Items

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  2020-03-17

  Mystery Illness Kills Ethiopian Nomads

  "The affected people roam with their cattle around the Ogaden Basin region, which is being explored by companies looking for oil and natural gas. "
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  2020-04-03

  Central Asia and Coronavirus: When Being Nomadic Isn’t Enough

  "COVID-19 is revealing a great deal about the character of Central Asia’s people and their governments. "
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  2020-05-08

  Safeguarding the health, wellbeing and livelihoods of indigenous peoples across the world in face of COVID-19

  "The Group of Friends of Indigenous Peoples are concerned over the risks faced by indigenous peoples, both in urban and rural areas, in particular over the health and wellbeing of elders, persons with underlying health conditions, persons with disabilities, women and children."
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  2020-05-11

  Indigenous Peoples' Human Rights Defenders in the Philippines threatened and harassed

  "These increased threats come at a time when Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, on 1 April 2020, issued shoot-to-kill orders targeting individuals and organisations seen as ‘troublemakers’, a general term that includes ‘communists’, ‘leftists’ or anyone seen as opposing his rule, including Indigenous Peoples’ Human Rights Defenders."
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  2020-04-01

  Blackfeet Nation Closes Roads, Controlling Outside Exposure

  "All roads within the Blackfeet Reservation are closed to regular public to non-essential traffic. Non-essential shall mean travel not necessary for health, safety, and welfare of persons."
• 
  2020-04-08

  More Than 300 Groups in Abya Yala Demand Structural Change Due to COVID

  "“A coalition of more than 300 social, indigenous, peasant, union, and community organizations from multiple Latin American countries have launched a “’Call of the Original Peoples, Afro-descendants and Popular Organizations of Latin America’”, to make demands for immediate structural changes in the face of the global pandemic crisis…Indigenous, ethnic and social movement organizations recognize the urgency of correcting the economic course of our countries. The economic inertia of the neoliberal regimes that for more than 30 years have defined the path of our countries, has definitely entered a crisis. The dismantling of the public health system, without the installation of adequate services to respond to the current COVID-19 pandemic, has shown that the course followed places life on this planet at risk. Some governments in the region, instead of protective measures, have opted for authoritarian measures, militarization, economic cuts, and massive layoffs. They highlight how this crisis has exposed the brutality of patriarchal violence against women and sexual diversities, further increasing the exclusion of “’indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples exposed to facing the pandemic in conditions of extreme vulnerability.’”"
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  2020-04-06

  The Garifuna People of Honduras Seek Community Solutions to Pandemic

  “We are living moments we never believed our generation would live. We are facing a pandemic similar to that of many centuries ago, where so many people died, millions of people. Right now, millions of people are not dying, but there is no record yet…We must recognize that we are not prepared, as a humanity, to face this coronavirus. Not even the most perfect health system has the capacity to face it, like countries up north, for example. But not only because we do not have the capacity to face it, but because we have been creating patterns and life system that make us more vulnerable as a humanity. It is a pattern and a model of life that is disrespectful towards nature. As human beings, we think we are above other living beings. Now a virus has arrived that keeps us confined to our homes, and the only thing we say we can do at a planetary level is: stay home….As a response and as a safeguard for our communities, since March 17 we began to create COVID-19 Service Centers within our communities. In other words, networks began to be created within the community to organize the community’s response to COVID-19.”
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  2020-05-12

  Indigenous Health Manuals: A Contribution to the Pandemic

  ”In this pandemic, indigenous peoples are recovering their ancestral heritage and sharing it generously with humanity. Although, in principle, it must be explicitly said that there is no cure for COVID-19, there are some natural remedies, herbs, that can help alleviate symptoms, and even reinforce the immune system, recovery, and recovery process after infection. This is where this knowledge helps, and it is possible to responsibly recommend the use of indigenous herbalism (which is the precursor base of modern chemical medicine).”
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  2020-04-27

