native americans

More than half of Native Americans in New Mexico live in urban areas, and many rely on programs to help them transition from the reservation to cities, including workforce training. But the Trump administration is proposing federal cuts that could defund such programs.

About 12% of New Mexico’s population is Native Americans, but it’s still rare to see them in political positions. A new program is hoping to change that by offering training to Indigenous people interested in leadership roles. KUNM spoke with Joey Sanchez, the tribal liaison with the Native Land Institute on how his organization is helping foster future Indigenous leaders.

Native American writer and director Billy Luther will be screening his latest film “Frybread Face and Me” in Santa Fe this Friday. The film is a coming-of-age- story about an urban Native American kid trying to reconnect with his culture and family who live on the Navajo Nation.

New Mexico joins three other states that have created an alert system for missing Indigenous people. The bill unanimously passed both chambers on Thursday and now heads to the governor.

Native American students in New Mexico will be able to wear their tribal regalia at graduation ceremonies this spring after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill into law on Wednesday.

A bill that would prohibit school boards from banning tribal regalia at graduation ceremonies unanimously passed its first committee on Tuesday. The bill stems from an incident that happened last May in Farmington, NM. A Native American high school graduate was told to remove their embellished graduation cap that had an eagle plume and beads.

Since President Trump issued numerous executive orders last month related to immigration enforcement, some Native American communities have raised concerns over the safety of tribal members, with reports of some being detained and being misidentified as immigrants.

The University of New Mexico’s Kiva Club has been holding their annual Nizhoni Days since 1955. The week-long set of events includes a prayer run, Indigenous-centered discussions, and a powwow.

Lawmakers are trying once again to create a trust fund that would give New Mexico tribes more money and control to run their own educational programs.

The New Mexico Holocaust & Intolerance Museum is hosting an ongoing speaker series called Resistance & Resilience. KUNM spoke with the museum's director of programs Nathan Johnson about the event.