White Buffalo Calf Named “Wakan Gli” in Yellowstone
(WY) – In a celebration held near Yellowstone National Park, Native American tribes gathered to honor the birth of a rare white buffalo calf born in July. Named “Wakan Gli,” meaning “Return Sacred” in Lakota, the calf’s arrival is seen as a fulfillment of prophecy and a call for environmental stewardship.
Attended by representatives from various tribes, the ceremony featured dancing, drumming, singing, and storytelling. Chief Arvol Looking Horse, the spiritual leader of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Oyate, emphasized the importance of coming together to bring positive energy for future generations.
Although Yellowstone park officials have no record of a white bison being born in the park previously, multiple credible sightings and photographs from visitors, guides, and researchers led them to confirm the calf’s birth on June 4.
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Peltier Denied parole
(FL) – Leonard Peltier, an American Indian Movement activist, has been denied parole and will remain in a Florida prison for the 1975 alledged killings of two FBI agents.
Peltier, 79, has been incarcerated since 1976 and has maintained his innocence. His next parole hearing is scheduled for 2026, with a full hearing in 2039. Supporters argue that Peltier was wrongly convicted and that his case represents a miscarriage of justice against Indigenous peoples.
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U.S. Gov. Spent $23.3 Billion on Indian Boarding Schools
(Washington DC) – The U.S. Department of the Interior, led by Secretary Deb Haaland, released Volume II of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report. This significant step marks the first time the U.S. government has quantified the financial resources dedicated to destroying tribal nations through forced removal of Indigenous children.
The Department of the Interior’s Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report revealed that the U.S. government appropriated an estimated $23.3 billion (inflation-adjusted) on Indian boarding schools and related programs between 1871 and 1969. The report highlights how other governments, like Canada, have addressed forced Indigenous education by providing nearly $7 billion in settlements and payments.
In light of this, the bipartisan Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act aims to continue the investigation into the U.S. government, religious institutions, and non-profits involved in these harmful policies. The bill establishes a national commission to further examine the lasting impacts of Indian boarding schools, including cultural termination attempts, human rights violations, and assimilation practices.
As the legislation progresses, officials and tribal leaders, such as Sen. Lisa Murkowski and the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Tribes, emphasize the need for Native-led documentation efforts and support for the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act.
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Native Americans Criticize Trump’s VP Pick, J.D. Vance
(Washington DC) – Some Native Americans are speaking out against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, citing anti-Indigenous beliefs and actions. Vance previously denounced Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a “fake holiday created to sow division” and opposed renaming Ohio’s Wayne National Forest, named after a general known for violently seizing Native lands.
Critics also point to Vance’s legislative efforts that may undermine tribal sovereignty. Indigenous leaders call for awareness of his record and the potential impact on Native communities should Trump and Vance win the election.
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Conflict Arises Over Native American Site in N. Carolina
(NC) – Controversy surrounds a housing development in Carteret County, North Carolina, where thousands of artifacts point to a significant Native American village that existed for centuries before European contact. The discovery has ignited a political debate, as developers push to continue construction despite the site’s historical importance.
State archaeologist are calling the find one of the most significant sites ever uncovered, with thousands of artifacts suggesting the presence of a Native American village occupied for centuries before European contact.
While the state archaeologist and indigenous groups argue for further exploration and preservation, some officials, including State Senator Michael Lazzara, side with developers in downplaying the site’s significance.
Critics of the development assert that the disregard for the archaeological findings highlights a continued dismissal of Indigenous history and culture.
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OK Tribes Unite for Hunting and Fishing Management
(OK) – The Cherokee, Chickasaw, Muscogee, Choctaw, and Seminole Nations of Oklahoma have reached an agreement to recognize each other’s licenses for hunting and fishing on their respective reservation lands. Tribal leaders believe that this collaboration will not only strengthen their sovereignty but also promote a more sustainable approach to fish and wildlife management.
The Five Tribe Wildlife Management Reciprocity Agreement signifies a new era of collaboration among these tribes as they work together to manage wildlife within their reservations and protect their sovereignty.
The agreement will enable the tribes to honor one another’s licenses, allowing their citizens to hunt and fish on each other’s reservation lands while adhering to the respective tribal laws. This collaboration aims to promote sustainable wildlife management practices, ensuring the preservation of natural resources for future generations.
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National Park Visitors Encouraged to Support Tribal Nations
(SD) – A new initiative by the Lakota People’s Law Project aims to raise awareness and funds for tribal nations that were displaced from lands now designated as national parks and monuments. The Sacred Defense National Parks and Monuments Initiative encourages visitors to make donations and learn about the importance of these sites to Indigenous peoples.
The project focuses on 14 parks and monuments, with roughly 90 tribal nations connected to these areas. The initiative hopes to create partnerships with the National Park Service, outdoor brands, and other non-profits to expand its reach.
“Indigenous nations have had an ancient relationship with these places long before the concept of America was created,” said Lakota People’s Law Project director Chase Iron Eyes. “We want to promote the spiritual connection between the land, waters, and all people.”
In 2023, over 325 million people visited national parks and monuments, presenting a significant opportunity to educate the public and provide support to affected tribes.
