The NFL season began last night in Kansas City, and while the Kansas City team has barred fans from wearing headdresses, face paint, and stereotypical Native clothing at home games, fans in attendance still performed the “tomahawk chop” chant.
The eight federally recognized tribes in the state of Montana each shared in a $160,000 grant program aimed in supporting Native-owned small businesses. The program is intended to assist tribal entrepreneurs in starting or expanding their companies and offer help with applications for the Montana Indian Equity Fund grants for Native-owned small businesses.
57 bison have been relocated from the Grand Canyon’s North Rim to tribes across the Great Plains after a two-week roundup. The bison were transported to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, the Santee Sioux Nation, and the Modoc Nation, park officials said.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is seeking grant proposals to identify, evaluate and assess the market for tribal energy or mineral development projects. They expect to fund 25 to 30 projects ranging from $10,000 to $2.5 million, according to a notice in the Federal Register. The scope of the projects can only last for one year at a time.
Keep reading for a full news update.
Native Mascots:
NFL Is Back (Stereotypes And All)
Indian Country Today, Dalton Walker, September 10
The NFL season is back and stereotypes across the league continue as if nothing has changed starting tonight. Defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City opens the NFL season at home against Houston under the COVID-19 pandemic umbrella. Barred are fans wearing headdresses, face paint, and stereotypical Native clothing at home games. The nickname remains and the team said it’s discussing the future of its tomahawk chop celebration amid complaints that it’s racist.
Vancouver Public Schools Retires Chieftain Mascot
AP News, September 9
The Vancouver Public Schools Board of Directors on Tuesday unanimously voted to stop using the chieftain name and mascot at Columbia River High School and Minnehaha Elementary School. Board members last month expressed their desire to halt the use of the image of a Native American chief in a feathered headdress. Local tribal leaders urged the school board to stop using the image, and more than 1,700 people signed a petition this summer opposing its continued use.
Politics:
We’re Covering Voter Suppression In Indian Country. Tell Us About The Obstacles, Problems You’ve Faced While Voting.
Native News Online, September 10
As part of its Election land project, the nonprofit investigative news organization ProPublica launched a tipline early this year in an effort to hear from voters about the problems they’ve encountered while trying to access and cast their ballot. Native News Online has joined the coalition of newsrooms across the country participating in the Electionland project to uncover obstacles or barriers that are preventing Native voters from exercising their franchise.
COVID-19:
Next Generation: Grappling With Loss Of Life And Connection, Native Youth Transform Into The Leaders Of Tomorrow
Cronkite News, Allie Barton, September 9
Coronavirus has devastated Native American communities and put a spotlight on some long-standing problems in Indian Country that have made this pandemic that much worse. But at the grassroots level, everyday heroes have stepped up to help.
Three New COVID-19 Cases In The YK Delta On September 9
Indianz.com, September 9
On September 9, YKHC identified three new COVID-19 cases in the YK Delta. All tested individuals are currently quarantined in isolated housing and contact tracing is being conducted.
Other:
Army: Foul Play Not Suspected In Diné Soldier’s Death
Indian Country Today, Aliyah Chavez, September 10
One of two Diné soldiers to die this year while based at Fort Hood collapsed while running with his platoon as part of an early morning workout, and foul play is not suspected, U.S. Army officials say. Witnesses said Chee showed no signs of struggling and was running at the front of the group when he collapsed near the end of the run, around 7 a.m. local time. He died two days later.
Navajo Nation Leaders Receive Update From Fort Hood Army Officials on Deaths of Two Navajo Soldiers
Native News Online, September 10
Seeking answers for the recent deaths of two Navajo citizens at the Fort Hood Army post, Navajo Nation Council Speaker Seth Damon held a teleconference with the acting senior commander of the military base. Major General John B. Richardson IV updated Navajo leaders about an ongoing effort to investigate incidents at the military base, which include the deaths of Private Carlton L. Chee and Army Specialist Miguel D. Yazzie. Separate from the internal Army investigations, a Congressional investigation was launched on Tuesday into the high rate of deaths on the military base.
8 Montana Tribes Share $160K Grant To Support Native-owned Small Businesses
Native News Online, September 10
The eight federally recognized American Indian tribes in Montana shared in a $160,000 grant program aimed at supporting Native-owned small businesses. The $20,000 will go to each tribe’s economic development or business development organization, according to the Montana Department of Commerce.
BIA Seeks Proposals For Tribal Energy, Mineral Development Projects
Native News Online, September 10
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is seeking grant proposals to identify, evaluate and assess the market for tribal energy or mineral development projects. The Bureau is offering funding for the projects via the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development’s Division of Energy and Mineral Development (DEMD). DEMD expects to fund 25 to 30 projects ranging from $10,000 to $2.5 million, according to a notice in the Federal Register. The scope of the projects can only last for one year at a time.
57 Bison Relocated From North Rim Of Grand Canyon
AP News, September 10
Dozens of bison have been relocated from the Grand Canyon’s North Rim and sent to Native American tribes in the Great Plains. A recent two-week roundup led to the transfer of 57 bison to the InterTribal Buffalo Council, Grand Canyon National Park officials said. The bison then were transported to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in Kansas, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, the Santee Sioux Tribe in Nebraska and the Modoc Nation in Oklahoma, park officials said.