In this episode of The Sentinel, we uncover the devastating effects that dams have on Indian Country. The construction and maintenance of dams cause flooding of sacred sites, displacement of people from their ancestral lands, and permanent disruption of the ecosystem and fish populations. These irreparable consequences result in the loss of traditional ways, vital resources, and quality of life in tribal communities. Join us and take a look back at the history of NCAI’s advocacy efforts against dam construction on tribal lands, which began shortly after the organization’s founding in 1944 and has continued through today. This episode also features an interview with Corrine Sams, elected Board of Trustees Member for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Treasurer of the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission. Sams discusses recent progress in the Pacific Northwest as Tribal Nations defend their sovereignty and advocate for the removal of dams and restoration of salmon populations in the region. She also sheds light on the Biden administration’s recent report on the detrimental effects of dams in the Columbia River Basin, marking the first time the federal government has acknowledged the decades of harm tribal communities have endured. Listen now to learn more about the impacts of dams on Native people, the environment, and their intrinsic rights.

As the growth of technology permeates every aspect of our lives, the issue of Tribal Digital Sovereignty is of crucial importance now more than ever. Join us on this episode of The Sentinel as we hear from experts who will help shed light on this subject.

Listeners will learn about the recently launched Center for Tribal Digital Sovereignty, a partnership between NCAI and Arizona State University’s American Indian Policy Institute, the first of its kind in Indian Country. We hear from Geoff Blackwell and Matt Rantanen, experts in the field of Tribal Digital Sovereignty, who help us examine the unique challenges that Native communities face with governing their own data, information, and technology.

This episode provides a deeper understanding of the intersection of technology and Tribal sovereignty, why it matters so much now, and why it is one of the most significant challenges facing the future of Indian Country.

The survival of American Indian and Alaska Native languages is essential to the success of tribal communities and Native ways of life. However, without urgent and sustained intervention, far too many Native languages risk extinction within the coming decades. In this episode of The Sentinel, we highlight the urgency of this issue, and examine the creative and innovative solutions that many tribal communities are undertaking to counteract language loss.

First, we hear from Daniel Golding (Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe), producer of the documentary “Language is Life,” which aired on the PBS network as part of the “Native America” series. Golding sheds light on the inherent challenges of revitalizing Native languages and his own unique personal perspective as he embarked upon learning the Quechan language.

Next, we present segments from the “Native Language Preservation” panel discussion held at the 2024 NCAI Mid Year Convention & Marketplace in Cherokee, North Carolina. Representatives from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee Nation, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe participated in a lively discussion at the Third General Assembly. Panelists recounted the challenges of language preservation, but also shared strategies, projects and techniques that have resulted in successful outcomes for their tribal communities.