Native Affairs

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.
Brown woman with brown hair in black shirt and brown glasses stands in front of red wall
Sameer Rao  Mar 1, 2018 1:26PM EST

10 Works From Indigenous Authors to Read Right Now

Writer and scholar Elissa Washuta tweeted an extensive list of books and essays from Native American writers as sexual harassment accusations mount against author Sherman Alexie.
Brown purse with brown spots and white ivory bead on black string in front of red felt background
Sameer Rao  Feb 7, 2018 4:46PM EST

Etsy Prevents Alaska Native Artisans From Selling Ivory Art

Per the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, indigenous people of Alaska can legally use ivory from walrus tusks and whale teeth and bones.
White snow over frozen lake in front of brown houses and grey and blue city skyline and blue sky
Sameer Rao  Jan 19, 2018 4:44PM EST

Minnesota Changes Lake Calhoun to Original Dakota Name, Bde Maka Ska

The largest lake in Minneapolis was named for John Calhoun, an early U.S. politician and supporter of slavery. 
Little girl listens to a pregnant woman's belly
Miriam Zoila Pérez  Jan 8, 2018 10:53AM EST

READ: Midwifery Is on the Rise in Native Communities

A new Rewire article explores the efforts to reintegrate traditional birthing practices in Native communities in the United States and Canada.
Black woman in red t-shirt and brown striped hat and black scarf speaks into black receiver attached to brown megaphone in front of black sky
Sameer Rao  Dec 31, 2017 12:15PM EST

The Words and Wisdom of Trailblazers Who Passed Away In 2017

We’re  honoring some of the activists, performers and pioneers of color who died in 2017 in their own words.
Activist in black hat standing in front of black tiny house holds a white banner with black fish that says Stop KM and Defund Divest
Ayşe Gürsöz  Dec 7, 2017 11:22AM EST

Can Tiny Houses Halt the Expansion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline?

Indigenous activists are using solar-powered tiny houses to block the proposed path of the oil pipeline across Secwepemcul’ecw territory. Could this become the ‘Standing Rock of the North’?
Ancient granaries are shown here in the South Fork of Mule Canyon in the Bears Ears National Monument on May 12, 2017 outside Blanding, Utah.
Ayana Byrd  Dec 5, 2017 12:51PM EST

Five Tribes File Complaint Against Trump Administration to Protect Bears Ears Monument

The complaint says the president’s move was unconstitutional.