Good Morning, NUNAverse,
In order to combat the omicron variant of COVID-19 surging through the country, President Joe Biden announced the government will provide 500 million free rapid home-testing kits, increase support for hospitals under strain, and redouble vaccination and boosting efforts. At the White House on Tuesday, Biden detailed major changes to his COVID-19 winter plan, his hand forced by the fast-spreading variant, whose properties are not yet fully understood by scientists. Yet his message was clear that the winter holidays could be close to normal for the vaccinated while potentially dangerous for the unvaccinated. His pleas are not political, he emphasized. He noted that former President Donald Trump has gotten his booster shot, and he said it’s Americans’ “patriotic duty” to get vaccinated.
COVID-19 was the No. 1 leading cause of death among Native peoples in Montana during 2020 and the third-leading cause of death for the general population. The year also brought a staggering increase in all causes of death for Indigenous people. In Montana, death certificates compiled by the state Office of Vital Records revealed 1,022 deaths last year of Indigenous peoples, compared to an average of 676 deaths per year in the five years prior. That accounts for a 36% increase in all all-cause mortality rates, according to a report published in December 2021 by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. COVID-19 proved to be the primary driver in the increase of deaths as the disease accounted for 25% of all deaths among the entire Native population.
The earthy smell of burning sage filled the air Tuesday morning as dozens of Native peoples and city officials led by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti gathered at a west San Fernando Valley nature preserve to honor the winter solstice and pray for those who perished in the COVID-19 pandemic. During a blessing ceremony held in a glade of century-old oaks at the Chatsworth Nature Preserve, Garcetti stood with hands clasped and eyes closed at the edge of a prayer circle as Alan Salazar, an elder in the Fernandeño Tataviam tribe, wafted sage smoke over him with a fan of eagle feathers. Later, Garcetti shared a prayer of his own with those in attendance. The unusual, hastily organized event was billed as a “community wellness gathering” co-hosted by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which owns the 1,325-acre property, and the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
On Tuesday, December 14, the Idaho Attorney General’s Office charged Bingham County Sheriff Craig Rowland with aggravated battery and aggravated assault for a confrontation that happened on November 10, outside of his house. Investigators say Rowland admitted that he aimed a gun at the group of non-Native girls, dragged their non-Native adult chaperone from the car by her hair, and threatened to shoot her. According to the affidavit, Rowland admittedly made disparaging comments about Indigenous people during the confrontation and his use of threats and force against a youth group were influenced by supposed previous interactions at his home involving Native peoples. According to investigators, Rowland admitted to Blackfoot Police Chief Scott Gay that he threatened to use his firearm after he pulled a youth chaperone out of her car while seven girls, ages 12 to 16, were delivering paper “thankful turkeys” to people around the neighborhood.
Keep reading for a full news update.
Health:
Biden Pivots To Home Tests To Confront Omicron Surge
AP News, Josh Boak, December 21
Fighting the omicron variant surging through the country, President Joe Biden announced the government will provide 500 million free rapid home-testing kits, increase support for hospitals under strain and redouble vaccination and boosting efforts. At the White House on Tuesday, Biden detailed major changes to his COVID-19 winter plan, his hand forced by the fast-spreading variant, whose properties are not yet fully understood by scientists. Yet his message was clear that the winter holidays could be close to normal for the vaccinated while potentially dangerous for the unvaccinated. His pleas are not political, he emphasized. He noted that former President Donald Trump has gotten his booster shot, and he said it’s Americans’ “patriotic duty” to get vaccinated.
COVID No. 1 Cause Of Death Among Montana Native Americans
KVPI, Emily Schabacker, December 21
COVID-19 became the No. 1 leading cause of death among Native Americans in Montana during 2020 and the third-leading cause of death for the general population. The year also brought a staggering increase in all causes of death for Indigenous people. In Montana, death certificates compiled by the state Office of Vital Records revealed 1,022 deaths last year of American Indians, compared to an average of 676 deaths per year in the five years prior. That accounts for a 36% increase in all all-cause mortality rates, according to a report published in December 2021 by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. COVID-19 proved to be the primary driver in the increase of deaths as the disease accounted for 25% of all deaths among the entire Native American population.
