• Your Dashboard
  • Features
  • Public Lands
  • Indigenous Affairs
  • Water
  • Climate Change
  • Arts & Culture
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Donate Now
  • The Magazine
  • Jobs & Classifieds
    • Jobs & Classifieds
    • Place a Classified Ad
    • Display Ad Info
  • Your Dashboard
  • Features
  • Public Lands
  • Indigenous Affairs
  • Water
  • Climate Change
  • Arts & Culture
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Donate Now
  • The Magazine
  • Jobs & Classifieds
    • Jobs & Classifieds
    • Place a Classified Ad
    • Display Ad Info
Skip to content
High Country News

High Country News

A nonprofit independent magazine of unblinking journalism that shines a light on all of the complexities of the West.

Support

Read more Western reporting

Sign up to receive High Country News’ email newsletters and get on-the-ground reporting and investigations delivered to your inbox each week.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Welcome to High Country News

HCN has covered the lands, wildlife and communities of the Western U.S. for more than 50 years. Get to know the West better by signing up to receive HCN’s on-the-ground reporting and investigations in your inbox.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Nick Martin

Cast members of Wicoun gather with Larissa FastHorse at the chapel  at Placerville Camp in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Posted inJuly 1, 2023: Waiting for Water

The Trojan horse of Native theater

by Nick Martin July 1, 2023January 24, 2024

Larissa FastHorse’s ‘The Thanksgiving Play’ made Broadway history. That’s a good thing — right?

Posted inAugust 1, 2023: In the Line of Fire

The Supreme Court upheld ICWA. Now what?

by Nick Martin June 16, 2023January 24, 2024

ICWA policy and federal Indian Law experts break down the court’s Brackeen v. Haaland ruling — and what it means for families.

“The American Buffalo” cinematographer Buddy Squires at Conata Ranches in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Posted inArticles

Ken Burns on ‘The American Buffalo’ and Indigenous histories

by Nick Martin April 21, 2023January 24, 2024

The prolific filmmaker discusses his latest project and his attempt to make space for Indigenous voices.

Posted inArticles

The true stakes of the Indian Child Welfare Act

by Nick Martin November 9, 2022January 24, 2024

Allie Maldonado’s family was torn apart by removal. It was reunited by community — and ICWA.

Posted inOctober 1, 2022: Making Refuge

Can Indian Country withstand the new Supreme Court?

by Nick Martin October 1, 2022January 24, 2024

The High Court is set to hear a case that will affect thousands of Native kids. Is it qualified to judge?

Posted inOctober 1, 2022: Making Refuge

Native Lit is more than a marketing term

by Nick Martin September 30, 2022January 24, 2024

Its use is just another fence, and we’re busting them down.

Posted inArticles

The Supreme Court’s attack on tribal sovereignty, explained

by Nick Martin July 1, 2022January 24, 2024

Four federal Indian law experts digest the Supreme Court’s ‘shocking‘ decision to grant state governments the power to prosecute crimes in Indian Country.

Posted inArticles

After more than 50 years in captivity, will Tokitae ever get justice from Seaquarium?

by Nick Martin November 17, 2021January 24, 2024

A new USDA report finds further mistreatment of the exploited Washington orca.

Posted inDecember 1, 2021: Visions of Wildness

Bears Ears is back — but don’t celebrate just yet

by Nick Martin October 8, 2021January 24, 2024

Regina Lopez-Whiteskunk unpacks the deeper implications — and limitations — of Biden’s monuments proclamation.

Posted inNovember 1, 2021: The Radioactive Waste Next Door

The White Sands discovery only confirms what Indigenous people have said all along

by Nick Martin September 24, 2021January 24, 2024

Once again, the media has excluded Indigenous peoples from our own story.

Posted inDecember 9, 2019: Crossing to Safety

Reporters in their own communities

by Nick Martin December 30, 2019January 24, 2024

This profile of Markwayne Mullin (“A Cherokee for Trump,” 12/9/19) by Graham Lee Brewer is an incredible piece, and yet another example from High Country News as to why it’s crucial for Native reporters and editors to be hired to cover their own communities. —Nick Martin This article appeared in the print edition of the […]

Support nonprofit news

High Country News relies on donations as well as subscription fees to produce independent reporting on the West. Help continue the legacy of reader-supported journalism by making a tax-deductible contribution today.

Make a contribution

Find out more about how we use your contributions in our annual reports and filings.

Subscribe to High Country News

Get access to on-the-ground reporting from across the West and support continued coverage of our region.

Read more Western reporting

Subscribe to weekly email newsletters from High Country News for the best on-the-ground reporting from across the region.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Most popular stories

  • People brace for impacts on land, water and wildlife after feds fire thousands over holiday weekend
  • Trump’s funding cuts leave the nation vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire
  • ICE in your community? Here’s what to know.
  • Bringing black abalone back from the brink
  • The Forest Service is cutting its seasonal workforce and public lands will suffer

Featured Stories

People brace for impacts on land, water and wildlife after feds fire thousands over holiday weekend

People brace for impacts on land, water and wildlife after feds fire thousands over holiday weekend

ICE in your community? Here’s what to know.

ICE in your community? Here’s what to know.

Trump’s funding cuts leave the nation vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire

Trump’s funding cuts leave the nation vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire

The West in Perspective

AI on public lands and Biden’s environmental legacy

by Jonathan Thompson

We must protect our sacred lands

by Clark Tenakhongva

Pay wildland firefighters a living wage

by Riley Yuan

About High Country News

  • Our history
  • How to support HCN
  • Submissions

Know the West.

Get 2 free issues ↓

119 Grand Avenue
PO Box 1090
Paonia, CO 81428
(970) 527-4898

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS Feed
  • Contact Us
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Pitch us a story
  • Fellowships
  • Education
  • Get email newsletters
  • Support our work
  • Advertise
  • Syndication
  • Subscriber services
Get 2 free issues ↓
Magazine cover: January 11, 2024: The Creatures in Our Midst

Sign up for a free trial of High Country News. Learn what’s happening across the West today and see if becoming a subscriber is for you.

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

© 2025 High Country News. All rights reserved Powered by Newspack