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California Assemblymember James C. Ramos held a press conference on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at the California State Capitol in Sacramento to urge schools to use a supportive approach before resorting to suspensions and expulsions for students violating drug-related infractions. Ramos introduced AB 2711, earlier this year, which would require school districts to adopt appropriate interventions as a first step for troubled students. Ramos believes California school districts need co...

For me, I literally ticked off all the policy priorities I’ve ever had — we got them done. There is also the quantitative data that tells us there is a 30 percent increase in students who are getting breakfast and lunch. The child tax credit, paid family medical leave — the system will be built over the next few years.

Danna Jackson, a Kootenai descandant who grew up in Montana on the Flathead Reservation, was nominated by President Joe Biden on Wednesday to become a federal judge for the United States District Court for the District of Montana. Jackson, who has spent much of her legal career focused on Indian law and natural resources, must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. If confirmed, Jackson would be the fifth active Native American federal district court judge in the country, the fifth in the history of...

SPEARFISH, S.D. – Black Hills State Universitys student media achieved remarkable success at the Northern Plains Collegiate Media Associations 2024 Golden Leaf Awards on March 23, 2024. The competition, which

Julian Bear Runner, 38, who served as president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe from 2018 to 2020, was convicted of six criminal counts on Thursday, April 4, 2024, following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. Bear Runner was convicted of wire fraud, one count of larceny, and one count of embezzlement and theft from an Indian tribal organization. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, South Dakota District, prosecuted the case.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noems aspiration for the vice presidential nomination coincides with strained relations with Native American tribes. Explore the controversy and implications in this opinion piece.

Marcella Rose LeBeau, a tribal citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux, lived a long life that was spent in service to others–in Indian Country and beyond–as a nurse, tribal councilor, and advocate. Born in Promise, South Dakota, her grandmother gave her Native name: Wigmunke’ Waste Win’, which means Pretty Rainbow Woman. Upon receiving a Leadership Award from the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) during its winter session in Washington, D.C. in February 2020...

Good old-fashioned Indian humor is used in a recently released public service announcemnt (PSA) to drive home the requirement to wear seat belts. The Oglala Sioux Tribe’s Department of Public Safety hired Toby Brusseau, who owns Prima Materia located in Rapid City, South Dakota to create the PSA. The Public Safety Department wanted a PSA that could resonate with its tribal citizens of the Oglala Souix Tribe who reside on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This bipartisan bill delivers essential funding to help keep our promises to Tribes and to support Tribal communities and families—including by continuing to provide advance appropriations so the Indian Health Service can serve patients with certainty.” Sen. Murray said in a statement.

In a critical response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Equity Commission Final Report, the Native Farm Bill Coalition co-chairs say the report doesn’t adequately address inequities in Indian Country. The 91-page Final Report (Report) has 66 recommendations to further advance and embed equity into policies, practices and processes at the agency. Only 11 of the 66 recommendations are specific to tribal concerns.