Shannon Pinto

Sunday marked the second anniversary for the National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person’s Awareness Day. The New Mexico Indian Affairs Department partnered with the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women to host an event for families to share their stories with officials – and bring attention to the ongoing crisis.

During Indigenous Women’s Day at the New Mexico Legislature, Sen. Shannon Pinto (D-Tohatchi) recognized retired Hopi and Navajo basketball coach Fern Spencer on her lasting legacy as an educator. KUNM spoke with Spencer about how her coaching career started and what’s changed.

Lawmakers and advocates came together over the weekend to celebrate Indigenous Women’s Day at the Roundhouse.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced earlier this month the appointment of the former governor of Pueblo de San Ildefonso James R. Mountain to lead the state’s Department of Indian Affairs. As he awaits confirmation by the state Senate in the remaining weeks of the legislative session, New Mexico In Depth’s Bella Davis reports Indigenous women leaders are fighting his nomination.

Rural tribal areas like the Navajo Nation are finding it challenging with the lack of broadband access in their communities. Those most affected are the children, who find it difficult to find hotspots, often having to drive miles to reach one. Lawmakers hope to change this by providing internet access to the region.

Women's Focus 07/20 12p: In this edition of the Women's Focus news: Financier Jeffrey Epstein denied bail and cited danger to community; Women majority of…