Good morning, NUNAverse:
Dr. Loretta Christensen, who has served as chief medical officer for the Navajo Area Indian Health Service from 2017 to 2021 and chief medical officer for the Gallup Service Unit from 2014 to 2017, was appointed as chief medical officer for the entire U.S. Indian Health Service. In her new role at the federal agency, Christensen, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, will be the lead expert on medical and public health issues and guide IHS leadership and staff across the country on health care policies and protocols for tribal nations.
When the Washington Football Team welcomes fans back to FedEx Field this season, Native inspired headdresses and face paint will be prohibited. The team, which issued its 2021 stadium policies and protocols Wednesday, announced in the spring that it intends to be at full capacity for games this year, after a 2020 season in which Washington’s home games were played either without fans or with very few fans in attendance because of COVID-19. As part of its rebranding, the team has made a clean break from Native imagery and has even ruled out Warriors as a candidate for its new name, which is set to be revealed in early 2022.
Today, the Fort Lewis College student population is more than 40% Native or Alaska Native. The institution prides itself on its diversity, inclusivity, and a waiver covering the cost of tuition of any students from federally recognized tribes or Alaska Native villages. But the college originated more than a century ago as one of the country’s Native boarding schools. Fort Lewis academics and tribal leaders are discussing how to move forward following a June announcement by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland calling for a comprehensive review of the Native boarding school legacy. At least two former Indian boarding schools in Colorado — Fort Lewis College’s old campus in Hesperus and the defunct Teller Indian School in Grand Junction — will be investigated for remains of Native children.
A Catholic priest has been banned from preaching following a series of inflammatory comments about Indigenous residential school survivors during sermons at St. Emile Catholic Church. The priest, Father Rhéal Forest, claimed residential school survivors lied about sexual abuse to get more money from court settlements in comments that were livestreamed on Facebook and remained on the site for weeks before being taken down after they were flagged by CBC Manitoba, according to CBC News.
Keep reading for a full news update.
Native Mascots:
Washington Football Team Bans Native American-Inspired Headdresses, Face Paint At FedEx Field
The Washington Post, Nicki Jhabvala, August 4
When the Washington Football Team welcomes fans back to FedEx Field this season, Native American-inspired headdresses and face paint will be prohibited. The team, which issued its 2021 stadium policies and protocols Wednesday, announced in the spring that it intends to be at full capacity for games this year, after a 2020 season in which Washington’s home games were played either without fans or with very few fans in attendance because of the coronavirus pandemic. But the last time FedEx Field was open to all fans, the team had a different name. As part of its rebranding, the team has made a clean break from Native American imagery and has even ruled out Warriors as a candidate for its new name, which is set to be revealed in early 2022.
Statue Of Native American Woman Stolen From Kansas City Park
AP News, August 4
A statue of a Native American woman has been stolen from a Kansas City park, The Kansas City Star reported Wednesday. A Kansas City parks spokeswoman told the newspaper that officials are searching for more details about the $80,000 statue’s disappearance from Northland Park. The statue was one of several at the François Chouteau and Native American Heritage Fountain. The site honors American Indians and French trader François Chouteau for their roles in founding Kansas City.
Boarding Schools:
New Calls To Search For Remains At Native Boarding Schools
AP News, Elizabeth Hernandez, August 4
Today, Fort Lewis’ student population is more than 40% Native American or Alaska Native. The institution prides itself on its diversity, inclusivity and a waiver covering the cost of tuition of any students from federally recognized Native American tribes or Alaska Native villages. But the college originated more than a century ago as one of the country’s Native American boarding schools — institutions the federal government used to recruit Indigenous children from across the nation in an effort to strip them of their culture and force assimilation. Fort Lewis academics and tribal leaders are discussing how to move forward following a June announcement by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland calling for a comprehensive review of the Native American boarding school legacy. At least two former Indian boarding schools in Colorado — Fort Lewis College’s old campus in Hesperus and the defunct Teller Indian School in Grand Junction — will be investigated for remains of Native children who attended those institutions.
Catholic Priest Accuses Residential School Survivors Of Lying About Abuse
Native News Online, Monica Whitepigeon, August 4
A Catholic priest has been banned from preaching following a series of inflammatory comments about Indigenous residential school survivors during sermons at St. Emile Catholic Church, according to CBC News. The priest, Father Rhéal Forest, claimed residential school survivors lied about sexual abuse to get more money from court settlements in comments that were livestreamed on Facebook for weeks before being taken down after they were flagged by CBC Manitoba, according to CBC News.
Environment:
Tribes, Enviros Sue Corps Over Texas Oil Terminal Expansion Permit
Reuters, Sebastien Malo, August 4
Tribes and environmental groups have sued the Army Corps of Engineers in Corpus Christi, Texas federal court over its issuance of a permit to Moda Midstream, alleging that it issued the permit for the expansion of oil-export marine terminal without adequately studying the project’s effects on segrass and wetlands. The Indigenous Peoples of the Coastal Bend and others accused the Corps of violating the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Water Act.
Other:
Champion For Her People: Indian Helath Service Taps Loretta Christensen As Top Doctor
Navajo times, Rima Krisst, August 5
Dr. Loretta Christensen, who has served as chief medical officer for the Navajo Area Indian Health Service from 2017 to 2021 and chief medical officer for the Gallup Service Unit from 2014 to 2017, was appointed as chief medical officer for the entire U.S. Indian Health Service, the IHS announced last Friday.
“Tó éí iiná” Water Bottle Raises Funds For Navajo Nation
Native News Online, Monica Whitepigeon, August 4
Over the course of the last few years, members of the Navajo Nation have taken it upon themselves to intervene where infrastructure has waned on the Rez, particularly when it comes to water. In an effort to raise funds for the Navajo Water Project, which brings running water to homes without access to water or sewer lines, Diné artist Jaden Redhair and the Nalgene Water Fund (NWF) created the “Tó éí iiná” (Water is Life) water bottle.
