Decisions and gatherings shaping Indian Country
From the Gathering of Nations’ ‘Last Dance’ to Supreme Court rulings, powwow etiquette, tribal summits, media partnerships, safety issues, and Route 66 stories, Native communities protect sovereignty,
Look in the mirror: Powwow community reflects on ‘the Last Dance’ for Gathering of Nations
Another powwow likely to take its place
A changing of the guard is underway in the powwow world. The Gathering of Nations Powwow, which has been one of the largest in the country, announced an end after 43 years. Many of its tens of thousands of visitors and a thousand-plus dancers will be looking for another powwow to attend.
Supreme Court should uphold sovereign status for Native nations in Voting Rights Act case
By Todd Hall
August marks the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Public Law 89-110 was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965. The Act is considered to be one of the most highly regarded landmark pieces of legislation regarding civil rights in the United States’ history. Section 2 of the Act prohibits state and local governments from imposing any voting policies that result in the denial or abridgement of the right of any citizen to vote based on race, color, or membership in a minority group.
Powwow etiquette: A respectful visitor’s guide
From the first drumbeat to the last song, respect carries the tradition forward
The afternoon heat haze ripples across the powwow grounds. My son, a Southern Straight dancer, stomps the ground to see if his bells stay tight against his legs. He pauses to fiddle with his silver arm cuffs until they rest where they should. I steady the spreader atop his head while Grandpa slips a lone eagle feather into place, careful not to disturb the roach. It’s a special one, made by Joe Cheshawalla (Osage), the son of one of my grandmother’s dearest friends.
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe elder accused of threatening lives of federal officers
Joseph Lafferty also faces charges in tribal court for aggravated assault and terroristic threats
By Jolan Kruse
A Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe elder was arraigned Thursday on two felony charges for threatening federal officials. According to court documents, Joseph Lafferty is accused of threatening to assault Jeri Vines, an employee of the United States Department of Interior, on May 30, and Justin Keckler, an employee at Indian Health Services, on July 21. A jury trial is scheduled for Oct. 15. The alleged threats occurred in Eagle Butte, South Dakota.
Catching up with Gary Farmer on Route 66
The ‘Resident Alien’ star and musician takes a breather
By Brian Bull
True story: On the final day of the 42nd annual Indigenous Journalists Association conference, I was in my Albuquerque hotel room feeling restless and having a sudden impulse to head downstairs. The closing ceremony wasn’t for almost two hours, but my gut said, Get to the east end of the lower level now.
Buffalo’s Fire and Prairie Public partnering at UTTC International Powwow
The collaboration is just one aspect of Buffalo’s Fire UTTC Tribal Summit and Powwow coverage, Sept. 3-7
Buffalo’s Fire is linking with Prairie Public Radio at the 55th Annual United Tribes Technical College International Powwow with a live broadcast Sept. 6, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. from the powwow grounds. Staff members from both organizations will also report on additional stories from the event. Buffalo’s Fire will also be reporting on the opening of the 28th Annual UTTC Tribal Leaders Summit at the Bismarck Events Center beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 3. We will then move on to the UTTC International Powwow at Lone Star Veterans Arena on the UTTC campus from Sept. 5-7.
Bismarck Documenters to attend Tribal Leaders Summit, UTTC International Powwow
By Daniela Aki
Bismarck Documenters will be at the 28th Annual Tribal Leaders Summit Sept. 3-5 at United Tribes Technical College, hosted in partnership with the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board. Visit Daniela Aki and Castle Fox at the Buffalo’s Fire and Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance booth in the trade show to learn more about the program and ask questions about our September Documenters meet-and-greet and orientation.
We will also be at the UTTC International Powwow Sept. 5-7. Stop by our booth to meet us and learn more about the Documenters program.
For more information reach out to Daniela at daniela@imfreedomalliance.org or Castle at castle@imfreedomalliance.org.
Civic tip of the week: Peek behind the curtain.
Ever read a meeting agenda? It’s where the real action is — budgets, plans, policy. See what’s coming before it hits the headlines.
The Daily Spark – quick, must-read micro stories to start your day
Our Daily Spark feature delivers 8 to 10 news summaries each morning to give you a quick overview of current events in Indian Country. The format prioritizes brevity, providing key updates in short, digestible summaries. This makes it a valuable resource for quickly grasping important developments on a broad range of issues affecting Indigenous communities.
Here are some of the stories you may have missed this week: