Native American Issues / Public News Service

The American Federation of Teachers says schools must be safe havens, welcoming places of learning and free from racism, discrimination and the threat of deportation. (vectorfusionart/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, February 6, 2025

TX teachers prepare to protect immigrant students

School districts across Texas are grappling with ways to keep migrant children safe and engaged in class now that the Trump administration has made it…

More than 54,000 Native American people have no home access to electricity, according to a 2023 report from the Department of Energy's Office of Indian Energy. (Adobe Stock)

Nonprofit brings light to tribal lands in Arizona

By Yessenia Funes for Atmos.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Arizona News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News …

In 2024, at least 10 states enacted 19 restrictive voting laws, according to the Brennan Center for Justice and 21 states enacted 32 expansive ones. (Adobe Stock)

U.S. Supreme Court declines Montana voting rights case

The nation's highest court has declined to hear a case about Montana voting laws which would have disproportionately affected Native people. Last …

Enbridge's Line 5 can transport 540,000 barrels per day of petroleum liquids. (Dean Pennala/Adobe Stock)

New report: Enbridge’s Line 5 plan costly, flawed

ADDITION: Comments by Enbridge, received after deadline, have been added. (10:10 a.m. MST, Jan. 22, 2025) A new report says Enbridge's plan to build …

Enbridge's Line 5 runs from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario, passing through northern Michigan. (Michael Carni/Adobe Stock)

Tribes, environmental groups challenge Line 5 tunnel in appeals court

This week, four tribal nations and environmental groups urged the Michigan Court of Appeals to overturn the state's approval of Enbridge's Line 5 …

High water flows brought young sockeye quickly to the ocean, contributing to the record number of fish passing through the Bonneville Dam last summer, 92,000 more than the previous record. (Jason/Adobe Stock)

Resisting industry on the Columbia in 2025

Oregon salmon populations had some significant wins in 2024, including a record number of sockeye salmon passing through the Columbia River's …

Along South Dakota's Rosebud Reservation, Sicangu Co. members Mayce Low Dog and Karen Moore harvest local plants. (Photo courtesy of Grace Hussain)

For SD tribe, food sovereignty means eating climate-friendly

By Grace Hussain for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Greater Dakota News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborat…

The new Chuckwalla National Monument is part of the Biden Administration's commitment to preserve 30% of the nation's land and waters by the year 2030. (Bureau of Land Management)

Tribes applaud as Biden announces two new national monuments in CA

The White House announced two new national monuments in California on Tuesday, one just east of Palm Springs and the other near Shasta Lake. A …

Among the bills to be introduced in Montana's 2025 legislative session is one which would officially recognize Indigenous People's Day across the state. (Hanna Tor/Adobe Stock)

Native health care, voting rights top issues to watch during MT's 2025 legislative session

Montana's 69th legislative session begins today and advocates for the state's Native population will be at the Capitol, tracking bills ranging from …

In South Dakota, 68% of missing persons are Native Americans even though they only make up 9% of the state's population. (Adobe Stock)

Resource gaps cloud efforts on cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. In South Dakota, the push to secure justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women remains …

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported New Hampshire is home to more than 3,000 U.S. Postal Service workers, who earn an average hourly wage of $27.08. (Adobe Stock)

NH rural towns face proposed postal delays in 2025

The Postmaster General has proposed reduced delivery days and other changes starting next year which could particularly affect rural New Hampshire…

According to the National Council of Urban Indian Health, the average age of Indian Health Service facilities is over 37 years and the maintenance backlog was about $515 million in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

SD’s Native population sees 'double whammy' of health barriers

Funding for the Indian Health Service has increased over the past decade but the agency remains underfunded, which affects both the health and …

The Kootenai River runs 485 miles is one of the major tributaries of the Columbia River. (JOAN/Adobe Stock)

Coming: Cross-border cleanup plan for Columbia River headwaters

Governing bodies in the U.S. and Canada are taking steps to address mining pollution affecting the headwaters of the Columbia River. Coal mining …

The Kootenai River runs through the northern part of the Idaho panhandle. (Gregory Johnston/Adobe Stock)

Idaho's role in Canadian mining pollution cleanup

Cross-border governing bodies, including the state of Idaho, are taking steps to address mining pollution coming from Canada. Coal mining pollution …

Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline is currently routed as close as 11 feet to a riverbank caused by flooding and erosion. (Bad River: A Story of Defiance)

