Indigenous Affairs Native nations lead salmon restoration efforts in Columbia Basin The number of returning adult salmon and steelhead has doubled since the 1990s, but is still only halfway to the NWPCC’s goal of 5 million. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore + ICT / February 10, 2025
Indigenous Affairs Cowlitz Tribe youth help lead this year’s First Salmon Ceremony “It’s what we do to thank the salmon for what they give,” said Lydia Hodges, 15, part of the new generation carrying on the sacred ritual. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore + ICT / June 24, 2024
Indigenous Affairs Yakama Nation’s new public safety campus gives justice room to grow The tribal court system, which had occupied a cluster of trailers since the ’50s, plans to add services like a mental health or a veterans court. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore News and ICT / January 9, 2024
Culture 5 ways to keep the curtain from falling on Seattle’s theater scene With regional stages closing across the country, local leaders weigh in on post-pandemic challenges and offer strategies for survival. by Misha Berson / August 15, 2023
Equity Snoqualmie Tribe starts land protection sales tax at Salish Lodge The 2% tax will preserve ancestral sites such as Snoqualmie Falls, and could be a model for other Indigenous nations. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore/ICT / July 17, 2023
News The Washington mental health lifeline made for and by Native people The Native and Strong Lifeline provides connection and culturally specific care to callers in crisis. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Indian Country Today and Underscore News / June 19, 2023
Culture 7 theater events to ensure a play-full Seattle summer From a Vietnamese American teenager to Henry VIII’s ex-wives, local stages are presenting an array of voices this season. by Misha Berson / June 7, 2023
Culture Seattle singers survive ‘Sweeney Todd’ through razor-sharp vocals Sondheim is known for packing lyrics into tricky tempos. Local leads at The 5th Avenue Theatre say the key is finding a moment to breathe. by Misha Berson / April 19, 2023
Culture Six spring theater shows in Seattle, from Hairspray to Wolf Play Adoption, integration and turmoil among a Shaker sect are some of the complicated topics taking center stage this season. by Misha Berson / March 23, 2023
Culture At Seattle Opera, ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ burns brightly Directed by Roya Sadat, the world premiere tells a story of women’s resilience, love and friendship amid dire social circumstances in Afghanistan. by Misha Berson / March 1, 2023