Arizona legislation to better regulate rehab programs targeted by Medicaid scams is moving forward
A Navajo state senator in Arizona says she's hoping for final approval of her bill to tighten regulations for rehab facilities amid widespread fraud that has bilked hundreds of millions in Medicaid dollars.
New Mexico legislators seek endowment to bolster autonomous tribal education programs
New Mexico legislators want to create a unique educational endowment of at least $50 million to help Native American communities create their own student programs, including efforts to teach and preserve Indigenous languages.
Centuries after Native American remains were dug up, a new law returns them for reburial in Illinois
Illinois officials and Native Americans whose ancestors called the state home hope a new state law will speed the recovery and reburial of their relatives' remains unearthed over the past two centuries.
Fake Arizona rehab centers scam Native Americans far from home, officials warn during investigations
Hundreds of Native Americans have been recruited to addiction treatment centers in Phoenix from states as far away as Montana in a widespread billing scheme that mostly targeted Medicaid’s American Indian Health Program.
Supreme Court won't block a ruling favoring a Native American man cited for speeding in Tulsa
The Supreme Court has left in place a lower court ruling that invalidated a speeding ticket against a Native American man in Tulsa, Oklahoma, because the city is located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation.
Pipestone carvers preserve revered Native spiritual tradition in Minnesota prairie
Under the tall prairie grass in far southwestern Minnesota lies a precious seam of dark red pipestone that, for thousands of years, Native Americans have quarried and carved into pipes essential to prayer and communication with the Creator.
Navajo Nation declares widespread Medicaid scam in Arizona a public health state of emergency
A widespread Arizona Medicaid scam that has left an unknown number of Native Americans homeless on the streets of metro Phoenix is being declared a public health state of emergency by the Navajo Nation as fraudulent sober living homes lose their funding and turn former residents onto the streets.
Native American youth to be tapped for conservation projects
U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has rolled out guidelines for a new youth service program meant to create job opportunities for Native Americans while boosting their cultural connections to nature through conservation projects on tribal and public land.
Tribes credited with elevating vaccinations in rural Arizona
In a pandemic that has seen sharp divides between urban and rural vaccination rates nationwide, Arizona is the only state where rural vaccine rates outpaced more populated counties according to a recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Members of Congress highlight missing minority women, girls
Members of a congressional panel focused on civil rights and liberties are acknowledging that more needs to be done to address the disproportionate numbers of Indigenous, Black and other minority women and girls who are missing in the United States.
Chan, Zuckerberg fighting Native American vaccine hesitancy
Dakota and Navajo actor Dallas Goldtooth joins other influencers — people who have earned the community’s trust — in a two-phase public outreach effort by nonprofit organizations IllumiNative, the Urban Indian Health Institute, and 13 Native groups in states including Alaska, Minnesota, and California.
High court seems ready to send virus funds to Alaska Natives
The Supreme Court seems inclined to say that hundreds of millions of dollars in coronavirus relief money should benefit Alaska Natives, rather than be spread more broadly among Native American tribes around the U.S. The justices were hearing arguments Monday in a case involving the massive pandemic relief package passed last year and signed into law by then-President Donald Trump.
The Latest: Trump blasts Fauci and Birx as 'self-promoters'
The Department of Health reported more than 10,000 new COVID-19 cases Monday, the highest since the pandemic hit the country. Fauci told CNN it seemed like the Trump virus team was “fighting with each other rather than fighting the virus.”AdIn his statement, Trump says “Dr. Texas has administered more than 10 million vaccine doses. Jared Polis has announced that residents over age 16 will be eligible for the coronavirus vaccine starting Friday. Ad___NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Johnson & Johnson says it’s agreed to provide up to 400 million doses of its one-dose COVID-19 vaccine to African countries, starting this summer.
Tribes want Native statue to replace one tied to massacre
The new statue would replace the one depicting a Union Army soldier who helped carry out the Sand Creek Massacre of 230 Cheyenne and Arapaho people in 1864, one of the worst mass murders in U.S. history. AdRyan Ortiz of the Northern Arapaho Tribe testified virtually in favor of the new statue for the Capital Development Committee. He said the massacre is the origin of historical trauma for the Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes and that the statue would be a chance to right previous wrongs. Otto Braided Hair, a Northern Cheyenne tribal member and descendent of a Sand Creek survivor, has worked on education surrounding the massacre for the last 20 years. The Sand Creek Massacre site is tucked away in rural southeastern Colorado and honors the victims.
Biden to sign virus measures, requires mask use to travel
President Joe Biden speaks about the coronavirus in the State Dinning Room of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, in Washington. “We didn’t get into this mess overnight, and it will take months to turn this around,” Biden said at the White House. Asked about that at the White House on Thursday, Biden told a reporter: “When I announced it, you all said it’s not possible. But administration officials stressed that reopening schools safely depends on increased testing. “We do not have nearly enough testing capacity in this country,” said White House coronavirus coordinator Jeff Zients.
