Features

The Museum of Northern Arizona’s (MNA) Winter Market will take place in two different weekends — the first Dec. 3-6 and the second Dec. 10-13 in a COVID-19 conscious way that the museum hopes will help artists who have been impacted by the pandemic.

Diné College will host a virtual commencement Dec. 11, at 10 a.m. The virtual graduation takes place simultaneously with one to be held in-person.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, Vice President Myron Lizer, Miss Navajo Nation Shaandiin Parrish, World Central Kitchen and staff from the president’s office finished a long day of turkey and food box distributions at the Tséhootsooí Medical Center in Fort Defiance, Arizona Nov. 25.

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced the appointment of U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo to a third term, making Harjo the second laureate to receive this extension since terms for the position were established in 1943.

Tuba City Regional Health Care Center’s CEO Lynette Bonar received the Cancer Community (C2) Catalyst for Change award in October for her work improving access to cancer care for underserved populations.

The Museum of Indigenous People is hosting a guest artist series every weekend through Dec. 18 featuring Native American artists who will demonstrate their art and have it available for sale in the museum, according to a news release.

Basha’s Diné Markets and the Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund teamed up to bring direct relief to families as cases continue to skyrocket and the Nation is experiencing uncontrolled spread of the virus in 55 communities.

Oklahoma’s Peggy Buetzer is a 65-year-old home-health nurse.

A new film, ‘The Blessing,’ from directors Hunter Robert Baker and Jordan Fein, follows Lawrence, a Navajo coal miner, struggles with working for one of America’s largest coal producers and keeping true to his culture as his job makes him a part of the destruction of Black Mesa, a mountain sacred to his people.

Nizhoni Ward won the title Miss Teen Globe United States Oct. 24.

As part of a multiyear collaborative effort, Northern Arizona University with Navajo Technical University (NTU) and the U.S. Forest Service have partnered to study the status of pinyon-juniper woodlands and develop restoration techniques.

Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund (TSAF) is promoting tribal self-sufficiency through solar projects that help communities with energy and jobs as well as encouraging community participation in solar projects.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian celebrates the 20th year of presenting Native Cinema Showcase with an online program streaming Nov. 18–27.

Harry Singer, owner of Keyah Construction filled two roles during the Oct. 28 dedication of the new Little Singer School, located south of Birdsprings, Arizona.

World Channel in partnership with Vision Maker Media commemorates Native American Heritage Month and Veterans Day with films showcasing the rich culture and history of Native Americans highlighting documentaries like ‘Blood Memory’ Nov. 17 and ‘The Blessing’ Nov. 24.

A feature-length documentary celebrating Indigenous food systems and the efforts underway nationwide to reclaim and rebuild them is available on iTunes and Amazon.

They both are dedicated to the healing touch in a time of greatest need.

As Second Mesa Day School ended its Native American Heritage Month, the Bobcat family welcomed students and their families to a drive through meal with special treats for students Oct. 29.

Navajo Technical University (NTU) held a virtual grand opening for a new academic building at its Chinle instructional site Sept. 10.

Pineland Records has announced that Razor Saltboy has finished recording his new album which is now in the mixing stage and will be mastered before the release of a CD later on this fall.

It hasn’t been an easy path, but in 15 months, 37-year old Brian Kerr went from being a heavy-equipment operator at a coal-fired power plant to an informational technology (IT) associate business analyst as part of Salt River Project’s Apprenti program.

For months, Rochelle Chee diligently went to the Phoenix Indian Medical Center for prenatal checkups. She was shocked when, at 40 weeks pregnant, she learned the hospital had shut down its obstetrics services with no prior notice.

There are only a handful of publishing presses that publish only Indigenous writers and even less that are owned by Indigenous people.

The Hopi Foundation Emergency Relief, in collaboration with Ancestral Lands Hopi and Navajo and Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief, distributed food and other items at Songoopavi Village Oct. 23.

“I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon before and to get to do it with my beloved burros was the icing on the cake,” said Amber Wann.