Good morning, NUNAverse:
The significance of his “Remembrance Run” didn’t sink in until Ku Stevens was finishing up the two-day, 50-mile (80-kilometer) trek across the high desert to honor the memories of ancestors who were removed from their families and sent to the Stewart Indian School. The school that operated on the south edge of Carson City from 1890 to 1980 was one of about 350 across the U.S. and Canada created to force the assimilation of Native people. The Yerington High school senior’s great-grandfather, Frank “Togo” Quinn, escaped from the school three times — the first when he was 8 years old, finding his way back to his family more than a century ago. Stevens, a national-caliber track athlete who runs cross-country for Yerington about 60 miles (96 kilometers) southeast of Reno, reflected on how much more difficult it would have been when Quinn first escaped in 1913.
The American Basketball Association (ABA) announced on Monday the launch of the Native ABA, a new initiative that will feature Native players from across Indian Country. The ABA named WarLance Foster (Lakota/Diné) to be the CEO of Native ABA. Foster says the Native ABA will allow Native people the opportunity to develop their basketball skills through training, discipline, and hard work. Former NBA all-star A.C. Green, who is part Native and a former owner of several ABA teams, says the ABA would be a great training ground for Native players.
U.S. officials launched a review Thursday of climate damage and other impacts from coal mining on public lands as the Biden administration expands its scrutiny of government fossil fuel sales that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. The review also will consider if companies are paying fair value for coal extracted from public reserves in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Utah and other states. Interior officials said the review would not impact pending lease sales and modifications or permits to dig existing leases. They also pledged to hold direct talks with tribes that could be affected. A small number of tribes have coal, while others historically have opposed development.
Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish leprechaun is the fourth-most offensive college football mascot in the nation, according to a new survey. The top three most offensive mascots, the survey says, wear face paint, headdresses and are culturally insensitive to Native people. When presented with the survey results by IndyStar, Notre Dame emailed a response that included a written statement defending the leprechaun and highlighting its history. “It is worth noting … that there is no comparison between Notre Dame’s nickname and mascot and the Indian and warrior names (and) mascots used by other institutions such as the NFL team formerly known as the Redskins,” the statement read. “None of these institutions were founded or named by Native Americans who sought to highlight their heritage by using names and symbols associated with their people.”
Keep reading for a full news update.
Boarding Schools:
Teen’s ‘Remembrance Run’ From Tribal School Stirs Emotions
AP News, August 24
The significance of his “Remembrance Run” didn’t sink in until Ku Stevens was finishing up the two-day, 50-mile (80-kilometer) trek across the high desert from Carson City to Yerington to honor the memories of ancestors who were removed from their families and sent to the Stewart Indian School. The school that operated on the south edge of Carson City from 1890 to 1980 was one of about 350 across the U.S. and Canada created to force the assimilation of Native Americans. The Yerington High school senior’s great-grandfather, Frank “Togo” Quinn, escaped from the school three times — the first when he was 8 years old, finding his way back to his family more than a century ago. Stevens, a national-caliber track athlete who runs cross-country for Yerington about 60 miles (96 kilometers) southeast of Reno, reflected on how much more difficult it would have been when Quinn first escaped in 1913.
US Boarding School Review Prompts Calls For Trauma Support
AP News, Susan Montoya Bryan, August 23
Some members of Congress want to ensure that protections are put in place to address ongoing trauma as more information comes to light about the troubled history of Indigenous boarding schools in the United States. A group of 21 Democratic lawmakers representing states stretching from the Southwest to the East Coast sent a letter last week to the Indian Health Service. They are asking that the federal agency make available culturally appropriate support services such as a hotline and other mental and spiritual programs as the federal government embarks on its investigation into the schools.
Other:
Notre Dame Defends Leprechaun Mascot, Ranked College Football’s 4th-most Offensive In Survey
Yahoo Sports, Dana Benbow, Aug 24
Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish leprechaun is the fourth-most offensive college football mascot in the nation, according to a new survey. The top three most offensive mascots, the survey says, wear face paint, headdresses and are culturally insensitive to Native people. When presented with the survey results by IndyStar, Notre Dame emailed a response that included a written statement defending the leprechaun and highlighting its history. “It is worth noting … that there is no comparison between Notre Dame’s nickname and mascot and the Indian and warrior names (and) mascots used by other institutions such as the NFL team formerly known as the Redskins,” the statement read. “None of these institutions were founded or named by Native Americans who sought to highlight their heritage by using names and symbols associated with their people.”
American Basketball Association Announces Native ABA Initiative
Native News Online, August 23
The American Basketball Association (ABA) announced on Monday the launch of the Native ABA, a new initiative that will feature Native players from across Indian Country. The ABA named WarLance Foster (Lakota/Diné) to be the CEO of Native ABA. Foster says the Native ABA will allow Native Americans the opportunity to develop their basketball skills through training, discipline and hard work. Former NBA all-star A.C. Green, who is part Native and a former owner of several ABA teams, says the ABA would be a great training ground for Native players.
Native American Cancer Research Internship Opens New Doors
Native News Online, August 22
Native Americans are the most underrepresented racial or ethnic group among physicians and scientists. This underrepresentation can contribute to health disparities, according to Margaret Briehl, PhD, associate director of the Cancer Research Education and Training Coordination at the UArizona Cancer Center. However, a unique mentoring program at the University of Arizona Health Sciences looks to rectify that disparity. The summer research opportunity through the Partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention (NACP) and Undergraduate Biology Research Program is a paid internship that pairs Native American undergraduates with a faculty mentor in their research area of interest.
Climate Impact Of Coal Sales Scrutinized
AP News, Matthew Brown, August 23
U.S. officials launched a review Thursday of climate damage and other impacts from coal mining on public lands as the Biden administration expands its scrutiny of government fossil fuel sales that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. The review also will consider if companies are paying fair value for coal extracted from public reserves in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Utah and other states, according to a federal register notice outlining the administration’s intents. Interior officials said the review would not impact pending lease sales and modifications or permits to dig existing leases. They also pledged to hold direct talks with tribes that could be affected. A small number of tribes have coal, while others historically have opposed development.