Good Morning, NUNAverse,
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Arizona v. Navajo Nation, a case that will determine the merits of a 150-year-old promise from the federal government to fulfill the water needs of reservations. The Navajo Nation’s water rights have come into question as the tribe’s primary water source — the 1,450-mile-long Colorado River — has dwindled by 20% over the past two decades amid relentless drought conditions in the region.
Navajo Technical University launched its accredited doctoral program, becoming the first among more than 30 accredited tribal colleges and universities across the country to offer such a high level degree. The program will be dedicated to sustaining Diné culture and language.
President Joe Biden is establishing national monuments on more than half a million acres in Nevada and Texas and creating a marine sanctuary in U.S. waters near the Pacific Remote Islands southwest of Hawaii. The Nevada site includes Spirit Mountain, a peak northwest of Laughlin called Avi Kwa Ame by the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Keep reading for a full news update.
Law:
Montana Indian Child Welfare Act Gets A Senate Hearing
Native News Online, Jovonne Wagner, March 24
Rep. Peltola, Sen. Mullin Introduce Legislation To Protect 2nd Amendment Rights Of Native Americans
Native News Online, March 23
Barriers To Native American Gun Purchases Lowered In Bipartisan House Bill
Fox News, Elizabeth Elkind, March 22
Native American Church Chapter Sues Bank For Racial And Religious Discrimination
Native News Online, Darren Thompson, March 22
Alaska Sues Interior Over Land Into Trust
Indian Country Today, Joaqlin Estus, March 22
Biden Creates National Monuments In Nevada, Texas Mountains
AP News, Matthew Daly, March 21
President Biden Creates Two New National Monuments From Sacred Spaces To Native Tribes
Native News Online, March 21
SCOTUS Hears Arguments In Navajo Nation Water Rights Case
Native News Online, Elyse Wild, March 20
Mille Lacs Band Of Ojibwe Launches Initiative Opposing Multi-Billion Dollar Nickel Mine
Native News Online, Darren Thompson, March 20
Health:
$25m Grant Program Aiming To Dismantle Racism In Health And Wellness
Native News Online, Jenna Kunze, March 25
MMIW:
Arizona AG Partners With Tribal Council To Create Training Program On Human Trafficking
AZ Mirror, Shondiin Silversmith, March 20
Other:
Right-Wing Commentator Trashes GVSU’s Celebration For Native American Students
Native News Online, Levi Rickert, March 26
Tribe Alleges California Unfairly Denied Extended Foster Care Benefits
The Imprint, Nancy Marie Spears, March 25
State-Funded Charter School Says Native 1st-Grader’s Traditional Hair Violates Dress Code
Native News Online, March 24
Tribe Urges Army To Speed Up Return Of Child’s 1879 Remains
AP News, Mark Scolforo, March 24
Navajo Tech 1st Among Tribal Universities To Offer Phd
AP News, Susan Montoya Bryan, March 24
New Mexico Tribe Keeps Title To Portion Of National Preserve
AP News, Susan Montoya Bryan, March 23
San Carlos Apache Tribe Signs $1.5m Water Agreement With Bureau Of Reclamation
Native News Online, March 23
Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Asks Army To Expedite “Long-Past-Due” Repatriation Of Its Ancestor
Native News Online, Jenna Kunze, March 23
First American: Hopi/Navajo Runner Was 1st American To Finish 2023 La Marathon
Native News Online, Levi Rickert, March 22
Apaches Tell Court Copper Mine Would Harm Sacred Sites
AP News, Anita Snow, March 21
Henrietta Mann, Native America Calling Receive National Humanities Medals
Indian Country Today, Pauly Denetclaw, March 21