Good Morning, NUNAverse,
The Supreme Court heard more than three hours of arguments last week in a sprawling challenge to the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978. The law at issue in the new case was rooted in the sovereignty of Indian nations and a history of abusive child welfare practices involving Native children. Before the law was enacted, hundreds of thousands of Native children were taken from their homes, sometimes by force, and placed in institutions or with families with no ties to their tribes.
The most expensive ballot proposition gamble in U.S. history went bust last week as California voters overwhelmingly rejected sports betting initiatives by tribes and the gaming industry. With more than 4.6 million votes counted, a measure largely supported by gaming companies that would have allowed adults to wager on mobile devices and online had only 16% support. A proposition that would have legalized sports gambling at tribal casinos and horse tracks had less than 30% support.
With a record number of Native candidates running in last week’s Midterm Election, Native News Online has a complete list of results from each of their races. Among those candidates was Republican Markwayne Mullin, a tribal citizen of the Cherokee Nation and a member of Congress since 2012, who was elected to represent the state of Oklahoma in the U.S. Senate. He will become the only current Native member of the Senate.
Meanwhile in Washington, D.C., hundreds of Native veterans gathered last week for the dedication ceremony of the National Museum of the American Indian’s National Native Americans Veterans Memorial. The memorial is the first national landmark that focuses on the military contributions of Natives, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Designed by Native artist and veteran Harvey Pratt, the memorial depicts a circle resting on a carved stove drum.
Keep reading for a full news update.
Law:
Should Native Americans Get Preference Over White People In Adopting Native Children? The Supreme Court May Decide
CNN, Harmeet Kaur, November 13
Supreme Court Closely Divided In Case On Native American Adoptions
The New York Times, Adam Liptak, November 9
Justices Seem To Favor Most Of Native Child Welfare Law
AP News, Mark Sherman, November 9
Native Mascots:
Kansas Board Recommends Ending Native American Mascots
AP News, Margaret Stafford, November 10
Casinos:
Big Bet A Bust In Bid To Allow Sports Gambling In California
AP News, Brian Melley, November 9
Politics:
Buu Nygren Elected Navajo Nation Presidency; Defeats Nez
Native News Online, November 9
Election Results: Native American Candidates In 2022 Midterms
Native News Online, November 9
Markwayne Mullin Elected To The U.S. Senate; Will Become Only Native American U.S. Senator
Native News Online, Levi Rickert, November 8
Republican’s Lankford, Mullin Win Oklahoma Senate Seats
AP News, Sean Murphy, November 8
Rep. Davids (Ho-Chunk) Wins Third Term In Congress
Native News Online, Darren Thompson, November 8
Other:
National Native American Veterans Memorial Formally Dedicated At A Ceremony In Washington, D.C
CNN, Zoe Sottile, November 13
Over 1,500 Native Veterans Participate In Dedication Ceremony For The National Native American Veterans Memorial
Native News Online, Darren Thompson, November 12
US Outlines Effects Of Withdrawing Land From Oil Drilling
AP News, Susan Montoya Bryan, November 11
Harvard Museum Will Return Hundreds Of Native American Hair Samples
The New York Times, Christine Chung, November 10
1,520 Oneida Funerary Repatriated From Colgate University
Native News Online, November 10
Hurricane Nicole Unearths Suspected Native American Burial Site In Florida
NBC News, Antonio Planas, November 10