Thursday, January 9, 2025

National Native News

Photo courtesy the Rogers Family / Facebook

People from across the country, including Indian Country, are checking in on family and friends in Southern California as wildfires devastate Los Angeles.

Fires have forced evacuations and have destroyed homes, businesses, and historic sites, which include the loss of Will Rogers’ historic home.

On Wednesday, California State Parks confirmed the loss and released photos of his ranch house and buildings at Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades burned to the ground.

A representative for the family of the famous Cherokee actor said in a statement, “while the loss to the ranch is devastating, it pales in comparison to the loss of property and businesses and more importantly, the lives of those in the surrounding area.”

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin said in a statement “Will Rogers is among our most beloved Cherokees” and described the loss is a “tragedy”.

The tribe says its thoughts are with Cherokee Nation citizens living in California, and all those affected by the fires.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a 2017 MMIP rally. (Photo: Obert Madondo / Flickr)

In Canada, there’s mixed reaction from Native leaders to the announcement this week by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that he’s stepping down.

Prime Minister Trudeau has been under pressure to resign for months, both from the opposition and from within his own Liberal Party.

As Dan Karpenchuk reports, many Indigenous leaders say while Trudeau has taken positive steps over the past ten years, there’s still much to be done.

Many of Trudeau’s critics within the Indigenous community say he’s come up short on some important issues such as clean drinking water on reserves.

As of November, there were still 31 long term drinking water advisories in 29 Native communities.

And while some leaders have praised him for his commitment to reconciliation, others says his government’s approach has been mainly to talk about the issue.

Terry Teegee is a British Columbia regional chief with the Assembly of First Nations.

“With reconciliation and policy that was passed over the last nine years, there certainly was movement. But I think further to that was, you know, you can’t just pass policy without the necessary commitments and resources to see it through. And I think that’s really where some of the commitments towards reconciliation didn’t live up to its billing.”

Some leaders say Trudeau has made progress on increased spending for Indigenous programs.

The latest data suggests that Trudeau’s government has increased spending in Native communities to more than $30 billion (CAD) last year from $11 billion in 2016.

There was also criticism of Trudeau for his support for pipelines, such as the buying of the Trans Mountain Pipeline in BC, ensuring its further expansion, despite opposition from Indigenous groups.

Terry Teegee does say, however, that he hopes a new government, if it’s led by the Conservatives, is better than the last one under Stephen Harper, which because of funding cuts and the loss of First Nations rights, were probably some of the worst ten years ever experienced.

President Jimmy Carter’s coffin during his funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral, January 9, 2025. (Courtesy C-SPAN)

Among government offices closed Thursday are tribal departments across the country in honor of President Jimmy Carter as his funeral takes place.

The former president is being remembered for his impact on Indian Country, including signing legislation into law involving religious freedom, child welfare, and tribal colleges.

Tribal leaders say President Carter was a leader who championed peace and dignity.

In Alaska, he’s remembered for creating environmental protections and a national monument in Southeast Alaska.

He’s also remembered for listening to the story from the people of Angoon about the bombing of a village.

Carter was adopted by Lingít people in the 1970s.

Rosita Worl, president of Sealaska Heritage Institute, says his most important legacy is continuing to serve as a role model for leadership after his presidency.

“He cared for humanity. And he proved it by doing the work himself. That’s a trait we admire.”

Worl says they have a representative attending his funeral service in Washington D.C.

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