Good morning, NUNAVerse:
The U.S. House Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States has scheduled a hearing for tomorrow to examine facilities in Indian Country. The focus comes as Congress and the Biden administration negotiate an infrastructure package that could help address backlogs in maintenance, repair and replacement of schools, roads, and other facilities in American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities.
Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) and the American Indian College Fund announced yesterday that they received generous donations from MacKenzie Scott, who in 2019 committed to giving away a significant part of her fortune after she divorced Jeff Bezos. The two organizations were among 286 to receive a contribution from the foundation in the latest round of donations. Last July, Scott also gave $20 million to the American Indian Graduate Center.
The Connecticut State Senate passed a budget bill yesterday that contains a provision that cuts off school districts from the Mashantucket Pequot/Mohegan Fund, which generates education revenue at the state’s Native-run casinos, if those school districts insist on using Native nicknames and mascots without written consent from tribal leaders. Money would be withheld to schools that don’t have permission to use “any name, symbol or image that depicts, refers to or is associated with a state or federally recognized Native American tribe or a Native American individual, custom or tradition, as a mascot, nickname, logo or team.”
Canada’s Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino recently announced that Indigenous people will soon be included in Canada’s citizenship oath and guide. Specifically, Indigenous people will be able to reclaim their traditional name on citizenship and permanent residency documents. In addition to that announcement, Canada also committed to update the citizenship guide to include the role Indigenous peoples have played in Canada’s history, its future, and today.
The Native American Media Alliance, in partnership with the Cherokee Nation Film Office, announced the inaugural class of Native American Writers Seminar fellows. The Seminar will be a multiday intensive offering professional and creative mentorship to accepted fellows who are new to writing for film and television, thus providing new access for Native writers interested in breaking into writing for film and television. Read more about the Seminar, and the first class of fellows here.
Keep reading for a full news update.
COVID-19:
A 3rd Dose Of COVID Vaccines May Boost Immunity For Transplant Recipients
NPR, Maria Godoy, June 15
A small new study offers a glimmer of hope that giving organ transplant recipients a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine could boost their protection against the coronavirus.
Native Mascots:
Connecticut Schools That Use Native American Mascots Could Lose Casino Revenue
New York Post, Jesse O’Neill, June 15
Connecticut schools that insist on using Native American nicknames and mascots without written consent from tribal leaders could see their budgets on the chopping block.
Casinos:
Pechanga Resort Casino Eases Mask Restrictions, Reopens More Slot Machines
Native News Online, Andrew Kennard, June 15
The largest casino in California dropped masking requirements for fully vaccinated guests and staff Tuesday, coinciding with the state of California’s reopening.
Law:
House Subcommittee Sets Hearing On Facilities In Indian Country
Red Lake Nation New, June 16
The House Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States is getting back to work this week.
The subcommittee has scheduled a hearing on Thursday to examine facilities in Indian Country. The focus comes as Congress and the Biden administration negotiate an infrastructure package that could help address backlogs in maintenance, repair and replacement of schools, roads and other facilities in American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities.
Environment:
Biden To Reinstate Road Ban For Tongass National Forest
Indian Country Today, Joaqlin Estus, July 15
Several tribes and Alaska Natives are applauding the Biden administration’s plans to revive a ban on road-building in the Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska.
The “roadless rule” had been in place for 20 years until last fall, when federal officials exempted southeast Alaska from the rule three months before then-President Donald Trump’s term ended.
Other:
MacKenzie Scott Foundation Makes Multi-Million Dollar Donations To Native American In Philanthropy And The American Indian College Fund
Native News Online, June 15
Two Native American organizations have received donations from MacKenzie Scott. The Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) and the American Indian College Fund announced on Tuesday they received generous donations from Scott.
Canada To Amend Citizenship Oath And Guide To Include Indigenous People
CIC News, Shelby Thevenot, June 15
Indigenous people will soon be included in Canada’s citizenship oath, and guide.
Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced the upcoming changed on June 14. The main announcement was that Indigenous people could reclaim their traditional name on citizenship and permanent residency documents.
Native American Media Alliance And Cherokee Nation Film Office Announce Fellows For Writers Seminar
The Hollywood Reporter, Sharareh Drury, June 15
The Native American Media Alliance, in partnership with the Cherokee Nation Film Office, announced on Tuesday the inaugural class of Native American Writers Seminar fellows.
Native American Remains Of Unknown Age Discovered During Residential construction Project Near Royal Couple’s Mansion
Native News Online, Andrew Kennard, June 15
Skeletal remains of a Native American man which may belong to a long-ago member of the Chumash tribe were discovered by landscapers who called deputies from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office around 5:12 p.m on May 24.