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 fourcorners 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 McDowellWahkapehe 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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