2018 Health & Welfare News Stories
Murkowski to revive bill intended to help Native women (Anchorage Daily News) 12/28/18 (See 115th Congress S.1942)
Health crisis ongoing for SD's Native Americans (Public News Service) 12/26/18
Rep. Mullin introduces bill to keep IHS doors open despite government shutdown (Native News Online) 12/21/18 (See 115th Congress H.R.7362)
Native Americans are under-reported in opioid overdose data (High Country News) 12/21/18
The NIH is bypassing tribal sovereignty to harvest genetic data from Native Americans (Motherboard) 12/21/18
Sitka woman testifies in DC about missing, murdered Alaska Native women (Juneau Empire) 12/19/18 (See 115th Congress S.1942)
Challenges to law could redefine Native American foster care, adoption (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 12/18/18
The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative at the University of Arkansas launched their model tribal food and agriculture code (Native News Online) 12/17/18
Indian health law killed by same judge behind Indian Child Welfare act ruling (Indianz) 12/17/18
Kids, courts, and the Indian Child Welfare Act (CATO Institute) 12/17/18 (See Brackeen v. Zinke)
U.S. Appeals court declines to reconsider local ICWA case (Rapid City Journal) 12/15/18 (See
Oglala Sioux Tribe v. Fleming)
Senate passes resolution commeorating 40th Anniversary of Indian Child Welfare Act (Native News Online) 12/14/18 (See 115th Congres S.Res.707)
As drug courts expand across the country, this tribe was one of the first for Native Americans (Circa) 12/13/18
Another tribe asserts authority over non-Indians as VAWA remains in limbo (Indianz) 12/7/18 (See 115th Congress H.R.6545)
U.S. Senate unanimously approves bill to place more protections on Native American women (KTVQ) 12/7/18 (See 115th Congress S.1942)
Alaska Native tribes seek help from human rights comission (The Seattle Times) 12/6/18
Native Americans on tribal land are 'the least connected' to high-speed internet (NPR) 12/6/18
U.S. to defend Indian Child Welfare Act (Indian Country Today) 12/3/18 (See Brackeen v. Zinke)
Alaska Native tribes sue drug companies over cost of opioid epidemic (Anchorage Daily News) 11/30/18
Native Sun News Today: Tribal takeover of troubled hospital questioned (Indianz) 11/30/18
St.Regis Mohawk Tribe joins members in PCB suit against Monsanto (Ottawa Citizen) 11/27/18
South Dakota Supreme Court upholds constitutionality of Indian Child Welfare Act, contrary to October federal ruling (Prairie Business) 11/27/18 (See Brackeen v. Zinke)
California receives grant in partnership with California Tribal Child Care Association to address disparities in early learning and child care (California Department of Education) 11/20/18
Tribal pharmacy fined for violating opioid regs (Daily Interlake) 11/20/18
New report highlights flaws in police data on missing, murdered Indigenous women and girls (The Seattle Times) 11/15/18 (See Report via Turtle Talk)
Mobile markets deliver healthy food and build community (Second Wave Michigan) 11/14/18
Tribal housing reorganization still stalled (Smoky Mountain News) 11/14/18
Anti-Indian hate crimes rose dramatically in first year of Trump presidency (Indianz) 11/13/18
Bill to address missing and murdered sisters scheduled for action (Indianz) 11/12/18 (See 115th Congress S.1942)
Microsoft helps bring broadband internet to rural tribal lands (Engadget) 11/8/18
Another tribe asserts authority over non-Indians as VAWA remains in limbo (Indianz) 11/2/18
Montana Tribe sues pharmaceutical companies over opioids (U.S. News) 10/31/18
Yakima Convention Center holds meeting for missing Native American women (NBC) 10/29/18
'Intentional and direct attack': Tribes vow fight for Indian Child Welfare Act (
Indianz) 10/25/18 (See
Brackeen v. Zinke)
Tribal citizens question changes at Indian Health Service hospital (Indianz) 10/25/18
Alaska tribes, health organizations join opioid suit (KTOO Public Media) 10/24/18
Texas judge rules against Indian Child Welfare Act (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 10/23/18
Feds to help Maine tribe curb opioid epidemic (U.S. News) 10/22/18
Yurok approach to opioid crisis focuses on culture, tradition, responsibility (Times Standard) 10/20/18
ICWA decision brings push back from Tribe (Cherokee One Feather) 10/19/18 (See Brackeen v. Zinke)
Alaska Natives to Congress: Expand Violence Against Women Act (Alaska Native News) 10/14/18