Documentary brings WI tribe's pipeline resistance to national stage

By Amy Felegy for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Servic…

American martens require very specific living parameters and are hyper sensitive to any changes in their habitat. (Adobe Stock)

WI receives federal funds to recover state’s only endangered mammal

The federal Department of the Interior has awarded the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission more than $800,000 for recovery efforts for Ame…

Oak and prairie habitats are prioritized in the Oregon Conservation Strategy. (CameraCraft/Adobe Stock)

Restoring oak and prairie habitat in Willamette Valley

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and its partners have received a $4.5 million grant from the federal America the Beautiful Challenge progra…

Publications before 2020 will become part of the dashboard starting next semester. (Adobe Stock)

Arizona State University tool offers useful medical insight affecting Indigenous communities

Arizona State University has developed a new tool that they hope will help researchers analyze connections between illnesses and health determinants w…

Researchers said common barriers faced by Native American children include lack of culturally relevant curriculum in their educational settings. A Minnesota grant program helps community organizations expand such teachings within their tribal areas. (Adobe Stock)

Five years in, MN program creates improved pathways for Native kids

Five years ago, Minnesota established a program to bolster well-being metrics for children of color and young Native American kids. Today, fund …

New guidance in Washington state is meant to ensure health insurers are complying with federal and state laws on Native Americans' health plans. (doidam10/Adobe Stock)

WA insurance commissioner helps tribal members access heath care

The state of Washington is helping Native Americans access health care after decades of barriers. Health insurers have made it difficult for tribal …

From 2010 to 2020, the American Indian and Alaska Native in combination population increased by 160%, according to the US Census. (Adobe Stock)

The term 'Indigenous' grows in popularity among AZ Native youth

A new survey of Native American teens and young adults highlights a growing preference for the term "Indigenous" rather than being referred to as "Ame…

There are 574 federally-recognized Indian tribes, bands, nations, rancherias, communities and Native villages in the United States, according to the University of Nevada-Reno. (Adobe Stock)

Research finds 'Indigenous' grows in popularity among Native youth

A new survey of Native American teens and young adults highlights a growing preference for the term "Indigenous" rather than being referred to as "Ame…

For many Native youths, their culture is at the core of their identity, according to the Center for Native American Youth. (Adobe Stock)

Florida's Native youth: Overlooked voices call for change, inclusion

Native youths in Florida are calling for change as a new report from the Center for Native American Youth highlighted persistent challenges they face…

According to the Center for Native American Youth, in each Native community, culture transfer is a multifaceted process influenced by tribal histories, traumas, resilience, cultural preservation and revitalization efforts. (Adobe Stock)

VA's Native youths call for representation, support amid systemic challenges

In Virginia, Native youths often encounter systemic barriers, including a lack of representation in school curricula. A recent report by the Center …

Only 6% of Native young people living in cities feel represented by state and national decisionmakers, according to the Center for Native American Youth, compared to 18% of those living on reservations. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: The term 'Indigenous' grows in popularity among Native youth

A new survey of Native American teens and young adults highlights a growing preference for the term "Indigenous" rather than being referred to as "Ame…

Some 65% of Native youth report access to college readiness programs, yet many say they lack adequate funding to support their transition to higher education, according to the Center for Native American Youth. (Adobe Stock)

Native youth survey reveals shift toward 'Indigenous' over 'American Indian'

A new survey of Native American teens and young adults highlights a growing preference for the term "Indigenous" rather than being referred to as "Ame…

According to the Great Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center, one in 40 Native American and Alaska Native babies born in the Great Plains region in 2022 had a syphilis infection. (Adobe Stock)

Tribal leaders call syphilis outbreak 'public health emergency'

By Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Kathleen Shannon for Greater Dakota News Service reporting for the KFF Health News…

A new report from the Aspen Institute looked at Native American youth attitudes toward culture, resource access, mental health and civic engagement. (Center for Native American Youth)<br />

New survey shows a shift toward 'Indigenous' over 'American Indian'

A new survey of Native American teens and young adults highlights a growing preference for the term "Indigenous" rather than being referred to as "Ame…

Ava Bruneau plays Ginebig: The Snake Game, a game of chance. Players roll or toss

Game time: Reviving the Ojibwe way with dice, cards

By Amy Felegy for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Kathleen Shannon for Greater Dakota News Service reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Servic…

