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
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 Festivities in Focus | The ritual baptism Timket returns to Seattle Thousands gathered on Sunday to mark the two-day Ethiopian Orthodox holiday after two years of the pandemic and the Tigray war. by Amanda Snyder / January 26, 2023
Culture Festivities in Focus | Celebrants dance, reflect through Kwanzaa A NAAM gathering on the fourth day of the secular pan-African holiday honored the principle of Ujamaa, or cooperative economics. by Amanda Snyder / January 2, 2023
Culture Festivities in Focus | Filipino Catholics gather for Simbang Gabi St. James's nine-day Advent Mass draws hundreds from all over Western Washington. by Amanda Snyder / December 13, 2022
Culture Festivities in Focus | Día de los Muertos celebrates life, death After a pandemic hiatus, the Day of the Dead event returned to Seattle's El Centro de la Raza. by Amanda Snyder / November 8, 2022
Culture Festivities in Focus | The return of Diwali lights up Bellevue People gathered on Monday night — some for the first time since 2019 — to celebrate the Hindu Festival of Lights. by Amanda Snyder / October 28, 2022