Author: Kathleen Rose

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian returns to Santa Fe, New Mexico, Aug. 17–20 for the Native Cinema Showcase. Free Film Screenings The annual celebration of the best in Indigenous film includes 41 films this year. The Native Cinema Showcase provides an unparalleled forum for engagement with Native filmmakers from Indigenous communities throughout the Western Hemisphere and Arctic. Two of the feature films, Hey Viktor! and Fancy Dance, will have their New Mexico premiere during the showcase. All screenings will take place at the New Mexico History Museum; seating is first come, first served. Altogether, this year’s program…

Applications are being accepted to participate in a one-week Native American Unscripted Workshop. Native American Filmmakers should apply by August 28, 2023. The Workshop takes place in late October, 2023. About the Program The Native American Unscripted Workshop is a week-long program that includes daily creative discussions with experienced producers, creative executives and veteran filmmakers. As a result of these meetings, participants can expect to build professional development, explore career opportunities, and develop a project for pitching. In addition to the meetings, the Workshop concludes with participants making pitches before a panel of creative executives. Then, each participant receives feedback…

The National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) announced its 24th elder conference on aging will take place on September 25-29, 2023, at the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, North Carolina. Elder Conference Opportunities This year’s theme is “A Trail of Determination: Our Culture, Our History and Our Future.” This theme speaks to American Indian and Alaska Native elders having esteemed positions in their communities. And, they are a testament to the history and continued existence of Native peoples. This conference is the elders’ opportunity to share their wisdom, experience and knowledge with the world. Further, the biennial conference is the place where elders…

According to a new scientific statement announced by American Heart Association, more than 60 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women already have suboptimal heart health when they become pregnant. “Cardiovascular disease rates are particularly high in AI/AN women of reproductive age,” said Garima Sharma, M.D., FAHA. Dr. Sharma chaired the writing committee for the scientific statement. Sharma also says early detection and management are crucial for addressing cardiovascular disease (CVD). “We hope to bring to the forefront the disproportionate burden of CVD, adverse pregnancy outcomes and poor maternal health in American Indian and Alaska Native women as…

Native Americans are underrepresented in dementia research, but University of Minnesota researchers are about to change that. Dr. William Mantyh is working with elders on the Bois Forte reservation in northern Minnesota on a new dementia research project. Mantyh is an assistant professor of neurology in the University of Minnesota Medical School. His goal is to learn whether a promising diagnostic blood test for the disease works for Native Americans. Although the blood test appears to work for European Americans, it is unclear whether it works for Native Americans. American Indians Are Underrepresented In Dementia Research While the nation’s largest Alzheimer’s disease…

The Department of the Interior announced plans to increase access to behavioral health support at Bureau of Indian Education schools. The Bureau will provide the added support through a contract with Tribal Tech, LLC, a Native-owned small business. The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) funds 183 grade and high schools serving about 47,000 students. BIE also manages two colleges. The Department of the Interior announced plans to increase access to behavioral health support at Bureau of Indian Education schools. The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) funds 183 elementary and secondary day and boarding schools serving approximately 47,000 students. BIE also…

EPA announced its largest investment of annual water infrastructure funding ever for Tribes and Alaska Native Villages through President’s Biden’s Investing in America agenda. At an event today with the Lummi Nation in Bellingham, Washington, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water, Radhika Fox, announced over $278 million in funding to improve access to safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater services for American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. Thanks to the boost from President Biden’s historic Investing in America agenda, this year, EPA is providing its largest investment ever of annual water infrastructure funding to Tribes. The…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will create a Tribal Advisory Committee and is requesting nominations for membership. “Establishing the Tribal Advisory Committee is an important step towards ensuring tribal perspectives are well represented at USDA and positioned to inform how the Department meets its trust responsibility to tribes across the nation,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “I encourage applicants from across the country to apply and look forward to working with my counterparts on the Hill to appoint members who represent the diversity of voices across Indian Country.” Duties of the Tribal Advisory Committee Authorized in the 2018…

Update: The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has posted a recording of the first webinar in this series. The webinar is now available for viewing online (link to video).  Original Story: The Minneapolis Federal Reserve will explore federal contracting opportunities for Indian Country in a new webinar series. In June 2023, the Center for Indian Country Development (CICD) at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis is hosting Cultivating Native Economies in the 21st Century, a webinar series to provide tribal leaders, policymakers, and practitioners with information they can use to strengthen and expand Indian Country economic development.  This webinar is focused on federal…

The U.S. Department of Education announced availability of education grants to support Native American education, with one of the programs focusing on teacher retention. Altogether, the available funding totals $8 million across three grant programs. The Native American Teacher Retention Initiative supports and promotes the success of Native American teachers. The Native American Language Resource Centers Program seeks to increase access to Native American languages in America’s schools. The State Tribal Education Partnership program helps Tribal Educational Agencies work alongside their state and local partners. [blockquote align=”left” author=”U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona” style=”font-size: 30px”]The Biden-Harris administration is committed to…