Native Affairs

Mary G. Ross on a Google Doodle. Brown woman in a green dress, white pearls, with her face surrounded by a yellow and orange star with green trim. A gray satellite, starry space and Earth are behind her
Kenrya Rankin  Aug 9, 2018 11:01AM EDT

Google Doodle Honors Mary G. Ross, First Native American Female Engineer

The pioneering aeronautical engineer helped design concepts for space travel to Venus and Mars.
A Native man wearing a turquoise t-shirt prays while a group watches
Ayşe Gürsöz  Jul 11, 2018 12:12PM EDT

Reflections From the Historic Protecting Mother Earth Conference [PHOTO ESSAY]

Hundreds of Native climate justice activists came to Washington State’s Frank’s Landing to share lessons, celebrate victories and build unity.
Brown woman holds pregnant belly, rest of frame is black
Ayana Byrd  Jul 10, 2018 1:12PM EDT

Racism Linked to High Maternal and Infant Mortality for Native Women

“We stopped keeping statistics on the number of Native moms and babies that are lost in our region; it was just too upsetting.”
Indigenous man with black hair in grey suit with purple tie smiles in front of crowd behind red carpet and white wall with orange text
Sameer Rao  Jul 2, 2018 3:04PM EDT

LISTEN: Michael Greyeyes On 'Sea Change' for Indigenous Actors

“I’ve started to see a dimensionality finally appear in the materials I was being sent, the scripts I was reading. And I started to see it in other places—in the treatment of our cultures, of our characters.”
Digital illustration of silver ring and orange flame on grey stone platform in front of brown building and green flag and purple sky
Sameer Rao  Jun 27, 2018 3:46PM EDT

Smithsonian Unveils Indigenous Artist's Winning Plan for Veterans' Memorial

The National Museum of the American Indian chose Cheyenne & Arapaho artist Harvey Pratt’s design, which draws on a circle motif of life and death.
Illustrated book cover depicting White children and adults in brown wagon in front of blue sky on green grass; sepia image of White woman in dark dress
Sameer Rao  Jun 25, 2018 3:22PM EDT

Library Group Removes 'Little House' Author's Name From Award For Racist Themes

The Association for Library Service to Children renamed the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award in response to long-standing complaints about her books’ treatment of Indigenous and Black people.
Indigenous man with black hair in navy suit smiles in front of orange wall with black text
Sameer Rao  Jun 20, 2018 1:00PM EDT

Gil Birmingham Plays 'Dream Character' in 'Yellowstone'

The Indigenous actor talks about portraying Thomas Rainwater, a tribal chief fighting corporate interests on behalf of his people in the new drama series.
A buried section of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline emerges a few miles north of the Yukon River on July 21, 2002 in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Ayana Byrd  Jun 8, 2018 12:59PM EDT

Activists, Attorneys Say Government Ignored Data on Negative Impact of Pipeline on Natives, Blacks

The number of Indigenous people who could be negatively impacted is larger than those living near the Dakota Access pipeline.
Illustration of Brown man with black hair in white and grey and black running uniform on white background with red maple leaf and text and brown buildings
Sameer Rao  Jun 4, 2018 4:54PM EDT

Google Doodle Honors Indigenous Marathoner Tom Longboat

Longboat made history in 1907 as the first member of an Indigenous tribe to win the Boston Marathon.
Brown and orange casino floor with yellow lights on slot machines and games
Sameer Rao  May 23, 2018 4:39PM EDT

Indigenous Tribes Fight for Share of Sports Betting Profits

Tribes that run casinos stand to benefit from a Supreme Court ruling that lets states set their own commercial sports betting policies.
Indigenous boys in white lacrosse masks and multicolored athletic clothing hold white and yellow and red lacrosse sticks in front of blue sky
Sameer Rao  May 21, 2018 5:19PM EDT

Youth Lacrosse League Head to Resign After Racism Allegations

Corey Mitchell will pass control of the Dakota Premiere Lacrosse League to a new board with Indigenous members after this season.
Indigenous girl in blue and pink hat and green vest and white and pink shirt next to Indigenous girl in purple shirt and blue overalls at brown table in front of brown and red and grey house and appliances
Sameer Rao  May 10, 2018 11:59AM EDT

Meet 'Molly of Denali,' PBS Kids' New Alaska Native Star

The first nationally distributed children’s series with an Alaska Native premieres next summer.
Indigenous man in grey hat and navy jacket in front of brown rock
Sameer Rao  May 9, 2018 3:57PM EDT

WATCH: Martin Sensmeier Hikes Through Threatened Bears Ears Monument in 'America Divided'

The Alaska Native actor learns about the Native American conservationists who are fighting to protect the Utah monument from the Trump administration.
Indigenous man with black hair smiles in white shirt with black pattern and black pants in front of White man in grey shirt and grey and blue background
Sameer Rao  May 8, 2018 5:09PM EDT

Martin Sensmeier to Star in Biopic on Native American Athlete Jim Thorpe

Sensmeier and the filmmakers will work with the Thorpe family and various Indigenous tribes to authentically present the legendary athlete’s story.
A buried section of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline emerges a few miles north of the Yukon River on July 21, 2002 in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Ayana Byrd  Apr 30, 2018 1:43PM EDT

Appeals Court to Decide if Bayou Bridge Pipeline Construction Can Continue

It’s owned by same company as the Dakota Access pipeline.
Indigenous woman in black t-shirt with with red text and white and red logos and black pants stands next to Indigenous woman in grey t shirt with red and black and white logo and blue pants in front of beige car and green field and orange and blue sky
Sameer Rao  Apr 26, 2018 12:56PM EDT

New Documentary Chronicles Indigenous Activist History

“Warrior Women” follows Madonna Thunder Hawk and her daughter, Marcy Gilbert, as they engage with major Native American liberation movements. 
Woman in navy jersey with white number and red and navy and white gloves holds grey metal lacrosse stick with red and white and blue net and sticker
Sameer Rao  Apr 5, 2018 11:07AM EDT

Indigenous Youth Lacrosse Teams Say League Banned Them for Reporting Racist Abuse

From racist slurs on the field to arbitrary regulation enforcement, Native American players and coaches detail incidents that were routinely ignored by officials. 
Black-and-white photo of Indigenous woman in traditional dress holding traditional Native American tool with multiple feathers in front of sky with clouds
Sameer Rao  Mar 14, 2018 3:55PM EDT

WATCH: Elouise Cobell Fights for Native Americans in '100 Years'

The documentary highlights how the banker sued the United States government over billions of dollars in unpaid compensation for Indigenous landowners.
Indigenous man in blue shirt smiles with hands out in front of white and light grey wall
Sameer Rao  Mar 12, 2018 2:21PM EDT

Publisher Indefinitely Delays Release of Sherman Alexie Memoir

The Native American author faces multiple allegations of sexual harassment.
Native women in roller derby gear gather in a group photo
catherine lizette gonzalez  Mar 6, 2018 10:01AM EST

READ: How Team Indigenous is Decolonizing Roller Derby

Roller derby’s Team Indigenous seeks to empower women and two-spirit people while addressing Native issues and desegregating a predominantly White sport.