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Anchor: Antonia Gonzales
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is working with tribes on preparedness efforts as Florida braces for Hurricane Ian.
Lars Krutak is FEMA’s National Tribal Advisor at the National Response Coordination Center.
He says they’re in close contact with the Seminole Tribe, The Miccosukee Tribe, and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in Alabama.
“We continue to message that all tribal members insure they have an emergency plan in place and check in on neighbors to see if they need assistance. People with special needs, including older adults may need extra assistance to prepare for the storm. People with disabilities, it’s important to consider their circumstances and special needs.”
FEMA is prepositioning supplies and personnel in different locations in Florida and Alabama to get help where it’s needed as soon as possible, including with water, meals, and cots.
The agency is encouraging people in evacuation zones to have a plan for their families and pets, and be ready to evacuate.
FEMA’s tribal coordination includes working with the Interior Department, the Indian Health Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the American Red Cross.
As of Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service warning showed Hurricane Ian was approaching the west coast of Florida.
The life-threatening storm is likely to have devastating wind damage, flooding, and tornadoes are possible in central and south Florida.
A tribal college in Wisconsin is highlighting milestones and efforts to improve student success.
Mike Moen has more.
This fall, the College of Menominee Nation kicked off a year-long celebration as it observes its 30th anniversary.
School president Christopher Caldwell says it’s important to display how much of an asset the campus is to the community.
He says part of that plays out in welcoming Indigenous students who didn’t have a good experience in trying out a mainstream college or university.
“And so, they come back home – they might not have their degree, or they come back with debt.”
Caldwell says schools like his work closely with these students, and he hopes their welcoming environment rubs off on mainstream campuses.
He says places like CMN are also important because they can educate the community about a local tribe’s history.
This year’s celebration coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Menominee Restoration Act of 1973.
That policy reversed an earlier decision by Congress to terminate Menominee’s status as a federally recognized tribe.
Caldwell says it’s important story to keep telling.
“We really as an academic institution represent the intent of that act in all of the efforts of what our tribal nations look to do, which is to assert their sovereignty [and] their self determination.”
He says they are working to revitalize traditional aspects of the Menomonie language and culture.
That coincides with similar efforts around the country to prevent Indigenous languages from going extinct.
Caldwell says it’s a key example of the role an institution like his can play, and something other colleges can learn from.
The Alaska Federation of Natives picked U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola (D-AK) as its keynote speaker for the organization’s annual convention this year.
The AFN, the state’s largest Native organization, announced on Tuesday that Peltola will speak at the event next month.
Peltola won a special election becoming the first Alaska Native and the state’s first woman to serve in the U.S. House.
AFN President Julie Kitka says history was made this fall with her win and the AFN wants to continue to celebrate.
Peltola will serve the remainder of the late-Congressman Don Young’s term.
She’ll have to win again in November to keep the seat.
The convention will take place in person October 20-22 in Anchorage.
The past two convention were virtual due to COVID-19.
The event draws thousands of people from across the state focusing on policy and advocacy statements. There are also cultural performances, exhibits and an art market.
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