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. Thu, 08 Aug 2024 20:04:02 +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 What a Kamala Harris presidency could mean for the West https://www.hcn.org/articles/what-a-kamala-harris-presidency-could-mean-for-the-west/ Mon, 22 Jul 2024 21:38:45 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=326814

Harris has prioritized protecting public lands and pursued accountability for polluters, but her track record on tribal affairs is mixed.

The post What a Kamala Harris presidency could mean for the West appeared first on High Country News.

]]> 326814 What does the BLM Public Land Rule mean for tribal stewardship of public lands? https://www.hcn.org/articles/what-does-the-blm-public-land-rule-mean-for-tribal-stewardship-of-public-lands/ Wed, 26 Jun 2024 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=326123

The rule offers further pathways for tribes to proactively protect certain public lands.

The post What does the BLM Public Land Rule mean for tribal stewardship of public lands? appeared first on High Country News.

]]> 326123 As national monuments multiply, Bears Ears forges forward https://www.hcn.org/articles/as-national-monuments-multiply-bears-ears-forges-forward/ Tue, 30 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=324965 Comb Ridge in the Shash Jáa unit of Bears Ears National Monument, Utah.

Tribal co-management takes shape on the ground.

The post As national monuments multiply, Bears Ears forges forward appeared first on High Country News.

]]> 324965 At UN, Interior says it’s starting to include consent in tribal policy https://www.hcn.org/articles/the-u-s-still-hasnt-embraced-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples/ Thu, 18 Apr 2024 07:36:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=324404

The Indigenous-led department is a ’shining star’ when it comes to tribal consultation, but it still has a long ways to go.

The post At UN, Interior says it’s starting to include consent in tribal policy appeared first on High Country News.

]]> 324404 How states make money off tribal lands https://www.hcn.org/issues/56-4/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?

The post How states make money off tribal lands appeared first on High Country News.

]]> 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.

The post How 3 Indigenous women are leading the way on climate change appeared first on High Country News.

]]> 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.

The post 2023 in Native environmental news appeared first on High Country News.

]]> 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.

The post Lower Snake River dams closer to coming down with new agreement appeared first on High Country News.

]]> 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.

The post The Endangered Species Act’s complicated legacy in Indian Country appeared first on High Country News.

]]> 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.

The post States opposed tribes’ access to the Colorado River 70 years ago. History is repeating itself. appeared first on High Country News.

]]> 207647