South Dakota was the first state to rename

Wounded Knee Medal of Honor review process expected to slow under Trump

The idea of revoking military medals awarded to soldiers at the Wounded Knee Massacre has gained traction recently, but some expect that to stop …

The U.S. International Joint Commission was asked in March 2024 to address the effects of transboundary water pollution in the Kootenai River Watershed, and should make its decisions by March 2026. (Adobe Stock)

Montana joins tribes to target Canadian mining pollution

Montana has joined a coalition of Indigenous groups working to address Canadian coal mining pollution in the state's Kootenai River. The …

The nonprofit FracTracker Alliance has created an online map that shows the proximity of CO2 pipelines in Great Plains states to ecologically vulnerable areas and Indigenous lands. (Adobe Stock)

'FracTracker' maps pipeline effects on Indigenous land

A nonprofit group that tracks oil and gas development has created an interactive map to show how close CO2 pipelines in Great Plains states come to en…

Just under 14% of South Dakota kids are American Indian or Alaska Native, but make up more than 62% of children in the state's foster care system, according to the National Indian Child Welfare Association. (Adobe Stock)

Remembering older kids in foster care on National Adoption Day

This coming Saturday is National Adoption Day and it is a good time to think about children who are older or have special needs and face more difficul…

Some wins, but more needed for Native artists in WY

A great way to observe National Native American Heritage Month is to support Native artists but some in Wyoming said there are barriers to their expos…

Built in 1953 and outlasting its original lifespan, Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline transports 22 million gallons of crude oil and natural gas liquids daily across 645 miles of terrain through Michigan and Wisconsin. (Adobe Stock)

Controversial Line 5 project faces more legal action in WI

A legal challenge is expected since the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has granted key permit approvals to a Canadian energy company to rer…

According to MSCI, 97% of nickel, 89% of copper, 79% of lithium and 68% of cobalt supplies in the U.S. are located within 35 miles of Native American reservations. (Adobe Stock)

Federal agendas aside, tribes have a lot to offer in 'energy evolution'

President-elect Donald Trump's agenda for "energy dominance" could majorly impact leaders in the sector, including the state of Wyoming and the …

A bill making its way through the U.S. House of Representatives would create a truth and healing commission to address ongoing harms to Native American families linked to the federal children's boarding-school program. (Adobe Stock)

Biden boarding school apology a first step toward healing

President Joe Biden's recent apology on behalf of the federal government for harms done to generations of Native American children and their families …

Over the course of U.S. history, fewer than 30 Native Americans have served in Congress. (Adobe Stock)

Overcoming odds in boosting Native representation in elected offices

As Americans head to the polls this Election Day, researchers noted there are a record number of Indigenous candidates seeking public office around …

The Ohio Organizing Collaborative registered nearly 160,000 new voters for the Nov. 5 election, which represents the largest grassroots voter registration program in the country. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio's voting system affects BIPOC communities

Ohio voters are facing significant challenges at the ballot box, with some groups expressing concerns over voter roll purges and gerrymandering …

Even with the rise of social media and email blasts, traditional

ND tribal outreach leaders crank up the amps, messaging to voters

Political rallies and large-scale "get out the vote" events might conjure images of a packed arena in a major city but in states like North Dakota…

The Klamath River was once home to the third largest salmon run on the West Coast. (Piotr Wawrzyniuk/Adobe Stock)

After 100 years, salmon return to Upper Klamath River

Wild Chinook salmon have returned to the Upper Klamath River less than two months after the largest dam-removal project in U.S. history to remove …

Community leaders in a recent Progress Michigan webinar said if the GOP's Project 2025 is implemented, it could have a devastating effect on Michigan farms, rural schools and the state's Indigenous tribes. (Adobe Stock)

Leaders fear GOP 2025 plans would harm people in rural Michigan

Groups from across Michigan are sounding the alarm on the effect Republican-backed policies would have on people in rural parts of the state…

Adults and youth get ready to play double ball during the first annual Indigenous Dakota Games event in Lake Traverse Reservation. (Dustina Gill)

Sharing traditional games with Dakota youth

By LaVerne Whitebear for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Kathleen Shannon for Greater Dakota News Service reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News…

The proposed Chuckwalla National Monument near Joshua Tree National Park is home to more than 50 species which are threatened, endangered, sensitive or otherwise of concern. (Adobe Stock)

CA Tribes call for national monuments at world biodiversity conference

This week, more than 100 Californians are in Cali, Columbia, for the 16th United Nations Conference on Biological Diversity. Tribes, policymakers …

