Indian Country Blog Posts

Saturday, March 26, 2022, marked the closing of the American Indian Policy Institute’s (AIPI) first-ever Indigenous Leadership Academy (ILA). A bittersweet conclusion to a historic inaugural program, the cessation of ILA will leave a gap in AIPI’s weekly activities and those of us at AIPI will eagerly welcome the next cohort coming in the Fall of 2022. Although observing the completion of such a vigorous and successful program is a difficult task, there is now time for reflection on lived experiences and observations, which will in turn allow for continuous growth and advancement in what is a prominent Indigenous leadership program, now and in the future. As those of us...

For Arizona State University, this week is shaping to be reflective, educational, valuable and cultural. April 4th through the 10th is Indigenous culture week (ICW) at ASU. Arizona State University is located on the ancestral homeland of the O’odham and Piipaash people. As part of Turtle Island (North and South America), Indigenous Culture Week seeks to celebrate the Indigenous people of this land and promote the Indigneous voices around the world. The goal of Indigenous Culture Week is to bring our community together to educate, celebrate and share ideas, values, and traditions across all four campuses. This year’s theme is “Past, Present, Future…Indigenous Forever” The ICW Committee put...

On the winter evening of February 25, 2022, Indigenous leaders from throughout Arizona sat down in front of their devices to commence module five of the American Indian Policy Institute’s (AIPI) Indigenous Leadership Academy (ILA). The inaugural cohort had seen continuous growth in the previous four weeks in familiarity, inspiration, and knowledge. As the fifth ILA zoom meeting got underway, the momentum was palpable, and for good reason. With Geoffrey Blackwell as the guest speaker, the cohort was in for an exhilarating evening. 

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Indigenous peoples paused on participating in many invaluable cultural events that focus on the importance of togetherness and community....

On January 21, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopting the final rule for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program. The final rules include notes on benefits for covered services and devices, household eligibility requirements, the program’s budget and reimbursement, among other regulatory aspects of the ACP.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford necessary broadband for everyday life. The ACP provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per...