Fast rollout of virus vaccine trials reveals tribal distrust
(Nina Mayer Ritchie/Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health via AP)FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The news came during a hopeful time on the largest Native American reservation. About 460 Native Americans participated in the trials for the vaccine by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, including Navajos. Vaccine trials nationwide have been moving quickly, which doesn’t always align with tribal guidelines on considering research proposals. In South Dakota, the Cheyenne River Sioux tribal health committee initially pushed back on Dr. Jeffrey Henderson's proposal for trials of the Novavax vaccine. That case came to mind when Annette Brown, a Navajo woman, heard about her tribe's willingness to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials.
In historic pick, Biden taps Haaland as interior secretary
FILE - In this March 5, 2020, file photo Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., Native American Caucus co-chair, speaks to reporters about the 2020 Census on Capitol Hill in Washington. President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate Haaland as interior secretary. The historic pick would make her the first Native American to lead the powerful federal agency that has wielded influence over the nation's tribes for generations. Scott Applewhite, File)President-elect Joe Biden selected New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland as his nominee for interior secretary on Thursday, a historic pick that would make her the first Native American to lead the powerful federal agency that has wielded influence over the nation's tribes for generations. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made it clear Wednesday that Biden had her blessing to choose Haaland, saying she would make an “excellent choice” as interior secretary.
Teams say Indian names show respect, history says otherwise
FILE - James Watson, left, protests before a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Indians, Monday, April 1, 2019, in Cleveland. The Cleveland Indians are changing their name _ they just don't know to what or when. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)Colorful names for teams are nearly as old as team sports themselves. But a few have clung to Native American names and imagery, arguing they reflect honor and respect. “Shortly after the so-called ‘Indian Wars’ of the 1880s, that’s when we see sports teams start to use the names on a wide basis,” said Hunt.
AP Interview: Indians owner says name won't change in 2021
(AP Photo/David Dermer, File)CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Indians are changing their name — they just don't know to what or when. “The new name, and I do not know what it is, will not be a name that has Native American themes or connotations to it.”The decision was welcomed by Native American groups that met with the club. "I’m not just a fan of the Cleveland Indians, I’m a fan of Cleveland baseball. In recent months he met with fans, business leaders and researchers focused on Native American culture and issues. “We’ll be the Cleveland Indians of 1915 to whatever year is that we ultimately change.
More US churches are committing to racism-linked reparations
(AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)NEW YORK – The Episcopal Diocese of Texas acknowledges that its first bishop in 1859 was a slaveholder. Some major denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church and the Southern Baptist Convention, have not embraced reparations as official policy. The Episcopal Church has been the most active major denomination thus far, and others, including the United Methodist Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, are urging congregations to consider similar steps. This will include scholarships for students attending seminaries or historically Black colleges and assistance for historic Black churches. But Dietsche expects some funds will help congregations launch their own reparations initiatives, particularly if their churches had historical involvement in slavery.
The Latest: Japan's daily virus cases rise above 3,000
(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)TOKYO — Japan’s daily coronavirus cases have exceeded 3,000 for the first time while the government delays stricter measures for fear of hurting the economy ahead of the holiday season. ___SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The U.S. has reached a record 3,309 daily coronavirus deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. ___PHOENIX — Arizona reported 8,076 confirmed coronavirus cases, one of the state’s largest daily total. Italy has registered 1.8 million confirmed cases and more than 63,000 confirmed deaths, sixth highest in the world. He says the latest outbreak at Orange County jails had 74 confirmed cases, 75 tests pending and more inmates waiting to be tested.
AP-NORC poll: Only half in US want shots as vaccine nears
Buck said that he and his family probably will get vaccinated eventually, if initial shots go well. Despite the hopeful news, feelings haven’t changed much from an AP-NORC poll in May, before it was clear a vaccine would pan out. Among Americans who won’t get vaccinated, the poll found 43% are concerned the vaccine itself could infect them — something that’s scientifically impossible, since the shots don’t contain any virus. Protecting their family, their community and their own health are chief drivers for people who want the vaccine. ___The AP-NORC poll using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population.
Tribes dispute reservation where a $1B casino is planned
The Mattakeeset Massachuset tribe contend the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe doesn't have exclusive claim to the lands under their planned First Light casino in the city of Taunton, as they've argued for years. “Larry is well-meaning but very confused,” said Steven Peters, the Mashpee Tribe’s spokesman. Meanwhile, the tribe’s prominent, longtime chairman was arrested last month on federal bribery charges in connection with the casino project. At least two members of other Massachusetts tribes have raised the issue in recent years, and local casino opponents have made similar arguments in their long-running federal court challenge. Peters, the spokesman for the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, said he and other tribe scholars haven't reviewed Bangs’ book.
