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Weeks after Justin Trudeau was elected in 2015, many Indigenous peoples found hope in his pledge of "sunny ways" and a new "nation-to-nation" relationship with Indigenous communities. But progress has been slow and some are wondering what the future of reconciliation could look like under the next government.

Indigenous knowledge and governance is essential because it's where more than a third of the earth and over 80 percent of the planet’s biodiversity are located

Approximately 6,000 people are expected to show up for two big conferences in Alaska.

In the vast world of film, a few Native American actors stand out. One of these actors is Wes Studi, who starred in some of the most famous depictions of Native Americans, including Dances with Wolves (1990) and The Last.....

The post Wes Studi: A Film Icon and Native American Oscar Winner appeared first on PowWows.com - Native American Pow Wows.

People living in First Nations communities in southern Manitoba are declaring their own states of emergency, and some are preparing to leave their homes after a snowstorm left thousands of people without power.

Maskwacis student Donavan Buffalo is determined to graduate from high school and pursue an education in carpentry.

The Kitikmeot Heritage Society has unveiled nine new artifacts at its museum in Cambridge Bay. Nunavut, giving more insight as to how Inuit in the region lived more than 100 years ago.

First Nations in Manitoba have begun vacating their homes due to an October snowstorm that has wiped out power for tens of thousands of residents across the southern portion of the province.

Left: Fritz Scholder (Luiseño), Artist at Forty as a Buffalo, 1977, color lithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Adelyn D. Breeskin, 1977.96
George Catlin, Buffalo Bull, Grazing on the Prairie, 1832-1833, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.404
Jaune Quick-To-See Smith (Confederated Slaish and Kootenai), Untitled, from the portfolio Indian Self-Rule,1983, color lithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Institute of the American West © Jaune Quick-To-See Smith

Published October 13, 2019

WASHINGTON — The Smithsonian American Art Museum announces the opening of the “Picturing the American Buffalo: George Catlin and Modern Native American Artists.”

In the nineteenth century, American bison (commonly called the buffalo) thundered across the Great Plains of the American West in the millions. They symbolized the abundance of the land, and for centuries played a vital role in the lives of Native Americans, providing sustenance and spiritual nourishment. Wild and majestic, revered and hunted, buffalo have long captured the popular imagination, and their iconic images figure prominently in America’s art. “Picturing the American Buffalo: George Catlin and Modern Native American Artists” considers the representation of the American buffalo from two perspectives: a selection of paintings by George Catlin (1796–1872) and works by modern Native artists Woody Crumbo, Paul Goodbear, Allan Houser, Julián Martínez, Jaune Quick-To-See Smith, Fritz Scholder, Awa Tsireh, Thomas Vigil and Beatien Yazz. In the 1830s, Catlin journeyed west five times to record, as he called it, the “manners and customs” of Native cultures, painting scenes and portraits from life. His ambitious project was largely fueled by the fear that American Indians, the great buffalo herds and a way of life would one day vanish. The 20th-century sculpture and works on paper included in this installation advance a narrative reassuringly different from Catlin’s: one of vibrance and continuity. With an innovative use of line, form and color, each work affirms both tribal presence and the enduring importance of the buffalo to American Indian cultures. All 45 works on view are from the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The exhibition is on view Oct. 11 to April 12, 2020. The Smithsonian American Art Museum is the home to one of the largest and most inclusive collections of American art in the world. Its artworks reveal America’s rich artistic and cultural history from the colonial period to today. The museum’s main building is located at Eighth and F streets N.W., above the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metrorail station. Museum hours are 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free. Follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Smithsonian information: (202) 633-1000. Museum information (recorded): (202) 633-7970. Website: americanart.si.edu.

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Navajo Times File Photo
The Animas River, contaminated by an orange-colored wastewater, flows into the San Juan River in this Aug. 2015 file photo.

Published October 13, 2019

WINDOW ROCK — Another mine has released wastewater into the Animas River.

Both the New Mexico Environment Department and the San Juan County Office of Emergency Management reported today that they were notified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of a wastewater spill from the Silver Wing Mine in the area of Eureka Gulch, north of Silverton, Colorado, which occurred Wednesday afternoon.

According to the San Juan OEM, the spill was the result of a “burp” from the mine and is unrelated to either the Gold King Mine or the Bonita Peak Superfund site.

