Indigenous Communities

Nationwide, tens of thousands of Indigenous households use firewood to help heat their homes. That’s why the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California is making sure their elders have the chopped wood they need.

Republican representatives in Nevada and Utah this week were successful in getting an amendment to sell public lands in federal budget legislation. In Nevada, the idea is already facing strong opposition.

A Native American law group has launched a free online resource to help tribal nations obtain legal information about their water rights. This comes at a time when tribes face increasing water challenges.

The House recently passed legislation to require people to prove they are U.S. citizens when they register to vote. Native American groups, however, argue the proposal, if signed into law, would make it difficult for tribal members.

New Mexico lawmakers have passed a bill to create an alert system for missing Indigenous people, a growing trend in the Mountain West region.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is making new efforts to help solve Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) cases. Now, the federal agency is using forensic technology to help reunite the remains of Native Americans with their families and tribal nations.

In the Western U.S., extreme wildfires are damaging tribal lands. Climate change has only made the situation more dire. That’s why the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California is working to reintroduce intentional, cultural fire. These are once-banned burning practices they use to restore the health of their forests and plants.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a new plan to strengthen its collaboration with tribes and help them build more sustainable food systems.

Last week, Our Living Lands highlighted the challenge of living without electricity. Now, hear from Navajo families who are getting power for the first time through a life-changing mutual aid program.

A new report reveals Indigenous-owned businesses contribute more than $46 billion to the U.S. economy each year. A lot of that activity is happening in the Western U.S.