In the Washington State Legislature, HB 1713 on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women has passed the House. Now onto the Senate . . . Read the bill history to date here and follow the bill's progress here. … [Read more...]
Vigils for the Indian Child Welfare Act Appeal – URGENT
In October a federal court in Texas struck down the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), what I consider to be an important piece of civil rights legislation for Native families here in the U.S. This important law, passed in 1978, strengthened the legal rights of Indigenous families and specified that … [Read more...]
Redface, like blackface, is a sin of white supremacy
Blackface is a damnable blot on the nation’s history. Today many Americans recognize it, belatedly, as the abomination it always was. Redface, too, is a damnable blot, though so common in our time it is nearly invisible. This contradiction puzzles Kevin Gover, director of the Smithsonian’s … [Read more...]
Lummi highlights orca preservation in Florida museum exhibit
The Lummi whale rider totem was journeyed down the west coast of the United States in May of 2018 to raise awareness about endangered southern resident killer whales – particularly one Puget Sound orca, Tokitae, who was taken captive from the Pacific Northwest in 1970 and has been at the Seaquarium … [Read more...]
48th Annual First Nations at UW Spring Powwow
Apr 6 at 1 PM – Apr 7 at 11 PM Seattle Center Exhibition Hall 301 Mercer Street, Seattle, Washington 98109 Hosted by First Nations @ UW Come and join us for our annual Spring powwow! We will have a variety of vendors, dancers, and singers. Grand Entry will be at 1pm and 7pm on Saturday and … [Read more...]
National Energy Board says Trans Mountain pipeline project should be approved
"In its reconsideration report, the NEB concluded that Trans Mountain-related marine shipping is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects on the Southern resident killer whale and on Indigenous cultural use associated with the Southern resident killer whale. The NEB also found that … [Read more...]
What does the future hold for a growing mixed-blood population?
A good, brief overview of the tribal enrollment process and it's complexities and challenges for Indian Country. Native scholars have asserted that as 'American Indian' people, we occupy a liminal status in the United States, neither fully part of the status quo or apart from it, due to our … [Read more...]
State of Alaska threatens a takeover of subsistence management
"The total subsistence take by Alaska Native tribes amounts to only 2 percent of all fish and game while commercial and urban interests get the remaining 98 percent" "This has been a contentious issue between Alaska Native people and the state of Alaska since the passage of the Alaska Native … [Read more...]
House Committee on Public Safety Hearing on Improving law enforcement response to missing and murdered Native American women
The House Committee on Public Safety held a hearing on February 12, 2019, and the House passed on March 5, 2019, HB 1713, improving law enforcement response to missing and murdered Native American women. Staff reported that the State Patrol will conduct studies, working with tribes, and report on … [Read more...]
Legislation Targets Missing And Murdered Indigenous Women Epidemic
Savanna’s Act co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA); Seattle and Washington rank among highest in nation This congressional session, U.S. Senators are stepping up efforts to address the epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women through the introduction of legislation designed to … [Read more...]
Why Are So Many Native American Women Abused, Missing and Murdered?
Take action! Go to the website below read the bill and comment on this legislation. "At the state level, Republican Rep. Gina McCabe introduced a House bill in Washington State that would bring the federal, state, and federally recognized sovereign tribal governments together to ensure that … [Read more...]
Trump’s border wall construction threatens sacred lands of Carrizo/Camecrudo
President Donald J. Trump’s border wall will do more than just keep out asylum seekers. Its construction will also damage the ecosystem, destroy ancient Native village and burial sites, and tear out fields where sacred Native medicine is grown, according to Juan Mancias, chairman of the … [Read more...]
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs passes three bills for Indian Country
Bills approved concern Native languages, Native veterans, and tribal economic development Indian Country Today (Press Pool) News Release: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (Feb 2019) Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, announced that the … [Read more...]
Proclamation of Support for Truth and Reconciliation in WashingtonState
Proclamation of Support for Truth and Reconciliation in Washington State There is an emerging and compelling desire to acknowledge the events of the past so that we can work towards a stronger and healthier future. The truth telling and reconciliation process is a sincere acknowledgement of the … [Read more...]
Treaty Day Film Festival, Jan. 19, 20, Bellingham WA
Treaty Day Film Festival Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay) Two days of films showcasing the resilience of Indigenous peoples in honor of the Point Elliot Treaty of 1855 between the Lummi Nation and the U.S. government. Two features, a series of short films, and panel discussion with … [Read more...]
Support Lummi Nations Hosting of 2019 Tribal Canoe Journey
CALLING ALL HANDS! Paddle 2 Lummi Community Connections (July 24-28) In the upcoming months we will be raising awareness, fundraising, mobilizing volunteers to help prepare for this event. All hands-on-deck to work together with Lummi Nation to: Raise $300,000 towards the $1.1 million … [Read more...]
Wet’suwet’en Blockade and the Challenge of Reconciliation
CUC (Canadian Unitarian Council) eNews: January 15, 2019 – Issue 73 The Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) recognizes the sovereignty of Indigenous peoples and their authority to make decisions about what happens on their land. In the case of the Wet’suwet’en, who are opposing the development of a … [Read more...]
‘Shameful Day for Canada’: First Nations Encampment Violently Raided, Land Protectors Arrested
What you haven’t heard from inside the battle of Gidimt’en checkpoint Toronto Star, Jan. 12, 2019 https://www.thestar.com/vancouver/2019/01/12/what-you-havent-heard-from-inside-the-battle-of-gidimten-checkpoint.html StarMetro reporters spent five days inside and outside the fortified lines … [Read more...]
Support Leonard Peltier’s Transfer Request
For those of you not familiar with Leonard Peltier, he is a “political” prisoner related to events on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in 1975 where two FBI agents were shot and killed. Amnesty International placed his case under the "Unfair Trials" category of its Annual Report: USA 2010 … [Read more...]
Shutdown Leaves Food, Medicine and Pay in Doubt in Indian Countr
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — For one tribe of Chippewa Indians in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the government shutdown comes with a price tag: about $100,000, every day, of federal money that does not arrive to keep health clinics staffed, food pantry shelves full and employees paid. To read more on … [Read more...]