Indigenous

A narrow creek runs through a wide valley surrounded by sage and colorful scrub brush. Desert mountains rise up from the horizon in the background.

Washoe Tribe completes major land back purchase

Jimmy Romo

The Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California bought over 10,000 acres of land from the city of Santa Clara. This is the first of many land purchases the tribe plans to make to restore Indigenous land and benefit the environment.

Several illustrated frames from an issue of Captain Paiute, an Indigenous superhero comic series created by Theo Tso.

Environment

The Indigenous comic book hero protecting water in the Southwest

Jimmy Romo

Captain Paiute, the main character of an Indigenous comic book series created by Theo Tso, brings the protection of the Southwest to the forefront from the perspective of an Indigenous hero.

Woman assists a child to shovel dirt onto a newly planted tree. They are participating in a tree planting ceremony as other children and adults look on.

Environment

For the Chickasaw Nation, planting trees protects both climate and culture

Sarah Liese (Twilla)

In southern Oklahoma, the Chickasaw Nation is planting trees to combat climate change. The project is also ensuring that Chickasaw culture gets passed down to the next generation.

Economy

New research finds SNAP work requirements reduce food aid participation without boosting employment

Daniel Spaulding

The declines were felt across the Mountain West. In Idaho, SNAP participation fell nearly 8%. Nevada saw a drop of more than 14%. In Arizona, participation fell by nearly 34%. New Mexico saw a decrease of about 6%, while Wyoming dropped by more than 11%.

A group of children bundling up for winter weather, pose with their ski equipment and ski instructor.

Environment

Coaching the next generation of Indigenous skiers

Alena Naiden

As climate change and historic inequities continue to create barriers to outdoor recreation, one skiing nonprofit in rural Alaska is working to help Indigenous people hit the trails.

Woman with straight brown hair stands at a podium addressing a crowd of onlookers.

Environment

Exploring the connections between Indigenous health and the environment

Daniel Spaulding

Our Living Lands Producer Daniel Spaulding spoke to Kiara Tanta-Quidgeon, a Mohegan community advocate and health researcher, about public health challenges facing Indigenous communities and the connections between health and climate.

The crumbling ruins of a stone domed structure called Tz'iknal, also known as the Caracol or the Observatory, at the Chich'en Itza archeological site in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

Environment

What we can learn from Mayan astronomy

Daniel Spaulding

Gerardo Aldana is a professor at University of California, Santa Barbara. Our Living Lands producer Daniel Spaulding spoke to Gerardo Aldana, a professor at University of California, about Mayan astronomy, Mesoamerican culture, and the importance of Indigenous knowledge.

Middle Fork of Gila River, Gila Wilderness

Politics & Government

Tribal leaders urge Congress to protect the Gila River

Daniel Spaulding

Proposed legislation would protect nearly 450 miles of waterways from dams and mining amid the Trump administration’s push for more development.

Nine bison, their backs covered with a dusting of snow, stand in a pen waiting to be donated by the city of Denver to tribes or Native-led nonprofits.

Environment

Inside Denver’s bison return

Daniel Spaulding

The Mountain West News Bureau’s Rachel Cohen reported from an event where Denver donated bison to several tribes and nonprofits. Our Living Lands Producer Daniel Spaulding talked to Cohen about the experience.

A man stands above bison in a snowy pen, looking down at them.

Environment

How Denver is helping Tribes bring back bison

Rachel Cohen

Today, tribes are working to bring back bison, which once roamed Indigenous lands by the millions. Some are getting help to rebuild their herds from the city of Denver, which manages two herds.