At Salish School of Spokane, children are growing up speaking n̓səl̓xčin̓ — a language once nearly lost. An immersion model rooted in family, community and care is helping rebuild intergenerational Salish-speaking households. www.underscore.news/culture/lang...

From winter storms to summer heat waves, outages hit the Colville Reservation hard. Tribal leaders say new microgrids are a first step toward energy sovereignty, resilience and long-term economic opportunity. READ MORE HERE www.underscore.news/justice/the-...

As 2025 comes to a close, Underscore Native News marks five years on the ground—from elders fighting eviction and a historic 310-mile Klamath journey to ICE detainments and canoe landings at Elwha. Here's a look at Underscore's photojournalism that defined 2025! www.underscore.news/culture/phot...

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re grateful to everyone who trusted Underscore Native News with their stories—from Mt. Hood to the Klamath River, from city halls to canoe landings. Thank you for supporting Indigenous-centered community journalism. www.underscore.news/reporting/a-...

Inspired by Tlingit shapeshifter legends and his grandmother’s village, Caskey Russell’s debut novel, "The Door on the Sea," reimagines epic fantasy through an Indigenous lens. The book launched this fall, with two sequels planned through 2027. www.underscore.news/culture/open...

At NCAI’s annual conference in November, the Two-Spirit task force returned for the first time in nearly five years, highlighting growing concerns around safety and care for Two-Spirit people in Indian Country. #TwoSpirit #NCAI #2SLGBTQ #AntiTrans www.underscore.news/justice/we-n...

In less than a year, anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and policy shifts are already reshaping access to safety and care for Two-Spirit and trans people. Advocates say the impacts are being felt now in Indian Country. www.underscore.news/justice/here...

Chef Sean Sherman’s latest cookbook, “Turtle Island,” is redefining Indigenous cuisine. The book highlights 13 regional sections of Turtle Island, celebrates Indigenous creativity, experimentation, and evolution in food. “I just see such a vibrant future for us with Indigenous foods,” Sherman said.

A proposed federal rule could dramatically shrink protections under the Clean Water Act, putting wetlands, streams, and drinking water at risk. Tribes, tribal organizations and advocates warn up to 80% of wetlands could lose protections. Public comments are due by Jan. 5. bit.ly/4pPJ9Qi

Last month, the 82nd annual National Congress of American Indians brought together leaders from across Indian Country for the week long annual convention to address critical issues, create dialogue for strategies moving forward, and recognize Native excellence. www.underscore.news/justice/scen...

Record rains continue to impact communities across Washington, with flood warnings ongoing, three tribes declaring emergencies, and thousands of residents forced to evacuate due to rising waters. www.underscore.news/land/washing...

Patrick Andrews and his family were evacuated out of their flooded village and into a new life in Fairbanks, but their hearts remain in Kipnuk. A family’s story of survival, community, and the hope to return home after Typhoon Halong swept through western Alaska. www.underscore.news/land/typhoon...

$50 Million for salmon recovery on hold. Yakama Nation is calling on Bonneville Power Administration to restore funds promised for habitat/hatchery work. The Tribe warns the freeze could jeopardize salmon recovery and federal Endangered Species Act obligations. www.underscore.news/land/yakama-...

As Native CDFIs face a nearly $7 million federal funding gap and non-Native lenders continue to raise interest rates, Indigenous entrepreneurs are being pushed to the brink, risking the loss of their businesses. ✍️: Lyric Aquino, UNN + Report for America www.underscore.news/justice/the-...

Reports reveal a troubling pattern: Black, Native, and Latino youth are still far more likely to be sent to adult court, receive harsher sentences, and carry the long-term consequences into adulthood. From our friends at @investigatewest.bsky.social www.underscore.news/justice/most...

Tribes from across the country gathered in Spokane, Washington for the annual Battle of the Nations basketball tournament. One rule makes this tournament unlike any other: the entire roster must be made up of enrolled members of the same tribe. 📹: Kyra Antone for Underscore Native News

From our friends at @investigatewest.bsky.social New research shows white youth in Washington are far more likely to get second-chance diversion programs while Native American and Black children are offered those opportunities the least. Read full story below www.underscore.news/justice/nati...

