Good Morning NUNAverse,
The U.S. recorded its first confirmed case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 yesterday in a vaccinated traveler who returned to California after a trip to South Africa. Dr. Anthony Fauci announced the finding at the White House. The infected person was identified as a traveler who had returned from South Africa on November 22, developed mild symptoms, and tested positive for COVID-19 Monday. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco obtained a sample from the patient Tuesday evening and worked overnight to assemble the genetic sequence. The person, who had had the full two doses of the Moderna vaccine and wasn’t yet due for a booster shot, is improving, California officials said.
In mid-November, President Joe Biden signed into law a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that includes at least $11 billion allocation to Naive communities to improve roads, expand broadband access, and fund sanitation, water rights, and environmental reclamation projects. Fifteen days after the bill passed, questions remain about how and when the funding will be distributed, to which tribes, and when. According to the Department of the Interior spokesperson Tyler Cherry, the department is “already getting to work building out programs that will require new structures, such as the orphan well and hardrock mine cleanup programs.” Within the next two months, the Interior will stand up the orphan well clean-up program, he said.
In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, Bank of America recently announced it is directing $520,000 to support nonprofit and tribal partners of Native communities in Oklahoma. Oklahoma grants are part of more than $17 million the bank has directed to support Native communities since the onset of the pandemic. In the Oklahoma City area, three organizations will receive a combined $250,000 in grants to support efforts to advance education, business development, economic mobility, and food security.
On Monday, the Native American Media Alliance – a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that fosters Native inclusivity in the entertainment industry – selected the eight candidates for their third annual Native American Animation Lab. The lab is a mentorship program created to improve media portrayals of Native peoples and to increase the number of Native people employed in all facets of the media industry. It includes five days of workshops, seminars and coaching from top animators from Comedy Central, MTV Entertainment Group and Sony Pictures Animation. At the week’s end, mentees will each pitch a final project to a panel of executives for feedback and support.
Keep reading for a full news update.
Health:
US Reports 1st Case Of Omicron Variant In Returning Traveler
AP News, Zeke Miller, December 1
The U.S. recorded its first confirmed case of the omicron variant Wednesday — in a vaccinated traveler who returned to California after a trip to South Africa — as scientists around the world race to establish whether the new, mutant version of the coronavirus is more dangerous than previous ones. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the United States’ top infectious-disease expert, announced the finding at the White House. The infected person was identified as a traveler who had returned from South Africa on Nov. 22, developed mild symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19 Monday. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco obtained a sample from the patient Tuesday evening and worked feverishly overnight to assemble the genetic sequence. The person, who had had the full two doses of the Moderna vaccine and wasn’t yet due for a booster shot, is improving, California officials said.
Navajo Nation: 63 More COVID-19 Cases, No Deaths For 3rd Day
AP News, December 1
The Navajo Nation on Wednesday reported 63 more COVID-19 cases, but no additional deaths for the third consecutive day. The latest daily virus figures brought the tribe’s totals to 39,561 cases since the pandemic began. The known death toll remains at 1,542. Based on cases from Nov. 12-25, the Navajo Department of Health on Monday issued an advisory for 65 communities due to uncontrolled spread of COVID-19. Tribal President Jonathan Nez has again called for everyone on the vast reservation to get fully vaccinated or get a booster shot and wear masks. Health care providers and facilities across the Navajo Nation are administering COVID-19 vaccines and appointments are readily available.
Newsom: Omicron Variant Won’t Spark California Shutdown
AP News, Don Thompson, December 1
Confirmation of the first U.S. case of the omicron variant in California was not surprising and shouldn’t force another shutdown heading into the holidays, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday. State health officials said they are increasing COVID-19 testing at California’s airports for arrivals from countries identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as being areas where the newly identified variant is spreading. But otherwise Newsom said he does not anticipate that the most populous state will impose another stay-at-home order or other new restrictions.
