Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

A Fairbanks, Alaska jury returned guilty verdicts Thursday against Steven Downs for the sexual assault and murder of Alaska Native Sophie Sergie in 1993 at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, a case in which DNA collected for an ancestry website prompted the discovery of Downs’ connection, as KUAC’s Robyne reports.

Navajo gaming and Seminole Hard Rock to launch digital sports betting

Sports wagering for the Super Bowl will be in full swing this year. Research from the American Gambling Association found more than 18 million people plan to bet online, in person at sportsbooks, or with a bookie on the matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals. The Navajo Nation will soon get into the digital sports betting action as it teams up with the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Hard Rock brand. They’ve joined forces to launch the Hard Rock Sportsbook mobile app in Arizona, where sports betting became legal in 2021. The digital Hard Rock Sportsbook is expected to be launched in the state this month.

Get National Native News headlines delivered daily to your phone

SIGN UP for our Newsletter and Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

South Dakota Senate lawmakers are passing a bill that creates and funds community-based schools centered on Native American cultural curriculum. A similar proposal passed the chamber two years ago but failed in the House. Supporters hope this year is different. South Dakota Public Broadcasting’s Lee Strubinger reports.

A bill in the Alaska State Legislature to provide for state recognition of federally recognized tribes was heard in the Senate State Affairs committee Thursday. House Bill 123 was read for the first time in January and referred to committees. It would not give tribes new power, since they’re sovereign. It aims to have the state acknowledge that sovereignty. The state of Alaska and tribes already work together in a government-to-government capacity through tribal compacts. The state has a compact in child welfare. The state recognition initiative gained more than the needed 36 thousand signatures to be put on this year’s ballot. According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, there are 229 federally recognized tribes in Alaska. Listen To The Hearing | Follow The Bill

A tribal regalia bill in the Utah Legislature recently passed in the Senate. It had already passed the House. The bill ensures Native students can wear traditional dress, a feather, beaded attired, or moccasins during high school graduation ceremonies across the state. The bill now awaits the signature of Gov. Spencer Cox.

The state of New York is dropping requirements for face coverings indoors, but not the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, which announced Wednesday it will continue its mask requirements in all public places on the reservation.

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Leonard Peltier supporters rallied for his release in six cities across the country on Monday, warning he is at risk after getting COVID-19 in prison, as Arielle Zionts of South Dakota Public Broadcasting reports from Rapid City.

A city in Minnesota is planning to rename a park and may pay select Native people for their input. The Pioneer Press reports the city of Roseville wants to rename Pocahontas Park. The parks and recreation commission has been considering the change since a youth commissioner suggested it in 2020. Commissioners told the city council Monday a majority of comments from the public is in favor of the change pointing to inaccurate and stereotypical imagery often associated with Pocahontas. The commission is considering a stipend for Native Americans to take part in the renaming process. Some commissioners say the payment is no different than paying consultants for guidance. No dollar amount or timeframe has been set for the renaming process.

The Spirit Lake Tribe, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, and individual voters filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court Monday. They’re challenging North Dakota’s new legislative map, claiming it dilutes the voting rights of Native Americans. They say redistricting has split up Turtle Mountain citizens into two subdistricts and Spirit Lake into one district. Tribal leaders had asked for the two tribes to be drawn into the same district. Plaintiff say they’re limited in electing state legislative seats. The lawsuit alleges violation of the voting rights act. The Native American Rights Fund is among law groups representing the plaintiffs.

Fort Lewis College and the University of Colorado College of Nursing announced a new partnership Monday. They’re teaming up on a four-year undergraduate degree in nursing bringing the medical institute to Fort Lewis, which serves rural and Indigenous students in Southwest Colorado. The first cohort is expected to begin in the fall of 2023.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

What Native American priorities are in Oregon’s short legislative session?

Prominent Native artist charge with crime against a child in Oklahoma

Teacher who mocked Native Americans in California classroom is fired

BIE to distribute more than one million masks to BIE funded schools

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Justice Department to expand efforts to address missing and murdered Indigenous people

Bill in New Mexico Legislature to create missing persons day heads to House committee

Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas to continue spring semester online for now

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Hundreds of people attend virtual Wisconsin public hearing on Line 5

Leader says Alaska Native Corporations should have NAGPRA eligibility

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Tribes reach major opioid settlement with drugmaker and distributors

Advocates seek more change as Washington Commanders unveiled

Senators on Indian affairs committee to examine 30 years of NAGPRA

Native state lawmakers ask President Biden to release Leonard Peltier

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to hold public hearing on Line 5

Pueblo leaders in New Mexico seek protection of petroglyphs near Santa Fe

Tribal-led coalition supports creation of monument near Searchlight, Nevada

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Oneida Nation first tribe in Wisconsin to offer sports betting

Native Americans in UK part of change the mascot campaign