B. ‘Toastie’ Oaster, 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. Fri, 09 Aug 2024 22:03:11 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.hcn.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cropped-HCN_Logo-Monogram_White_Sq-2-32x32.png B. ‘Toastie’ Oaster, Author at High Country News https://www.hcn.org 32 32 229054741 Washington solar project paused amid concern about Indigenous sites https://www.hcn.org/articles/washington-solar-project-paused-amid-concern-about-indigenous-sites/ Mon, 12 Aug 2024 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=327301

Avangrid Renewables said they plan to review comments from tribal nations and private landowners.

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]]> 327301 Indigenous celebration of Hanford remembers the site before nuclear contamination https://www.hcn.org/issues/56-8/indigenous-celebration-of-hanford-remembers-the-site-before-nuclear-contamination/ Thu, 01 Aug 2024 07:50:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=326759 Boats carry Hanford Journey attendees down the Columbia River in Washington toward Hanford reactors, one that’s cocooned and another that’s decommissioned but still standing.

At the fourth annual Hanford Journey, Yakama Nation youth, elders and scientists share stories about a land that is a part of them.

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]]> 326759 In green energy boom, one federal agency made the Yakama Nation an offer they had to refuse https://www.hcn.org/issues/56-7/how-federal-rules-and-a-lack-of-protection-for-sacred-indigenous-sites-left-the-yakama-nation-with-an-impossible-choice/ Mon, 24 Jun 2024 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=326103

Federal rules and a lack of protection for sacred places left the Indigenous nation with an impossible choice.

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]]> 326103 A wildflower is teaching the non-Native public about food sovereignty https://www.hcn.org/articles/a-wildflower-is-teaching-the-non-native-public-about-food-sovereignty/ Fri, 24 May 2024 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=325710

Oregon’s third Camas Festival highlights the joys and responsibilities of tending the iconic northwestern plant.

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]]> 325710 Art without the mask of Native identity https://www.hcn.org/issues/56-5/art-without-the-mask-of-native-identity/ Wed, 01 May 2024 07:40:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=324654

Multidisciplinary artist Nizhonniya Austin talks about authenticity, trust fund pottery hipsters, and her role as Cara in ‘The Curse.’

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]]> 324654 Wildlife habitat and tribal cultures threatened by Washington’s largest wind farm https://www.hcn.org/articles/wildlife-habitat-and-tribal-cultures-threatened-by-washingtons-largest-wind-farm/ Fri, 26 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=324843

The newly approved renewable energy project is planned across an eco-corridor and ceremonial sites.

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]]> 324843 Wenatchi-P’squosa people demonstrate against proposed solar project  https://www.hcn.org/articles/wenatchi-psquosa-people-demonstrate-against-proposed-solar-project/ Fri, 05 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=324201 Sonya Schaller, a supporter from Omak, Washington, holds a sign during a gathering on Badger Mountain in East Wenatchee, Washington.

The Badger Mountain development in eastern Washington threatens heritage foodways on sacred lands.

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]]> 324201 Washington’s solar permitting leaves tribal resources vulnerable to corporations https://www.hcn.org/issues/56-2/energy-industry-washingtons-solar-permitting-leaves-tribal-resources-vulnerable-to-corporations/ Fri, 19 Jan 2024 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/articles/energy-industry-washingtons-solar-permitting-leaves-tribal-resources-vulnerable-to-corporations/ SOURCES: USGS; Library of Congress; Flickr Creative Commons; Oregon Department of Transportation; Washington Department of Natural Resources via a public records request.

Tribal officials say the process threatens cultural resources and what remains of healthy Indigenous foodways.

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]]> 321819 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 Dispatch from the scaffolds: Native fishing culture on the Columbia River https://www.hcn.org/articles/indigenous-affairs-multimedia-dispatch-from-the-scaffolds-native-fishing-culture-on-the-columbia-river/ Mon, 08 May 2023 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/indigenous-affairs-multimedia-dispatch-from-the-scaffolds-native-fishing-culture-on-the-columbia-river/

An Indigenous fisherman describes how to hook a salmon, the meaning of life and his faithful dog Sturg.

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