Alaska Report Provides Details On COVID-19-Related Deaths
AP News, December 1
Many of the people whose deaths were caused by or associated with COVID-19 in Alaska between January 2020 through September 2021 had at least one underlying medical condition, the state health department reported Wednesday. The department, in an epidemiology bulletin, said 658 deaths between Jan. 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2021 were determined to be caused by or associated with COVID-19. Of the 551 individuals for which past medical history was known, 529 “had at least one underlying medical condition associated with increased risk for severe COVID-19,” the report states. Most of those — 417 — had one to three medical conditions. Cardiovascular diseases were the most common underlying condition, according to the report. To date, since March 2020, about 145,900 resident cases of COVID-19 and about 850 resident deaths have been reported, according to the department.
Other:
What’s Next For Tribes And The Recently Signed Infrastructure Bill?
Native News Online, Jenna Kunze, December 1
In mid-November, President Joe Biden signed into law a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that includes at least $11 billion allocation to Naive communities to improve roads, expand broadband access, and fund sanitation, water rights, and environmental reclamation projects. According to National Congress of American Indians chairperson Aaron Payment, who provided testimony on the bill, the real figure going to Indian Country was drafted to be $15 billion, but in the final draft was closer to $14 billion towards roads and bridges, water and sewer, and broadband. Fifteen days after the bill passed, questions remain about how and when the funding will be distributed, to which tribes, and when. According to the Department of the Interior spokesperson Tyler Cherry on Tuesday, the department is “already getting to work building out programs that will require new structures, such as the orphan well and hardrock mine cleanup programs.” Within the next two months, the Interior will stand up the orphan well clean-up program, he said.
‘Indigenous Bowl’ To Feature Indian Country’s Best
Indian Country Today, December 1
The fourth annual “Indigenous Bowl” will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota this weekend. The event, hosted by the Minnesota Vikings, brings together the best Native high school football players for an exciting game. The athletes will also get an opportunity to work with skilled coaches, mentors and former professional football players.
Navajo Police Chief Leaves For Same Job In Hometown
AP News, Felicia Fonseca, December 1
The police chief on the Navajo Nation is stepping down to oversee a much-smaller police department in the town where he grew up. Phillip Francisco took over the Navajo Nation Police Department in 2016 after the position had been vacant for several years, with various officers temporarily at the helm. The 45-year-old said Tuesday he’s leaving at the end of December to become police chief in Bloomfield, New Mexico. The Navajo department has a staff of about 200, less than half of what it needs to adequately police the 27,000-square-mile reservation that’s larger than 10 U.S. states. Navajo President Jonathan Nez credited Francisco with re-establishing the tribe’s police academy in Chinle, leading an effort to boost salaries for officers and maintaining the police force that’s been affected by COVID-19 deaths and retirements. Francisco said much of the work has been in crisis management with not enough staff, violent crime that is fueled by substance abuse, the coronavirus pandemic and having to answer to tribal lawmakers.
Native American Animation Lab Announces Eight Fellows
Native News Online, December 1
On Monday, the The Native American Media Alliance— a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that fosters Native inclusivity in the entertainment industry—selected the eight candidates for their third annual Native American Animation Lab. The lab is a mentorship program created to improve media portrayals of Native Americans and to increase the number of Native Americans employed in all facets of the media industry.
Bank Of America Grants To Benefit Oklahomans
The Journal Record, December 1
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to reflect on, celebrate and honor the history and contributions of Native Americans and look forward to the future. In recognition of the important month, Bank of America recently announced it is directing $520,000 to support nonprofit and tribal partners of Native American communities in Oklahoma. Oklahoma grants are part of more than $17 million the bank has directed to support Native American communities since the onset of the pandemic.
Celebrate Native American Voices With These 5 Excellent Books From Native Authors
Seattle Times, Jordan Snowden, December 1
November was Native American Heritage Month. While the calendar has already turned to a new page, here are five books by Native writers you can read any time of year to delve into the rich ancestry and traditions of Indigenous communities.