Recently in Native News

As part of our continued endeavor to inform readers of the news and culture relating to Native American communities from across the country, Partnership With Native Americans has compiled our favorite stories from the month of June. Stay up to date with more articles by following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

How this man is helping Native Americans gain energy independence via Climate Connections

• “For the Oglala Lakota Sioux tribe, the sun is more than a source of energy. Red Cloud: ‘Native people’s way of life – language, song, dance, ceremonies – are all focused around the sun. So we’re looking to that energy to help us to create a more sustainable lifestyle.’ Henry Red Cloud is the founder of Lakota Solar Enterprises. The company manufactures and installs solar-powered furnaces for Native American families on reservations across the Great Plains. When tribes outside the region expressed an interest in learning about his solar furnaces, Red Cloud partnered with a non-profit called Trees, Water & People to create the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center.”

Nike announces its newest N7 ambassador, professional volleyballer Lauren Schad via Indian Country Today

• “Nike N7 has just named the latest successful Native person to its roster of N7 ambassadors, professional female volleyball player and model Lauren Schad. Schad is a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. She began playing at age 14, then played for the University of San Diego until her professional career began in 2016. N7 ambassadors are athletes reflect the Native American and Aboriginal community and influencers who choose to use their voice to inspire future generations and to celebrate the power of native youth, Nike says.”

Decades after destruction, Yosemite welcomes home Native Americans via The Fresno Bee

• “It’s been 41 years since Les James and Jay Johnson first asked the National Park Service for Yosemite’s last Native American village back. Leveled by the park service by 1969, the village site is located just down the road from Yosemite Lodge in Yosemite Valley. On Friday, the native elders watched with pride as Yosemite’s new superintendent, Michael Reynolds, signed an agreement giving them permission to use the site for the next 30 years. The agreement also green lights remaining construction of a roundhouse, what will become the spiritual heart of the village.”

‘Looking for someone like me’: JJ Nakai blazes trail for younger Native American basketball players via Cronkite News

• “JJ Nakai misses her days playing electrifying basketball on the reservation. But the jam-packed gymnasiums, the thunderous crowds – united by heritage, momentarily divided by team colors – the breakneck pace of play and the irresponsibly creative trick passes are more than just memories. They provide the framework for how she plays, the fabric of her game, infused in her basketball DNA, and part of why she’s one of the highest-rated junior-college basketball players in the country, with dreams of playing Division I.”