Federal judge strikes down ICWA (Rapid City Journal) 10/9/18 (Brackeen v. Zinke)
North Dakota tribes join 'historic' court filing to detail impact of opioid crisis (The Bismarck Tribune) 10/9/18
Udall: Opioid package gives tribes resources to build treatment, prevention solutions (U.S. Senator Tom Udall) 10/5/18 (See 115th Congress H.R.6)
Judge strikes down Indian Child Welfare Act in contested ruling (Indianz) 10/5/18
Hearing addresses high rates of violence against Native women (Indianz) 10/4/18
Tribes help bring down barriers to Indian Child Welfare Act (Indianz) 10/3/18
Pennington County to stick with current ICWA hearing procedures (Rapid City Journal) 10/1/18
Rounds IHS oversight bill passes committee (Rapid City Journal) 9/30/18 (See 115th Congress S.465)
Oglala Sioux Tribe denied federal assitance for major storm (Indianz) 9/27/18
'A hopeful future': Addressing Native youth in the justice system (Indianz) 9/21/18
Tribal funding to combat violence doubled (Albuquerque Journal) 9/19/18
Colville Tribes and FEMA sign historical agreement for flood recovery efforts on reservation (Tribal Tribune) 9/18/18
Empower tribal communities to address the suicide crisis (Indianz) 9/18/18 (See 115th Congress H.R. 3473)
Congress must prioritize Native women through legislation (High Country News) 9/18/18
ACLU will ask Eighth Circuit to reconsider opinion on ICWA, due process (SDPB Radio) 9/18/18 (See Oglala Sioux Tribe v. Fleming)
ICWA: 8th Circuit overturns federal ruling (SDPB Radio ) 9/17/18 (See Oglala Sioux Tribe v. Fleming)
Indian Health Service: Considerations related to providing advance appropriation authority (U.S. Government Accountability Office) 9/13/18
Lawmakers propose new ways to help Native American women (VOA) 9/11/18 (See 115th Congress S.3280 and H.R.4608)
Sick river: Can these California tribes beat heroin and history? (The New York Times) 9/4/18
United Nations reports drastic increase of violence against Indigenous peoples (Indian Country Today) 8/28/18
Cases of missing and murdered Native American women challenge police, courts (Arizona Daily Sun) 8/28/18
Four Minnesota Tribes file lawsuits against opioids manufacturers (Native News Online) 8/22/18
Cowlitz tribe launching gambling addiction program (TDN) 8/20/18
Gila River Indian Community denied funds for tribal veterans (Indianz) 8/17/18 (See Gila River Indian Community v. United States Department of Veterans Affairs)
Council supports homeownership program in Arkansas, Texas (Cherokee Phoenix) 8/15/18
Winnebago Tribe moves forward with food sovereignty initiatives (Indianz) 8/8/18
Judge upholds Indian Child Welfare Act (Arizona Daily Sun) 8/7/18
Fond du Lac Band sues over opioids (Duluth News Tribune) 8/2/18
'We've forgotten that we are all healers': Herbalists acompany Canoe Journey (Indianz) 7/30/18
Havasupai Tribe declares disaster after flooding hits popular spot (Indianz) 7/27/18
Human rights group says activists targeting American Indians deserve hate label (Southern Poverty Law Center) 7/26/18
Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Lisa Murkowski introduce bill to combat human trafficking of Native Americans and Alaska Natives (Elle) 7/26/18 (See 115th Congress S.33280)
Udall fights to improve VA services for Native American veterans (U.S. Senator Tom Udall) 7/26/18 (See 115th Congress S.3269)
New Mexico hospital battles addiction with high tech prescriptions to reach out to Navajo reservations (Native News Online) 7/23/18
Native American pipeline protestors enter plea agreements to avoid long prison terms (Think Progress) 7/21/18
Grappling with Native American homelessness (NPR) 7/21/18
Hospital recieves $25,000 grant to help reduce infant mortality rate on Yakama reservation (Yakima Herald) 7/17/18
Tribes face obstacles at troubled Indian Health Service facility (Indianz) 7/16/18
Native Americans who protested Dakota Access get handed the longest prison sentences (Think Progress) 7/12/18
Swinomish tribe sues drug companies over opioid crisis (Lexington Herald Leader) 7/4/18
Pokagon Band celebrates influx of $2.3 million in federal housing funds (Indianz) 7/3/18
Red Rock community receives $1.6 million from Nation for new senior center (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 7/3/18
'I am totally down to nothing': Navajo Nation affected by nuclear era (Indianz) 6/28/18
Census releases latest population numbers, Native Americans are 2.09% (Indian Country Today) 6/27/18
