Native American, Archive - Indigenous Affairs

A canal carries Colorado River water to farmland near Poston, Arizona, owned and operated by the Colorado River Indian Tribes, a key player in Arizona's Drought Contingency Plan.

Hobbs signs largest tribal water rights agreement in US history

Nov 20, 2024 The settlement is contingent on Congressional approval.

Groups gathered in Tucson's Christopher Columbus Park Oct. 8, 2017, to demand the city change the name.

Tucson weighs renaming Christopher Columbus Park amid push to honor Tohono O’odham leader

Nov 20, 2024 The public comment period closes on November 25th.

President Joe Biden greets people as he arrives at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Phoenix.

Biden visits Indian Country and apologizes for the 'sin' of a 150-year boarding school policy

Oct 25, 2024 It was a moment of both contrition and frustration as the president sought to recognize one of the “most horrific chapters” in the national story.

Buu Nygren announces his win for the Navajo Nation president as he reads tabulated votes from chapter houses across the reservation at his campaign's watch party at the Navajo Nation fairgrounds in Window Rock, Ariz., on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.

Navajo leader calls for tribal vice president's resignation amid political upheaval

Oct 15, 2024 The tribe has been mired by political upheaval that began earlier this year when the vice president outlined allegations of intimidation and sexual harassment within the administration.

Drummers, dancers and other leaders gather to perform and socialize at the Phoenix Indian Center’s Gourd Dance and Social Powwow in the Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix, Ariz., on Oct. 12, 2024.

Native voters could swing Arizona

Oct 14, 2024 Both parties are ramping up efforts to court Native American voters in the final stretch to Election Day.

Performers from the Native American Hoop Dance of Ballet Arizona dance at an Indigenous Peoples Day festival, Oct. 9, 2023, in Phoenix.

Indigenous Peoples Day celebrated with an eye on the election

Oct 14, 2024 The holiday comes about three weeks before Election Day. Events will be geared toward Native voter mobilization and outreach amid renewed recognition of the power of their votes.

Yazzie Family in Dennehotso, Ariz., on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024.

Broken Promises, Contaminated Waters: Uranium mining on the Navajo Nation

Oct 9, 2024 An investigation reveals the deadly health toll of uranium mining on Navajo land, where contaminated water and broken promises have left generations fighting for survival.

Protests against the Resolution Copper mine near Oak Flat have been going for years, as shown in this 2015 file photo from a rally at the Capitol.

San Carlos Apache asks U.S. Supreme Court to take Oak Flat case

Oct 3, 2024 The tribe is appealing the ruling of the Arizona Supreme Court.

The Pinyon Plain Mine shaft in Coconino County, on Wednesday, Aug. 30. In 2016, the mine shaft punctured a perched aquifer that contained natural levels of uranium, requiring the mining company Energy Fuels to pump water to the surface to an impoundment for treatment.

Uranium Mining in the Grand Canyon Region: Tribal Sovereignty vs. Nuclear Energy in the Climate Crisis

Oct 2, 2024 Uranium mining and nuclear energy may be affecting Arizona's tribal nations, posing threats to the region's water resources and the environmental and cultural heritage connected to them.

A sign outside a polling center in Tucson, Ariz.

The Buzz: Ensuring Accuracy in Ballots and Information

Sep 27, 2024 As election day draws near, we turn our attention to efforts to get information out to voters.

Established in 1924, the Chiricahua National Monument is up for redesignation to national park status. The monument could become Arizona's fourth national park.

House subcommittee considers bill to redesignate Chiricahua National Monument as a national park

Sep 18, 2024 Tribal leaders and local officials weigh in on the potential economic benefit and cultural impact

Red Butte in Coconino County, Wednesday, Aug. 30. Known as "Wii'i Gdwiisa," in Havasupai, the sacred grounds are protected under President Joe Biden's Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni- Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.

Federal judge denies tribal nations’ bid to join Grand Canyon Nation Monument lawsuit

Sep 11, 2024 A judge denied Arizona Tribal Nations’ request to intervene in a lawsuit over the Grand Canyon National Monument, stating their interests are represented by the U.S. government.

Havasu Falls closed indefinitely after deadly flash flood

Aug 28, 2024 Havasupai Tribe and emergency teams assessing damage.

Ruins in Hualapai Canyon, Hualapai Indian Reservation, Arizona

Lithium drilling project temporarily blocked on sacred tribal lands in Arizona

Aug 21, 2024 The case is among the latest legal fights to pit Native American tribes and environmentalists against President Joe Biden’s administration.

Archeologist Dr. Deni Seymour at work in the desert unearthing artifacts.

Discovering dynamic history in "Coronado: The New Evidence".

Aug 14, 2024 Also on Arizona Spotlight: Simon Donovan shares a story about a beloved dog named Betty.

A storm northwest of Tucson drops heavy rain on Oro Valley.

Arizona tribe wants feds to replace electrical transmission line after a 21-hour power outage

Aug 13, 2024 Tribal officials say the transmission line fails routinely and leaves residents and businesses without power — sometimes for days.

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