Indian Country Today

08/13/2026

Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation citizen Gavin McKenna was recently chosen as the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs' No. 1 pick. McKenna's community gathered for a watch party where Canadian singer Justin Bieber announced the news. Read more https://bit.ly/4i8Tk1b

✍️ Reported by Miles Morrisseau

08/13/2026

The Fort Mojave and Chemehuevi Indian Tribes are suing the Interior Department over a controversial plan to pump and transport billions of gallons of groundwater from beneath the Mojave Desert.

The Fort Mojave and Chemehuevi Indian Tribes are joined in the suit by the Native American Land Conservancy and the National Parks Conservation Association

08/13/2026

Native Hawaiian candidate Brenton Awa is advancing to November in Hawai’i’s 2nd Congressional District, where a win would make him the third Native Hawaiian to serve in Congress since statehood.

Brenton Awa could be the third Native Hawaiian to serve in Congress since Hawai’i statehood

08/12/2026

This week’s primaries brought another round of results for .

In Minnesota, Hawaii, Connecticut and Wisconsin, Indigenous candidates advanced to the November ballot, won key races and made history. More closely watched contests are still ahead, including Alaska's primary on Aug. 18.

Follow along as ICT brings you breaking news, analysis and on-the-ground reporting throughout the election season.

08/12/2026

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, White Earth Nation, won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate on August 11. She will face Republican Michele Tafoya in the general election on November 3. Read more at https://bit.ly/4qnz12b

✍️ Reported by Amelia Schafer

08/12/2026

On election night in Minneapolis, ribbon skirts, “I voted” pins and “You Are On Native Land” hats dotted the crowd as supporters gathered to watch a high-stakes U.S. Senate primary. Throughout the room, glowing phone screens carried the latest returns as Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a citizen of the White Earth Nation, built a lead over U.S. Rep. Angie Craig.

By the end of the night, the waiting had given way to victory with the Associated Press calling the race. Flanagan won the Democratic nomination with 59 percent of the vote as 3,174 of 4,105 precincts reported, putting her one election away from becoming the first Native American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate. She will face Republican Michele Tafoya in November.

For many gathered Tuesday night, the possibility of history was already present in the room. “We’re hoping she’s making history tonight,” author Diane Wilson, Mdewakanton, told ICT. “There will be hope for a change.” Wilson attended the watch party in a ribbon skirt and Ho-Chunk earrings.

ICT’s Amelia Schafer captured the anticipation, the people and the quieter moments as an election night gathering became a celebration.

Read the full story on Flanagan’s historic primary victory: https://ictnews.org/politics/election-2026/flanagan-wins-minnesota-primary-one-step-closer-to-making-history/

08/12/2026

BREAKING: Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a citizen of the White Earth Nation, has won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, defeating U.S. Rep. Angie Craig.

Flanagan, the Minnesota DFL-endorsed candidate, has served as lieutenant governor since 2019 and is currently the highest-ranking Native American woman serving in executive office in the country.

She now advances to the November general election for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith. If elected, Flanagan would make history as the first Native American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate.

https://ictnews.org/politics/election-2026/flanagan-wins-minnesota-primary-one-step-closer-to-making-history/

08/12/2026

LIVE ELECTIONS UPDATES: Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, White Earth Nation, is holding onto her lead over U.S. Rep. Angie Craig in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

We’re updating our live coverage as results come in. Follow along for the latest updates.

Indigenous candidates seek to move onto midterms in Aug. 11 primaries

08/11/2026

A federal appeals court has sided with the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, clearing the way for the tribe to continue its fight to bring home the remains of two boys who died at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School more than a century ago.

Ruling clears path for efforts to gain return of two boys who died at Carlisle boarding school

08/11/2026

Indigenous candidates are on the ballot in Tuesday’s primaries, with 11 running in Minnesota alone as Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, White Earth Nation, makes her bid for the U.S. Senate. Follow ICT’s live updates throughout the day for the latest results and developments.

Indigenous candidates seek to move onto midterms in Aug. 11 primaries