The results from DPHHS provide a quantitative snapshot of what the state and nation were already seeing: that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted Indigenous communities.
Law:
Idaho Sheriff Arrested For Threatening To Shoot Youth Group Leader
Native News Online, Darren Thompson, December 21
On Tuesday, December 14, the Idaho Attorney General’s Office charged Bingham County Sheriff Craig Rowland with aggravated battery and aggravated assault for a confrontation that happened on November 10, outside of his house. Investigators say Rowland admitted that he aimed a gun at the group of non-Native girls, dragged their non-Native adult chaperone from the car by her hair, and threatened to shoot her. According to the affidavit, Rowland admittedly made disparaging comments about American Indians during the confrontation and his use of threats and force against a youth group were influenced by supposed previous interactions at his home involving American Indians. According to investigators, Rowland admitted to Blackfoot Police Chief Scott Gay that he threatened to use his firearm after he pulled a youth chaperone out of her car while seven girls, ages 12 to 16, were delivering paper “thankful turkeys” to people around the neighborhood.
Native American KU Students Want A Say In Criminal Cases
AP News, December 21
Some Native American students at the University of Kansas want a say in criminal cases involving vandalism and thefts at the “Native Hosts” art exhibit. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that members of the First Nations Student Association have asked the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office to include them in processing of the criminal cases. Doctoral student D’Arlyn Bell said the crimes made Native American students feel “targeted.” Two students have been charged with stealing part of the art exhibit titled “Native Hosts,” by artist Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Birds. It is installed outside the Spencer Museum of Art. The theft happened around Sept. 29, more than three weeks after two unidentified people damaged four of the pieces.
Native Mascots:
Town Votes Not To Restore Native American Nickname For Teams
AP News, December 21
A school board in Connecticut has rejected a proposal to revive a Native American nickname for its high school sports teams, a week after a meeting to discuss that idea ended with a board member being punched. The Glastonbury Board of Education finished its meeting online Monday night, voting 7-1 not to change the name from Guardians back to Tomahawks. The town changed the name earlier this year. Last Tuesday’s in-person meeting ended after an argument erupted during a break between a board member and a resident. The board member can be seen on a video pushing the man, who then takes a swing at the board member, striking him and causing him to fall backward. Police are investigating the fight. No charges have been filed.
Other:
L.A. Mayor Joins Native Americans In Solstice Celebration And Prayer For Covid Dead
Los Angeles Times, Louis Sahagún, December 21
The earthy smell of burning sage filled the air Tuesday morning as dozens of Native Americans and city officials led by Mayor Eric Garcetti gathered at a west San Fernando Valley nature preserve to honor the winter solstice and pray for those who perished in the COVID-19 pandemic. During a blessing ceremony held in a glade of century-old oaks at the Chatsworth Nature Preserve, Garcetti stood with hands clasped and eyes closed at the edge of a prayer circle as Alan Salazar, an elder in the Fernandeño Tataviam tribe, wafted sage smoke over him with a fan of eagle feathers. Later, Garcetti shared a prayer of his own with those in attendance. The unusual, hastily organized event was billed as a “community wellness gathering” co-hosted by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which owns the 1,325-acre property, and the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
Amah Mutsun Tribal Band Of Costanoan/Ohlone Continue Working To Protect Sacred Land
Native News Online, Nanette Deetz, December 21
Since 2015, the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band of Costanoan/Ohlone have been vehemently opposing a proposed quarry in central California that will eventually destroy four sacred mountains and cause serious ecological damage to Juristac, an area that is the heart of the tribe’s ancestral lands. The proposed sand and gravel quarry would be located on and around the former Sargent Ranch in Santa Clara and San Benito counties near Gilroy, about 40 miles southeast of San Jose. The Debt Acquisition Company of America, a wealthy developer group from San Diego bought the land at auction in 2015 and plans to develop 317 acres of this sacred area. For the Amah Mutsun, Juristac is the home of a powerful spiritual being known as Kuksui. Juristac translates as “Place of the Big Head.” Big Head dances and other healing and renewal ceremonies took place here for centuries. The entire area contains ceremonial sites, cultural sites, burial sites, villages, bedrock mortars (the holes that are made from centuries of pounding acorns, seeds, and other gathered foods into the rock), and other items of significance to the Amah Mutsun people.