Indigenous people
U.S. Senate Republicans question Oklahoma judicial nominee on tribal sovereignty
Republicans on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee grilled former Cherokee Nation Attorney General Sara Hill on tribal sovereignty issues at a hearing Wednesday for Hill, nominated to serve as a U.S. district court judge in Oklahoma. Hill, who would be the first Native American woman to be a federal judge in the state, said she […]
Oklahomans concerned contentious law impacts teaching of ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ history
OKLAHOMA CITY — With the movie release of “Killers of the Flower Moon” only days away, questions still persist about Oklahoma schools’ ability to teach the historical events depicted in the film. The source of the uncertainty is House Bill 1775, a 2021 state law regulating classroom discussions on race and gender. Tribal leaders have […]
Historical record confirms claims of Tuscarora Nation of NC
The quest to have the aboriginal status, rights, and privileges of the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina (TNNC) reaffirmed by the state and federal governments should be based on historically accurate, unbiased, and ethical research. And make no mistake: there is plenty of it. According to state and federal officials, the TNNC is neither recognized […]
Study shows sharp increases in maternal deaths over two decades
A study from the University of Washington released Monday shows maternal mortality rates more than doubled in some states between 1999 and 2019, with sharp increases for some racial and ethnic groups. Researchers touted it as the first study to provide such maternal mortality calculations for every state. Previous reports have not included rates for […]
Advocates: Supreme Court ruling is a victory for welfare of Native American children
Native people in New Mexico and legal experts applauded the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Thursday leaving intact the civil rights law called the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), which they see as a victory for the welfare of Native American children by bolstering their connections to tribes and their land. The case centers on […]
It’s long past time for North Carolina to recognize the Tuscarora people
North Carolina’s history is deeply intertwined with that of the Tuscarora people and it’s long past time for state leaders to acknowledge and memorialize this simple truth. Since the early 1700’s the Tuscarora have been recognized by the state of North Carolina via treaty, state law, and other official documentation. As early as 1712, multiple […]
An Indigenous Peoples Day commentary: Supreme Court should preserve the Indian Child Welfare Act
Today we celebrate Indigenous People’s Day as a way to honor and reflect upon Native American history and culture. A commemoration that’s been officially recognized in at least 14 states (including North Carolina), Indigenous Peoples Day is also an opportunity to support efforts that strengthen Indigenous communities. The Indian Child Welfare Act, passed in 1978, […]
Sarah Palin falls short in return to politics; Peltola becomes first woman, Alaska Native to represent state in Congress
Democrat Mary Peltola will become Alaska’s first congresswoman and the first Alaska Native in the U.S. House of Representatives. Peltola defeated Republican candidates Sarah Palin and Nick Begich in ranked-choice voting results announced Wednesday. All three candidates were vying to serve the last four months of the term left unfinished when Congressman Don Young died […]
‘A matter of dignity’: Biden signs executive order to address violence against Indigenous people
President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Monday addressing violence against Indigenous communities. “These efforts are a matter of dignity,” Biden said during the opening ceremony for the White House Tribal Nations Summit. “That’s the foundation of our nation-to-nation partnership.”
Biden to nominate first tribal member to lead National Park Service
President Joe Biden plans to nominate the first enrolled tribal member to head up the National Park Service—Oregon conservationist Charles F. Sams III, the White House announced Wednesday. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he would be the first full-time director since Jonathan B. Jarvis left the job at the end of the Obama administration. […]
New unit launched in U.S. Dept. of Interior to investigate cases of missing and murdered Indigenous people
The U.S. Department of the Interior is creating a new unit to lead and help coordinate investigations into the ongoing crisis of murdered and missing American Indian and Alaska Native people. Interior Secretary Debra Haaland, the first Indigenous person to lead the agency, announced last week the formation of the Missing & Murdered Unit within […]
Journalists, advocates, Gov. Cooper highlight crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women
It’s long overdue and one wonders whether it can be sustained in the current environment, but the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women has been receiving some new and deserved attention in recent weeks. In late April, advocates from an array of organizations held an online rally (click here to view the recording) to […]