Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Thanksgiving roundup: Native Americans reflect on Indigenous People's Day and more

Just in time for Thanksgiving, here's a roundup of news concerning the nation's original inhabitants, whose communities and concerns today are often rural.

This year marks the 400th anniversary of the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims. The Wampanoag Nation, whose ancestors were at that first Thanksgiving, say what actually happened in 1621 is much different from what most children are taught in grade school. Read more here.

More states are heeding tribal leaders and banning Native American sports mascots. Read more here.

For centuries, Native Americans lived and fished the area, often called the Everglades of the West. But now climate change is fueling a water-rights conflict in the Pacific Northwest's Klamath Basin. Read more here.

Tribal members across Oklahoma reflect on Indigenous Peoples' Day. Read more here.

A three-part podcast from Wyoming Public Media's "The Modern West" explores the U.S. government's historic failure to keep its promise to provide adequate medical treatment for Native Americans, and how that has made the coronavirus even more deadly among many tribes. Listen to the series here.

Last week the Senate confirmed Charles Sams III to lead the National Park Service. Sams, a member of the Cayuse and Walla Walla tribes, is the first Native American to lead the agency, and the first permanent head of the agency in years. Read more here.

Comedian Adrianne Chalepah keeps crowds laughing while highlighting Native American life and issues. Read more here.

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