INDIGENOUS WORLWIDE

A historic legislative provision granting federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina was included in the extensive 3,086-page National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2026, a massive defense spending bill released by congressional leaders on Sunday. The NDAA, which is the annual legislation authorizing funding for the Department of Defense, nuclear weapons programs under the Department of Energy, and various defense-related activities, frequently serves as

A bipartisan coalition of legislators on Thursday formally reintroduced the Native American Seeds Act of 2025, a critical piece of legislation designed to bolster the capacity of Tribal nations to protect and preserve culturally significant seeds now increasingly threatened by the pressures of climate change, environmental contamination, and other systemic hazards. The bill, shepherded in the House by Representatives Norma J. Torres (D-Calif.) and Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), and

The Chickasaw Holiday Art Market, a premier showcase dedicated exclusively to the work of Chickasaw artists, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 6th, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The annual event will be hosted within the elegant Artesian Hotel Ballroom, located at 1001 West First Street in Sulphur, Oklahoma. A Celebration of Traditional and Contemporary Artistry Organizers, operating under the oversight of the Chickasaw Artist Board, have curated a diverse ran

A monumental new volume entitled In Light and Shadow: A Photographic History from Indigenous America offers a meticulously curated collection of over 250 images captured by Indigenous photographers, spanning the era of the 1800s to the present day. This groundbreaking project evolved from an earlier research initiative conceived by photographer Brian Adams (Iñupiaq) and author Sarah Stacke. From Digital Archive to Definitive History The genesis of the book lies in the 400 Yea

The United States Senate delivered a strong, bipartisan reaffirmation of federal commitment to Tribal Nations on Wednesday by successfully passing a resolution formally recognizing November 2025 as National Native American Heritage Month. This resolution serves to honor the rich cultures, complex histories, and profound contributions that Native Americans have made to the tapestry of the United States. A Call for Action and Partnership The measure was championed by the leader

A significant new legal challenge to state authority has been mounted in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, where the Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and Cherokee Nation have jointly filed a federal lawsuit. The suit alleges that Governor Kevin Stitt and various state officials are unlawfully prosecuting Tribal citizens for hunting and fishing activities conducted on Tribal lands. The lawsuit, filed on a Monday, names Governor Stitt,

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced on Wednesday a comprehensive plan to significantly overhaul its Tribal broadband programs. The agency's goal is to reduce bureaucratic obstacles, enhance funding flexibility, and more effectively align grant opportunities with the crucial connectivity needs of Tribal nations across the United States. A Strategic Realignment for Enhanced ImpactThe anticipated reforms a

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery bestowed one of its prestigious 2025 Portrait of a Nation Awards upon the distinguished Mvskoke (Creek) poet, performer, and writer, Joy Harjo, recognizing her profound and transformative contributions to American literature and national culture. The accolade was presented during the museum’s 10th annual Portrait of a Nation Gala, a high-profile event held at Union Station. Celebrating Influence and Ingenuity Harjo, who holds the di

The protracted forty-three-day shuttering of U.S. government services, caused by congressional disputes over federal spending, has officially concluded with the signing of a new spending bill. Following the House of Representatives' approval of the necessary legislation on Wednesday night, President Donald Trump signed the bill into law, immediately authorizing funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This action ensures full payment of benefits to th

The capital city of Sacramento is once again preparing to host the Second Annual Native American Heritage Month Parade, a massive cultural demonstration expected to draw hundreds of participants and spectators on Saturday, November 8th. The celebratory event, which commences at 10 a.m., will proceed down the expansive Capitol Mall before concluding with an hour of vibrant cultural performances staged on the west steps of the California State Capitol. The celebratory processio

The Lytton Rancheria of California, a federally recognized American Indian tribe, has officially entered into a definitive agreement with Cadiz Inc. (NASDAQ: CDZI), securing up to $51 million in capital for the initial phase of the company's ambitious Mojave Groundwater Bank project. This agreement, announced on Tuesday, marks the first Tribal investment in the project, which is widely expected to become the largest groundwater bank in the Southwest United States. A New Model

Candidate for New Mexico Governor, Deb Haaland, recently met with influential community leaders from the South Valley Regional Acequia, alongside State Senator Linda Lopez and Representative Patricia Roybal Caballero, to formally announce her staunch support for securing annual and permanent funding dedicated to the state’s land grants and acequias. The Sunday gathering critically focused on the importance of sustaining and protecting New Mexico’s traditional land and water m

The acclaimed neo-noir thriller Dark Winds is set to make its highly anticipated return for a fourth season on AMC and its streaming counterpart, AMC+. The network has slated the premiere for Sunday, February 15th, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, promising eight hour-long episodes that will continue the series' signature blend of cultural investigation, mystery, and crime set primarily within the Navajo Nation. Critical Acclaim and Executive Pedigree The series has cemented its place a

The U.S. Department of the Interior has unveiled a comprehensive set of initiatives designed to strategically expand energy development, modernize the management of land and resources, and significantly improve public health and safety across the state of Alaska. The announcement, delivered during a key event attended by Alaska’s congressional delegation and the Governor, details several major actions that collectively aim to reduce regulatory barriers, empower local communit

The premiere of the new short film, Following Enchantment’s Line, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, became a profound cultural event celebrating the career of the Diné and Puerto Rican ballet icon, Jock Soto. The film showcased the renowned dancer gliding beneath the vast blue skies of his native Southwest—a rare glimpse of his artistry for the audience. As the lights rose in the Lensic Performing Arts Center, the summer monsoon broke, and hard rain echoed the rhythmic precision of So

In a significant cultural and media partnership, the Cherokee Nation has collaborated with DreamWorks Animation and NBCUniversal to produce a full Cherokee-language version of the globally beloved animated feature, How to Train Your Dragon . This pioneering dubbed film became available for exclusive streaming on Peacock on October 1st, marking a monumental step in the Tribe's ongoing, dedicated efforts toward language revitalization. The project, which officially launched in

Following the critical triumph of Reservation Dogs , showrunner Sterlin Harjo has introduced his new series, The Lowdown , a sharp, genre-bending neo-noir crime dramedy set in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The series, which premiered on FX and streams on Hulu, marks a significant stylistic shift for Harjo while retaining his signature blend of regional authenticity and dark, character-driven humor, confirming his continued versatility as a storyteller rooted in the state. The series is ex

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians is set to welcome the public to its annual cultural gathering, the 19th Santa Ynez Chumash Culture Day, a vibrant celebration showcasing California-style Native American singing, dancing, food, and games. The free, family-friendly event is scheduled for Saturday, October 18th, running from noon until 9 p.m., at the intersection of Highway 246 and Meadowvale Road in Santa Ynez. This public festival, which warmly welcomes attendees of all

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed three pivotal pieces of legislation focused on Indigenous issues and simultaneously issued an official proclamation recognizing the significance of California Native American Day. The bills, all authored by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino), the first and only California Native American elected to the State Legislature since statehood, address core issues including the protection of tribal cultural expression, the long-ov

The 20th annual Southeastern Art Show and Market (SEASAM), alongside its youth counterpart, SEASAM Youth, is scheduled to commence on Friday, October 3rd, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and continue on Saturday, October 4th, starting at 11 a.m. The celebrated juried art show and market will take place on the grounds of the Chickasaw Nation Historic Capitol Building in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. SEASAM serves as a dedicated showcase for a diverse array of adult and youth artists hailing fr