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Truthly, Milan (2026)

20/06/2026

His name was Dust Maker. He was also known as Pete Mitchell, a Ponca man photographed in northern Nebraska in 1898.

By the time this photograph was taken, the Ponca people had already endured one of the most painful chapters in their history. For generations, Ponca families lived along the Niobrara River in what is now Nebraska and South Dakota, with their own government, ceremonies, and relationships to the land.

In 1877, the United States government forcibly removed many Ponca people from their homelands and sent them to Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. The journey and conditions that followed brought severe loss. Among those who died was the son of Chief Standing Bear, whose effort to return his son’s remains home for burial led to his arrest.

Standing Bear’s case, Standing Bear v. Crook, became a landmark in U.S. legal history. In 1879, Judge Elmer Dundy ruled that an American Indian was a “person” under the law for the purpose of habeas corpus, meaning Standing Bear had the right to challenge his detention in federal court.

The ruling did not undo the removal or heal the division immediately. Some Ponca people returned to Nebraska, while others remained in Oklahoma. Those histories continue today through the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and the Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma.

In 1898, federal Indian policy was also shaped by the Dawes Act, which divided many tribal lands into individual allotments and opened “surplus” lands to non-Native settlement. At the same time, boarding schools were working to separate Native children from their families, languages, and cultural practices.

Seen in that context, Dust Maker’s photograph is more than a portrait in an archive. It is a record of a Ponca man present in his homeland during an era that often described Native peoples as disappearing, even as Native communities continued to live, adapt, and carry their cultures forward.

The Ponca people are still here, maintaining community, memory, language efforts, and connections to the Niobrara River region.

What Indigenous story, person, or community do you think more people should learn about?

20/06/2026

The richest person in human history sleeps in a home smaller than most studio apartments. 🏠 Elon Musk, with a net worth crossing $700 billion, primarily lives in a Boxabl Casita — a prefabricated 400-square-foot tiny home worth just $50,000 — parked near SpaceX's Starbase launch site in Boca Chica, Texas. The unit includes a bedroom, bathroom, living room, and kitchen. He rents it directly from SpaceX. In 2020, Musk publicly declared his goal to own no house and sold his entire real estate portfolio, saying material possessions were a distraction from his mission to reach Mars.

Researchers and psychologists who study billionaire behavior note that extreme purpose-driven individuals often detach from status symbols to protect focus and mental clarity. 🚀 Musk himself has said he needs very little and works almost all his waking hours. The Boxabl Casita, made by a Las Vegas startup, has a 100,000-unit waitlist and was designed to make housing dramatically more affordable worldwide.

Whether you admire him or question him, one truth is hard to ignore. The man building rockets to Mars is choosing to live smaller than most people reading this right now. 🌍

20/06/2026

For generations, Indigenous peoples were largely absent from Hollywood's biggest night.

When Native stories appeared on screen, they were often told without Native voices, Native perspectives, or Native participation. Even films centered on Indigenous experiences rarely brought Native communities into the spotlight.

That is why the Osage presence at the 96th Academy Awards carried such significance.

Following the success of *Killers of the Flower Moon*, members of the Osage Nation attended the Oscars wearing traditional regalia and cultural attire that reflected their identity, history, and community. Composer Scott George and fellow Osage performers were nominated for Best Original Song for "Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)," bringing the Osage language and culture to one of the world's largest entertainment stages.

The moment was about more than fashion.

It was about visibility.

For many viewers, seeing Osage citizens walk the red carpet in traditional blankets, ribbon work, moccasins, and other culturally significant items represented something rarely seen in mainstream entertainment: Indigenous people presenting themselves on their own terms.

The significance becomes even clearer when viewed through history.

For decades, Native Americans were frequently portrayed through stereotypes or excluded entirely from major Hollywood recognition. In 1973, Marlon Brando famously declined his Academy Award in solidarity with Native Americans and to protest Hollywood's treatment of Indigenous peoples.

More than fifty years later, the Osage Nation was not standing outside the conversation.

They were at its center.

Their presence reminded audiences that Indigenous cultures are not relics of the past. They are living, evolving communities whose stories continue to shape the present.

The red carpet may have been designed for celebrities.

But for one evening, it also became a place where culture, identity, and history walked proudly in full view of the world.

What Indigenous film, actor, or storyteller do you think has had the greatest impact on representation in recent years?

20/06/2026

Treaty relationships have been a central part of Canada's history for more than a century.

Now, Treaty 6, Treaty 7, and Treaty 8 Chiefs have taken the unusual step of calling for investigations into Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and members of the Alberta government, arguing that recent actions may have violated treaty obligations and raised broader constitutional concerns.

