Tribal water infrastructure needs more than a one-time fix, senators told
The infusion of federal money for infrastructure projects is a welcome first step toward fixing deep problems with water systems on tribal lands, but it's only a first step, an Arizona official testified Wednesday.
MMIP task forces are given years to solve a problem centuries in the making
WASHINGTON - At least 10 states, including Arizona, and federal agencies have efforts to address the problem of missing and murdered Indigenous people, but those efforts have to grapple with historical neglect, modern bureaucracy and myriad legal and police disparities.
Group mentor program in Tucson teaches male youth about healthy relationships
TUCSON – A mentoring program is using talking circles, adventure outings and overnight camping trips to help young men develop positive and healthy relationships. The goal is to give every boy in middle and high school access to safe and trusted men.
Thousands helped, thousands more may still be in need after Medicaid scams
WASHINGTON - A state hotline has helped thousands of victims in the two months since state officials uncovered a string of fraudulent Medicaid-funded addiction care facilities in Arizona, but the exact scale of the problem is still unknown.
Navajo witnesses clash over government’s Chaco Canyon mining ban
WASHNGTON - A moratorium on mining within 10 miles of Chaco Canyon tramples on tribal sovereignty and denies Navajo badly needed royalty payments; or it is needed to ensure oil and gas operations no longer poison the people, competing witnesses told a House panel.
Navajo president presses Congress for more time, money, for water project
WASHINGTON - Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren asked senators Wednesday for more funding, and time, for a pipeline project that would create a reliable water supply for 250,000 people across Arizona and New Mexico.
Weaving a culture: Navajo artists at Folklife Festival mix art, history
WASHINGTON - For some, a rug is something to step on and art is something to hang on the wall. For Diné weaver Kevin Aspaas, his creations are part of the culture. Aspaas was one of two Navajo artists sharing that culture at the Smithsonian Institution's annual Folklife Festival.
Kamala Harris discusses commitment to Native communities during Arizona visit
LAVEEN – Vice President Kamala Harris visited the Gila River Indian Community Thursday. She addressed disparities facing Native communities.
Federal development funds will let Oklahoma tribes expand access to capital
WASHINGTON - Three Oklahoma tribal nations will receive more than 40% of the initial $73 million in funding from a federal small business initiative that for the first time is being targeted directly to tribes.
Supreme Court says treaty does not require feds to secure Navajo water rights
WASHINGTON – A divided Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the federal government is not required to take "affirmative steps" to guarantee water for the Navajo Nation beyond the water rights that were granted in an 1868 treaty.
Navajo Nation’s COVID-19 curfews saddled hundreds with citations, netted no money for police, news investigation finds
PHOENIX – Officials on the Navajo Nation supported using fines collected from COVID-19 curfew violations to help the tribe’s law enforcement, but never set up the required fund.
Tribal artists, leaders want update to law to protect Native arts, crafts
WASHINGTON - Native American artists say they continue to struggle with the theft of their work, and tribal leaders are urging Congress to strengthen the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, a 1990 law to prohibit any advertisement and all sales of counterfeit Indian arts and crafts.
