Jeanette DeDios

Five tribal organizations in New Mexico will share over $146 million from the federal infrastructure act to improve broadband infrastructure. The largest award is going to the Santa Fe Indian School, which plans to use its $57 million to bridge the gap of internet access across several tribal communities around the state. KUNM talks with Kimball Sekaquaptewa, chief technology director, for the school about how helping a network of communities serves its mission to provide education to Native children.

People caught in human trafficking often go unseen by authorities, especially if they’re afraid to seek help. That’s why a new training program is helping law enforcement recognize the signs of trafficking and understand effective ways to intervene. KUNM spoke with Democratic Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez about how these training programs could help missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives as well.

While New Mexico’s unemployment rate dropped in June, the state still has an issue with low workforce participation. That’s according to a recent legislative report. But a new $6.4 million federal grant from the American Rescue Plan may help more people access training and better paying jobs.

As law enforcement continues investigating the killings of four Muslim men in Albuquerque, the University of New Mexico held a townhall meeting for faculty, staff and students Monday to outline how campus police are providing increased protection as students begin returning for the fall semester.

The Gallup Inter-tribal Ceremonial was shaken by a tragedy Thursday night when an SUV charged through the main parade route and injured 15 people. Kyle Tom, Navajo member and president of the Gallup Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial Association, spoke with KUNM about how Ceremonial organizers plan on moving forward, and what steps could make the event safer.

The Gallup Inter-tribal Ceremonial kicked off its 100th anniversary Thursday . The event features music, powwows, parades, rodeo events, and much more. KUNM spoke with Kyle Tom, Navajo tribal member and president of the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association who’s committed to honoring Native American heritage and culture.

Native Americans experience food insecurity at much higher rates than others in this country. Now members of the state’s congressional delegation have introduced a federal bill to help Native children at the risk of going hungry by providing them free nutritious meals. The legislation would also give tribal entities a say in what their children are eating.

Pottery plays a predominant role in Native American culture serving as a practice that links past and present. But it has often been exhibited through the lens of academia or museum experts. A new show at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture is curated by the Indigenous communities the pottery represents.

Earlier this month, KUNM’s Jeanette DeDios reported on the lack of broadband access to tribal communities. Now Diné College is among four other minority driven colleges receiving millions in federal grants to expand their internet-service programs.

Last December, graduate students at the University of New Mexico saw their first victory when they were officially unionized; but that celebration was short-lived as union members protested Thursday for more protections in the contract under negotiation.