The resolution was passed unanimously by Treaty Chiefs during a June 2025 Assembly of Treaty Chiefs meeting held on Treaty 7 territory in Calgary.

According to the Chiefs, their concerns include Alberta's separatist referendum discussions, questions surrounding consultation with First Nations, privacy-related issues, and what they describe as potential risks involving foreign influence. The Chiefs have requested that the RCMP and the Auditor General examine whether any actions warrant investigation under Canadian law.

The resolution comes shortly after an Alberta court ruling that found the province had failed to adequately consult First Nations regarding a proposed separatist citizen initiative. Alberta's government has since appealed that decision.

Premier Danielle Smith rejected the allegations and dismissed suggestions that her government had engaged in conduct amounting to treason.

The development has attracted attention because of its historical context. Journalist Brandi Morin noted that accusations of treason have historically been directed at Indigenous leaders such as Louis Riel, Big Bear, and Poundmaker. Seeing First Nations leaders call for a treason investigation into an elected provincial government marks a notable reversal of that historical pattern.

At this stage, no findings have been made and no criminal charges have been announced. The RCMP has stated that it is aware of the request and is reviewing the Chiefs' statement but has not provided further comment.

Whatever one's view of Alberta's political direction, the resolution highlights the continuing importance of treaty relationships and the expectation among First Nations that governments honor consultation and treaty obligations.

The story is ultimately about more than politics.

It is about how treaties are understood, respected, and upheld in the present day.

What role do you think treaties should play in shaping government decisions today?

19/06/2026

A stretch of protected land along the Texas Gulf Coast has become the center of a growing dispute between conservation groups, Indigenous advocates, and one of the world's most ambitious space companies.

A coalition of environmental and Indigenous organizations has filed a lawsuit challenging a proposed land exchange that would transfer approximately 715 acres from the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge to SpaceX. In return, SpaceX would transfer roughly 683 acres of privately owned land to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Supporters of the proposal argue that the exchange would improve habitat management by consolidating land ownership and reducing fragmented parcels. Federal officials concluded that the swap would provide an overall conservation benefit and would not cause significant impacts to wildlife, wetlands, cultural resources, or public safety.

Opponents see the situation very differently.

The groups behind the lawsuit argue that public conservation land should remain protected and that the refuge provides important habitat for wildlife, including endangered species such as the ocelot. They also point to concerns about the effects of rocket launches and testing activities, including noise, lighting, and debris that can affect nearby ecosystems.

The controversy also involves history and cultural heritage.

Part of the land is associated with the Palmito Ranch Battlefield National Historic Landmark, recognized as the site of the final battle of the American Civil War. Critics argue that transferring portions of the area to private ownership could complicate preservation efforts and potentially affect future public access.

At its core, the dispute reflects a broader question facing many communities today.

How should society balance technological advancement with environmental protection, historic preservation, and cultural stewardship?

The expansion of commercial spaceflight promises innovation, jobs, and scientific progress. At the same time, many communities are asking whether development should proceed when it affects protected landscapes, sensitive habitats, or places of historical and cultural significance.

The courts will ultimately determine the legality of this particular land exchange.

But the debate itself reflects a larger conversation about what should be protected, what can be developed, and how those decisions should be made.

Do you think protected public lands should ever be exchanged for private development projects if officials determine there is an overall conservation benefit?

19/06/2026

Accountability belongs to the people who commit crimes, not to their relatives.

Model and activist Quannah ChasingHorse recently spoke out after some people attempted to associate her with the actions of her biological father, Nathan Chasing Horse, who was convicted of serious crimes.

In response, Quannah stated:

“People are shifting the narrative and focusing on me, rather than the man who committed the crimes.”

Her comments highlight a reality many families face when a relative becomes involved in criminal wrongdoing. Public attention can sometimes extend beyond the individual responsible, placing scrutiny on people who had no role in the actions being condemned.

For many Indigenous communities, the conversation also touches on broader issues surrounding victim support, accountability, and the importance of ensuring that responsibility remains with the perpetrator rather than being transferred to family members.

Advocates have emphasized that survivors deserve support, while relatives who were not involved deserve to be judged by their own actions and character.

The discussion serves as a reminder that accountability is personal. Responsibility belongs to those who commit harm, not to the family members who happen to share their name.

What are your thoughts on separating an individual’s actions from those of their relatives?

19/06/2026

History has a new champion.

Patrick No Runner, a freshman golfer from Broadus High School and a citizen of the Blackfeet and Northern Cheyenne Nations, has become the first Native American male to win a Montana High School Association state golf championship.