  Covid-19: Lessons from the Yanomami of Brazil

  "Since their initial contacts with outsiders beginning in the 1940s, the Yanomami have lived through wave after wave of deadly viral epidemics, notably the measles and flu."
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  2020-05-06

  Healing Indigenous Lives Initiative: Culture as Prevention Webinar

  United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. holds webinar focused on helping tribal youth overcome obstacles during these tough times by drawing from cultural knowledge.
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  2020-05-24

  Chippewa Cree Tribe Pushes for Community-Wide Testing, Even Offering Gift Cards"

  Free Covid Testing--Rocky Boy Health Center offers service in partnership with the Montana Governor's Office, Chippewa Cree Tribe, and the Montana National Guard
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  2020-05-01

  Tribe Curates Memes as Part of Communication Encouraging Social Distancing

  Public notice to tribal members uses popular memes to encourage people to remain six feet apart.
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  2020-05-07

  Flathead Reservation Offers Financial Relief Grants

  Grants offered for business assistance, housing, food programs, financial relief, public health programs, and local food production.
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  2020-04-09

  "We Must Show Resilience As Indigenous People Once Again": Crow Nation Takes Action Following First Confirmed Case on Reservation

  “The Crow Tribe of Indians has confirmed the first COVID-19 case. The individual who has tested positive with the Novel Coronavirus is in self-isolation and there are Public Health Nurses monitoring the individuals past contacts…We must stay strong, of one mind, vigilant, and proactive. We, the Crow people must continue precautionary social distancing measures as we weather the storm and show our resilience as Indigenous people once again. When this virus is contained, I hope we’re remembered by how the Apsaalooke Nation responded to the Novel Coronavirus.”
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  2020-05-11

  Doctors Without Borders Dispatches Team to the Navajo Nation

  “Jean Stowell, head of the organization's U.S. COVID-19 Response Team, told CBS News that Doctors Without Borders has dispatched a team of nine to the hard-hit Navajo Nation in the southwest U.S. because of the crisis unfolding there. The team consists of two physicians, three nurse/midwives, a water sanitation specialist, two logisticians and a health promoter who specializes in community health education. ‘There are many situations in which we do not intervene in the United States, but this has a particular risk profile,’ Stowell said. ‘Situationally, the Native American communities are at a much higher risk for complications from COVID-19 and also from community spread because they don't have access to the variety of things that make it possible to self-isolate… You can't expect people to isolate if they have to drive 100 miles to get food and water.’ Navajo Nation, home to roughly 170,000 people, now has more coronavirus cases per capita than any state in America. Due to a shortage in nursing and specialized medical staff, the most critical patients have to be airlifted to hospitals outside of the reservation. On top of that, Navajo people carry a high rate of diabetes and hypertension, rendering them more susceptible to infection. And as of early May, the region has a higher coronavirus death rate than that of 46 states.”
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  2020-05-13

  What the Eastern Cherokee Can Teach the U.S. About Public Health

  “The Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority has been mass testing asymptomatic residents and visitors to territories held by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. In restricting EBCI borders and closing businesses, Principal Chief Richard Sneed preempted most counties and Gov. Roy Cooper.”
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  2020-05-04

  Mississippi Choctaw Tribe Sees Opportunities in Manufacturing in Response to Covid-19

  “For many domestic companies, the coronavirus has exacerbated troubles they were already having manufacturing in China, after the U.S. levied large import tariffs last year on Chinese-made goods. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians sees there might just be an opportunity for its industrial base in light of new developments. ‘While Mexico - the only low-cost border country with a free trade deal with the U.S. - is expected to be the big winner, our status as a sovereign nation located within the U.S. presents a distinct advantage,’ said John Hendrix, director of economic development for the Mississippi-based tribe. Tax rates, labor and logistics play major roles in determining where manufacturing occurs, remarked Hendrix. ‘The Tribe has the total package – favorable tax structure, an abundant trainable workforce, and proximity to market.’”
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  2020-05-30

