Native American Issues

New beginnings Students at Utah State University Blanding. Courtsy photo

USU awarded $500,000 in USDA grants to aid Native Americans

By Dana Rhoades Faculty at Utah State University’s Statewide and Logan campuses have been awarded $500,000 in grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for programs to increase retention and graduation rates among Native American students. The grants will help provide mentorship,...

Stewardship Utah Foundation and Navajo Utah Commission apply for $20 million grant from EPA

Stewardship Utah Foundation and Navajo Utah Commission Apply for $20 Million Community Change Grant from EPA In November, the Rural Utah Project Education Fund officially submitted a grant for $20 million through an EPA program that is part of the Inflation Reduction Act. If awarded, this grant...

DOI announces $7 million for electrifiction on Navajo

The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a $71 million investment in 13 Tribal communities across Indian Country, on September 26. This investment from the Inflation Reduction Act – the largest ever investment in climate – is described by the DOI as a critical step toward the goal of...

Attendees of the Indigenous Men’s Conference are encouraged to wear blue to support men’s health awareness.

Indigenous Men’s Conference returns for a second year in Montezuma Creek on Sept. 19

by Sally Jack Contriburting Writer The second annual Indigenous Men’s Conference will be held Thursday, September 19 at the Montezuma Creek Community Health Center, located at 1478 E. Highway 162 in Montezuma Creek. The conference is sponsored by Utah Navajo Health Services and is designed to...

White Mesa Bear Dance this weekend

by David Boyle News Director The annual Ute Mountain Ute Tribe White Mesa Bear Dance is returning to the White Mesa community this weekend starting on Friday, August 30, and concluding on Monday, September 2, The event is open to the public. Friday starts with the sunrise prayer and blessing at 6...

Uranium ore trucks on hold in Navajo Nation

by David Boyle News Director Energy Fuels began and then paused its transport of Uranium ore from its Pinyon Plain Mine in Arizona to the White Mesa Mill in San Juan County last week. The pause of transport of Uranium came after Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren issued an executive order requiring...

Navajo Nation Primary races were July 30

by David Boyle News Director Navajo Nation voters participated in primary elections on Tuesday, July 30. The primaries coincided with Arizona primary elections. Voters turned out in the 110 Navajo Nation Chapter Houses to cast their votes, which included elections in the seven Utah chapters. Below...

Members of the Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise Board, 25th Navajo Nation Council, Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren, and the Navajo Land Department stood together at the grand opening of the Goulding’s Lodge. Photo Courtesy 25th Navajo Nation Council

Navajo Nation secures Goulding’s Lodge

by David Boyle News Director Navajo Nation officials celebrated the tribe’s purchase of Goulding’s Monument Valley Lodge and Tours with a grand opening on June 14. The purchase comes as the property celebrates 100 years in business. Members of the 25th Navajo Nation Council approved a $59.5 million...

Second online forum held for Bears Ears Monument Draft Plan

by David Boyle News Director Federal land agencies and members of the Bears Ears Commission held another online forum related to the Bears Ears National Monument draft plan on May 2. The meeting was the fourth of seven public meetings held by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Forest Service...

Utah withdraws from Bears Ears land swap in response to proposals in management plan

The state of Utah is withdrawing its support of a proposed land swap of state trust lands in the Bears Ears National Monument for federal lands elsewhere in San Juan County and the rest of the state. Utah elected Republican leaders took the action saying the federal government is “ignoring good...