According to legal assistance groups, there are no Native Americans serving in the North Dakota state Senate for the first time in three decades. They blame political boundaries updated by the Legislature in 2021, resulting in a lawsuit and a new court-ordered map. (Adobe Stock)

Court activity resumes in ND tribal redistricting case

Oral arguments were heard this week in a legal fight over redistricting outcomes for North Dakota tribal lands. About a year ago, North Dakota was …

To qualify for in-state tuition through the Native American Tuition Advantage Program, MSU students must meet at least one of several criteria, including providing a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood, a photocopy of a Tribal ID, and a letter of Tribal Certification or proof of citizenship. (Jorge Ferreiro/Adobe Stock)

Michigan State expands access, affordability for Indigenous students

Michigan State University has launched a new program to expand educational opportunities for Native American students across the country. The Native …

Adrian Sinclair is the plant manager at the 1839 Cherokee Meat Co. in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. (Ben Felder/Investigate Midwest)

OK tribes' meat processing plants reverse historic ag consolidation

By Ben Felder for Investigate Midwest.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Oklahoma News Service reporting for the Investigate Midwest-Solutions Jo…

Candice Griego, the new director of Tribal Relations for Roadrunner Food Bank, wants to help New Mexico's Indigenous communities develop food sovereignty. (Courtesy Roadrunner Food Bank)

NM food bank goes the distance to reach Indigenous communities

A New Mexico food bank has expanded outreach to the state's Indigenous communities by hiring a Director of Tribal Relations. Candice Griego will …

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PNS Daily Newscast - February 6, 2025

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Native American/Indigenous

TX teachers prepare to protect immigrant students

Nonprofit brings light to tribal lands in Arizona

U.S. Supreme Court declines Montana voting rights case

New report: Enbridge’s Line 5 plan costly, flawed

Tribes, environmental groups challenge Line 5 tunnel in appeals court

Resisting industry on the Columbia in 2025

For SD tribe, food sovereignty means eating climate-friendly

Tribes applaud as Biden announces two new national monuments in CA

Native health care, voting rights top issues to watch during MT's 2025 legislative session

Resource gaps cloud efforts on cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women

NH rural towns face proposed postal delays in 2025

SD’s Native population sees 'double whammy' of health barriers

Coming: Cross-border cleanup plan for Columbia River headwaters

Idaho's role in Canadian mining pollution cleanup

Documentary brings WI tribe's pipeline resistance to national stage

WI receives federal funds to recover state’s only endangered mammal

Restoring oak and prairie habitat in Willamette Valley

Arizona State University tool offers useful medical insight affecting Indigenous communities

Five years in, MN program creates improved pathways for Native kids

WA insurance commissioner helps tribal members access heath care

The term 'Indigenous' grows in popularity among AZ Native youth

Research finds 'Indigenous' grows in popularity among Native youth

Florida's Native youth: Overlooked voices call for change, inclusion

VA's Native youths call for representation, support amid systemic challenges

Survey: The term 'Indigenous' grows in popularity among Native youth

Native youth survey reveals shift toward 'Indigenous' over 'American Indian'

Tribal leaders call syphilis outbreak 'public health emergency'

New survey shows a shift toward 'Indigenous' over 'American Indian'

Game time: Reviving the Ojibwe way with dice, cards

Wounded Knee Medal of Honor review process expected to slow under Trump

Montana joins tribes to target Canadian mining pollution

'FracTracker' maps pipeline effects on Indigenous land

Remembering older kids in foster care on National Adoption Day

Some wins, but more needed for Native artists in WY

Controversial Line 5 project faces more legal action in WI

Federal agendas aside, tribes have a lot to offer in 'energy evolution'

Biden boarding school apology a first step toward healing

Overcoming odds in boosting Native representation in elected offices

Ohio's voting system affects BIPOC communities

ND tribal outreach leaders crank up the amps, messaging to voters

After 100 years, salmon return to Upper Klamath River

Leaders fear GOP 2025 plans would harm people in rural Michigan

Sharing traditional games with Dakota youth

CA Tribes call for national monuments at world biodiversity conference

Court activity resumes in ND tribal redistricting case

Michigan State expands access, affordability for Indigenous students

OK tribes' meat processing plants reverse historic ag consolidation

NM food bank goes the distance to reach Indigenous communities