Flatwater Solutions wins $20 million in Indian Health Service Contract (Native News Online) 6/27/18
CN files another opioid suit (Tahlequah Daily Press) 6/27/18
US makes up to $110M available to tribal crime victims (The Washington Post) 6/26/18
Udall to fight for justice for victims of radiation exposure in key Senate hearing (U.S. Senator Tom Udall) 6/26/18 (See 115th Congress S.197)
Crisis Text Line and Osage Nation Partner to improve rural response crisis intervention (Native News Online) 6/26/18
Family Seperation is a US tradition. Just ask Native communities. (Rewire. News) 6/25/18
Tewa Women United earns $900K grant for loss, trauma program (Taos News) 6/21/18
"Where are all of our children?" (Mile Lacs Messenger) 6/13/18
Public hearing on amending CRIT Children's Code (Parker Pioneer) 6/12/18
Heinrich, Heller work to advance bipartisan bill to improve high-speed internet in Indian Country (U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich) 6/12/18 (See 115th Congress H.5661)
Tester moves forward legislation to increase access to affordable housing in Indian Country (U.S. Senator Jon Tester) 6/7/18 (See 115th Congress S.1655)
Federal judge allows Nebraska tribes to pursue opioid lawsuits separately from states (Live Well Nebraska) 6/6/18
American Indian Nations act to ensure their inclusion in opioid settlement talks (Nonprofit Quarterly) 6/5/18
Foster children face uncertain future (Traverse City Record Eagle) 6/3/18
Heitkamp announces home ownership assistance for Standing Rock communities (U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp) 5/31/18
Attorney General Becerra leads bipartisan coalition of Attorneys General to protect Native American children (Attorney General Xavier Becerra) 5/29/18
Montana grandmother sues BIA for false imprisonment (The Seattle Times) 5/26/18
Colorado Court of Appeals: ICWA requires notice to BIA in State with no designated tribal agents (Colorado Bar Association) 5/24/18
Senate passes Tester, Isakson, Hoeven, Udall bill to combat Native American veteran homelessness (U.S. Senator Jon Tester) 5/24/18 (See 115th Congress S.1333)
Trump administration wants tribal people to work for Medicaid benefits (Cherokee Phoenix) 5/24/18
Idaho tribe joins lawsuit against big opioid manufacturers (KIVI) 5/22/18
Michigan court backs dad on parental rights, cites Indian child welfare law (Detroit Free Press) 5/18/18 (See In Re Williams)
At a killer's sentencing, Native Americans talk of healing and enduring suspicions (KTOO Public Media) 5/17/18
The Trump agenda has Native American tribes feeling under siege (Los Angeles Times) 5/15/18
Cronkite News: Native Americans almost close the gap on life expectancy (Indianz) 5/11/18
Native Americans demanding chance to try opioid suits separately (Bloomberg) 5/10/18
Udall, Hoeven introduce legislation to support Native farmers, ranchers, and communities (U.S. Senator Tom Udall) 5/9/18 (See 115th Congress S.2804)
North Dakota tribes sue opioid industry groups (Insurance Journal) 5/7/18
New approach aids Native assault victims (The Durango Herald) 5/6/18
The crisis of murdered and missing Indigenous women (Indian Country Newsletter) 5/5/18
Tribal officials will object to new HHS rule (Tahlequah Daily Press) 5/3/18
Winnebago Tribe names executives for takeover of troubled Indian Health Service hospital (Indianz) 5/1/18
10 bipartisan Senators push back on Medicaid work requirements for Native Americans (The Hill) 4/27/18
Trump takes a hard line on tribal health care (High Country News) 4/27/18
Cancer control in American Indian and Alaska Native populations: A conversation with Dr. Shobha Srinivasan (National Cancer Institute) 4/25/18
Tribe's mental illness safety course may deter police shootings (People's World) 4/14/18
Tribes prepare for takeover of troubled Indian Health Service hospital (Indianz) 4/23/18
Wyoming tribe's opioid lawsuit merged with Ohio case (The Seattle Times) 4/22/18
Trump challenges Native Americans' historical standing (Politico) 4/22/18
A new law addresses epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women (Crosscut.) 4/16/18
Trump signs bill to expand child alert system to tribal land (U.S. News) 4/13/18 (See 115th Congress S.772)
Bill creating task force on missing and murdered Indigenous women recieves second hearing (LPTV News) 4/11/18
Navajo Nation joins parade of tribal lawsuits targeting opioid industry (Indianz) 4/11/18
