Leaders from Cherokee and Navajo nations speak out
Leaders from the two largest tribes in the country discuss issues of sovereignty and public policy. Tensions mount at Chaco Canyon over resource development. The Indian Child Welfare Act is personal for an Oklahoma family, and a Dakota man who changed the genre of American Indian art.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced new federal protections for the sacred site called Chaco Canyon in early June. The UNESCO world heritage site, located in New Mexico near the four-corners area, is a sacred place to many pueblos and the Navajo Nation. For the next 20 years, the government will not allow any new oil and gas leases on federal lands around a 10 mile buffer zone. The decision does not affect already existing leases, but still is not welcomed by Navajo people in the area. Aliyah Chavez was there at the protest on June 11. Chavez interviewed Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren on a few days after the blockade at Chaco Canyon. He mentioned both the action and withdrawal.
Chuck Hoskin Jr. was reelected a principal chief of the Cherokee Nation earlier this month. ICT’s Pauly Denetclaw has this interview, recorded June 7.
The U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion on the Indian Child Welfare Act last week. Upholding the law is a victory for tribal sovereignty — and it’s personal to an Oklahoma family. Dacoda McDowell-Wahkapehe explains.
Oscar Howe, a Dakota artist born in 1915, changed the genre of American Indian art. Visitors get a rare glimpse of his work this summer at the South Dakota Art Museum. ICT’s Shirley Sneve has this report.
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@deborahkish5411
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
Respect and Honor for the First Nations!!!
@deborahkish5411
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
Respect and Honor for the First Nations!!!
@royyazzie6028
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
It's a sovereign nation people governing own it's people with laws that protect the land and it's natural resources it's time for the NavajoNation to do its own drilling yes there are oil riggers that are Navajo's this should leave out the outside to take the resources
@drewskibanana1892
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
Tribes will lose the life blood of thier land in dispute regardless of its economy condition for those who reside there. The land won't be of any value for anyone to survive or after the oil companies leave unclean oil rigs site cleanup. The land cant sustains any crops or water after. It wont be attractive for tribes to promote a political cry to rape the land of wealth for who? Natives are getting fisted for money at all cost. Good luck.
@jamieburnett9092
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
Americans are Indian givers
@jamieburnett9092
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
Why would I allow gas near my little village
@johnbrian118
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
"Politics makes strange bedfellows" Now the Navajo want to support Republicans because the Republicans being in the pocket of big oil and gas will let you desecrate and destroy your land for just a little bit of money. Look at Texas and Oklahoma, Republican strongholds. How is their environment? Have you heard or earthquakes happeining because of all the fracking they are doing there?
@francestoddy4368
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
Republicans
@francestoddy4368
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
White people's institutions, laws are the root of the problem.
@Merlin-s9e
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
Economic are within Grazing Regulations and the President of Navajo Nation government is off out with wrong information to my DINE and time ⏲️ for awake up call with true information ❤
@Merlin-s9e
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
BiA and Navajo Nation government are involve in what going to individuals land owners and it's is within our human Rights it's our land not Navajo Nation or the BIA and its human abuse .❤
@01Lenda
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
Haven't you figured it out yet? The Government does NOT give 2 F's about us, our land or our people. You will have nothing and be happy.
@virgieharrison7672
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
Who caused this!?! The interior. You dont step into other people front door without asking.
@virgieharrison7672
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
Pray? All they is run around naked at the Chaco Canyon!!🤣😂 In what way is it sacred? These tour's are the abuser's…all lies there is no refinery drill near Chaco Canyon. Chaco Canyon is all nothing but layers of Rocks.
@RicoSnipes-oy7et
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
😴😴😴
@mychaellucas167
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
Everybody got to sell out in the nation it's all about the money no matter what forget about tribal squabbling what's a lease got to do with anything here you got another man that stole the land and now you got to deal with the man that stole the land then you got one of your people that is secretary of the so-called land dad choose on but she goes right back to the enemy get her cut and sell the people down the drain this is just the way of the world when the man comes and steals your land he steals it until he can't have enough time is almost up for him anyway because one sacred thing he broke was breaking the laws of God for land God has gave man certain parts of the world so he can govern itself but then you have this so-called man that comes to steal everybody else's land he doesn't feel that he has to be accounted for anything but there's a higher power everyone whether you accept a believe it or not so with that I say to my brothers and sisters no matter who they put in office will there be one of our own they still work for the man that stole the land
@shanejohnson1309
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
Beni nice Navajo people
@KinachCuttahmup
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
Impersonators 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@williamwaugh8670
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
The people who live in central Turtle Island have grounds to organize themselves independently of the State governments and of the US so as to make collective decisions to try to maximize the probability that some of the children can survive.
Under the leadership of the military-industrial complex, gov't officials are doing grievous, active harm every day. The sooner the current power structure is inverted, the better for all.
How about for a slogan: From the Atlantic to the Pacific, Turtle Island will be free.
When Turtle Island is free, Gaza will be free, because the flow of arms to the Ziohazard Movement will have been stemmed.
@robertedwards9398
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
Good job to all of y’all ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤god bless you
@5373NSMAG
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
I actually respect President Buu more now. Navajo Nation needs to move to privatization of land.
@1.2.3.5Dine
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
Remember we are still here and we are not going anywhere, we will fight, we are the indigenous people of this land. 🪶✊🏾🪶✊🏾🪶✊🏾🪶🪶🦅🦅🦅🦅
@SacredOwlWoman
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
Love love love
@vanlifebiker
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
😎👍
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