Redhair’s distinguishable design incorporated elements of Navajo basketry, Monument Valley landscape and an outline of tribal territory. With each sale, NWF donates $5 to combat the water crisis on the Navajo Nation reservation, which spans 27,000 square miles over three Southwestern states. Launched in late November 2020, the “Tó éí iiná” bottle raised over $12,000 in the first month of sales alone and has been a best-seller ever since.
Indigenous Womens’ Fellowship Aimed At ‘Mending The Gap’ Between Native Generations
Native News Online, Jenna Kunze, August 4
In a first-of-its-kind womens’ leadership program that pairs Native elders with younger Natives to exchange knowledge, participants say they are restoring a link that historically existed between generations. In late June, Spirit Aligned—the Native-run nonprofit program headquartered in Bozeman, Montana—announced a cohort of 10 new partnerships from across the United States and Canada. The partners, who applied in pairs of “legacy leaders” (women over 65) and “future legacy leaders” (between 18 and 40 years old), will complete specific projects aimed at identifying collective wisdom and integrating solutions to help address the challenges brought about by colonization.
Return Of Aleut Girl’s Remains Eases Painful Memories
Indian Country Today, Joaqlin Estus, August 4
Sophia Tetoff is finally home, 126 years after she was sent away. About 100 of the 400 residents turned out on July 9 for the return of her remains to St. Paul Island, which is located in the Bering Sea 300 miles off mainland Alaska. “This is a momentous occasion that holds deep meaning for the Aleut community of St. Paul Island,” President Amos Philemonoff, Sr., of the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island tribal government, had posted on Facebook a few days earlier. “Sophia Tetoff’s homecoming is a significant step in addressing the historic wrongs inflicted on our people, recognizing the value of our language and culture, and acknowledging the human rights of our ancestors,” Philemonoff said.
Indigenous Excellence, Innovation Brings ICT Multiple NAJA Awards
Indian Country Today, August 4
Who starts a national television program during a pandemic? Indian Country Today. Nearly 15 months ago, the multimedia enterprise saw a need to update Indigenous communities by television on the global crisis that changed every day. It started out as a weekly reporters’ roundtable and evolved into a daily newscast picked up by dozens of television stations nationally and internationally. ICT’s newscast took first place for general excellence in TV for the 2021 National Native Media Awards, announced the National Native American Journalists Association on Wednesday. The newscast also got second for the best program for “Wash Your Hands – ICT Newscast with Ricardo Cate.”
Romance Writers Of America Rescinds Award For Christian Novel As Publisher Defends It
Religion News Service, Emily McFarlan Miller, August 4
Days after announcing “At Love’s Command” by Karen Witemeyer as the best romance with religious or spiritual elements of 2021 in its inaugural Vivian Awards, Romance Writers of America has rescinded the award. The decision follows criticism from readers and other romance authors that the Christian romance novel, which opens with a scene depicting the Wounded Knee Massacre, romanticizes the killing of Native Americans.
Indigenous Womens’ Fellowship Aimed At ‘Mending The Gap’ Between Native Generations
Native News Online, Jenna Kunze, August 4
In a first-of-its-kind womens’ leadership program that pairs Native elders with younger Natives to exchange knowledge, participants say they are restoring a link that historically existed between generations. In late June, Spirit Aligned—the Native-run nonprofit program headquartered in Bozeman, Montana—announced a cohort of 10 new partnerships from across the United States and Canada. The partners, who applied in pairs of “legacy leaders” (women over 65) and “future legacy leaders” (between 18 and 40 years old), will complete specific projects aimed at identifying collective wisdom and integrating solutions to help address the challenges brought about by colonization.
Return Of Aleut Girl’s Remains Eases Painful Memories
Indian Country Today, Joaqlin Estus, August 4
Sophia Tetoff is finally home, 126 years after she was sent away. About 100 of the 400 residents turned out on July 9 for the return of her remains to St. Paul Island, which is located in the Bering Sea 300 miles off mainland Alaska. “This is a momentous occasion that holds deep meaning for the Aleut community of St. Paul Island,” President Amos Philemonoff, Sr., of the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island tribal government, had posted on Facebook a few days earlier. “Sophia Tetoff’s homecoming is a significant step in addressing the historic wrongs inflicted on our people, recognizing the value of our language and culture, and acknowledging the human rights of our ancestors,” Philemonoff said.
Indigenous Excellence, Innovation Brings ICT Multiple NAJA Awards
Indian Country Today, August 4
Who starts a national television program during a pandemic? Indian Country Today. Nearly 15 months ago, the multimedia enterprise saw a need to update Indigenous communities by television on the global crisis that changed every day. It started out as a weekly reporters’ roundtable and evolved into a daily newscast picked up by dozens of television stations nationally and internationally. ICT’s newscast took first place for general excellence in TV for the 2021 National Native Media Awards, announced the National Native American Journalists Association on Wednesday. The newscast also got second for the best program for “Wash Your Hands – ICT Newscast with Ricardo Cate.”
Romance Writers Of America Rescinds Award For Christian Novel As Publisher Defends It
Religion News Service, Emily McFarlan Miller, August 4
Days after announcing “At Love’s Command” by Karen Witemeyer as the best romance with religious or spiritual elements of 2021 in its inaugural Vivian Awards, Romance Writers of America has rescinded the award. The decision follows criticism from readers and other romance authors that the Christian romance novel, which opens with a scene depicting the Wounded Knee Massacre, romanticizes the killing of Native people.