Spotlight on Political and Cultural Victories During Native American Heritage Month 2022

With the final days of National Native American Heritage Month approaching, significant political and cultural events have occurred in the community over the past month. In honor of the deep and meaningful history of the Native culture, Buffalo’s Fire is celebrating the contributions, successes, and traditions within the community.

So far, this month:

Nearly 80 candidates – about half of whom are women – won their political races. This includes Lisa Finley-DeVille, who was named District 4A House Candidate, providing citizens of the Fort Berthold Reservation with representation in the North Dakota Legislature.

Native Organizers Alliance Action Fund proved that the Native vote matters. A team of organizers for the Native Organizers Alliance Action Fund has been mobilizing Native peoples on the ground in key states to overcome voter suppression. These efforts have included states like Arizona and Nevada, where close races determine control of the Senate.

More museums are reckoning with racist histories of stealing remains, hair, and sacred objects from Native peoples. The Ogala Sioux Tribe recently received approximately 150 artifacts from the Founder’s Museum in Barre, Massachusetts, including weapons, pipes, moccasins, and clothing – several of which are thought to have a direct link to the Wounded Knee Massacre in South Dakota.

A vote to expand South Dakota’s Medicaid expansion will make South Dakota the seventh state to approve the expansion. The need for better healthcare has crossed state lines into North Dakota, with the residents of the Fort Berthold Reservation gaining access to better healthcare – solving a problem that Native people in the area face every day.

A summit led by the Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative brought forward problems faced by Native peoples across the country. In addition to the injustice experienced by Nimkii Curley at his graduation for honoring his ancestors, some school districts are now taking the problem of mascots that stereotype Native culture seriously – with almost 2000 mascots still promoting the stereotypes.

In addition to these events, Native peoples are making a significant impact within the community – every day of the year, not just during Native American Heritage Month. Buffalo’s Fire is proud to provide the community with news stories that impact Native culture and help to shape the Native community – yesterday, today, tomorrow, and into the future.

References:

Buffalo’s Fire, Lisa Finley-DeVille, November 13, 2022, “Lisa Finley-DeVille, District 4A House Candidate, Statement on District 4A Election Results,” https://www.buffalosfire.com/lisa-finley-deville-district-4a-house-candidate-statement-on-district-4a-election-results/

Buffalo’s Fire, Associated Press, November 14, 2022, “Massachusetts museum returns sacred items to Sioux tribes,” https://www.buffalosfire.com/massachusetts-museum-returns-sacred-items-to-sioux-tribes/

Buffalo’s Fire, Arielle Zoints, November 19, 2022, “South Dakota’s Medicaid expansion,” https://www.buffalosfire.com/south-dakotas-medicaid-expansion/

KX News, Lauren Davis, November 23, 2022, “Making healthcare more accessible to Native Americans,” https://www.kxnet.com/news/state-news/making-healthcare-more-accessible-to-native-americans/

Buffalo’s Fire, Amelia Schafer, November 20, 2022, “Chicago group puts spotlight on Indigenous issues,” https://www.buffalosfire.com/chicago-group-puts-spotlight-on-indigenous-issues/

Buffalo’s Fire, Sara Marcum, November 21, 2022, “Almost 2000 mascots stereotyping Native culture still exist across America,” https://www.buffalosfire.com/almost-2000-mascots-stereotyping-native-culture-still-exist-across-america/