The source is 10 miles from the Animas River and the spill was expected to dilute by the time it reached Silverton. The spill was moving slowly and was expected to reach the San Juan River.

So far, “Data do not currently indicate any evidence of water quality impacts that could affect human health and the environment,” stated NMED in a press release, adding that the department will continue to monitor the situation.

Although the EPA has not issued a notice to close municipal drinking water supplies, the cities of Farmington and Aztec, New Mexico and the Lower Valley Water Users Association have shut off water intakes to municipal drinking water supplies “out of an abundance of caution.”

Neither the volume of the spill nor the contents of the water were known as of 4 p.m. Thursday. EPA officials were conducting tests to learn more.

Yolanda Barney, program manager for the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency’s Public Water Supply Program, said Thursday NNEPA is aware of spill and is still gathering information.

Sources in Durango, Colorado, reported Thursday the river appears normal.

In 2015, a breach in the abandoned Gold King Mine near Silverton released three million gallons of wastewater into the Animas, causing the river to run orange and closing irrigation canals on the Navajo Nation.

Editor’s Note: This article was first published in the Navajo Times. Used with permission. All rights reserved. 

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Caddo Nation citizen Chase Kahwinhut Earles was awarded Best of Show at the 14th annual Cherokee Art Market for his contemporary pottery piece “Kee-wat: Caddo Home.” (L-R) Council of the Cherokee Nation Speaker Joe Byrd, Caddo Nation artist Chase Kahwinhut Earles and Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner.

Published October 13, 2019

Market open to the public Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

TULSA, Okla. – The 14th annual Cherokee Art Market kicked off Friday evening with an awards reception recognizing Caddo Nation citizen Chase Kahwinhut Earles with the Best of Show Award for “Kee-wat: Caddo Home.”

The contemporary pottery piece showcases Caddo culture through its design, which includes grass houses, arbors and a long cypress dug-out canoe surrounded by the symbol for water rolling and the cycle of life. The clay pot was hand coiled, kiln fired and pine needle smoked.

The Cherokee Art Market runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features more than 150 elite Native American artists representing 50 tribes. Art forms include beadwork, pottery, painting, basketry, sculptures and textiles.

With nearly 60 winners in eight classes, the following highlights the 14th annual Best of Class winners:

Class 1 – Painting, Drawing, Graphics & Photography

Tony Tiger, Sac and Fox/Seminole Nation/Muscogee Creek Nation, “Yellow Earth People”

Class 2 – Sculpture

Troy Jackson, Cherokee Nation, “The Passing of a Generation”

Class 3 – Beadwork/Quillwork

Ken Williams Jr., Northern Arapaho/Seneca, “Photoshoot: Pose- Mabel, a Comanche Beauty”

“Kee-wat: Caddo Home” by Caddo Nation citizen Chase Kahwinhut Earles.

Class 4 – Basketry

David McElroy, Choctaw Nation, “The Gift of the Deer to the Cherokee”

Class 5 – Pottery

Chase Kahwinhut Earles, Caddo Nation, “Kee-wat: Caddo Home”

Class 6 – Textiles B

Karen Berry, Cherokee Nation, “Ebb and Flow”

Class 7 – Jewelry

Peter Nez Nelson, Navajo Nation, “Separation of Seasons”

Class 8 – Diverse Art Forms

Glenda McKay, Ingalik-Athabascan, “Seal Harpoon & Sheath”

Additionally, Tyra Shackleford earned the Culture Keeper Award for “Raven.” The Innovator Award went to Rae Minoka Skenandore for “Birds Nest,” and Carrie Lind earned the Anna Mitchell Award for “Che.”

For a complete list of winners from the 14th annual Cherokee Art Market, please visit www.CherokeeArtMarket.com.

A variety of cultural demonstrations and performances are offered throughout the weekend including:

Sunday, Oct. 13

11 am – Clay Sculpture, Clancy Gray, Osage Nation
12 pm – Weaving, Tyra Shackleford, Chickasaw Nation
1 pm – Tufa Casting Jewelry, Ira Custer, Navajo Nation
2 pm – Native Fashion, Leslie Deer, Muscogee Creek Nation
3 pm – Stone Sculpture, Cliff Fragua, Jemez Pueblo

For more information please visit www.CherokeeArtMarket.com.

