Good Morning NUNAverse,
During a briefing on COVID-19 at the White House yesterday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that current COVID-19 booster shots are enough to combat the fast spreading omicron variant. “Our booster vaccine regimens work against omicron,” said Dr. Fauci. “At this point, there is no need for a variant-specific booster.”
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisers will meet today to revisit the benefits and risks for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to vote on “updated recommendations for use,” according to an agenda for the meeting posted online Wednesday. During a White House COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky did not say why the committee was meeting about Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, or whether she believes the benefits of the vaccine still outweigh the risks.
Owamni, a modern full service Indigenous restaurant in Minneapolis run by Sean Sherman, who is commonly known as the Sioux Chef, was featured this month as one of the Best New Restaurants in America by Esquire. Owamni opened in the summer earlier this year and received a number of recognitions and awards including being featured as one of The New York Times’ list of its 50 new restaurants, and many other publications’ featured new restaurants. Owamni is currently a finalist for the USA Today’s 10 Best New Restaurants with winners announced on December 31, 2021.
During a hearing on Glastonbury High School’s mascot – which was changed from the “Tomahawks” to the “Guardians” last year – a Connecticut school board member was punched in the face by an angry parent. Cellphone video recorded by bystanders at Tuesday’s session showed the parent, Mark Finocchiaro, 53, confront the 57-year-old Board Secretary Ray McFall, standing nose-to-nose with the former Marine Corps officer. When McFall gently pushed Finocchiaro away, Finocchiaro responded by punching McFall, who immediately dropped to the floor. McFall was able to get back up on his own and did not appear to be seriously injured.
Keep reading for a full news update.
Health:
Fauci Says COVID-19 Boosters Work Against Omicron Variant, No Need For Targeted Vaccine
NBC Chicago, December 15
Booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccines already in use are enough to combat the fast-spreading omicron variant, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Wednesday at a White House news briefing. The president’s chief medical adviser said it is unlikely the shots will need to be reformulated to target omicron specifically.
CDC Vaccine Advisers To Revisit Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 Vaccine Recommendation
CNN, Jamie Gumbrecht and Elizabeth Cohen, December 15
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisers will meet on Thursday to revisit the benefits and risks for the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to vote on “updated recommendations for use,” according to an agenda for the meeting posted online Wednesday.
Native Representation:
Enraged Parent Slugs School Board Member At Tense Meeting Over Native American Mascot
Yahoo! News, Justin Rohrlich, December 15
A Connecticut school board member was slugged in the face by an angry parent Tuesday night during a debate on the future of Glastonbury High School’s Native American-inspired mascot. The dust-up between the parent, Mark Finocchiaro, and board secretary Ray McFall, took place during a 10-minute recess after tempers flared amid a public comment period about the Glastonbury Tomahawks name, which was changed last year to the Glastonbury Guardians. The school’s team logos were also switched from a tomahawk, which many found offensive, to a knight’s helmet.
Boarding Schools:
Ex-Boarding School For Native Children Owning Up To Its Past
ABC News, Peter Smith, December 15
Middle schooler Rarity Cournoyer stood at the heart of the Red Cloud Indian School campus and chanted a prayer song firmly and solemnly in the Lakota language — in a place where past generations of students were punished for speaking their mother tongue.
Law:
Tribal Voices Get White House Ear But Still Waiting For Results
Bloomberg Law, Dean Scott, December 15
Tribal voices say they’re finding more ways to get their concerns in front of the Biden administration, even if that increased access isn’t always translating into wins on environmental protection and climate action. Biden has directed all federal agencies to make “regular, meaningful, and robust consultation” with tribal nations, noting that Native Americans are disproportionately impacted by health and economic disparities and worsening climate impacts.
Member Of The Puebla Laguna Sentenced To Three Years In Federal Prison For Assault In Indian Country
Department of Justice, December 15
Duane Day, 31, of New Laguna, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Laguna, was sentenced in federal court today to three years in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily harm in Indian Country. Day pleaded guilty on June 18.
Other:
Coquille Indian Tribe Chief Left An ‘Incredible Legacy’
Indian Country Today, Kalle Benallie, December 16
Chief Donald Boyd Ivy was well known in Oregon as a champion of Indigenous people and a scholar of tribal heritage. Described by his wife Lucinda DiNovo, he was a dynamic speaker, an incredible listener and a strong leader.
Esquire Picks Owamni As A ‘Best New Restaurants In America’ & Names Sean Sherman Chef Of The Year
Native News Online, Darren Thompson, December 15
Owamni, a modern full service Indigenous restaurant by Sean Sherman, who is commonly known as the Sioux Chef, was featured this month as one of the Best New Restaurants in America by Esquire. Each year, the popular men’s culture magazine features 40 restaurants across the country that made an impact on four of the magazine’s writers: Omar Mamoon, Joshua David Stein, Jeff Gordinier, and Kevin Sintumuang.
NSU Students Recognized At American Indian Science And Engineering Society Conference
Cherokee Phoenix, December 15
Northeastern State University students Madison Whitekiller and Melissa Vera were named winners at the American Indian Science and Engineering Society conference competition this semester in Phoenix, Arizona. Whitekiller (Cherokee) placed first in the oral presentation competition and Vera of Veracruz, Mexico, placed third in the poster competition.