These social shifts have touched Native American communities as more states and cities recognized Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and even in sports, the Washington football team entered the 2020 NFL campaign without a name, having jettisoned the controversial moniker it had borne since the 1930s.
It is with this backdrop that the U.S. celebrates Native American Heritage Month this November. To commemorate the on-going contributions Native American people have made to U.S. culture, politics, economics, and countless other fields, we present the top ten sites to stay informed about news stories affecting Native American communities.
1. Indian Country Today
Indian Country Today is the premier Web destination for national Native American news, stating that it is “the largest news site that covers tribes and Native people throughout the Americas.” The site offers broad coverage across Native America, providing original content, and aggregating articles from other sources including AP.
In April of this year, the site began video newscasts. Originally focusing on COVID-19, they have since expanded into full-coverage daily broadcasts.
Stories to read right now: US House candidates make history and Election centric reporter's roundtable.
2. Native America Calling
Native America Calling dubs itself a “national electronic talking circle.” Broadcast from Albuquerque, NM, the call-in show airs on radio stations across the U.S. and Canada.
The show aims to cover all aspects of Native American life from politics, news, and health to arts, culture, and entertainment in a nuanced and thought-provoking way.
Story to listen to right now: Friday, November 6, 2020 – Write the great Native American novel.
3. National Native News
National Native News is a daily five-minute, public-radio-style news summary covering the top stories in Native America. The show’s website includes audio and articles supplementing the daily briefs.
Stories to read right now: Northern Cheyenne pen pal program keeps elders connected during pandemic lockdown and Friday, November 6, 2020.
4. Native News Online
Native News Online describes itself as “an independent, Indigenous-led newsroom with a crucial mission: We want to change the narrative about Indian Country.” The website offers broad national coverage including stories about Native American groups rarely reported on elsewhere.
In addition to news and opinion, the site includes articles on arts and entertainment, tribal sovereignty, education, health, and business.
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5. High Country News
High Country News is dedicated to covering the West, including its Indigenous communities. The site’s Indigenous Affairs section presents stories about these communities with a particular focus on environmental and cultural news.
Their reporting on Native American issues has garnered them numerous National Native Media Awards from the Native American Journalists Association.
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6. Indianz.com
Indianz.com, which is owned and operated by the Winnebago Tribe, collects news from all over Native America, aggregating articles from national and tribal sources to supplement its own content.
The site covers a variety of topics including opinion and politics, arts and entertainment, health, and the environment, offering a comprehensive view of the top stories affecting Indigenous people throughout the U.S.
Story to read right now: ‘Keeping the culture alive’: Native dance goes digital during pandemic.
7. Native Business
Native Business focuses on business and economic news and entrepreneurship within Native American communities, and the site also covers general news from across the country.
The digital magazine reports on a broad swath of business sectors with a particular focus on technology and start-ups.
Stories to read right now: Historic First: Northern Cheyenne Tribe Elects All Women; and ‘Ride to the Polls’ Encourages Natives to Vote in Critical Election.
8. Native Lens
Native Lens is an initiative of Rocky Mountain PBS to empower Native Americans to tell their own stories. The site provides videos, ranging from slice-of-life to issues-driven topics, made by amateur Native American storytellers. The site captures an intimate view of Native Americans’ daily lives, humor, beliefs, and advocacy in their own words.
Story to read right now: Advocating for Indigenous internet and spectrum sovereignty.
9. Native Hope
Native Hope is a nonprofit with storytelling as a key component of its mission. As the site explains, “We dismantle barriers through storytelling and impactful programs to bring healing and inspire hope.”
The site’s blog, Voices of Indian Country, offers just this sort of powerful storytelling. Focusing on cultural awareness, identity, and history alongside stories of hope and helping, the blog gives an on-the-ground view of lives across many Native American communities.
Story to read right now: Celebrating Native American Heritage Month.
10. New York Times | Native Americans
As one of the country's papers of record, the New York Times chronicles stories from every corner of the nation. It aggregates content about Indigenous people across the Americas into the Native American section.
A handy way to get a view of all the stories the newspaper has published about Native peoples in recent times, the section offers news, opinion, and obituaries in English and Spanish.
Story to read right now: Why New Mexico’s 1680 Pueblo Revolt Is Echoing in 2020 Protests.
See the original post on Beyond Bylines.
