National Native News

News For All Americans

Sec. Haaland: “Getting everyone’s voice” at the table

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On her first day on the job, Secretary Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland promised to specifically reach out to tribes. Her comments came during an online video briefing with Native new outlets including National Native News. It was among her first acts after being sworn in as the first Native American presidential cabinet member. Read more here

Northern Cheyenne pen pal program keeps elders connected during pandemic lockdown

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When Activities Coordinator Silver Little Eagle, 23, first put a call out on the Northern Cheyenne Tribe’s Elderly Program Facebook page for pen pal participants, she didn’t know what to expect. Then letters started pouring in. “When they first got their letters they were kind of surprised that they got that much attention,” said Little Eagle. “They were thinking they were about to get a few letters or so. But each person got around 40 letters in the first batch of mail.” And that was just the first round. Read more here

Family support and adjusting expectations help Native grads facing historically high unemployment

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Megan Heller has not one, but two master’s degrees from Eastern Washington University. But after classes moved online early and a virtual graduation in the spring because of the pandemic, Heller had no luck finding a job. 

 “I probably applied for about fifty jobs,” Heller said. “I got a lot of ‘positions were canceled due to funding limits.’ Entry level jobs that I applied for said I didn’t have enough experience or I didn’t meet the qualifications or they just didn’t get back to me.” Read more here.

Native solutions to tackle COVID-19

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Public and personal health, civil rights, economic development, and sovereignty are facing significant challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Native people are on the front lines, offering unique solutions during crisis. National Native News and the Solutions Journalism Network teamed up to find stories of resilience. Read more here.

Native rights organization lists recommendations to fix voting barriers

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The Native American Rights Fund is outlining ways to avoid potential barriers for Native American as the nation prepares for the 2020 election. The recommendations in NARF’s new report take into account safety measures states are considering in light of the coronavirus pandemic. NARF staff attorney Jacqueline DeLeon says an entirely vote-by-mail system would be a big problem in Indian Country. “The way mail works…it’s likely gonna be at a post office through a post office box that you might be sharing with fifteen other people.” Read more here.

Government bureaucracy, lack of funding could hinder Grande Ronde tribe’s coronavirus response

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In Oregon, state funds are being sent to its nine federally recognized tribes. But it may not be enough. The Oregon Health Authority announced it is allocating roughly $36,000 apiece to tribes and the Native American Rehabilitation Association in Portland. It’s part of a larger $4-million package. Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Chairwoman Cheryle Kennedy says it will go fast. Read more here.

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