Features

Ethel Branch (Diné) was named Woman of the Year during the 2021 Arizona American Indian Excellence in Leadership Awards after co-founding the Navajo and Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund last March.

Native American writers Louise Erdrich and Natalie Diaz were named winners of the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in the categories of fiction and poetry — also included was Marty Two Bulls Sr. who was named a finalist in editorial cartooning June 11.

Tristan Fall Gray, 17, graduated May 15 from Monument Valley High School with 12 college credits under her belt in early childhood education through a dual enrollment program at Northland Pioneer College.

Tuba City residents participate in a solidarity walk, organized by Charlene Dodson, for the 215 kids found buried at the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School, which was Canada’s largest facility.

The celebration was held in outdoors in Twin Lakes, New Mexico with COVID-19 protocols in place.

Shilah Williams of Tuba City, Arizona, has earned her place at the 2021 National Junior High Finals Rodeo after placing in the top four in the Girl’s Breakaway Roping for the Arizona Junior High School Rodeo Association in May.

Holbrook Jr. High School seventh grade student Noah Nelson sent his 2021 Pony Express letter to Michael Jordan.

Diane Wilson, one of the most successful Native American authors, is drawing rave reviews for her recent book “The Seed Keeper.”

On June 11, 325 Navajo Nation retirees were recognized and congratulated for their dedication and service.

Lacey Tewanema, a graduate of Hopi High School, earned a Master of Legal Studies in Indigenous Peoples Law from the University of Oklahoma May 17 at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Oklahoma.

Adriana Sheppard, a four-year basketball player at Monument Valley High School in Kayenta, Arizona, recently signed a letter of intent to play basketball for Park University Gilbert in Gilbert, Arizona.

Autumn Kree Gilmore, 17, was among 128 graduating seniors who received their high school diplomas May 15 from Monument Valley High School.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez congratulates Cajaun Cleveland and Cade Allison for successfully completing the Navajo Nation Seal of Bilingual Proficiency Assessment.

For eight days, teens will explore the San Juan River corridor as it flows alongside the Navajo Nation and learn communication, teamwork, technical and naturalist skills.

Zuni Youth Enrichment Project staff and a group of youth leaders ages 19-24 traveled from New Mexico to Colorado to visit the culturally significant lands at Mesa Verde National Park.

Nikki Cooley, co-manager for the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professional’s (ITEP) will present at a Tribes & Climate Change Program June 9 at 5 p.m.

Knowing he is starting late, newly hired coach Craig Hunt is actively recruiting for the fall 2021 season of Coconino Community College’s cross country program, which will be its first season.

His journey to Arizona, however, was a bit longer. Raza’s family is from Pakistan, and he was born there.

The disagreement over allowing Native students to wear eagle feathers and regalia during high school graduation rears its contentious head once again this year.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez attended the 29th Navajo Preparatory School graduation ceremony May 22, to offer his support and encouragement for the 59 graduates and their families.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and First Lady Phefelia Nez attend the Valley High School graduation ceremony May 21 in Sanders, Arizona.

Indian Wells celebrates heavy equipment delivery.

The editors of a new book that includes a 100-year span of Navajo writing are hoping the Native voices will help change the many misconceptions of the Navajo people.

The Navajo Nation honored some of its graduates May 14 and May 15.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian is releasing the third installment of its online exhibition series “Developing Stories: Native Photographers in the Field” May 18.