NICWA’s ‘Protecting Our Children’ conference begins online Community News Top News Top Story by The Seminole Tribune - March 30, 2020March 30, 2020 The annual “Protecting Our Children” conference hosted by the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) is taking place online for the first time. Most recent scheduled conferences across the U.S. have cancelled, postponed or transitioned events into digital gatherings in the wake of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Sarah Kastelic (Alutiiq), the executive director of NICWA, opened
Indian Country stays engaged with federal government on COVID-funding Community News Uncategorized by Damon Scott - March 30, 2020March 30, 2020 Even before the COVID-19 public health crisis began to grip the globe, Indian Country faced significant challenges from underfunding in health care, education, broadband and internet access, economic development, housing, human services and more. A group of Indian Country leaders said in a March 20 teleconference for members of the media
Native Learning Center offers podcasts, webinars online Community News by Beverly Bidney - March 30, 2020March 30, 2020 HOLLYWOOD — For those sheltering at home and practicing social distancing, there is only so much internet browsing and television watching one can do before cabin fever really sets in. Luckily, the Native Learning Center (NLC) is ready to step in to expand minds through podcasts and webinars on a
Close Up USET postponed until fall Community News by Beverly Bidney - March 30, 2020March 30, 2020 Another casualty of the coronavirus is the Close Up / USET Impact Week program, which had been scheduled for March 16-19. The good news is that it is tentatively rescheduled for Sept. 27-Oct. 1, according to the Close Up Foundation. The cancellation has impacted students and parents who were looking forward to
‘No More Stolen Ancestors’ campaign urges return of Seminole ancestral remains Community News Top News Top Story by Beverly Bidney - March 30, 2020March 30, 2020 BIG CYPRESS — The Seminole Tribe’s effort to get 1,496 ancestral remains back from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) continues after more than eight years of trying. The repatriation effort, led by the Native American Graves Protection from Repatriation Act Committee (NAGPRA), from within the Tribe’s
Egmont Key trip evokes ‘sadness and sense of pride’ for Seminoles Community News Top News Top Story by Beverly Bidney - March 30, 2020March 30, 2020 EGMONT KEY — When about 40 people – mostly Seminoles – braved the cold air and the Gulf of Mexico’s choppy seas to visit an island near the mouth of Tampa Bay on Feb. 29, they were stepping back into a critical chapter in the Tribe’s history. In what was essentially
Tribes’ inclusion in $2.2 trillion COVID-19 package seen as progress Community Top News Top Story by Damon Scott - March 30, 2020March 30, 2020 Tribes have historically had to fight for every dollar of federal funding it receives. The Indian Health Service – which has taken on a critical role during the COVID-19 public health crisis – has had to do so as well, even though the federal government has an obligation to properly fund IHS under treaties
Latest COVID-19 funding includes $8 billion for Indian Country Community News Top News Top Story by Damon Scott - March 26, 2020March 26, 2020 The third major emergency funding package making its way through the U.S. Congress to address the COVID-19 public health and economic crises includes $8 billion for Indian Country. The Senate passed the $2.2 trillion “CARES Act” late on March 25. It now goes to the House for consideration before it would make its way to President
Native Americans begin to take some traditions online Arts & Entertainment Community Top News Top Story by Damon Scott - March 25, 2020March 25, 2020 Some tribes are keeping traditions alive during the coronavirus epidemic by hosting social distancing dances and other events online. This is an image of a jingle dress dancer from the Facebook group “Traditional Native Healing.” Twitter Public health and government officials have advised (and sometimes ordered) people to stay in their homes
NICWA to host amended annual conference online Community News Top News Top Story by Damon Scott - March 24, 2020March 24, 2020 The conference has been amended and will take place online. (Image courtesy NICWA.) The National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) will host its 38th annual “Protecting Our Children” conference online. The in-person conference that was scheduled to take place in Denver from March 29 to April 1 was cancelled due to concerns related to the