Four important decisions will impact the forests, lands and waters of tribal nations.
Anna V. Smith
Anna V. Smith is an associate editor of High Country News. She writes and edits stories on tribal sovereignty and environmental justice for the Indigenous Affairs desk from Oregon.
Posted inApril 1, 2021: Holding Fast
Across generations, Dakota women grow resilience
Diane Wilson’s new novel explores the relationship between seeds and humans, and how our survival and abundance are intertwined.
Posted inFebruary 1, 2021: End of the Line
Reclaiming the National Bison Range
After decades of battling misinformation, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes recover their lands and the herd.
Posted inArticles
Trump’s impact on Indian Country over four years
From legal decisions to on-the-ground policies, Indigenous lawyers describe the administration’s tactics as an “onslaught” removing federal protections of land and wildlife.
Posted inArticles
Tribal leaders respond to the idea of an Indigenous Interior secretary
Representation is important, and so are policy decisions impacting tribes on the ground.
Posted inDecember 1, 2020: A Community Divided
A helpline connects Indigenous immigrants to crucial COVID-19 information
For communities who speak Indigenous Mayan languages like Mam, the Oregon program is a vital resource.
Posted inArticles
How Indigenous voters swung the 2020 election
In Arizona and Wisconsin, Native turnout — which often leans liberal — made the difference in Biden’s slim but winning margin.
Posted inArticles
Violence at the U.S.-Mexico border as a presidential election nears
Law enforcement deploys tear gas and rubber bullets in confrontation with Indigenous activists.
Posted inOctober 1, 2020: Democracy's Frayed Western Front
An inaccurate census has major implications for Indian Country
Indigenous people are frequently undercounted, undermining political power and representation.
Posted inOctober 1, 2020: Democracy's Frayed Western Front
11 Alaska Native tribes offer new way forward on managing the Tongass
The proposal comes after a failed consultation process of ‘one way communication’ over the Tongass National Forest.
Posted inSeptember 1, 2020: The Next West
Tribal nations are decolonizing cultural protection
A new book looks at a ‘third way’ for Indian law.
Posted inAugust 1, 2020: Infectious Ideologies
Patriot militia groups mobilize during a deadly pandemic and massive protests
‘That has a real chilling effect on democratic practice.’
Posted inJuly 1, 2020: 'I am here fighting for my life and future children'
There’s already an alternative to calling the police
A 31-year-old program in Eugene, Oregon, is a model in de-escalating situations that could end with law enforcement violence.
Posted inJune 1, 2020: Dissent at a Distance
Report: Indigenous voters face racism and suppression
‘Native Americans just face really unreasonable obstacles when it comes to voting.’
Posted inArticles
Tribal leaders oppose online consultations with the U.S. during the pandemic
‘It is not possible to meaningfully convene and internally develop comments at this time when we are at capacity, focused on critical and life-threatening measures.’
Posted inArticles
Western states lead the way in vote-by-mail elections
As COVID-19 closes most in-person polling locations, will states be able to scale up in time?
Posted inArticles
In their words: How Westerners are weathering the pandemic
From feeling hopeful to anxious to resilient, people across the West offer a look into their communities.
Posted inArticles
Casino closures in Indian Country hit core tribal services
Tribal government gaming is at a standstill, amounting to $4.4 billion in lost economic activity.
Posted inApril 1, 2020: Land-Grab Universities
Tribal nations demand response to climate relocation
Five Indigenous communities have asked the U.N. to investigate the United States’ failure to live up to legal obligations.
Posted inApril 1, 2020: Land-Grab Universities
‘This system cannot be sustained’
This year, tribal nations enter negotiations over Colorado River water.