The first in a series of lawsuits sides with tribal sovereignty.
Indigenous Affairs
Posted inArticles
Police shootings of Native Americans spark a movement
A new generation of activists on and off reservations struggle for visibility.
Posted inArticles
Interior has yet to meet with Bears Ears tribal leaders
Zinke is losing the faith of a tribal coalition as a monument review looms.
Posted inMay 15, 2017: Prison Town
A tribe wins rights to contested groundwater in court
A major federal court decision acknowledges that tribes have priority rights to groundwater — and could limit how much other users can take.
Posted inMarch 20, 2017: The Tree Ring
What the Navajo Generating Station will leave behind
Cleaner air, wounded economies.
Posted inArticles
Indian Country cannot afford to close the door to Republicans
Tribal issues cut across party lines.
Posted inArticles
Journalist arrested amid Dakota Access protests
Jenni Monet’s jailing raises concerns about press freedom and the First Amendment.
Posted inArticles
Five ways Indian Country can challenge Trump’s policies
Practical pointers for resistance.
Posted inJanuary 23, 2017: For Which it Stands
How Standing Rock blew up
In a short time, a tribal concern became a massive movement.
Posted inJanuary 23, 2017: For Which it Stands
Standing Rock’s men at war
By challenging our myths of the West and its warriors, Native men find their voice.
Posted inJanuary 23, 2017: For Which it Stands
What Standing Rock meant for those who took part
Protesters from afar didn’t just take a stand in North Dakota — they brought the movement back home.
Posted inArticles
Interior cancels oil and gas leases in Montana’s Badger-Two Medicine
The Blackfeet Tribe fought for this decision for more than 30 years.
Posted inDecember 26, 2016: Obama and the West
How Obama began to mend broken tribal relations
Native American leaders say Obama’s legacy is this: He listened.
Posted inArticles
What Trump’s Interior Secretary pick could mean for tribes
Rep. Ryan Zinke has long listened to Montana tribes, but environmentalists say he tilts in favor of extractive industry.
Posted inJanuary 23, 2017: For Which it Stands
We talked to protesters at Standing Rock. Here’s what they learned.
What protesters are thinking as crowds dissipate and cold seizes camp.
Posted inArticles
At Standing Rock, activists dig in on historic treaty land
‘Water protectors’ say they won’t move on a Dec. 5 eviction notice.
Posted inOctober 3, 2016: Purple Rain
Meet Denise Juneau, who hopes to be the first Native American woman in Congress
Indian Country votes will help determine whether this seat flips to blue.
Posted inAugust 8, 2016: Line of Descent
Columbia River ‘shadow tribes’ face a housing crisis
The feds have promised lodging at traditional fish camps — but haven’t delivered.
Posted inJuly 25, 2016: Salmon Power
Salmon power
A historic legal victory could give Alaska tribes more control over their fish, wildlife and homelands.
Posted inArticles
Native American women still have the highest rates of rape and assault
A flawed tribal court structure, little local law enforcement and a lack of funding fail to protect women from violence.