The post 14th Annual Cherokee Art Market recognizes Caddo Nation Citizen Chase Kahwinhut Earles with Best of Show Award appeared first on Native News Online.

Published October 13, 2019

NEW BUFFALO, Mich. The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians’ Four Winds Casinos are pleased to announce that its employees made a $20,000 donation to the Berrien County Suicide Prevention Coalition. The check was presented to the organization on Thursday, October 10.

Throughout the month of September, which is National Suicide Prevention Month, Four Winds Casinos held events to raise money and awareness for the Berrien County Suicide Prevention Coalition. This included selling bracelets at the Hard Rock Café inside Four Winds New Buffalo, and a Dunk Tank in which Four Winds Casinos employees attempted to dunk 20 members of the Four Winds Casinos executive team. The Four Winds Food Truck and several Four Winds Casinos employees also supported the third annual Run for Hope & Recovery on September 7 in Benton Harbor, Mich.

“Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. and it takes the lives of nearly 40,000 Americans every year,” said Frank Freedman, Chief Operating Officer of Four Winds Casinos. “We are proud that so many Four Winds Casinos employees worked together to raise money for such an important cause. We hope this contribution will help the Berrien County Suicide Prevention Coalition reach more people in need in Southwest Michigan and save many more lives for years to come.

”The mission of the Berrien County Suicide Prevention Coalition is to connect the people of Berrien County to the information and resources they need for emotional wellness, thereby preventing suicide. More information on the Berrien County Suicide Prevention Coalition is available at www.berriencares.org.

The post Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians’ Four Winds Donates $20,000 for Suicide Prevention appeared first on Native News Online.

Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby, far left, and Lt. Governor Jefferson Keel, far right, crowned three princesses Monday, Sept. 30. The trio will serve as goodwill ambassadors for the tribe. The 2019-2020 Chickasaw Royalty includes Little Miss Chickasaw Kensey Carter, Chickasaw Junior Princess Brenlee Underwood and Chickasaw Princess Markita McCarty.

Published October 13, 2019

ADA, Okla. – Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby crowned three young ladies Chickasaw Royalty during the 2019-2020 Chickasaw Nation Princess Pageant, held in conjunction with the 2019 Chickasaw Nation Annual Meeting and Festival.

“We believe these exceptional young ladies will be outstanding goodwill ambassadors of the Chickasaw Nation,” said Gov. Anoatubby. “It is inspiring to see them take such great pride in our culture. We hope their time representing the Chickasaw Nation at events across the country will provide memorable learning experiences that will enrich their lives.”

Eighteen-year-old Stonewall, Oklahoma, native Markita Rose McCarty was crowned Chickasaw Princess. She is the daughter of Mark and Rose McCarty and graduated from Stonewall High School in May. She is a freshman at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, working toward a bachelor’s degree in social work. She received a certificate of completion at Pontotoc Technology Center in Ada, before venturing to Tulsa. She hopes to complete her education at the University of Oklahoma.

Brenlee Underwood, a 12-year-old Byng Elementary sixth grade student and daughter of Brandon White Eagle, Ada, and Jerilene Underwood, Stratford, Oklahoma, was crowned Chickasaw Junior Princess. Brenlee has placed in the Native American Youth Language Fair three years and is a member of the Chickasaw Language Club. She also is a member of Chikasha Bak Bak, a Chickasaw youth stickball team.

Nine-year-old Tishomingo, Oklahoma, Elementary student Kensey Carter was crowned Little Miss Chickasaw. A fourth grade student, Kensey is active in the Chickasaw Running Club, cross-country, Chickasaw Nation Honor Club, youth stomp dance participant and is Tishomingo Lions Club’s “Little Indian Cheer.” She also is a member of the Chickasaw Youth Club Players in Progress (PIP) Team.

“I am hungry to learn about my culture and to teach others about it,” the new Chickasaw Princess said. “Preparing for the pageant is a moment I will always cherish and remember because without my Chickasaw heritage, I would only be a small-town girl.”

For her talent, Markita performed an original gospel song composed entirely in the Chickasaw language. The music was arranged by Phillip Berryhill, Chickasaw Nation choir conductor. Brenlee sang Choctaw Hymn 11 and Kensey told a traditional story of “Little Loksi.” Loksi means turtle in the Chickasaw language.

Participants of the pageant were judged on talent, poise, traditional Chickasaw dress, traditional greetings and responses to random questions.

