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Anchor: Antonia Gonzales
Native environmental advocates are blasting the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on the power of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to set climate change policy.
The high court ruled 6-3 Thursday in West Virginia v. EPA that the federal agency does not have broad power under the Clean Air Act to regulate the emission of greenhouse gases, which drive climate change.
Native advocates fighting climate change say the decision threatens public health, especially for people of color and low-income communities.
In statements released by NDN Collective, advancement director Michael Johnson said Indigenous, Black, and immigrant communities suffer higher levels of pollution exposure. Adding, the ruling signals to their communities that their health, livelihoods, and future generations are less valuable than the profits of the extractive industry.
Jade Begay, Climate Justice Director at NDN Collective, said it halts the Biden administration’s climate goals for reducing carbon emissions by 2030, and puts lives at risk, as the decision will further destabilize the climate.
Winona LaDuke, executive director of Honor the Earth, issued a statement following the ruling, calling for an end of the fossil fuel industry and culture of violence against women, water and life.
U.S. health officials say COVID-19 vaccines for children under five are safe and effective.
In June, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized emergency use of Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for children six months to five years old.
This week, leaders from the White House and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services hosted a press conference to discuss the latest information about the availability of COVID-19 vaccines for children under five.
Listen to the full press conference:
Infectious disease expert and Chief Medical Advisor to President Biden, Dr. Anthony Fauci, says COVID-19 is not over, but progress is being made, including with the use of vaccines.
He says vaccines for the youngest children work and are safe pointing to data from clinical studies.
“The bottom line is the known and potential benefits of these vaccines outweigh the known and potential risks in children. Patients and caregivers can be reassured that all children over six months of age including children who have already had COVID can now be protected through vaccination.”
This week, distribution of pediatric vaccines for the youngest children started across the country, including at Indian Health Service federal, tribal and urban sites. The vaccines are two doses of Moderna for six months to five years, and three doses of Pfizer for six months to four years. Health officials are encouraging parents and caregivers to speak to their child’s doctor about the vaccine.
The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture’s core exhibit is reopening in Santa Fe, New Mexico this weekend. “Here, Now and Always” highlights Indigenous people of the Southwest.
It showcases never before seen items and state of the art technology, but it also sets the standard for collaborations with the Native community, says Santa Clara Pueblo curator Tony Chavarria.
“They know the ins and outs, they know what’s appropriate and not appropriate to discuss. In the past that’s always been an issue with museums. Things were present inaccurately or in a pan-Indian voice. So, it’s important to get that community voice so they can present things they want people to know, what they want the world to know about them.”
Among items in the exhibit are the traditional dress Interior Sec. Deb Haaland (Pueblo of Laguna) wore when sworn-in to Congress in 2019 and a Zuni Olla Maiden dress, which was put together by women from Zuni Pueblo.
The grand opening celebration for the public takes place July 2nd and 3rd.
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