Today, catch up on some of the stories we’re following from Indian Country. This week, stay up to date on the story of the hotel owner in Rapid City, South Dakota who banned Native Americans from staying there, learn how Haida Eagle Clan elder Jiixa and Julia Weder are using rap to help preserve the Haida language, and more in this week’s News You Can Use from all over Indian Country!
Guest Column | Stop extractive industry, give power, water to Diné homes – Navajo Times
In January, Council considered legislation (No. 0232-21) to approve three helium development projects for Navajo Nation Oil and Gas Company. This legislation was tabled until the spring Council session. The projects are advanced as an important economic development opportunity for the Navajo Nation.
‘Why not me?’: the boot camp giving Indigenous women the tools to run for office
Indigenous women are underrepresented in Congress and other elected offices. The Native Action Network wants to change that
White House report highlights voting barriers for Native American voters
Native Americans face recurring and unnecessary barriers when it comes to exercising their right to vote, according to a report released by the White House.
‘I’m 84 years old and rapping’: Elder helps bring Haida language to new generation as one half of rap duo | CBC News
Haida Nation elder Jiixa and Julia Weder, who was adopted into the Haida Eagle Clan, write and perform rap songs in the Haida language, which has only two dozen fluent speakers left, according to the nation’s council.
As Chicago’s Native American population grows, more efforts are underway to build community
Over the past 10 years, more Chicagoans are identifying as Native American — up from 13,337 in 2010 to 34,543 in 2020, according to a Sun-Times analysis of census data.
The owner of a South Dakota hotel said she was banning Native people. Tribal leaders quickly issued the hotel a trespassing notice, citing an 1868 treaty.
The owner of the hotel, located in the Black Hills, said “the problem is we do not know the nice ones from the bad Natives,” according to SDPB.
