Indian Country Today

15/07/2025

Arlan Melendez, longtime chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, has passed away at the age of 77. Melendez led the tribe for 32 years, making him one of the longest-serving tribal leaders in the U.S.
📰 Read more at https://ow.ly/HI1I50WqfBO

✍️ Reported by Amelia Schafer, Wampanoag and Montauk-Brothertown

15/07/2025

At the ICT Virtual Town Hall: Pathways to Healing, leaders in tribal health spoke about what’s at stake when federal funding is taken away: closed health programs, lost CDC partnerships, and tribal communities left behind.
🖥️ Watch the full conversation here: https://ow.ly/84L350Wjoaf

Urban Indian Health Institute
Seneca Scientific Solutions
National Indian Health Board

15/07/2025

The Trump administration’s proposed cuts to federal grants could cost tribes, Native organizations and Native-owned businesses $24.5 billion.

If upheld by the courts, the Trump administration's proposed freeze on federal grants would affect nearly every tribe

15/07/2025

The Native-led Studio of the Americas will be producing a film on the 100-plus-year history of Native people in golf based on the book, ‘Native Links.'

Studio of the Americas signs on to produce ‘Native Links’ documentary

14/07/2025

A new bill moving through Congress threatens to slash public media funding, putting 36 tribally licensed radio stations and organizations like Vision Maker Media at risk. Advocates warn the cuts could silence Native voices and isolate rural communities.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting funds more than 1,500 public radio and television stations, and of these, 36 tribally-licensed radio stations would be affected

14/07/2025

Arlan Melendez, who led the Reno Sparks Indian Colony for 32 years as chairman, is being remembered as a visionary leader who transformed the tribe’s economy and strengthened its national presence. He passed away June 17 at age 77.

Arlan Melendez served the Reno Sparks Indian Colony for 36 years on its tribal council, including 32 as chairman

11/07/2025

The Weekly is here! Your roundup of the stories that matter, brought to you by ICT and our nonprofit parent, IndiJ Public Media.

This week’s top headlines:

-Powwow heat: Rising temps force dancers to adapt during summer ceremonies.
-Beyond the game: Braves’ All-Star Showcase highlights Native talent and careers in sports.
-Global Indigenous: Red pandas in Nepal, a Peruvian artist, a sacred Australian river, and a bentwood box returns home.
-Willamette Falls: Oregon approves $45M for Inter-Tribal Public Access Project.
-Coulter backlash: Native leaders condemn Ann Coulter’s “genocidal” comment.
-Canada trade bill: First Nations say new economic policy violates treaty rights.
-Language, land & AI: ICT Newscast revisits stories on cultural revitalization and environmental costs.

Read these stories and more: https://ow.ly/tBFr50WoA6y

11/07/2025

Sicangu poet Robert Bordeaux’s latest book focuses on his efforts to reconnect to his Lakota community and language.

Robert Bordeaux, Sicangu, said he is inspired by his ancestors, Lakota language and sacred Black Hills

10/07/2025

$45 million in state funding will help the Willamette Falls Trust restore public access to the sacred site, in partnership with Pacific Northwest tribes.

At the end of this legislative session, the Oregon Legislature approved $45 million in state bonds for the Willamette Falls Trust for their project to restore public access to Willamette Falls

09/07/2025

First Nations are caught in the crossfire between Canada and U.S. President Donald Trump with a new law passed in Parliament that they say violates their Indigenous rights.

An economics package passed hurriedly by Canada's Parliament violates Indigenous rights, leaders say

09/07/2025

In the latest Global Indigenous column, a handful of forest guardians in Nepal are winning the fight against poachers, having curbed illegal hunting of the endangered species to nearly zero since 2010.

Coverage around the world on Indigenous issues for the week ending July 6, 2025

08/07/2025

Native leaders slam Ann Coulter for comment – “We didn’t kill enough Indians” – calling it “genocidal rhetoric”

The conservative political pundit’s statement draws backlash from Native leaders, including one who called it ‘genocidal rhetoric’