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The Hopi Reservation in northeastern Arizona covers 2,532 square miles and is surrounded by the vast Navajo Nation Reservation. A UA program is working with seven clinics from the Navajo Nation and the Phoenix and Tucson areas to identify barriers to cancer screenings for Indigenous communities.

UA receives grant to improve access to cancer screenings in Indigenous communities

Aug 18, 2020 The program aims to identify why Indigenous people over 50 don't get screened for colorectal cancer as often their counterparts.
Demonstrators at the 2019 Tucson Women's March carry signs reading "MMIW" ("missing and murdered Indigenous women") and "no more stolen sisters."

Cold case office for missing and murdered Indigenous peoples opens in Phoenix

Aug 14, 2020 The office is one of seven connected to a national MMIP task force called Operation Lady Justice.
A special agent overlooks the Shiprock land formation on the Navajo Nation in New Mexico. The reservation, the largest in the country, is one of about 200 federally recognized Indian reservations where the FBI has investigative responsibilities.

Navajo Nation president asks for leniency for federal death row inmate

Aug 11, 2020 Lezmond Mitchell is the sole Native American under a federal death sentence in the United States.
The Cocopah and Quechan Indian tribes donated ventilators they received from the Strategic National Stockpile to Yuma Regional Medical Center during the COVID-19 pandemic May 14, 2020.

Yuma County tribes use messaging, testing to beat back COVID-19 amid surge

Jul 31, 2020 Fort Yuma Health Center said the start of the surge was "scary," but they were prepared.
A screenshot of a chart depicting the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths among Tohono O'odham members featured in the July 29, 2020, report from tribal leadership.

Tohono O'odham Nation hopes COVID-19 curve is flattening following spike

Jul 30, 2020 After instating another stay-at-home order, the nation says it has recently seen weekly numbers start to decrease.
Cracked mud flats appear on the surface of Quitobaquito pond on July 18, 2020.

Scientists: Border wall construction wreaking havoc at Quitobaquito Springs

Jul 30, 2020 More than two dozen ecologists, biologists and hydrologists say the desert oasis is in worse shape than ever.
Downtown Tucson, Oct, 23, 2019.

Daily news roundup: No new coronavirus deaths reported by state, impact of census strong in AZ

Jul 27, 2020 Recent coverage impacting Southern Arizona, July 25.
Quitobaquito pond, July 18, 2020.

'A worst-case scenario': Leaks, dust, water pumping and drought plague Quitobaquito

Jul 23, 2020 Border-hugging spring and its pond are sacred to Hia C-ed O'odham and the Tohono O'odham communities
Canyon Mine is one of the few mines allowed to operate despite the moratorium.

House passes defense spending bill banning new uranium mines around Grand Canyon

Jul 23, 2020 The Senate version of the bill does not include the ban on new uranium mines.
A man wears a face mask while standing outdoors in the town of Guadalupe on July 7, 2020.

Guadalupe: A town hit hard by COVID-19

Jul 17, 2020 Locals say families have been struggling in the small town, which recently had one of the highest COVID-19 case rates in Maricopa County.
The Tucson Skyline. October 23, 2019.

Daily news roundup: Health care workers promote mask wearing, school districts prepare for online learning

Jul 15, 2020 Recent coverage impacting Southern Arizona, July 15.
Arizona National Guard service members at a COVID-19 drive-thru testing site in the Tohono O'odham Nation in Sells, Arizona, July 6, 2020.

Tribal nations partner with Arizona National Guard for mass COVID-19 testing

Jul 15, 2020 This week's events will be in the White Mountain Apache Tribe in Cibecue and Whiteriver.
The Hopi Reservation in northeastern Arizona covers 2,532 square miles and is surrounded by the vast Navajo Nation Reservation.

Analysis: Native Americans infected with COVID-19 at higher rates in Arizona

Jul 10, 2020 Indigenous people were disproportionately impacted by the virus in many of the state's counties in the first months of the pandemic.
White Mountain Apache Tribe Chairwoman Gwendena Lee-Gatewood in a June 27 video streamed on her Facebook page. Lee-Gatewood says there are only 200 elders left and possibly fewer since the pandemic.

White Mountain Apache Tribe shuts down reservation to stop coronavirus

Jun 29, 2020 About one-eighth of the 13,500 residents have tested positive for COVID-19.
The Arizona Capitol Building. January 2017

AZ Indigenous Peoples' Caucus urges state to rename Columbus Day

Jun 24, 2020 The group said the move would contribute to other movements fighting for racial, social and historical justice.
Life casts can be a powerful tool for self-exploration, says Paul Weir, a key organizer of Tucson's annual All Souls Procession.

Behind the Mask

Jun 18, 2020 Also on Arizona Spotlight: A plea on behalf of sacred lands threatened by border wall construction; and a sincere thank you to comic book legend Dennis J. O'Neil.

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