Tribal leaders reflect on a year of uncertainty — and possibility - High Country News Federal turnover and policy shifts have forced Indigenous communities to adapt.

Federal turnover and policy shifts have forced Indigenous communities to adapt.

Two shirtless men, one in a feather headdress, kneel on the grass with their arms up. Behind them are big sculptures of skulls billowing smoke, and flames visible in the sinus cavity of one. Behind those are crosses, more people, and some distant buildings under a blue cloud-dappled sky.

Indigenous protesters set fire to skull sculptures representing lawmakers to protest Congress during Brazil’s largest annual Indigenous mobilization that focuses on land rights and environmental protection, in Brasilia, Brazil, Tuesday, April 7.

apnews.com/photo-galler...

Ranchers in southern Arizona live on the 'knife edge' of long drought As summer rains vanish and dry conditions persist, borderland ranchers worry about their livelihood, culture and identity.

In the biodiverse grasslands of Southeastern AZ, generational ranchers here have learnt the hard way the importance of treading lightly on the land.

Now, drought is threatening the delicate balance between cattle operations and the health of the landscape.

Me for @azcentral.com:

I had the opportunity to talk on @kjzz.org "The Show" about this story and about what communities face when it comes to LandBack. I also got to share some perspective as an Indigenous person and journalist on the efforts. www.kjzz.org/the-show/202...

LandBack advances across the West - High Country News In 2025, the state of California helped fund at least four initiatives to return land to tribes, adding up to thousands of acres.

In 2025, the state of California helped fund at least four initiatives to return land to tribes, adding up to thousands of acres.

Heavily contested pumped hydro-storage project gets federal go-ahead - High Country News A pumped hydro-energy storage facility proposed outside of Goldendale in south-central Washington has taken a major step forward, even though, if

A pumped hydro-energy storage facility proposed outside of Goldendale in south-central Washington has taken a major step forward, even though, if

Two LGBTQ+ Groups Are Pushing A Bill That Would Allow Pastors to Discriminate Against Same-Sex Partners A marriage equality strategy Equality Arizona and ONE Community developed behind the scenes has exposed fractures within the state’s movement toward LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Internal documents obtained by LOOKOUT show two of Arizona's longest-running LGBTQ+ advocacy orgs. crafted a marriage equality proposal that one Democratic lawmaker described as a "rollback."

It'd allow religious officials to refuse to perform same-sex weddings.

www.lookoutnews.org/two-lgbtq-gr...

Our February issue travels from Black Portland’s musical history to sage grouse on the steppe, Colorado’s roaming wolves, LandBack victories, rising insurance costs, the giant kangaroo rat and a new film honoring photographer Frank Matsura.

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An introduction to deep time in the West - High Country News Step away from the churn of day-to-day, season-to-season, election-to-election urgencies.

Step away from the churn of day-to-day, season-to-season, election-to-election urgencies.

We need to talk about the pretendians in our midst - High Country News Indigenous scholar Dina Gilio-Whitaker wants Natives to approach a difficult topic rationally, vulnerably and honestly.

Indigenous scholar Dina Gilio-Whitaker wants Natives to approach a difficult topic rationally, vulnerably and honestly.

What does ‘time immemorial’ really mean? - High Country News If you’ve seen the phrase time immemorial used repeatedly in Indigenous affairs reporting, there are some compelling reasons why.

If you’ve seen the phrase time immemorial used repeatedly in Indigenous affairs reporting, there are some compelling reasons why.

A year after the Eaton Fire, permit delays keep Black families from returning - High Country News The Eaton Fire stripped Altadena of its trees, and for some Black families, of their place in it.

The Eaton Fire stripped Altadena of its trees, and for some Black families, of their place in it.

HCN 2025 impact report - High Country News Our top stories from the year that resounded across the West (and beyond).

Our top stories from the year that resounded across the West (and beyond).

Colorado cannot heal until it confronts Sand Creek honestly  - High Country News The trauma around the Sand Creek Massacre must be recognized by Coloradans for true healing to take place. #opinion

To move forward, Coloradans must face the massacre’s trauma and begin to repair trust.

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Headline: ProPublica management wants 100% discretion over when and how to use AI Supplementary text: The organization rejected our proposal that ensures staff will not be replaced by AI and requires labeling AI-generated content

1/ At bargaining yesterday, @propublica.org management said that they should have 100% discretion to replace workers with AI and would not commit to labeling future AI-generated content.

Do I know any western Washington-based freelance writers interested in being considered for a @highcountrynews.org assignment for a web story on the flooding + aftermath?

HCN 2025 impact report - High Country News Our top stories from the year that resounded across the West (and beyond).

Our top stories from the year that resounded across the West (and beyond).

The West’s vanishing porcupines - High Country News Scientists are racing to figure out why porcupines are disappearing from their former stomping grounds.

Scientists are racing to figure out why porcupines are disappearing from their former stomping grounds.

Washington approves over 99% of archaeological permits, records show As tribes struggle to protect their heritage, the nation’s leading state archaeologist says she lacks the authority to to stop development projects.

Washington approves over 99% of archaeological permits, records show

As tribes struggle to protect their heritage, the nation’s leading state archaeologist says she lacks the authority to to stop development projects.

How the gaming economy helps tribes navigate shifting policies - High Country News Tribal sovereignty and prosperity are tied to gaming’s sovereign source of income.

Tribal sovereignty and prosperity are tied to gaming’s sovereign source of income.

HCN’s journalism is having on-the-ground impact Our communities are at the heart of our work.

HCN’s journalism is having on-the-ground impact

Our communities are at the heart of our work.

Journalism is made by humans, not machines The humanity behind the words.

Journalism is made by humans, not machines

The humanity behind the words.

How we reported Free Range, our grazing investigation Data and analyses used in the stories.

How we reported Free Range, our grazing investigation

Data and analyses used in the stories.

The wealthy profit from public lands, and taxpayers pick up the tab Roughly two-thirds of grazing on Bureau of Land Management land is controlled by just 10% of permit holders.

The wealthy profit from public lands, and taxpayers pick up the tab

Roughly two-thirds of grazing on Bureau of Land Management land is controlled by just 10% of permit holders.

New issue out now: Our @ProPublica partnership examines public-lands grazing and who’s paying the price. Plus stories of Tribal strength, an Oregon bow-maker, wild Christmas trees, returning wildlife, the Gay Rodeo comeback + Alaska in winter.

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After Trump cuts, seeds sit in the warehouse - High Country News Western groups lose federal grants for urgent restoration and conservation projects.

At least six Western conservation groups have abruptly lost their federal grant funding, threatening efforts to restore habitats, protect at-risk species, and support small farmers.

The big data center buildup An AI server farm tsunami threatens to overwhelm the West’s power grid and water supplies.

The big data center buildup

An AI server farm tsunami threatens to overwhelm the West’s power grid and water supplies.

Western climate litigants keep fighting After disappointing losses in Alaska and Montana, an Indigenous-led climate case is making strides in New Mexico.

Western climate litigants keep fighting

After disappointing losses in Alaska and Montana, an Indigenous-led climate case is making strides in New Mexico.

How I found hope while reporting on a metal fest - High Country News Peek behind the scenes at the challenges and joy of covering Fire in the Mountains.

Peek behind the scenes at the challenges and joy of covering Fire in the Mountains.