Umatilla actress, Elaine Miles, said four masked immigration authorities got out of an unmarked vehicle to confront her while waiting at a bus stop on Nov. 3. Miles said, they then called her tribal ID "fake" and demanded to see another form of identification. Read full story below:

All of us here at Underscore want to thank you for supporting Indigenous-centered journalism! This Giving Tuesday, we hope you consider donating to us, and thanks to Newsmatch, every donation right now will be matched dollar for dollar! Thank you for being a part of our community. ❤️

Donate $10 or more to Underscore Native News on the Give!Guide website, today only, and be entered to win 3 great prize packages! giveguide.org/nonprofits/u... #GivingTuesday

@lunabreyna.bsky.social latest piece continues ICT’s ongoing series on the complicated issues of Indigenous identity. #TwoSpirit #LGBTQIA2S #2SLGBTQ #Indigiqueer #identity

Two-Spirit people have always existed in Indigenous nations, carrying sacred responsibilities and shaping community life. Today their voices are guiding a resurgence that honors tradition while confronting ongoing colonial harm. ✍️:Luna Reyna, UNN + ICT www.underscore.news/justice/recl...

A newly proposed Senate bill removes $7 million from the 2026 budget request for Native Community Development Financial Institutions, a decision Tribal leaders say threatens critical access to capital in Native communities. ✍️: Lyric Aquino, UNN + RFA www.underscore.news/justice/prop...

The newly elected National Congress of American Indians executive committee was sworn in during the annual conference held in Seattle, Washington from November 16-21, 2025. The executive committee will serve a two-year term from 2025-2027. ✍️: @lunabreyna.bsky.social, UNN + ICT #NCAI2025

NOAA Fisheries spokesman Michael Milstein, who is based in Portland and has been supporting this permitting process for years, said after he was only able to provide a short emailed statement from the agency. ✍️ : Luna Reyna, Underscore Native News + ICT and Bellamy Pailthorp, KNKX

In the Seattle Culinary Academy’s kitchen on October 2, Native cuisine made up the entire menu, for Native Grown and Gathered: Ancestral Table and Slow Food Feast. 🔗 : www.underscore.news/culture/indi... ✍️ : Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America

The updated policies, released in July, are intended to improve a program that has left hundreds of eligible homes from completing the transfer process to Native ownership. 🔗 : www.underscore.news/justice/two-... ✍️ : Luna Reyna, Underscore Native News + ICT 🎨 : Kyra Antone, Underscore Native News

Underscore Native News is excited to announce our partnership with Willamette Week’s Give!Guide. If you donate $10 or more to us on the Give!Guide website during a Big Give Day, you can be entered to win one of these amazing gifts! Donate: giveguide.org/nonprofits/u... #Giveguide

“We wanted people to feel held and celebrated,” said Valerie Segrest, Muckleshoot, CEO for Tahoma Peak Solutions. According to Segrest this food expo had been multiple years in the making. 🔗: www.underscore.news/land/food-so...  ✍️: Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America

“I mostly want people to be able to learn because it helps with mental health, spiritual health, physical health, and even some financial health.” - Ei-Shah 🔗 : www.underscore.news/people-profi... ✍️ : @nikabartoosmith for UNN + ICT 📸 : @Jarrette_Werk for UNN

The Umatilla Tribal Police Department (UTPD) is seeking help from the public in the search for 71-year-old Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla elder, Wesley Dixon Jones, who has been missing since Oct. 5, 2025. www.underscore.news/justice/the-...

Indigenous youth, Mateo Perez, shares his educational journey. His biggest piece of advice for Indigenous students interested in medicine is to apply to as many programs for Native students as possible. 🔗: www.underscore.news/peopl.../in-... ✍️ + 📸 : @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social for UNN + ICT

The United States is 21 days into the third-longest federal government shutdown in history and Indian Country is bracing for an unstable future ahead as reserve funding for many tribes could begin to dry up. www.underscore.news/justice/goin...

