Kamiakun Wholesale - For the People

06/14/2026

06/14/2026

06/14/2026

The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) has survived one of the biggest legal challenges in its history.

In Haaland v. Brackeen, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7–2 in favor of the federal law, rejecting major constitutional challenges and affirming Congress’s authority to protect Native children and Tribal Nations.

Passed in 1978, ICWA was created after decades of policies that separated large numbers of Native children from their families and communities. The law establishes guidelines that prioritize keeping Native children connected to their relatives, Tribal Nations, and cultural heritage whenever possible.

Tribal leaders across the country, including the Cherokee Nation, celebrated the ruling as a historic victory for Native families and Tribal sovereignty.

Today, ICWA remains one of the most significant federal laws protecting Indigenous children and preserving the bonds between Native families, communities, and future generations.

Why do you think protecting culture and family connections matters for future generations?



Sources:
• U.S. Supreme Court — Haaland v. Brackeen (2023)
• Cherokee Nation — Statement on ICWA Decision
• SCOTUSblog — Haaland v. Brackeen Explained • U.S. Department of the Interior
• National Indian Child Welfare Association

06/13/2026

The FIFA World Cup has begun across Turtle Island.

In Mexico City, the tournament opened with Indigenous language, dress, and pre-Hispanic cultural performance. Grammy-winning artist Lila Downs welcomed fans and players in Spanish, English, and Mixtec.

In Toronto, Canada's opening ceremony began with Traditional Indigenous dancers representing the nearly two million Indigenous people in Canada. Award-winning singer-songwriter William Prince of Peguis First Nation welcomed the world, saying:

"From this land, where the water meets the mountains, where voices have gathered for generations. We are still here. We carry the songs. We carry the stories. We carry the heartbeat."

Hours later, the United States opened its ceremony in Los Angeles ahead of USA vs. Paraguay. While Mexico and Canada featured prominent Indigenous cultural presentations, the U.S. ceremony did not include a comparable dedicated presentation of Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian culture.

The contrast sparked discussion across social media.

"I hope in the future, we can get better at acknowledging the Indigenous people that make up this land, and not just this land, but also in Alaska and Hawaii," creator Aynsley Broom (Moananu P**a) shared online.

At the same time, many are recognizing Mexico and Canada for placing Indigenous Peoples prominently within their host-country welcome to the world.

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Source: AP / Reuters,

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06/13/2026

Hidden beneath the soil of Saskatchewan, archaeologists have uncovered evidence of Indigenous life dating back approximately 11,000 years. Near Sturgeon Lake First Nation along the North Saskatchewan River, erosion revealed ancient layers containing stone tools, fire pits, charcoal, and remains associated with early Plains hunting cultures. The discovery offers another powerful reminder that Indigenous history on this continent stretches back thousands of years before many of the civilizations commonly highlighted in history books. 🪶

Researchers believe the area was used repeatedly across generations, reflecting deep environmental knowledge and a lasting relationship between people and the land. The findings include evidence connected to Bison antiquus, an extinct species that once roamed the region. For many Indigenous communities, the discovery aligns with oral histories that have long described the area as a place of gathering, movement, and cultural significance. The project itself has been guided through collaboration between the Âsowanânihk Council and academic researchers, combining scientific study with Indigenous knowledge.

Today, efforts are underway to protect the site from erosion, logging, and future development so that its history can be preserved. Beyond the artifacts themselves, the discovery highlights the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples across North America and the importance of recognizing histories that extend far deeper into the past than many people realize. Long before modern borders existed, Indigenous nations were building knowledge, adapting to changing environments, and sustaining communities across the continent.

06/13/2026

The federally owned lands of the Black Hills remain under question, following a US court ruling back in 1980 that determined that tribal nations should be awarded a settlement for the encroachment of people onto treaty lands over 200 years ago.

Story below🔽

06/12/2026

06/08/2026

December 1855 became a turning point in the Pacific Northwest after Oregon Governor George Law Curry ordered volunteer forces into the Walla Walla Valley against tribes that had largely stayed neutral during the growing regional conflict.

Many eastern tribes, including the Walla Walla, Cayuse, Palouse, and Umatilla peoples, had avoided fully entering the war despite rising tensions across Oregon and Washington Territory.

Instead of waiting for negotiations or clear attacks, Oregon militia forces crossed into tribal lands and launched military operations first.

The campaign quickly escalated into the Battle of Walla Walla, where Native leaders who had attempted diplomacy were captured and killed during the fighting.

Even U.S. Army commander General John Wool criticized the offensive, arguing the attack had unnecessarily widened the conflict and pushed neutral tribes into open war.

The violence transformed a regional crisis into a far larger frontier war that spread across the Columbia Plateau and reshaped relations between Native nations and American authorities for years afterward.

The conflict also accelerated removals, military campaigns, and the collapse of Native control across large parts of the Northwest.

05/19/2026

On September 20, 1855, Bureau of Indian Affairs agent Andrew Bolon rode out to investigate the recent deaths of several miners in Yakama territory.

Before he could reach his destination, Yakama chief Shumaway intercepted him and warned that the situation was too dangerous to pursue.

Bolon heeded the warning and turned back toward home.

Along the way, he fell in with a group of Yakama travelers heading south and decided to ride alongside them.

Among the group was Mosheel, the son of Chief Shumaway and the man responsible for the miners' deaths.

When Bolon informed Mosheel that the killings were considered criminal and that the U.S. Army would soon deliver punishment, Mosheel grew furious.

Unknown to Bolon, who did not speak Yakama, a debate over his fate unfolded around him throughout the day's journey.

Despite protests from several members of the traveling party, Mosheel overruled them by invoking his royal standing.

During a rest stop, as the group ate lunch together, Mosheel and at least three others drew knives and attacked.

Bolon cried out in Chinook Jargon, "I did not come to fight you!" before being stabbed in the throat.

His horse was then shot, and his body and belongings were burned to conceal the evidence.

The killing of Andrew Bolon became one of the key triggering events of the wider Yakima War.