Toyacoyah Brown

  In Nebraska, many celebrate the life of Ponca Chief Standing Bear on May 12th. Standing Bear was the first Indian civil rights person, and continues to be a role model for many Ponca youth. As told in the documentary film Standing Bear’s Footsteps, produced by Nebraska Educational Telecommunications (NET)….

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, and Running Strong reminds us that it is also the beginning of National Women’s Health Week. Running Strong is a non-profit organization whose programs aim to help Native communities, especially women and children’s health. Here’s what they have to say about their women’s health programs…..

It’s a good week to be Indigenous! First Peoples Worldwide is proud to announce their 2nd Annual Proud to Be Indigenous Week starting Sunday, May 11th. Indigenous Peoples from around the world will be descending on New York City for the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) from….

Sad news reported by many media outlets around Indian Country, including Seattle Times. Billy Frank Jr., a Nisqually elder and fisherman who served for more than half a century as the charismatic voice of Northwest tribes fighting for fishing rights, passed away early Monday morning. He was 83. “We are….

Why do you dance? For Crystal Stempson, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, it’s a way to shake off everyday troubles and just be free. “At the point when I go out and dance, I just forget about everything. I don’t think about what’s going on around me,”….

I wish I had one of these dresses when I was going to prom! Check out designer Irene Begay’s fabulous dresses she creates by weaving traditional and modern styles. Navajo Times did a story on Irene Begay last year. Begay is originally from Standing Rock, N.M. She is Red Running….

The Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center created a five part series of videos documenting five styles of dance that you’d most likely see at pow wows across Oklahoma. Take a look below Comanche War Dance Ladies Cloth Dance Men’s Straight Dance Ladies Buckskin Traditional War Dance Don’t miss out….

Vote for a Pueblo youth and his fellow teammates from Rio Rancho High School in New Mexico. They recently entered the Custom Culture contest sponsored by Vans. It is a national high school shoe customization contest where schools from all over the United States compete for a chance to win….

Our photographer friend Paula Schultz recently attended the 42nd Annual UC Davis Pow Wow in California and captured some amazing photos. Created in 1969, the first UC Davis Powwow was hosted in conjunction with the creation of the Native American Studies Department. In the years to follow, the powwow has….

The name “Kitigan” is an Ojibway word meaning “garden”. It also means “to grow, to mature, or to prosper”. This is what a new e-commerce site aims to do, help Aboriginal artists grow, mature and prosper. Kitigan’s sets out to help Aboriginal artisans gain exposure and nurture their ability to….

It’s always nice to see Natives getting their college degrees. Even better when it’s a master’s or doctoral degree, which is much needed in all areas of study! On April 16, 2014, Adrienne Keene, author of the Native Appropriations blog, defended her doctoral dissertation. Chuck Leddy with the Harvard Gazette….

Duane Koyawena is a self taught artist currently living in Flagstaff, AZ. He is Hopi from Second Mesa, AZ and Tewa from San Juan Pueblo, NM. His work not only graces the canvas, but custom shoes as well. His path has been a difficult one, but he has overcome certain….