A return to traditional food and support of local farmers highlighted at Dine Food Summit (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 4/10/18
Heitkamp-McCain bill to expand AMBER Alerts in Indian Country passes in Senate (Indian Country Today) 4/10/18 (See 115th Congess S.772)
Native women are going missing at epic rates. A 19-year-old wants you to know why (UpWorthy) 4/9/18
IHS announces new program to support youth after sucessful substance abuse treatment (Native News Online) 4/8/18
The fight to keep tobacco sacred (Salon) 4/6/18
Tribes lead the way for faster internet access in New Mexico (High Country News) 4/6/18
Lac Du Flambeau Tribe files Federal lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors (NPR) 4/6/18
Center for Native American Youth recieves nearly $500,000 grant award from Walmart Foundation (Native News Online) 4/3/18
Tribe sues over death of Navajo woman shot by police officer in Winslow (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 4/3/18
Tribes see improvements, hurdles as they charge non-Natives (ABC News) 4/2/18
The Health 202: Opioid company blames government for Native American crisis (The Washington Post) 4/2/18
Pascua Yaqui lead shift in tribal courts' handling non-Native domestic violence suspects
(Tucscon.com) 3/31/18
Why marriage equality is a matter of tribal sovereignty (High Country News) 3/30/18
Native American tribes get funding boost for crime victims (U.S. News) 3/29/18
Indian Country sees 'real progress' with $1.3 trillion spending bill (Indianz) 3/26/18
Miccosukee tribe seizes newborn from parents (Orlando Sentinel) 3/22/18
Tribes cite progress since passage of Violence Against Women Act (Indianz) 3/20/18
NCAI releases five-year report on tribal nations exercising Violence Against Women Act (Indian Country Today) 3/20/18
Senators Heitkamp, Udall and Hoeven and NCAI weigh in on opioid crisis in Indian country (Indian Country Today) 3/19/18
A Native American tribe is using traditional culture to fight addiction (Vice News) 3/15/18
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski details rural Alaska opioid epidemic (Your Alaska Link) 3/15/18
Finding little help from the Federal government, Tribes are making their own ways to fight trafficking (Rewire.News) 3/14/18
Native American nonprofit aims to boost community health by teaching Lakota language (New York Nonprofit Media) 3/14/18
5-year-old at center of custody dispute between Native American tribe, local guardian (The Columbus Dispatch) 3/14/18
Udall, Heinrich push for additional funding to combat opioid crisis, support treatment efforts in Indian Country (U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich) 3/14/18
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs convenes hearing on opioids (Indianz) 3/14/18 (See Webcast via U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs)
Fertile Ground Grant Program awards five grants to Native American organizations (Native News Online) 3/13/18
Harrassment pervades the Bureau of Indian Affairs (High Country News) 3/13/18
Bipartisan bill would boost tribal broadband infrastructure (Payson Roundup) 3/12/18 (See 115th Congress H.R. 5172)
Proposed cuts to civil legal services will deny courtroom justice to the poor (Truthout) 3/11/18
Tribe to quit federal health plan (Casper Star Tribune) 3/9/18
Meeting the needs of aging Native Americans (Health Affairs) 3/8/18
Mullin introduces legislation to allow tribes access to federal opioid grants (Native News Online) 3/7/18 (See 115th Congres H.R.5140)
McCabe's bill to identify missing Native American women advances to Governor's desk (Union-Bulletin) 3/7/18
The Longest Walk 5.3 arrives at Yakama Reservation for three days of activities and special events (Yakima Herald) 3/6/18
Tribes sound alarms about rise in heroin overdoes cases in Wisconsin (Indianz) 3/6/18
Tribes sue pharmaceutical companies for 'flood' of opioids (Kitsap Sun) 3/6/18
Gov. Rick Snyder signs legislation ensuring Michigan tribes have access to state child protection records (Michigan.gov) 3/6/18
Who can adopt a Native child? (High Country News) 3/5/18
Sen. Udall urges Trump administration to nominate a high quality Indian Health Service Director (Native News Online) 3/1/18
U.S. House clears AMBER Alert in Indian Country bill (Native News Online) 2/27/18 (See 115th Congress H.R.2666)
New Indian Child Welfare Act challenges on the horizon (JD Supra) 2/26/18 (See S.S. v. Colorado River Tribes)
