Laurel Morales
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The settlement proposed by the Departments of Justice and Interior involves claims that the federal government contracted with tribes to run programs but failed to pay for all the services rendered.
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The spill of heavy metals into the Animas River has contaminated water for hundreds of farmers in the Navajo Nation downstream, bringing up memories of past environmental disasters.
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While the Supreme Court ruling legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states, it didn't affect American Indian tribes. The 566 tribes in the U.S. are sovereign, and only 10 have legalized gay marriage.
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One report shows that state courts are twice as likely to incarcerate Native teens for minor crimes like truancy and alcohol use. Another, that alternatives like treatment programs are more effective.
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For decades, residents of the Navajo Nation's Smith Lake community have had to make their water stretch; a mission trucks it in monthly from 50 miles away. But soon, they'll be getting their own well.
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Native Americans have some of the highest substance abuse rates compared to other ethnic groups. Alcohol and meth are the drugs of choice. Now, cartels are taking advantage of lax police enforcement.
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The Navajo Nation started taxing junk food and soda. No other tribe has passed such a law. But half of the tribe is unemployed and say they can't afford expensive food.
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Some tribes are trying to set up growing operations after the Justice Department announced it would back off enforcement. Others worry about the potential for substance abuse.
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Developers and the Navajo Nation are negotiating to bring a tourist complex — and jobs — to the edge of the Grand Canyon. But some Native Americans say the project would tread on sacred land.
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The father of one of the 19 firefighters who died a year ago in the Yarnell Hill Fire wants to create shelters that better shield against direct flames.