Native America Today

Peterson Zah, Celebrated Former Leader of Navajo Nation, Has Died at 85

Peterson Zah, Celebrated Former Leader of Navajo Nation, Has Died at 85

The Navajo Nation is in mourning following the death of Peterson Zah, the former chairman and president of the Navajo Nation, who passed away on Tuesday evening at the Tséhootsooí Medical Center in Fort Defiance, Arizona. Zah, who was 85, had been struggling with cancer for a long time. Zah was an influential figure in…

Lake Superior Chippewa Sued Over the Placement of Roadblocks

Lake Superior Chippewa Sued Over the Placement of Roadblocks

Northern Wisconsin landowners have filed a lawsuit against the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians after the tribe set up barricades to block roads it claims were illegally built on tribal land. The suit, filed on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Madison, seeks to remove the roadblocks, which have prevented 21…

National Congress Rights a Wrong | Pulls the Plug on “Crying Indian” Ad

National Congress Rights a Wrong | Pulls the Plug on “Crying Indian” Ad

In a move that could have significant implications for the way Native American culture is represented in popular culture, the National Congress of American Indians has been given ownership of the 1970s “Crying Indian” public service announcement (PSA). The ad, which has been criticized for perpetuating stereotypes of Native Americans, was originally commissioned by Keep…

Native Healing Coalition Demands Action: Congress Must Acknowledge the Atrocities of Indian Boarding Schools

Native Healing Coalition Demands Action: Congress Must Acknowledge the Atrocities of Indian Boarding Schools

The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) is calling on tribal leaders to support the reintroduction of the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act. During the previous Congressional session, the bill received broad support from various Tribal Nations, Tribal regional organizations, the International Indian Treaty Council, and national Native…

Pechanga Tribe Donates $100K Toward GoFundMe For Monterey Park Mass Shooting Victims

Pechanga Tribe Donates $100K Toward GoFundMe For Monterey Park Mass Shooting Victims

Yesterday, an Indigenous tribe in California made a generous donation of $100K to a GoFundMe page set up to support the victims of the recent mass shooting in Monterey Park, California. The Pechanga Band of Indians made this donation in response to the outpouring of support and affection shown for the Asian American and Pacific…

‘Protectors’ At Dakota Access Pipeline Disrupted by Police

‘Protectors’ At Dakota Access Pipeline Disrupted by Police

About 300 protectors from the Oceti Sakowin, Red Warrior, and Sacred Stone camps, along with other supporters from some surrounding camps, decided that strong prayers were needed at the site where construction continues on the Dakota Access Pipeline. “WE CAME HERE TODAY TO OFFER PRAYERS TO OUR CREATOR TO STOP THIS CONSTRUCTION, AND TO HAVE…

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day: Tribes Will Participate

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day: Tribes Will Participate

Law Enforcement administration officials for a number of Indian reservations have signed on to support National Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday, October 22. The Drug Enforcement Agency has been encouraging participation in the annual event for years in order to recover prescription drugs from medicine cabinets. The Office of Justice Services in the Bureau of…

Cherokee Heritage Center’s Sevenstar Gala

Cherokee Heritage Center’s Sevenstar Gala

The Cherokee Heritage Center hosted the Sevenstar Gala on October 22.  The event is held annually, representing an opportunity to recognize those who help to advance the Cherokee National Historical Society’s mandate to preserve, promote and teach the Cherokee nation’s history and culture. Sevenstar is the Center’s marquee fundraiser. Three prestigious awards were given out: the…