Anna V. Smith, Author at High Country News https://www.hcn.org A nonprofit independent magazine of unblinking journalism that shines a light on all of the complexities of the West. Tue, 05 Mar 2024 20:00:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.hcn.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cropped-HCN_Logo-Monogram_White_Sq-2-32x32.png Anna V. Smith, Author at High Country News https://www.hcn.org 32 32 229054741 How states make money off tribal lands https://www.hcn.org/articles/how-states-make-money-off-tribal-lands/ Wed, 28 Feb 2024 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=322974

Ten states own 1.6 million acres of land within 83 tribal nations’ reservations. How did they get there?

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]]> 322974 How 3 Indigenous women are leading the way on climate change https://www.hcn.org/issues/56-1/indigenous-affairs-how-3-indigenous-women-are-leading-the-way-on-climate-change/ Thu, 28 Dec 2023 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/articles/indigenous-affairs-how-3-indigenous-women-are-leading-the-way-on-climate-change/

These experts bring knowledge and justice to the climate conversation.

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]]> 321380 2023 in Native environmental news https://www.hcn.org/articles/indigenous-affairs-2023-in-native-environmental-news/ Wed, 27 Dec 2023 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/articles/indigenous-affairs-2023-in-native-environmental-news/ A view of Marble Canyon and the Vermillion Cliffs from above the Kaibab Plateau shows the northeastern parcel of the newly designated Avi Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon.

The beat’s biggest news that you might have missed.

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]]> 321333 Lower Snake River dams closer to coming down with new agreement https://www.hcn.org/articles/dams-lower-snake-river-dams-closer-to-coming-down-with-new-agreement/ Fri, 15 Dec 2023 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/articles/dams-lower-snake-river-dams-closer-to-coming-down-with-new-agreement/ A juvenile salmon capture and transport structure at Lower Granite Dam, one of the four Lower Snake River dams. Despite such efforts, multiple salmon runs on the river are veering toward extinction.

After decades of litigation, the historic initiative among states, tribes and the federal government signals a dramatic change for the region.

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]]> 321317 The Endangered Species Act’s complicated legacy in Indian Country https://www.hcn.org/issues/55-12/endangered-species-the-endangered-species-acts-complicated-legacy-in-indian-country/ Fri, 01 Dec 2023 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/articles/endangered-species-the-endangered-species-acts-complicated-legacy-in-indian-country/

The landmark law has served as both sword and shield.

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]]> 321611 States opposed tribes’ access to the Colorado River 70 years ago. History is repeating itself. https://www.hcn.org/articles/waiting-for-water-states-opposed-tribes-access-to-the-colorado-river-70-years-ago-history-is-repeating-itself/ Tue, 17 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/waiting-for-water-states-opposed-tribes-access-to-the-colorado-river-70-years-ago-history-is-repeating-itself/

Records shed new light on states’ vocal opposition in the 1950s to tribes claiming their share of the river.

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]]> 207647 The state of tribal co-management of public lands https://www.hcn.org/articles/public-lands-the-state-of-tribal-co-management-of-public-lands/ Fri, 22 Sep 2023 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/public-lands-the-state-of-tribal-co-management-of-public-lands/ Looking into the many-sided canyons of the Kanab Creek Wilderness, near the newly designated Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.

As National Public Lands Day approaches, Indigenous leaders discuss working with agencies to manage dispossessed lands.

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]]> 202385 How private interests benefit from tribal water settlements https://www.hcn.org/issues/55-7/indigenous-affairs-colorado-river-how-private-interests-benefit-from-tribal-water-settlements/ Thu, 06 Jul 2023 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/indigenous-affairs-colorado-river-how-private-interests-benefit-from-tribal-water-settlements/ The Asarco Mission Complex copper mines at the southern border of the San Xavier District of the Tohono O’odham Nation.

When power players like mining and agriculture are involved, tribal nations, usually the senior-most water-rights holders, often must fight obstruction.

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]]> 226167 Decades after the Colorado River flooded the Chemehuevi’s land, the tribe still doesn’t have its share https://www.hcn.org/issues/55-7/indigenous-affairs-decades-after-the-colorado-river-flooded-the-chemehuevis-land-the-tribe-still-struggles-to-get-its-share-of-the-river/ Wed, 05 Jul 2023 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/indigenous-affairs-decades-after-the-colorado-river-flooded-the-chemehuevis-land-the-tribe-still-struggles-to-get-its-share-of-the-river/ Housing on the Chemehuevi Reservation. The tribe has about 1,250 members.

Nearly all of the tribe’s water remains in the river and ends up being used by Southern California cities.

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]]> 226171 Supreme Court keeps the Navajo Nation waiting for water https://www.hcn.org/articles/indigenous-affairs-supreme-court-keeps-the-navajo-nation-waiting-for-water/ Mon, 26 Jun 2023 18:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/indigenous-affairs-supreme-court-keeps-the-navajo-nation-waiting-for-water/ The Colorado River near Lees Ferry, Arizona. The opposite bank of the river is the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation has succeeded in settling water rights in Utah and New Mexico, but the tribe has failed to reach a similar agreement for its land in Arizona.

The court case was the Nation’s bid to accelerate decades of fruitless negotiations and secure water for its reservation.

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