During their one-year reign, Chickasaw Nation Princesses will take courses on language, culture and history of the Chickasaw people. In addition to serving as young ambassadors of the Chickasaw Nation, the 2019-2020 princesses will see many places, serve as role models and represent the Chickasaw people at formal functions nationally.

Winners received a crown, sash, trophy and gifts to prepare them for the upcoming year.

Chickasaw citizen and former 2017 Miss Oklahoma Triana Browne-Hearrell served as mistress of ceremonies for the pageant held at the Ada High School Activities Center. Browne-Hearrell is currently 2019 Miss Oklahoma USA.

The reign of a Chickasaw Princess has been a Chickasaw Nation tradition since 1963 when Ranell (James) Harry was appointed the first Chickasaw Princess.

2018-2019 Chickasaw Nation Princesses, Little Miss Chickasaw Jadyce Burns, Chickasaw Junior Princess LaKala Orphan and Chickasaw Princess Mikayla Hook, ended their reigns with fond memories each shared with pageant attendees. All were honored for their year of service to the Chickasaw Nation.

To watch a replay of the pageant, visit annualmeeting.chickasaw.net.

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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer with tribal leaders in February 2019 at United Tribes of Michigan meeting. Native News Online photographs by Levi Rickert

Published October 12, 2019

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation declaring Monday, October 14, 2019 as Indigenous Peoples Day.

The text of the proclamation reads as follows:

ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF MICHIGAN,

I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim

October 14, 2019

as

            INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY

WHEREAS, the idea of Indigenous Peoples Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations to the United Nations-sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas; and,

WHEREAS, in 1990, representatives from 120 Indigenous Nations at the First Continental Conference on 500 Years of Indian Resistance unanimously passed a resolution to transform Columbus Day into an opportunity to reveal historical truths about pre-existing indigenous cultures that have survived an often violent colonization process and continue to exist and thrive in present day America; and,

WHEREAS, the United States endorsed the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on December 16, 2010, and Article 15 of that declaration states:

• Indigenous peoples have the right to the dignity and diversity of their cultures, traditions, histories, and aspirations, which shall be appropriately reflected in education and public information.
• States should take effective measures, in consultation and cooperation with the indigenous peoples concerned, to combat prejudice and eliminate discrimination and to promote tolerance, understanding, and good relations among Indigenous peoples and all other segments of society; and,

WHEREAS, the state of Michigan recognizes the presence of the three major groups in our state today, the Chippewa (Ojibwe), Ottawa (Odawa), and Potawatomi (Bodéwadmik), who have lived upon this land since time immemorial, and values the progress our society has accomplished through Native American thought and culture; and,

WHEREAS, the Tribal Council of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians has passed a resolution to officially recognize Indigenous Peoples Day on the second Monday in October; and,

WHEREAS, the resolution states that Indigenous Peoples Day shall be used to reflect upon the ongoing struggles of Indigenous peoples on this land, and to celebrate the thriving cultures and values that the Odawa, Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and other indigenous peoples contribute to society; and,

WHEREAS, on this second Monday of October, we should honor the historic, cultural, and contemporary significance of Indigenous peoples and their ancestral lands that also became known as the Americas and celebrate their contributions to communities throughout Michigan, the United States, and all over the world;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 14, 2019, as Indigenous Peoples Day in Michigan to uplift our country’s indigenous roots, history, and contributions.

 

 

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A fishing boat that belongs to a Mi'kmaw community in Cape Breton caught fire overnight. The boat, owned by Membertou, had been tied up at the Dobson Yacht Club in Westmount, N.S.

'It's a great day to be Indigenous" never gets old when Native people celebrate every second Monday of October, espei

Researchers worked with community collaborators to collect and honour the foodways, crafts, skills and traditions of the Miapukek of Conne River, in southern Newfoundland.

Morgan Asoyuf's Royal Portrait exhibition at Vancouver's Bill Reid Gallery uses jewelry, carvings and portraits to honour Indigenous matriarchs and activists.

Renowned Cree artist Kent Monkman revisits Winnipeg's North End, the place that inspired his Urban Rez series. "My view of the world, everything that I think about, is shaped by being from here," he says.

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada says unmet need in the quickly growing sector increases the risk of cultural appropriation and inauthentic experiences.