Good Morning, NUNAverse,

The New York State Education Department has effectively banned the use of most Native mascots for public schools in the state. Schools must be in compliance by the end of the 2022-23 school year or face withholding of state aid, with the exception of districts that receive approval of a mascot from a recognized tribe. Any use of Native logos or imagery is no longer allowed without approval. Penalties for schools that don’t comply include removal of school officers in addition to loss of state aid.

The U.S.  Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) last week announced it had awarded $224 million to tribal governments as part of its Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. The awards are the latest round of NTIA funding, which is directed to tribal governments for broadband on tribal lands, as well as telehealth, distance learning, affordable high-speed Internet access and digital inclusion. In total, the NTIA program has awarded $1.6 billion to 114 tribal communities.

Last week, supporters asking for the release of American Indian Movement activist Leonard Peltier arrived in Washington and hosted a march and rally at the Lincoln Memorial. The American Indian Movement’s Grand Governing Council (AIMGGC) began the 1,100-mile Leonard Peltier’s Walk to Justice on September 1. The group completed their final mile from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial with nearly 2,000 supporters. 

Keep reading for a full news update. 

Native Mascots:

New York Public Schools Must Drop Native American Mascots Or Lose Funding, State Officials Say

USA Today, Andrew Legare, November 19

Law:

Blackfeet Nation Challenges Montana Ban On Vaccine Mandates As Infringement On Sovereignty

Native News Online, November 20

17 Arrested For Violent Crimes Committed On The San Carlos Reservation

Native News Online, November 19

Former Tribal Leader Gets 3 Years In Casino Bribery Case

AP News, November 16

FBI Investigates Maine Auction House For ‘Apache Scalp’

Native News Online, November 15

Health:

IHS Breaks Ground On New Virginia Health Center

Native News Online, November 15

Politics:

Pete Buttigieg Gets An Earful About Tribal Roads

Indian Country Today, Shaun Griswold, November 17

Cherokee Nation Fights For Delegate In Congress 

Native News Online, Jenna Kunze, November 16

Other:

Western Series ‘The English’ Thrills With Pawnee Authenticity

Indian Country Today, Sandra Hale Schulman, November 21

Bison Spared As Native American Tribes Reclaim Stewardship

AP News, Matthew Brown, November 21

Minnesota Wild Unveil Special Jerseys To Celebrate Native American Heritage Day

CBS NewsNovember 19

Commerce Dept. Awards More Than $200 Million For High-Speed Internet In Indian Country

Native News Online, Darren Thompson, November 19

Panel OKs Name Change Of Colorado Mountain Tied To Massacre

AP News, Thomas Peipert, November 18

Tribes Celebrate Plan To Remove Dams On Klamath

Indian Country Today, Chris Aadland, November 18

BIA Announces “Historic” Land Acquisition In Alaska

Native News Online, November 18

Chicago Group Puts Spotlight On Indigenous Issues

Indian Country Today, Amelia Schafer, November 18

VA Education Dept. Backtracks From Labeling Native Americans As “America’s First Immigrants”

Native News Online, November 18

Tribe Continues Fight Against Proposed Copper Mine

Indian Country Today, November 17

After Long Fight, Tribal Water Bills Get Primary Ok

Cronkite News, Ryan Knappenberger, November 17

What Are The Barriers To Native American Homeownership?

Forbes, Janice Asare, November 14

California Breaks Ground On Native American Monument

AP News, Adam Bean, November 14

After 1,100 Miles, Leonard Peltier’s Walk To Justice Arrives In Washington, D.C. 

Native News Online, November 14