating Station until 2019 as the Navajo Nation Council voted 18-4, after hours of debate Monday, for a new agreement with the plant's operators.


Advocates to fight Redskins’ name, despite court ruling in similar case

WASHINGTON - Native American advocates vowed Monday to continue their fight against the "racist" name of the Washington Redskins, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that use of such names is protected by the First Amendment.


Despite $1.2 billion in purchases, tribal land buy-back ‘treading water’

WASHINGTON - The Interior Department has "not accomplished much" in its program to buy up marginal Indian lands and return them to tribes, despite spending two-thirds of a $1.9 billion fund for the program, a department official said recently.


Shortage of Native American physicians creates concerns, elicits calls for action

PHOENIX – Dena Wilson never doubted what she wanted to do with her life while growing up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.


Navajo school instills resilience in Diné youth through language continuance efforts

WINDOW ROCK -- “Béédaałniih: Diné bizaad bídahwiil’aah. Táadoo biligáana k’ehjí yádaalłti’í. Ahéhee’."


State, tribe settle long-running feud over Glendale casino

WASHINGTON - State and tribal officials announced a settlement Wednesday of a long-running fight against the Tohono O'odham's Desert Diamond Casino West Valley, which survived years of legal and legislative challenges before opening in 2015.


Two spirits attempt to reclaim and embrace their identity

Kay Kisto remembers coming out in drag for the first time, wearing a dress in a parade on the Gila River Indian Reservation.


Hopi Jr./Sr. High School hires investigators to examine special education

Hopi Jr./Sr. High School, one of the few high schools serving students on the Hopi Reservation in Northern Arizona, has hired investigators to examine its special education program, according to Bertha Parker, a public relations consultant representing the school.


American Indian Disability Summit connects youth and unemployed with services, training

PHOENIX – Doctors diagnosed Greggory Ohannessian with autism, a disorder characterized by challenges with speech and social skills, when he was 6 years old. Throughout his teen years, aids assisted him in school. In college, his sister helped him with social cues in the classroom.


Arizona youth joins tribal officials to push for diabetes program funds

WASHINGTON - Alton Villegas offered an unusual call to action Wednesday for an 11-year-old boy: "Destroy the ice cream man."