Native Americans critique data, surveys following election
The wording stood out because there's often a lack of reliable data on Native Americans, she said. She and others have found success in getting people to respond to surveys by forming partnerships with Native organizations, tribes, tribal colleges and Native news outlets. And not all states have kept data on how COVID-19 has been impacting Native Americans and other communities of color. While crime statistics are not collected by polling or surveys, it's another area where limited data hurts Native Americans. For example, no one knows how many Native American women and children are missing or have been killed in the U.S.
AP Interview: Biden adviser says race central to virus fight
Addressing racial disparities in the U.S. coronavirus crisis cannot be an afterthought, a top adviser to President-elect Joe Biden on the COVID-19 pandemic response said Tuesday. “We cannot get this pandemic under control if we do not address head-on the issues of inequity in our country," she said. The virus in the U.S. has killed more than 268,000 and caused more than 13.5 million confirmed infections. Gathering that information became easier last week when the federal government recognized Biden as the winner of the Nov. 3 election, she said. ___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education.
Native American votes helped secure Biden's win in Arizona
Native Americans were among the difference-makers who swung the race to Biden in Arizona. That show of force is now translating into leverage for Native Americans seeking more representation in top levels of the federal government. Native voters say they were motivated by many of the same things as other voters. She also was part of a group helping to boost voting among Native Americans. “People need to start paying attention to not only Navajo votes but across the board nationally, Native votes,” Davis said.
Indigenous candidates' wins in Congress give hope for change
But until recently, Congress didn't have many Indigenous members who were pushing for solutions and funding for those issues. It's fueled by efforts to recruit Indigenous candidates and back them financially, get-out-the-vote efforts and Native communities flexing their political muscle. The U.S. Senate has not had a Native American member since Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado retired in 2005. Most notably, it worked to pass two bills to help address the epidemic of missing and slain Native American women. Native Hawaiians are not among the more than 570 federally recognized Native American tribes, though they've sought the designation.
Minority pushes Trump agenda largely unpopular among tribes
Native American dancers perform at a Donald Trump rally Oct. 15, 2020 at the rodeo grounds in Williams, Arizona. Lizer says Native American values - hard work, family and ranching - align more with the GOP than with Democrats. The Navajo Nation vice president says Native American values — hard work, family and ranching — align more with the GOP than with Democrats. But Native Americans may be more politically divided than assumed, though not evenly. “Indian Country is not blue, it's purple," Mullin, who is Cherokee and one of two Native American Republicans in Congress, told The Associated Press.
400 years on, Mayflower's legacy includes pride, prejudice
Annawon Weeden, 46, a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, sits for a portrait outside his home in Oakdale, Conn., Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. The soul-searching extends across the Atlantic to England, where Mayflower descendants say they, too, are trying to reconcile pride and prejudice. When the Pilgrims arrived at what we now know as Plymouth, Massachusetts, the Wampanoag tribe helped the exhausted settlers survive their first winter. But Native Americans also endured racism, oppression and new diseases brought by the European settlers. “It’s opening up everyone else’s eyes to how unbalanced the world is and unequal,” said Troy Currence, Hazel Harding Currence's son and a medicine man from the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe.
Battered by the virus, tribes race to boost census count
Some predict a historic undercount of Native Americans in this year's census as the coronavirus complicates efforts to encourage participation. Only 24% of residents of Montana tribal areas had been counted as of Sept. 1, woefully lagging the national rate of 85%. The distances, language barriers and wariness of giving up details about sometimes-crowded living conditions have long made it difficult to get an accurate census count, especially given a distrust of the federal government rooted in a history of broken treaties. But the Census Bureau estimated those living on reservations were undercounted by 4.9%, twice as much as any other group. Most people filled out this year's census online, another challenge in tribal areas where many homes don't have internet access.
Warren still dogged by past claims of indigenous ancestry
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Cherokee citizens are calling on Elizabeth Warren to publicly disavow a family story of indigenous heritage as a way to dissuade others from making false claims they say often romanticize Native Americans. The test was meant to answer critics, including President Donald Trump, who accused Warren of making false claims about her past. Warren has said her claims of Native American ancestry were part of “family lore." She said she never benefited financially or professionally from her claims of being indigenous and acknowledged not everyone will accept her apologies. Pierce acknowledged that Warren has listened and learned from Indian Country and that her platform includes issues that matter to Native people.
Kansas City fans under closer scrutiny for chants, ‘tomahawk chops’
FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2017, file photo, a Kansas City Chiefs fan does the "tomahawk chop" during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo. – While other sports teams using Native American nicknames and imagery have faced decades of protests and boycotts, the Kansas City Chiefs have largely slid under the radar. So why have Kansas City fans largely been given a pass? The ads show fans doing the tomahawk chop. A horse named “Warpaint” circles the field after scores as fans chant and mimic the tomahawk chop.