  How Native Americans Are Fighting a Food Crisis

  “Getting to food has long been a challenge for Pine Ridge residents. For a lot of people, the nearest grocery store is a two-hour drive away. Many rely on food stamps or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, a federal initiative that provides boxes of food (historically lacking in healthy options) to low-income families. Diabetes rates run very high. The coronavirus crisis — one case has been reported on the reservation — has only made access to food harder, as shelves of the few groceries empty out, shipments of food boxes are delayed because of supply chain disruptions, and hunting and gathering are restricted by government regulations and environmental conditions. But the Oglala Sioux, like many other Native Americans across the country, are relying on the practices — seed saving, canning, dehydrating — that their forebears developed to survive harsh conditions, with limited supplies.”
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  2020-05-21

  Tensions Over the Keystone XL Pipeline Heat Up During Pandemic as Tribes Insist on Coronavirus Checkpoints

  “As construction related to the Keystone XL pipeline begins in South Dakota, the checkpoints add tension to an already-rocky relationship between the Republican governor and tribes that have been outspoken opponents of the pipeline. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, which has set up coronavirus checkpoints, does not allow vehicles from oil companies to pass through their land. The proposed pipeline route skirts tribal land, but construction companies could use the highways for transporting supplies.”
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  2020-05-07

  Tribe Requires Use of Covid-19 Screening Form

  Tribal offices are urged to screen all incoming visitors and public entering the offices. "If any visitor or member of the public answers yes to any of the visitor screening form questions you are advised to politely and professionally inform them that they are not to enter any further into the office and are to be immediately referred to our local Tribal Health Department for guidance on further safety measures or appropriate recommendations as needed."
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  2020-05-01

  "Keep Our Community Safe": Fort Belknap Tribal Community Issues Mandate

  "All individuals who travel outside the Fort Belknap Reservation to areas with positive COVID19 cases, are required to report to tribal health immediately for further instructions regarding the MANDATORY 14-day COVID19 quarantine."
• 
  2020-05-17

  Cherokee Nation Cancels 2020 Remember the Removal Bike Ride

  The Cherokee Nation is canceling the 2020 Remember the Removal Bike Ride in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Remember the Removal Bike Ride is a youth leadership program that retraces the Northern Route of the Trail of Tears.
• 
  2020-05-18

  Tribal Enterprise Generates Attention: Muskogee Technology Manufactures Protective Equipment

  "Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Muskogee Technology - https://muskotech.com/index.html; Manufacturing & fabrication of protective equipment, including sneeze guards. "
• 
  2020-03-12

  ­Ponca Tribal Chairman Addresses the Challenges of Offering Services to a Geographically Unique Community

  “As our people become more and more inundated with news and updates on the Covid19 virus, I’m sure many of you are concerned of the unknown and what’s next.  As far as it relates to our tribal nation, Tribal Council and staff have been addressing this situation for some time… Added to our concerns in this time of uncertainty is the fact that our tribal service delivery areas are spread out over 15 counties in 3 states.  We have several unique areas spread across these areas.  All need the unique attention they deserve.  Our staff is working with all 3 state health organizations and all counties that our service delivery areas are in…While we are doing everything we can to help at this time, your understanding is asked for in knowing that we just may not be able to prevent occurrences from happening.  Again, we will remain committed to protecting our people the absolute best that we can.”
• 
  2020-05-02

  Amid Pandemic, Winnebago Tribe Prioritizes Resources

  “The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, like all the other tribes across the na-tion, has been affected by the corona-virus. Social distancing restrictions has caused many changes within the community including the temporary closing of the Winnavegas Casino, the main resource for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. Inevitably, this also forced the tribe to temporary furlough certain tribally funded positions…Unfortunately, the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, a government agency, is not eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) “a loan designed to pro-vide a direct incentive for small busi-nesses to keep their workers on payroll” (sba.gov). Staying optimistic and proac-tive, the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska has been taking steps to take care of the tribal members, community and its employees to the best of its ability…The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska is waiting for a distribution from the US Department of Treasury. The Coronavi-rus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed by President Trump which included an $8 billion allocation for all tribes to fund COVID-19 prevention, preparedness and response.”
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  2020-05-07

  Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe Participates in Voluntary Community-Based COVID Testing

  “Churchill County has developed a plan for random, voluntary community-based COVID testing using its three commission districts…The County’s Social Services Department will staff a call center and citizens may request drive-through testing beginning on May 7. Drive-through testing will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment only at the Churchill County Fairgrounds… The goal is to test a total of 42 citizens from each district per testing date on a first-call, first-scheduled basis. This will result in 252 tests per week or 1% of our population being tested weekly.”
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  2020-05-14

  Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation Decide to Disperse CARES Act Funding to Individual Tribal Citizens

  “The Goshute Business Council approved an economic support program under the allowable allocation of funds guideline from the United States Treasury Department, the provision of economic support in connection with the COVID-19 public health emergency.”
• 
  2020-04-29

  Winnebago Tribe Issues “No Mask No Service” Order

  “April 29, 2020 the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska has instituted an Order for Protection of Public Health and Safety involving the use of Face Masks or Cloth Face Coverings. Vice-Chairman John Snowball who advocated and supports wearing a facemask in the community stated, ‘No Mask No Service. I think it will be well received by our community and I would feel a lot safer with this measure in place.’”
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  2020-05-22

  Good Medicine Comedy Fundraiser: Sponsored By the National Congress of American Indians for the COVID-19 Response Fund

  Good Medicine Comedy streams live May 22 at 10 pm CST. This is a fundraiser benefiting Tribal communities impacted by COVID-19. Proceeds benefit the National Congress of American Indians COVID-19 Response Fund.
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  2020-04-20

  Virtually Connecting Ponca Youth with Elders

  Elder/Youth Talking Circle, held online via lifesize videoconferencing
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  2020-03-27

  Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Public Service Announcement

  “Throughout this difficult time, the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska will continue to be a cornerstone of support in our communities.”
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  2020-05-08

  Dealing with a Unique Emergency: Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe COVID-19 Update

  Anthony Sampson (Chairman), Don Pelt (Emergency Response Coordinator), and others address the plan to mitigate challenges and plan for the tribe’s future. “Because we cannot see it, we cannot predict what will happen” but there is a plan in place to look out for the best interest of the tribal community.
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  2020-04-22

  Isolated indigenous tribes risk extinction from coronavirus, experts say

  "The threat of COVID-19 in the Amazon to indigenous peoples and the peoples in isolation is a very real threat of possible ethnocide,"
• 
  2020-04-24

  Urban Aboriginal people face unique challenges in the fight against coronavirus

  "Now the government needs to turn its attention to the risks Indigenous people face in urban and rural areas."
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  2020-04-17

  45-Minute COVID-19 Tests Aid Remote Australian Aboriginal Communities

  "SYDNEY - Australia will start rapid coronavirus testing for more than 80 remote indigenous settlements. The 45-minute test will help authorities to monitor the spread of COVID-19 more efficiently in isolated areas where results can currently take up to 10 days."
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  2020-05-02

  Aboriginal Australians Take Music to The World During COVID-19 Lockdown

  "SYDNEY - Locked down in COVID-19 biosecurity zones, thousands of kilometers from Australia's big cities, aboriginal artists are performing online to global audiences for the first time. Musicians from northeast Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory are joining the worldwide trend of artists in lockdown performing from home."
• 
  2020-05-19

  Indigenous Australians Avert an Outbreak—for Now

  "A sign outside the town of Wilcannia on May 5 asking drivers not to stop, in order to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus to its highly vulnerable population."
• 
  2020-05-13

