Grand Canyon watchtower to be maintained as cultural site
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) — Officials at the Grand Canyon say they're expanding programming at a historic watchtower where visitors can learn about Native American culture.
The National Park Service's Intermountain Region signed off on the plan last month.
The Desert View Watchtower near the east entrance of Grand Canyon gives visitors expansive views of the painted desert and the Little Colorado River Gorge. It had housed a gift shop up until 2015 when the Park Service turned it into a cultural heritage site.
The Grand Canyon is planning to add demonstrations, exhibits and opportunities for visitors to interact with tribal members and artists there.
The 70-foot (21-meter) watchtower was built in the early 1930s by famed architect Mary Colter. Stone covering the National Historic Landmark hides the building's steel frame.
Congresswoman Deb Haaland says she will not run for U.S. Senate
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Democratic U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, one of the first Native American women elected to Congress, has announced she will not run for U.S. Senate.
Haaland tweeted Wednesday she will pass on a chance to seek the open U.S. Senate in New Mexico and instead will remain focused on her congressional seat, which represents Albuquerque.
The Laguna Pueblo member had previously said she was interested in seeking the Democratic nomination for Senate after Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Udall announced he was retiring.
She would have faced fellow U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, a Santa Fe Democrat, who has said he would run for Senate.
Haaland made history in November when she and Rep. Sharice (sha-REES) Davids, of Kansas, were elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Davids is Ho-Chunk.
Oneida chairman warns of climate change, CWD in speech
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The chairman of the Oneida Nation is calling on Wisconsin lawmakers to eliminate remaining American Indian high school mascots, protect the environment and aggressively fight chronic wasting disease.
Tehassi Hill spoke April 9 during the annual State of the Tribes address before the Legislature and Gov. Tony Evers.
Hill said 31 Wisconsin schools still use American Indian mascots, which he says encourages racist behavior. He warned about the effects of climate change and how shorter winters are threatening Wisconsin recreation dollars. He called chronic wasting disease an unprecedented threat to deer and asked the state to tighten deer farm regulations and devote more funding to research.
Hill also lamented tribal drug addiction, poverty and health care costs. He said Wisconsin tribes support Evers' proposal to expand Medicaid coverage.
