Good Morning, NUNAverse,

Representative Mary Peltola, the first Alaska Native elected to Congress in a special election in Alaska this summer, has officially been elected to a full term in the House of Representatives. Peltola defeated Republicans Sarah Palin and Nick Begich, as well as Libertarian Chris Bye in the November 8 election. Results of the ranked choice election were announced last week.

The location of the bodies of more than 80 Native children buried at the former Genoa Indian Industrial School in Nebraska may soon be discovered thanks to efforts by researchers who pored over century-old documents and maps, examined land with specially trained dogs and made use of ground-penetrating radar in search of the lost graves. If the Genoa graves are found, decisions about whether to commemorate them or consider disinterring the remains will be left to tribal representatives.

During National Native American Heritage Month, the Department of Commerce has paid tribute to the sacrifices, contributions, and achievements of Native people and honoring their cultural heritage. Last week, the Department of Commerce celebrated two employees – Tracy Boze and James Daugomah, two outstanding employees who, among other significant contributions, serve as co-chairs to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s American Indian Alaska Native Employee Resource Group (ERG).

The Seneca Nation was selected to receive a federal grant of $7,625,000 through the highly competitive Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program. The grant will fund the construction of the Southern Tier Regional Transit Hub, a state-of- the-art, transit facility comprised of a combined transit hub and bus storage facility on the Nation’s Cattaraugus Territory. Operated by the Seneca Nation Department of Transportation and Seneca Transit System, the facility will increase accessibility, streamline bus services and fuel economic growth across the region. 

Keep reading for a full news update. 

Politics:

Peltola, 1st Alaska Native In Congress, Wins Full Term

AP News, Becky Bohrer, November 24

Peltola Wins Alaska House Seat, Defeating Palin And Begich 

Native News Online, Jenna Kunze, November 23

Boarding Schools:

Researchers Seek Lost Native American Boarding School Graves

AP News, Scott McFetridge, November 24

Other:

Sen. Schumer Announces $7.625 Million Federal Grant On Seneca Nation

Native News Online, November 27

Métis Creator Sees Digital Network As A ‘Cultural Hub’

APTN National News, Leanne Sanders, November 27

Harvard Announces Return Of Native Hair Samples

Indian Country Today, Mary Annette Pember, November 27

Little Cherokee Seeds Aims To Create Cherokee Speakers

Cherokee Phoenix, Lindsey Bark, November 26

Uncovering The Effects Of The Indian Relocation Act Of 1956

Buzzfeed News, Kenneth Bachor, November 25

CBS Broadcasters Mock Native American College Basketball Player

Native News Online, November 25

Traditional Recognition For Women Veterans

Indian Country Today, Pauly Denetclaw, November 24

Alcatraz Island: Indigenous People Gather At Sunrise On Thanksgiving

Native News Online, November 24

Wampanoag Tribe’s ‘People Of First Light’ Float Debuts On NBC During The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade

Native News Online, November 24

Increasing Representation Of Native Americans In STEM And Innovation

US Department of Commerce, November 24

Facts And Figures: The Native American Population At A Glance

US News, Chris Gilligan, November 23

Grand Canyon Park Changes Campground Name That Haunted Tribe

AP News, November 22

Leaders In NOAA Elevate Native American Voices To Foster Education On Indigenous Issues And Culture

US Department of Commerce, November 22