  The grief is so unbearable': Virus takes toll on Navajo

  "One-third of the homes across the vast, dry reservation don't have running water, forcing families to haul it in. Many in close-knit Navajo communities live in crowded houses where self-quarantine is impossible, and many must drive hours to the nearest grocery store. To most Navajo, isolating an infected person from their family is deeply alien."
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  2020-05-19

  Diné College distributes 300 CARES Act checks to students at Tsaile campus

  "TSAILE, Ariz. — Diné College students are picking up their emergency aid CARES Act checks this week at three campus sites in Arizona and New Mexico. The checks arrived under a $1.3 million grant secured via the U.S. Dept. of Education’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)."
• 
  2020-06-19

  Pandemic hits artists, but Jerrel Singer continues to create art to promote hope on the Navajo reservation

  "Despite a loss of income and the stress of the rapidly spreading coronavirus, Singer continues on"
• 
  2020-05-15

  Navajo President Urges National Park Service to keep Grand Canyon Closed

  "Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez is urging the National Park Service to keep Grand Canyon National Park closed in order to minimize the potential impacts of COVID-19. The Navajo Nation shares the eastern border of Grand Canyon with the park. (Loretta McKenney/WGCN)"
• 
  2020-05-21

  Flagstaff company to host virtual run to aid Havasupai Tribe relief efforts during pandemic

  "The Havasupai Tribe COVID-19 Relief Fund located on a GoFundMe page recently shared the tribe’s economic struggle after deciding to temporarily suspended tourism on the reservation due to COVID-19. Individuals and companies like Kahtoola, are supporting the tribe through donations. Kahtoola is also hosting a virtual run May 1-10, with all proceeds going toward the tribe's relief efforts. (Loretta McKenney/WGCN)"
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  2020-05-19

  Artists and creatives carve their path through Change Labs initiative

  "The 13 Native-led small businesses and non-profit ventures selected from a pool of nearly 50 applications for the competitive Change Labs 2020 Business Incubator Cohort share a passion for their work, a hunger to learn, and a drive to make things better for their families, their communities and their people."
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  2020-03-18

  Navajo County suspends jail visitations

  " – Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse is working to ensure the department is doing everything they can to mitigate the spread and impact of COVID-19 in Navajo County and particularly in the detention facility in Holbrook."
• 
  2020-05-13

  Navajo Nation extends emergency declaration until June 7

  "Tuuvi Travel Center in Moenkopi, Arizona informs travelers that the main store is closed and with only the drive thru window open for business. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced May 13 that the Nation has extended an executive order declaring a state of emergency and government closures to June 7 in an attempt to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. "
• 
  2020-05-13

  Blackfeet are inconvenienced, not oppressed by COVID-19

  "The Blackfeet Tribe wants everyone to be as safe as possible. The safety and wellbeing of our elders, children, families and communities is paramount."
• 
  2020-05-20

  Nursing takes on new significance at the Blackfeet Care Center amid Covid-19

  “I want to compliment my staff on doing an awesome job,” she said. “Their hearts are totally in it, keeping people safe at all costs. Our number one goal is lives over everything.”
• 
  2020-04-29

  Blackfeet Tribe extends coronavirus restrictions until May 31

  "With the discovery of a woman testing positive for coronavirus at Blackfeet Community Hospital last Saturday at 9 p.m., the Blackfeet Tribe was reinforced in its April 23 decision to adopt stricter guidelines than those recommended by Governor Steve Bullock."
• 
  2020-05-20

  Blackfeet Tribe tests over 500 for COVID-19

  The Blackfeet Tribe reached a landmark last week as personnel from the Southern Piegan Health Center and the Tribal Health Improvement Program set up a drive-through coronavirus testing station at the old Eagle Shields.
• 
  2020-05-19

  Crow Agency assembles emergency response team amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

  "- When it comes to containing the coronavirus, communities all around the world are having to take unique steps that work for them. And that's true as well for Montana's native tribes."