Good Morning NUNAverse,
Ahead of a tribal leadership summit next week, White House officials say Indian Country should be prepared for the Biden administration to announce a number of “exciting” actions that, in some cases, tribal nations have wanted for months or years. Two White House officials – PaaWee Rivera and Libby Washburn – didn’t disclose any other details when speaking with Indian Country Today this week, but said many of the policy announcements, through moves like executive action, would be related to longstanding policy desires from tribes, as well as the Biden administration fulfilling campaign and transition promises to Indian Country. The White House Tribal Nations Summit will take place virtually on November 15 and 16 for the first time since 2016. President Donald Trump reestablished the White House Council on Native American Affairs but did not host the summit. The White House said in the spring that it was planning to re-establish the event.
U.S. District Judge Miranda Du refused the request by the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and the Oregon-based Burns Paiute Tribe to reconsider her September 6 ruling denying their bid to halt completion of an archaeological survey required before construction of a lithium mine can begin near the Nevada-Oregon line. Lithium Nevada Corp.’s construction is scheduled to begin early next year at Thacker Pass, about 230 miles northeast of Reno. It would be the largest lithium mine in the nation. The tribes have accused the U.S. Bureau of Land Management of violating historic preservation laws by failing to consult with them about an Historic Properties Treatment Plan guiding the initial archaeological dig required before mine construction can begin. They argue the sacred lands could be “irreparably harmed,” which Judge Du said they had failed to prove when she ruled against them in September in federal court in Reno.
Members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation are putting more pressure on Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to take administrative action to prohibit oil and gas development outside the boundaries of Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The lawmakers in a letter sent this week wrote that while there have been numerous short-term protections granted for the area over the years, an administrative withdrawal of federal mineral rights would provide long-term certainty pending legislation that calls for permanent protections. Secretary Haaland’s office told The Associated Press that a decision about the Chaco area has yet to be made.
Keep reading for a full news update.
Politics:
Officials Tease ‘An Array’ Of Announcements Ahead Of Tribal Summit
Native News Online, Chris Aadland, November 11
Ahead of a tribal leadership summit next week, White House officials say Indian Country should be prepared for the Biden administration to announce a number of “exciting” actions that, in some cases, tribal nations have wanted for months or years. Two White House officials – PaaWee Rivera and Libby Washburn – didn’t disclose any other details when speaking with Indian Country Today this week, but said the many of the policy announcements, through moves like executive action, would be related to longstanding policy desires from tribes, as well as the Biden administration fulfilling campaign and transition promises to Indian Country. The White House Tribal Nations Summit will take place virtually on Nov. 15 and 16 for the first time since 2016. President Donald Trump reestablished the White House Council on Native American Affairs but did not host the summit, then called a conference. The White House said in the spring that it was planning to re-establish the event.
Law:
US Judge Won’t Reconsider Tribes’ Bid To Block Nevada Mine
AP News, Scott Sonner, November 11
A U.S. federal judge has ruled that additional historical accounts two Native American tribes submitted to prove their claim a lithium mine is on sacred lands where their ancestors were massacred in 1865 still falls short of evidence necessary to temporarily block any digging.
U.S. District Judge Miranda Du refused the request by the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and the Oregon-based Burns Paiute Tribe to reconsider her Sept. 6 ruling denying their bid to halt completion of an archaeological survey required before construction of the mine can begin near the Nevada-Oregon line. Lithium Nevada Corp.’s construction is scheduled to begin earlier next year at Thacker Pass, about 230 miles (370 kilometers) northeast of Reno. It would be the largest lithium mine in the nation. The tribes have accused the U.S. Bureau of Land Management of violating historic preservation laws by failing to consult with them about an Historic Properties Treatment Plan guiding the initial archaeological dig required before mine construction can begin. They argue the sacred lands could be “irreparably harmed,” which Judge Du said they had failed to prove when she ruled against them in September in federal court in Reno.
New Mexico Delegates Push US Official On Chaco Protections
AP News, Susan Montoya Bryan, November 11
Members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation are putting more pressure on U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to take administrative action to prohibit oil and gas development outside the boundaries of Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The lawmakers in a letter sent this week wrote that while there have been numerous short-term protections granted for the area over the years, an administrative withdrawal of federal mineral rights would provide long-term certainty pending legislation that calls for permanent protections. Haaland is from Laguna Pueblo in central New Mexico and is the first Native American to be appointed to a cabinet position. Her office tells The Associated Press that a decision about the Chaco area has yet to be made. In October, top officials with the largest Native American tribe in the United States renewed a request for congressional leaders to hold a field hearing before deciding on federal legislation that would limit oil and gas development around Chaco park.
South Dakotans Overwhelmingly Support Teaching Of Native American History And Culture In Public Schools
South Dakota News Watch, Bart Pfankuch, November 10
Some Native leaders worry the initiative will be politicized and ultimately reduce the role Native history plays in public school curricula. South Dakota education officials have struggled to revise social studies standards that include guidelines for teaching Native American history and culture, but a new poll suggests state residents are very firm in their support for inclusion of Native studies in public schools. The poll of 500 registered South Dakota voters in October showed that 88% of respondents were very or somewhat supportive of teaching Native history and culture in South Dakota schools. The poll showed that 6.4% of respondents said teaching Native studies was not too important, 2.6% said not at all important and 3.2% were unsure.
Native American Heritage Month:
U.S. Attorney’s Office Joins In Recognizing National Native American Heritage Month, November 2021
Department of Justice, November 10
On October 29, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. proclaimed November 2021 as National Native American Heritage Month. The proclamation honors the perseverance of American Indian and Alaska Native peoples and reaffirms the nation’s commitment to upholding trust and treaty responsibilities, strengthen Tribal sovereignty, and advance Tribal self-determination. The proclamation also recognizes the resilience of native peoples despite a painful history of enduring unjust Federal policies, to include assimilation and termination.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon joins its Tribal, federal, state, and local partners in taking this opportunity to celebrate the countless contributions of native peoples past and present and honor the influence they have had on the advancement of our nation.
Other:
Navajo Nation Welcomes Sen. Mark Kelly On Veterans Day
Native News Online, November 11
Retired U.S. Navy combat pilot and NASA astronaut, current U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) paid a visit to the Navajo Nation on Veterans Day to commemorate Veterans Day during a live-streamed event at Veterans Memorial Park in Window Rock, Ariz., the capital of the Navajo Nation. The senator attended in-person a ceremony in the Navajo Nation Veterans Memorial Park in Window Rock, Ariz., the capital of the Navajo Nation. He was greeted by Navajo Nation Jonathan Nez. Sen. Kelly said he wanted to be on the Navajo Nation on Veterans Day because he understands the long and proud history of military service that the Navajo people have provided for so many years. He also spoke about the need for the federal government to provide more support and services for all veterans.
Oakland Honors Marty And Helen Waukazoo By Renaming Street Waukazoo Way
Native News Online, Nanette Iron Eagle Deetz, November 11
Hundreds of Native Americans and non-Native Oaklanders attended a special ceremony to officially change the name of 31st Ave. in the Fruitvale neighborhood of East Oakland, Calif. to Waukazoo Way. The ceremony was in honor of the commitment of executive director and founder of the Native American Health Center (NAHC) Martin (Marty) Waukazoo and his late wife Helen Devore Waukazoo. The commemorative street name change was sponsored by Oakland City Council member Noel Gallo whose district is the Fruitvale area of Oakland (District 5). Councilman Gallo has been a long-time supporter of the Oakland American Indian community and all of the various non-profit organizations that support and work together with the Native American Health Center.