Good Morning, NUNAverse,
New legislation that strikes down 11 outdated federal laws that discriminated against Native people was signed into law by President Biden on Tuesday, December 27. The Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes (RESPECT) Act was first introduced in 2016 and is supported by the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). Among the 11 laws the RESPECT Act strikes down are those that forged the path for Native children to be stripped from their families and placed in Indian Boarding Schools.
To ring in the new year, Native News Online compiled their “most inspiring and uplifting stories of 20222,” including the first Native woman launching into space, the emotional win of Prairie Band Potawatomi citizen Stephanie “Pyet” Despain’s on Next Level Chef, and more. Check out all their stories here.
Federal penalties have increased under a newly signed law intended to protect the cultural patrimony of tribes, immediately making some crimes a felony and doubling the prison time for anyone convicted of multiple offenses. President Joe Biden signed the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act on December 21, a bill that had been introduced since 2016. Along with stiffer penalties, it prohibits the export of sacred Native items from the U.S. and creates a certification process to distinguish art from sacred items.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) announced it launched Missing Indigenous Person Alert (MIPA) at the end of December. The new system provides the CBI to send an alert when an Indigenous person is reported missing in the state of Colorado. The launch is in response to a Colorado Senate bill (SB 22-150) that expands the investigation of missing and murdered Indigenous relative cases.
Keep reading for a full news update.
Year In Review:
4 Stories Indian Country Should Watch Out For In 2023
Native News Online, Levi Rickert, January 1
The Top 22 Of 2022
Native News Online, December 31
Our Most Inspiring And Uplifting Stories In 2022
Native News Online, December 30
IndigiPolitics: Another Year Of Firsts
Indian Country Today, Pauly Denetclaw, December 30
The Year In Sports For Indigenous Athletes
Indian Country Today, Kolby Kickingwoman, December 30
ICT’s Top News Stories Of 2022
Indian Country Today, December 27
Native American News: 2022 In Review
VOA News, December 26
Influential Native People Who Died In 2022
Indian Country Today, December 26
MMIW:
Colorado To Launch Missing Indigenous Person Alert On Friday
Native News Online, December 29
Arizona Committee On Missing And Murdered Indigenous Peoples Releases List Of Recommendations
Native News Online, December 27
Law:
Biden Signs Water Bills Benefiting 3 Tribes In Arizona
AP News, Felicia Fonseca, January 6
Respect Act Signed, Overturns Federal Laws Discriminating Against Native Americans
Native news Online, January 4
‘When Will This End?’: Native Caucus Condemns Resolution On Reservation System
Missoulian, Nora Mabie, January 4
At The Supreme Court, It’s Taking Longer To Hear Cases
AP News, Jessica Gresko, January 2
NY Gov. Vetoes Unmarked Grave Act
Native News Online, Jenna Kunze, January 3
Montana Legislator Hopeful Questions If Reservation Votes Should Count
Montana Free Press, Arren Kimbel-Sannit, Steve Mistler, January 1
Fed Budget Means Major Moves For Indian Country
Indian Country Today, Pauly Denetclaw, December 29
Law Protects Export Of Sacred Native American Items
AP News, Felicia Fonseca, December 28
Politics:
Indigenous House Members Disagree On Speaker Nominee
Indian Country Today, Pauly Denetclaw, January 3
Wabanaki Tribes Criticize Maine Senator
Maine Public, January 1
Other:
MT Lawmaker Proposes Alternatives To Native American Reservations
KRTV, Owen Skornik-Hayes, January 8
FCC Opens Self-Reporting Broadband Map, Invites Tribal Input
Native News Online, Chez Oxendine, January 8
Interior Department Lauds Congressional Progress On Indian Water Rights
Native News Online, January 6
EPA Opens $40m Grant For Tribal Recycling Infrastructure
Native News Online, January 5
Biden Agenda, Lithium Mine, Tribes, Greens Collide In Nevada
AP News, Scott Sonner, January 5
Red Lake Considers A Future Without Blood Quantum
MPR News, Mathew Holding Eagle III, January 4
Restoring Native Lands
Indian Country Today, January 1
Devastating Blizzards Bring Uncertainty, Fatalities to South Dakota Tribe
Native News Online, Darren Thompson, December 30
Native Students Are Expelled More Than Any Other Group
New Mexico In Depth, Bryant Furlow, December 27
New Commissions From Native American Artists Highlight Reinstalled Oklahoma State Capitol
Forbes, Chad Scott, December 27
South Dakota Tribes Fight To Recover From Massive Winter Storm With Some Members Still Stranded
ABC News, Amanda Su, December 27
Christmas Across Native America
Smithsonian, Dennis Zotigh, December 21