Underscore News

Portland’s newest Native owned bookstore will be a community hub filled with tutoring, cultural classes, community events and books from Indigenous authors.

✍ + 📸: Lyric Aquino, Underscore News + Report for America

Sahaptin Stories: Portland’s Newest Native Owned Bookstore - Underscore Native News Casandra Hanson’s bookstore is a new community hub in Southeast Portland, stocked with all Indigenous and Pacific Islander authors.

In 1855, the Siletz People yielded a parcel of land along the Oregon Coast as the United States ratified treaties and drew up territory. But now the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians are near a land transaction that’ll take almost seven acres of that ceded land out of private ownership and back under their stewardship. The effort is a coordinated Land Back partnership with regional nonprofits and land trusts, and will help safeguard the area against development.

✍: Brian Bull, Underscore News

After More Than 170 Years, Siletz Tribe To Reclaim Ceded Land - Underscore Native News Undisclosed parcel outside Yachats deemed “biodiversity hotspot.”

Voting concerns central theme at Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians annual convention.

✍: Nika Bartoo-Smith, Underscore News + Indian Country Today

Tribal Leaders Message for Mail-in Voting: Vote Early, Hand Deliver to Ballot Drop Box - Underscore Native News Voting concerns central theme at Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians annual convention.

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Thousands of people across Turtle Island will gather to remember, grieve, educate, mourn those who survived and are victims of Indian boarding and residential schools.

By Indian Country Today Staff

2026 Orange Shirt Day Event List - Underscore Native News Thousands of people across Turtle Island will gather to remember, grieve, educate, mourn those who survived and are victims of Indian boarding and residential schools.

Cowlitz tribal member and comedian Joey Clift has a new book out, one that he says addresses the knowledge gap in non-Natives about America’s original (and still present!) inhabitants. “We’ve Been Here the Whole Time: A Not So Sacred Guide to All Things Native America” is a tough love, tongue-in-cheek rebuttal to the many things people get wrong about Indian Country, and gives guidance on how to talk to a Native about Thanksgiving. If only he’d mentioned Wes Studi.

✍: Brian Bull, Underscore Native News

Cowlitz Comedian Joey Clift Unveils a Primer for the Non-Natives - Underscore Native News The book is a labor of love, with just a little exasperation.

IHS director Mark Cruz outlines request for a departmental increase in funding; assistant secretary of the Interior William Kirkland looks to hire 400 new BIA employees; tribal leaders share concerns about AI; and federal legislation is outlined during annual ATNI convention.

✍+📸: Nika Bartoo-Smith, Underscore News + Indian Country Today

Tribal Leaders Talk AI, Proposed Legislation and National Priorities at Annual ATNI Convention - Underscore Native News IHS director Mark Cruz outlines request for a departmental increase in funding; assistant secretary of the Interior William Kirkland looks to hire 400 new BIA employees; tribal leaders share concerns about AI; and federal legislation is outlined during annual ATNI convention.

Traditional knowledge keepers from across the Pacific Northwest came together for two days to explore food sovereignty, culture plants, medicines and politics.

✍ + 📸: Nika Bartoo-Smith, Underscore News + Indian Country Today & Lyric Aquino, Underscore News + Report for America

Connecting Food Systems at Portland Inaugural Indigenous Food Summit - Underscore Native News Traditional knowledge keepers from across the Pacific Northwest came together for two days to explore food sovereignty, culture plants, medicines and politics.

This Friday, Seattle’s city hall will host its first ever event for urban Natives to come and learn the workings of city government and how to apply for assistance or grants. The Indigenous Civic Engagement Day is meant to inform and empower Native American, Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander residents from across Washington state’s largest city.

✍: Brian Bull, Underscore Native News

City of Seattle Hosts Special Forum for Urban Natives - Underscore Native News Inaugural Indigenous Civic Engagement Day on Sept. 18 seeks to strengthen relationship between the Native community and city government.

Theo Wright and his dad, Asa Wright, have both served as Two-Spirit head dancers at NAYA’s annual Neerchokikoo powwow, creating more visibility for Two-Spirit people in powwow settings.

✍: Nika Bartoo-Smith, Underscore Native News + ICT

Intergenerational Two-Spirit Head Dancers Find Joy in Expressing Themselves Freely - Underscore Native News Theo Wright and his dad, Asa Wright, have both served as Two-Spirit head dancers at NAYA’s annual Neerchokikoo powwow, creating more visibility for Two-Spirit people in powwow settings.