Native Nations

A retired doctor from the Navajo Nation has been awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, the so-called 'genius grant', in recognition of work in public art. The story highlights how a medical career led to artistic projects benefiting Native communities, and coverage has focused on the unusual path from medicine to art and what the award means for Indigenous representation in the arts.

Australia has announced the creation of three new national parks in Victoria, aimed at protecting native wildlife such as gliders, owls, and other threatened species. The move expands protected habitat in the state and is being shared as an example of positive environmental news, with readers welcoming the step for conservation.

A professor at SUNY Geneseo has published a new book tracing five centuries of Onondaga Nation history, one of the Haudenosaunee nations in central New York. The work documents the nation's experiences over 500 years, from pre-colonial times through the present. The publication is drawing regional attention in western New York, where interest in Indigenous history and Native nations' sovereignty continues to grow.

Australia has announced the creation of three new national parks in the state of Victoria, aimed at protecting native wildlife including gliders, owls and other threatened species. The move has been welcomed by conservationists as a positive step for habitat protection, with coverage highlighting it as rare good environmental news from the region.

National Geographic's series 'Baby Animals Down Under' is available to stream online via Nat Geo TV. The show follows young wildlife in Australia, offering viewers a look at native animals in their natural habitats. It is aimed at families and animal lovers, and can be watched through the network's streaming platform.

Pow Wow On Parade attended the United Nations General Assembly in New York, serving as ambassadors to the Native Nations. The group's presence at the international forum highlights Indigenous representation on a global diplomatic stage. The announcement was picked up by major US news outlets, drawing attention to Native American advocacy at the UN.

Photos of the cockspur coral tree (Erythrina crista-galli), a striking red-flowering tree native to South America, are being shared in gardening and nature photography circles. The images show the tree's vivid crimson blossoms in autumn, with admirers praising the colour and beauty of this ornamental species, which is also the national flower of Argentina and Uruguay.

The University of Minnesota has completed the repatriation of Mimbres ancestral remains and cultural materials, working alongside Hopi and Pueblo tribal partners. The announcement marks the conclusion of a long process returning ancestral remains and funerary objects to descendant communities, part of ongoing national efforts by institutions to comply with Native American repatriation law and repair relationships with tribes.

Restoration teams have planted 40,000 seedlings to bring life back to Yosemite National Park's degraded meadows. The effort aims to rebuild native plant communities and support the wildlife that depends on these grassland habitats, part of ongoing work to revive ecosystems damaged by past pressures.

A white water lily has been photographed floating on one of the clear lakes in Oulanka National Park in northern Finland. The flower and its broad leaves rest on the water's surface. The species is native to Finland's northern waters and has adapted to the short growing season there, surviving through its root tubers despite the harsh subarctic conditions.

The Cherokee Nation has been awarded a $12 million grant to support behavioral health services. The funding is expected to expand mental health and substance abuse programs for tribal citizens in Oklahoma. Details on how the money will be allocated have not yet been announced, but the award represents a significant investment in health services for Native American communities.