Competing at the 2026 MHSA Class C Boys State Championship in Shelby, Montana, No Runner entered the final round tied for the lead before shooting an even-par 72 to secure the title. His two-day score of 146 (74-72) earned him an eight-stroke victory and placed his name in Montana golf history.

His achievement has been celebrated across Montana and throughout Indian Country. The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council recognized his dedication and praised the example he is setting for Indigenous youth, noting that his success demonstrates what can be accomplished through hard work, discipline, and perseverance.

What makes the accomplishment even more remarkable is that Patrick is only getting started. Soon after capturing the state championship, he fired a 71 at an Optimist International qualifier, earning opportunities to compete in additional high-level junior golf events and continuing an impressive season.

For generations, Indigenous athletes have excelled in sports while often receiving limited recognition for their accomplishments. Patrick No Runner's historic victory is another reminder that talent exists in every community and that barriers continue to be broken by a new generation of Native athletes.

This is more than a championship.

It is a milestone that will inspire young golfers across Indian Country to believe that they belong on every course, in every tournament, and at every level of competition.

Which Indigenous athlete has inspired you the most?

19/06/2026

On June 17, 1876, along Rosebud Creek in what was then Montana Territory, U.S. Brigadier General George Crook’s column encountered a large force of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors. Crook had been moving north with more than 1,000 soldiers, along with Crow and Shoshone scouts, as part of a broader military campaign against Native nations who had not come onto reservations.

The battle that followed became known as the Battle of the Rosebud. Lakota leader Crazy Horse, known in Lakota as Tȟašúŋke Witkó, played a central role in the fighting. Estimates of the Native force vary, but accounts describe warriors using the ridges, ravines, and open ground with speed and coordination, preventing Crook’s command from advancing as planned.

The fighting lasted for hours. Crook’s forces were not destroyed, but they were stopped. After the battle, Crook withdrew and did not continue north to join other U.S. Army columns. That decision had major consequences. Just eight days later, the 7th Cavalry under George Armstrong Custer attacked a large village near the Little Bighorn River and was defeated.

Because the Little Bighorn became so widely remembered, the Rosebud has often received less attention in popular history. Yet for Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho people, it remains part of a larger story of homeland defense, military skill, and resistance during a period of intense pressure from U.S. expansion and reservation policies.

The Battle of the Rosebud is also remembered by the Northern Cheyenne as “Where the Girl Saved Her Brother,” honoring Buffalo Calf Road Woman, who rode into the fighting to rescue her brother. Her story is an important reminder that Native histories include many voices and acts of courage often left out of mainstream accounts.

What other lesser-known Indigenous histories from this era do you think deserve more attention?

19/06/2026

On June 12, U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley in Boston issued a preliminary injunction ordering the U.S. Interior Department to restore interpretive exhibits and signs at National Park System sites that had been removed since May 2025, including displays related to slavery and climate change.

The order also bars the administration from removing additional interpretive materials while the case continues. In her ruling, Judge Kelley described the removals as creating “a dangerous precedent of censorship and sanitization.”

The lawsuit was brought by the National Parks Conservation Association and five other groups. They argued that removing these materials withheld important historical and scientific context from public lands visited by millions of people each year.

National parks are often described as places of natural beauty, but they are also places of memory. Many park sites sit within the homelands of Indigenous Nations and include histories tied to Native stewardship, colonization, forced removal, treaty rights, slavery, migration, labor, conservation, and environmental change. How these stories are presented shapes how visitors understand the land and the people connected to it.

This ruling is not a final decision in the case. It is a preliminary injunction, meaning the court has ordered the materials restored and further removals paused while litigation moves forward. The administration may continue to contest the lawsuit.

For now, the signs and exhibits covered by the order are to be put back in place, and the broader debate over how public lands tell public history continues.

What role do you think national parks should play in teaching the full history of the lands they protect?

19/06/2026

Congratulations to Deb Haaland on winning the Democratic nomination for Governor of New Mexico.

A citizen of the Laguna Pueblo, Haaland has already broken barriers throughout her career—becoming one of the first Native American women elected to Congress and the first Indigenous person to serve as U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

With her primary victory, she now advances to the general election in November and moves one step closer to another historic milestone. If elected, she would become New Mexico’s first Native American governor and the first Native American woman elected governor of a U.S. state.

For many Indigenous communities, her campaign represents more than politics. It reflects decades of Native leadership, resilience, and the growing presence of Indigenous voices in positions of influence across the country.

Congratulations, Deb Haaland.

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