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Federal government shutdowns cause economic distress for tribes

Sep 28, 2023
The U.S. government is obligated by treaty to provide certain services to tribal nations. Shutdowns force tribes to take on those costs.
The headquarters of the Yurok Tribe in Northern California in 2021. During the government shutdown in 2013, the tribe had to furlough about 70 employees.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Less than 1% of therapists are Native American. One Texas center is working to fill the gap

Jul 20, 2023
Indigenous communities in the United States experience higher rates of mental health issues, but have a harder time accessing care. One Texas group is working to expand services and train staff to address mental health issues before they become a crisis.
Dr. Iftekhar Amin with the University of North Texas at Dallas instructs during a mental health first aid training course on June 9 at Texas Native Health in Dallas.
Yfat Yossifor for Marketplace

The economic impact of SCOTUS upholding the Indian Child Welfare Act

Jun 16, 2023
The challenge to the Indian Child Welfare Act was also seen as a challenge to tribes’ political sovereignty.
The Supreme Court ruled to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act.
Al Drago/Getty Images

Indigenous creatives are blazing trails in the gaming industry

Apr 21, 2023
Native game creators are building alternate realities where their cultures are centered and respected. But the projects still need funding.
A screenshot from Achimostawinan Games' website in April. Studios like Achimostawinan are creating interactive narratives in which Native characters aren’t defined by their relationship to colonization or genocide. 
Achimostawinan Games

Why federal government data under-represent Native Americans

Apr 7, 2023
One of the reasons revolves around issues of racial classification on official documents like the Census.
Complexities with racial categorization on official documents like the Census make it difficult to accurately represent the number of people in Native groups.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Alaskan siblings challenge Native knockoffs with their own Indigenous designs

Jan 16, 2023
In Juneau, Rico and Crystal Worl draw from their Tlingit and Athabascan heritage to create designs for everyday items like playing cards.
Trickster Co. incorporates Native design into everything from apparel and jewelry to basketballs and playing cards.
Donovan Johnson

Telework could help tribes curb outmigration, but Native workers are being left behind

Nov 18, 2022
Native people are overrepresented in “essential” fields, and underrepresented in office jobs that are more likely to allow telework. 
Native people are disproportionately left out of telework, according to a recent Brookings  Institution report.
Getty Images

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What the new U.S. Treasurer could mean for Indian Country

Sep 14, 2022
In addition to overseeing the U.S. Mint and Fort Knox, Treasurer Lynn Malerba will run the Treasury's new Office of Tribal and Native Affairs.
Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen speaks as U.S. Treasurer and Mohegan Tribe Chief Lynn Malerba listens during a ceremonial swearing-in for Malerba at the Cash Room of the Treasury Department September 12, 2022 in Washington, DC.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

Government aims to make federal loans more accessible to Native American farmers

Mar 25, 2022
The plan includes training for federal lenders about working with farmers and ranchers who work inside the borders of tribal nations.
When farmers apply for federal loans, they often put up land as collateral, which can be complicated on tribal lands.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Federal budget delays can create funding uncertainty for Native health program

Mar 10, 2022
The Indian Health Service has to have its budgets approved by Congress every year.
The Indian Health Service requires its budget to be approved by Congress every year. Short-term funding and government shutdowns can throw that into chaos.
Win McNamee/Getty Images