The National Congress of American Indians hosts its executive council winter session on February 14, 2022.

The meeting took place in a virtual format due to COVID-19.

The National Congress of American Indians hosts its executive council winter session on February 14, 2022.

The meeting took place in a virtual format due to COVID-19.

National Congress of American Indians President Fawn Sharp delivers the State of Indian Nations address on February 14, 2022.

In the address, Sharp outlines the goals of tribal leaders, addresses opportunities for the advancement of Native peoples, and sets the tone for Indian Country’s priorities through 2022 and beyond.

Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kansas), a citizen of the Ho-Chunk Nation, delivers a response to the State of Indian Nations from a Congressional perspective.

Additionally, for the first time, NCAI Youth Commission Officers Jonathan Arakawa, Jessica Lambert and Simon Friday deliver remarks and participate in the question and answer segment.

National Congress of American Indians President Fawn Sharp delivers the State of Indian Nations address on February 14, 2022.

In the address, Sharp outlines the goals of tribal leaders, addresses opportunities for the advancement of Native peoples, and sets the tone for Indian Country’s priorities through 2022 and beyond.

Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kansas), a citizen of the Ho-Chunk Nation, delivers a response to the State of Indian Nations from a Congressional perspective.

Additionally, for the first time, NCAI Youth Commission Officers Jonathan Arakawa, Jessica Lambert and Simon Friday deliver remarks and participate in the question and answer segment.

National Congress of American Indians President Fawn Sharp delivers the State of Indian Nations address on February 14, 2022.

In the address, Sharp outlines the goals of tribal leaders, addresses opportunities for the advancement of Native peoples, and sets the tone for Indian Country’s priorities through 2022 and beyond.

Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kansas), a citizen of the Ho-Chunk Nation, delivers a response to the State of Indian Nations from a Congressional perspective.

Additionally, for the first time, NCAI Youth Commission Officers Jonathan Arakawa, Jessica Lambert and Simon Friday deliver remarks and participate in the question and answer segment.

The National Congress of American Indians hosts its executive council winter session on February 14, 2022.

The meeting took place in a virtual format due to COVID-19.

Pascua Yaqui Tribe gets tax credits to build homes for 200 families

By Madison Thomas

Cronkite News

In southern Arizona, a new affordable housing development is underway for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.

Cronkite News reporter Madison Thomas explains how the development could change lives

More than 1,000 families in the Pascua Yaqui Tribe are on a waitlist for affordable housing. That’s according to Keith Gregory. He’s the tribe’s housing director. But for 200 families the wait will soon be over.

“What we’re trying to do has never been done before, anywhere in tribal housing,” says Gregory. “The first of the project, the phase we are working on right now, is literally the largest tax credit project ever done in the united states on tribal land.”

Gregory says the tribe applied for the tax credits through the state’s department of housing. The project received roughly 15 million dollars through tax credits sold to investors.

“The tax credit program is authorized by the federal government,” says Gregory. “They allocate dollars to the states that then are allocated to individual projects.”

The construction company expects to complete the first phase of the project by the end of the year.

The next phase will include twenty-seven units and a third phase is currently in design. Gregory says they are committed to providing the community with the resources they need.

“Housing is more than just buildings. It’s an opportunity to help people reach their own goals,” says Gregory.

Tenants will have the option to buy the home at a reduced rate after renting homes for 15 years. Gregory says this allows families to start building generational wealth from the home’s equity.

--Madison Thomas, Cronkite News

Cover photo by Madison Thomas/Cronkite News

Native Renewables is an indigenous led team working to provide Navajo and Hopi households with access to an off-grid photovoltaic system.

By Thalia Lopez

Cronkite News

About 18,000 Navajo homes do not have electricity or refrigeration. That means families can spend 50% of their income on alternative energy sources. That’s according to Suzanne Singer. She’s the founder and executive director of Native Renewables.

“What we would like is for the power we provide to add to that harmony and balance in the home for different families,” said Singer

Singer spoke during an online event held by the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center on Monday.

Flagstaff-based Native Renewables provides affordable access to clean energy.

It’s designed to power homes for three to four days when used efficiently without access to sunlight. Last year the team installed 18 2.4 kilowatt residential off-grid solar units and donated 215 solar kits for covid relief.

Story and Audio by Thalia Lopez, Cronkite News

Native Renewables: https://www.nativerenewables.org

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (117th Congress)

Oversight Hearing “The Long Journey Home: Advancing the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act’s Promise After 30 Years of Practice”

Wednesday, February 2, 2022 – 2:30 PM

Location: Dirksen

Room Number: 628

PANEL 1

Ms. Joy Beasley

Associate Director, Cultural Resources, Partnerships and Science

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Washington, DC

https://www.indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/02/joybeasley020222.pdf

Dr. Anna Maria Ortiz

Director, Natural Resources and Environment

U.S. Government Accountability Office

Washington, DC

https://www.indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/02/annamariaortiz020222.pdf

Ms. Carmen Hulu Lindsey

Chair

Office of Hawaiian Affairs

Honolulu, Hawaii

https://www.indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/02/carmenhululindsey020222.pdf

Dr. Valerie Grussing

Executive Director

National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers

Washington, DC

https://www.indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/02/valeriegrussing020222.pdf

Dr. Rosita Worl

President

Sealaska Heritage Institute

Juneau, Alaska

https://www.indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/02/rositaworl020222.pdf

Committee Notice:

https://www.indian.senate.gov/hearing/oversight-hearing-long-journey-home-advancing-native-american-graves-protection-and

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (117th Congress)

Oversight Hearing “The Long Journey Home: Advancing the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act’s Promise After 30 Years of Practice”

Wednesday, February 2, 2022 – 2:30 PM

Location: Dirksen

Room Number: 628

PANEL 1

Ms. Joy Beasley

Associate Director, Cultural Resources, Partnerships and Science

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Washington, DC

https://www.indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/02/joybeasley020222.pdf

Dr. Anna Maria Ortiz

Director, Natural Resources and Environment

U.S. Government Accountability Office

Washington, DC

https://www.indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/02/annamariaortiz020222.pdf

Ms. Carmen Hulu Lindsey

Chair

Office of Hawaiian Affairs

Honolulu, Hawaii

https://www.indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/02/carmenhululindsey020222.pdf

Dr. Valerie Grussing

Executive Director

National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers

Washington, DC

https://www.indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/02/valeriegrussing020222.pdf

Dr. Rosita Worl

President

Sealaska Heritage Institute

Juneau, Alaska

https://www.indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/02/rositaworl020222.pdf

Committee Notice:

https://www.indian.senate.gov/hearing/oversight-hearing-long-journey-home-advancing-native-american-graves-protection-and