MMIW Search and Hope Alliance organizes upcoming three day long search, Oct. 31 – Nov. 2 for Umatilla Elder Wesley Dixon Jones. 🔗: Full story linked in bio! www.underscore.news/justice/sear... ✍️: @Jarrette_Werk for Underscore Native News

As the government shutdown continues, Native-certified Community Development Financial Institutions are left wondering if their previously allocated funding will be paid out. 🔗: www.underscore.news/justice/econ...  ✍️: Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America

World’s largest dam removal results in healing ecosystem, but Federal cutbacks may impact continued necessary data gathering. 🔗: www.underscore.news/land/klamath...  ✍️: Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America

The event hosted by Confluence, a nonprofit that aims to connect Native Nations along the Columbia River to, “history, living cultures, and ecology of the Columbia River system through Indigenous voices,” with community gatherings, and educational programming in the arts.  ✍️: Lyric Aquino, UNN+RFA

The United States government has entered a shutdown, meaning many federal agencies have had funding cut off and are furloughing workers. For Indian Country, this is a violation of dozens of different treaty obligations with no clear end in sight. www.underscore.news/justice/gove...

“This housing is more than just a roof and four walls, it’s an opportunity to heal, reconnect and grow. It’s a chance for my family and I to thrive as tribal members in our own community.” ✍️ : @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social for UNN + ICT 📸 : @jarrette-werk.bsky.social for UNN

Portland based Indigenous artist, Marie Watt, receives a quarter of a million dollars in unrestricted funds. Through her art, she fosters meaningful connections across generations and cultures. 🔗: www.underscore.news/culture/mari... ✍️+ 📸 : @jarrette-werk.bsky.social for Underscore Native News

Ahead of the two weeks of strenuous paddling and celebration protocols, canoe families begin preparations months before the canoe ever even touches the water. 🔗 : www.underscore.news/culture/stor... ✍️ : @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social for Underscore Native News + ICT and Carrie Johnson

In addition to collaborating with Coast Salish weavers for the jersey signs, the league donated the first $50,000 made from sales of the jerseys to local Native nonprofit organizations. 🔗: www.underscore.news/culture/coas... ✍️: @lunabreyna.bsky.social , Underscore Native News + Indian Country Today

With Medicaid cuts taking hold throughout the country, essential Tribal health clinics like Ko-Kwel Wellness Center are at risk. 🔗: www.underscore.news/justice/heal... ✍️: Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America 📸 : @Jarrette_Werk for Underscore Native News

On a 20-stop national tour, the National Boarding School Healing Coalition is collecting oral history interviews from federal Indian boarding school survivors. The collection will be housed in the Library of Congress within the next few years. ✍️: Lyric Aquino, UNN + RFA

Join our team! We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and hope to have someone start in the role as soon as September 2, 2025. For any questions, contact the hiring manager, Myers Reece, at [email protected]. 🔗: www.underscore.news/work-opportu...

The camping trip included cultural activities to teach traditional skills and nature-based activities to get people outside and connected with the land.  ✍️: Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America

From @underscore-news.bsky.social: The Walla Walla Water 2050 Plan endeavors to provide a collaborative path forward for the overallocated river basin. For the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, whose traditional homelands encompass the basin, a lot is at stake.

After a four year fishing ban on the Coquille River, a proposed reopening of Chinook salmon fishing on the river that could happen as early as this September. ✍️: Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America

Washington and Oregon support Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation in addressing the water crisis with the Walla Walla Water 2050 Plan. 🔗: Read full story here: www.underscore.news/land/with-im... ✍️: Adrianna Adame UNN

The historic first descent was organized by Paddle Tribal Waters, a program under the nonprofit Ríos to Rivers, and was years in the making, including the participating youth traveling to rivers around the world. ✍️+ 📸 : @jarrette-werk.bsky.social for UNN