How might Trump's Food Box Plan affect health? Native Amerians know all too well (NPR) 2/25/18
Supreme Court turns away another conservative attack on Indian Child Welfare Act (Indianz) 2/21/18 (See Renteria v. Superior Court of California, Tulare County)
Alaska transfers child welfare services for Native Alaskans to tribes (Chronicle of Social Change) 2/21/18
Better food gets closer in Minnesota (Voice of Alexandria) 2/19/18
Tribes battle state of South Dakota over removal of Indian children (Indianz) 2/19/18
Kansas House prepares to vote on bill authorizing state income tax refunds to Native American veterans (CJ Online) 2/19/18
Advocates seek justice for abused Native American women (VOA) 2/19/18
South Dakota Senate Committee rejects American Indian Boarding School sexual abuse victims bill (Native News Online) 2/15/18
Health, Education, and Human Services Committee support the development of a genetics research policy for the Navajo Nation (Navajo Nation Council) 2/13/18
Indian Health Service budget promises funding for opioid epidemic (Indianz) 2/13/18
Court hears tribal challenge to South Dakota child removals (The Washington Post) 2/13/18
Native American boarding school abuse victims seek new law (Gillette News Record) 2/13/18
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe sues 24 opioid industry companies (KDLT News) 2/13/18
"I will not stay silent and I am not scared" (Tribal Tribune) 2/12/18
Sens. Udall, Cortez Masto, Smith, Rep. Lujan Grisham introduce bill to help Native students access healthy foods (U.S. Senator Tom Udall) 2/9/18 ( See 115th Congress H.R.4967)
Colorado Court of Appeals: Written advisement form does not satisfy ICWA notice requirements (Legal Connection) 2/6/18
Native Americans, Seattle's original residents, are also its most likely to be homeless (The Seattle Times) 2/8/18
South Dakota Natives sue drugmakers over opioids (Matthews & Associates) 2/7/18
Indian diabetes program included in bill to keep government running (Indianz) 2/7/18
Indigenous students at ASU seek answers and awarness about violence in their communities (The State Press) 2/7/18
Sen. Udall pushes for extension of key Indian diabetes program (Indianz) 2/5/18
How a private company is bringing affordable houses to Indian Country (High Country News) 2/5/18
Toxic Tar Creek, continues to harm residents, as cleanup stalls (Think Progress) 2/1/18
State of the Union guest pushes for AMBER Alert in Indian Country (Indianz) 1/31/18 (See 115th Congress S.772)
Possible PCB lawsuits prompts St. Regis Mohawk Tribe to survey members (North Country Now) 1/31/18
Begaye calls on Congress to prioritize Indian Health and allocate funding (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 1/30/18
Indian Country News: Where #Metoo meets #MMIW (High Country News) 1/26/18
The hidden health inequalities that American Indians and Alaskan Natives face (The Conversation) 1/25/18
Navajo President on human trafficking: "It does happen here on the Navajo Nation" (Native News Online) 1/25/18
Maine tribes say Medicaid work requirement would jeopardize health care (Press Herald) 1/19/18
Native Americans confront the legacy of adoption (VOA) 1/18/18
What does it take to run the Indian Health Service? Questions surrounding Trump's pick (Rewire) 1/17/18
Udall to lead two events on Indian country prioritites in the upcoming farm bill reauthorization (Native News Online) 1/17/18
Native Farm Bill Coalition formed (AG Net West) 1/17/18
Tribes continue battles against drug companies amid a setback in court (Indianz) 1/17/18
Minnesota tribe seeks farm bill funding (Agrinews.com) 1/16/18
Cherokee can't sue opioid distributors in tribal court, Judge rules (The New York Times) 1/11/18
Lower Burle chariman urges lawmakers to expand Medicaid (Los Angeles Times) 1/11/18
3 Native American tribes sue opioid industry groups (The Washington Post) 1/9/18
Trump pick for Indian Health Service under fire for job experience claims (CNBC) 1/5/18
Tribes hire lobbyists to push for Indian Health Service reform (The Rural Blog) 1/4/18
President appoints member to Heitkamp's Commission on
Native children, moving Commission step closer to getting to work (U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp) 1/3/18
Justice Department announces funding opportunities for tribal communities (Before it's News) 1/3/18
Daines introduces bill to combat meth use in state (Sidney Herald) 1/1/18 (See 115th Congress S.2270)
