The Chickasaw Times published an article outlining the importance of filling out the 2020 Census, and how a complete and accurate enumeration will positively impact tribes moving forward.
The Bureau of Indian Education announced last week that they are set to reopen 53 “brick and mortar schools” on reservations across 10 states on September 16, despite concerns over the spread of COVID-19. The schools are allowed to conduct online-only learning if there is a COVID-19 outbreak at the school.
As COVID-19 continues to impact Indian Country, Minnesota Public Radio covers how the pandemic has altered powwows across Indian Country – including moving them online for the first time in history.
Indian Country Today published an article covering the six Native candidates running for office in Minnesota’s primary today, and the four additional Native candidates that are already on their party’s ticket for the general election in November. The candidates are running at both the local and state levels.
Nearly two months after the Christopher Columbus statue at the Minnesota State Capitol was toppled, the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office is expected to charge three people with criminal damage to property.
Keep reading for a full news update.
COVID-19:
‘Nothing Will Ever Replace The Feeling Of Sitting In That Arena’: COVID-19 Puts Powwow Season On Pause – And Online
MPR News, Dan Gunderson, August 11
When Labor Day weekend rolls around this year, Brenda Child will miss an event that’s been a part of her life for as long as she can remember.
HUD Awards 4 Oklahoma Tribes $2.8 Million For COVID-19 Recovery Efforts
FOX25, Destiny Washington, August 10
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $17,826,319 million to Tribes across the Nation.
Feds To Reopen 53 Native American Schools Despite Coronavirus Risk
The Hill, Alexandra Kelley, August 10
The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), a federal agency that is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, announced last week that it is set to reopen 53 “brick and mortar schools” in reservations across 10 states, NBC News reports.
Federal Agency TO Reopen 53 Native American Schools Despite Coronavirus Fears
NBC News, Miranda Green, August 10
The U.S. Department of the Interior – Indian Affairs, which oversees the Bureau of Indian Education, announced last week that it would reopen “brick and mortar schools” under its jurisdiction to the “maximum extent possible” on Sept. 16.
Federal Agency Sets Guidelines For Reopening Native American Schools
The Durango Herald, Jacob Wallace, August 10
The Bureau of Indian Education set guidelines last week for reopening that would compel at least 53 tribal schools under its jurisdiction to begin in-person teaching. The decision, which includes three schools in northern New Mexico, has been criticized by the union that represents teachers within the schools.
Census 2020:
Completing The U.S. Census Form Is Critically Important To Your Tribe
Chickasaw Times, August 11
The decennial U.S. Census is being conducted this year. The U.S. Constitution directs the federal government to count all Americans every 10 years.
Native Mascots:
Online Forum Explores Indian Mascot Issue With Native American And Non-Native Speakers
Lohud, David McKay Wilson, August 10
With several school districts around New York state exploring retirement of mascots associated with Native Americans, the USA TODAY Network will host an online forum with experts and activists on the issue on Thursday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m.
Nearly 80 Ohio School Districts Use Native American Names And Mascots, 13 Consider Changing
Cleveland Scene, Sam Allard, August 10
A Columbus Dispatch report published this weekend polled the athletic programs of 79 Ohio school districts that use Native American team names and mascots. Motivated by changes in professional sports and by national conversations around racial justice, at least thirteen of them are considering changes.
Nationwide Protests:
Charges Pending Against Three In Columbus Statue Toppling At Minnesota Capitol
Native News Online, Darren Thompson, August 11
Nearly two months after the Christopher Columbus statue at the Minnesota State Capitol grounds was toppled, the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office is anticipated to charge three people with criminal damage to property in the first degree.
Casinos:
Chuck Hoskin: Renewed Gaming Compacts Ensure A Brighter Future For Oklahoma
Indianz.com, Chuck Hoskin Jr., August 10
Recently the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma affirmed what Oklahoma tribal nations have known from the beginning – on January 1, 2020, our gaming compacts with the state of Oklahoma automatically renewed for another 15 years.
Other:
Native American Business Owners In Wisconsin Were On The Rise. Will The Pandemic Set Them Back?
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sarah Volpenhein, August 11
Brian Holmes’ construction business is doing all right for now. It’s next year he’s worried about.
His company, B&D Contractors, was being considered for projects that are now in limbo, the coronavirus pandemic casting a cloud of uncertainty over the economy.
Trailblazers: Iconic ‘Oregon Trail’ Video Games Gets An Indigenous Spin
Native News Online, Tamara Inkenberg, August 11
Back in the 1980s, when video games were young and unwoke, Gen X elementary school students were fed a very one-sided view of westward expansion via the era’s trendy learning game “Oregon Trail.”
Minnesota Natives Seek Offices At All Levels
Indian Country Today, Dalton Walker, August 10
A packed January county commission meeting in rural northern Minnesota with racial undertones against refugees caught the attention of many locally and others well beyond the state.
Window Opens For More Alaska Native Vietnam Vets TO Get Land
AP News, Mark Thiessen, August 10
Stewy Carlo had a short life, but he lived every moment.
While serving in the Army, he bought a 1951 Mercedes and motored around Europe. After his service years, he roamed South America, where he developed a love of photography. He later turned heads while driving an exotic Maserati to a construction job back home in Alaska.
United American Indian Involvement Leases Echo Park Building
Connect California, August 10
United American Indian Involvement (UAII), a non-profit organization providing education, counseling and medical services to Native Americans in L.A., signed a 30,688-square-foot lease in Echo Park. The seven-year deal for the free-standing office building at 1441-1449 W. Temple St., was valued $8.1 million.