It’s official

South Dakota’s senators voted against Interior Department Secretary Debra Haaland, despite tribal leader’s requests. WASHINGTON, D.C – On March 15, the U.S. Senate confirmed Laguna Pueblo Rep. Debra Haaland, D-N.M., as the first Native woman to hold a Cabinet post, making her the Secretary of the Interior by a narrow

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Shared by Native Sun News Today March 19, 2021

Indian boarding school legislation comes up short

Children Left Behind: The Dark Legacy of Indian Mission Boarding (Photo Credit, Book cover art by Denise Giago) PIERRE— In a nod to historical injustice, the South Dakota State House of Representatives passed a resolution on March 2 acknowledging and honoring the survivors of American Indian boarding schools. House Concurrent

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Shared by Native Sun News Today March 12, 2021

Lakota matriarch carries on traditions

Lula Red Cloud and Harry Burk CRAZY HORSE – As the time comes for her to take part in welcoming the seasonal arrival of the Wakíŋyaŋ to Black Elk Peak, Lula Red Cloud also is preparing the third of four annual commemoration services for her late husband Harry Michael Lee

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Shared by Native Sun News Today March 12, 2021

New leadership for Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

RAPID CITY—Given the Biden Administration has now replaced the Trump Administration, tribes are understandably optimistic about the February 3 selection of Democrat Brian Schatz, the senior U.S. Senator from Hawaii, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Trump had a decade’s long conflict with tribes over casino issues,

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Shared by Native Sun News Today March 12, 2021

Senate sinks bill to protect Two-Spirits from hate crimes

Two-Spirit rights advocates, seen left to right, Tasha R. Fridia, Sen. Peri Pourier, Oglala Sioux Tribal Vice-President Alicia Mousseau, Isaiah Brokenleg, Sen. Red Dawn Foster, Felipa Deleon, and Monique Mousseau.COURTESY / Monique Mousseau PIERRE—When Senate Bill 166 unanimously passed in the South Dakota Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 18, it

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Shared by Native Sun News Today March 5, 2021

Bill introduced to block Devil’s Tower name change

Cynthia Lummis, a junior United States Senator from Wyoming WYOMING – Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) has brought back legislation that would protect the name of Devils Tower National Monument from being changed. The bill, which is co-sponsored by Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), would ensure the name Devils Tower for the

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Shared by Native Sun News Today March 5, 2021

 Medals of Honor rescinded

Sen. Troy Heinert: “Those medals are a constant reminder of what our country’s policy was to our ancestors.” PIERRE—Sen. Troy Heinert’s bill to rescind Medals of Honor given to U.S. soldiers for involvement in the Dec. 29 Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890 received unanimous, 35-0, approval from fellow state legislators

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Shared by Native Sun News Today March 5, 2021

Republicans grill Deb Haaland

Gay Kingman, right, thanked Deb Haaland, left, “for being the strong, intelligent, honorable person who very articulately schooled some ill-mannered old men today.”COURTESY / GPTCA WASHINGTON – Deb Haaland, the first Native American nominated to be a Cabinet secretary, remained characteristically cool under grilling from Republican petroleum industry defenders during

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Shared by Native Sun News Today March 5, 2021

Wyoming MMIP report

Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center at the University of Wyoming (Photo Courtesy) WYOMING – The “Missing and Murdered Indigenous People” report which was prepared by the Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center on behalf of Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Task Force has been published. “Despite representing

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Shared by Native Sun News Today February 26, 2021