- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
Join Levi Rickert, founder of Native News Online, as he interviews Deborah Parker, CEO of National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS), activist, and Indigenous leader, about the impactful documentary “Missing From Fire Trail Road,” premiering on June 8th, 2024.
About the Film:
“Missing From Fire Trail Road” explores the tragic case of Mary Ellen Johnson-Davis, who disappeared from the Tulalip Reservation in 2020. Directed by Sabrina Van Tassel, the documentary sheds light on the epidemic of missing Indigenous women in the U.S., featuring voices like Deborah Parker and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. It highlights the urgent need to address this ongoing crisis and its effects on Native communities.
About Deborah Parker:
Deborah Parker “tsicyaltsa” (she/her) is a respected leader from the Tulalip Tribes with over 25 years of advocacy experience. As CEO of NABS, she works tirelessly to uplift Indigenous ways of life. Some of her accomplishments include:
- Leading NABS as Director of Policy and Advocacy since 2021
- Organizing the “We Love You” Elders Care packages during the pandemic
- Helping pass the Violence Against Women Act in 2013
Parker’s work in policy, education, and Indigenous rights has been recognized across North America. Don’t miss this insightful discussion and the documentary’s premiere, highlighting crucial issues and advocating for justice.
Tune in to Native Bidaské LIVE this Friday, June 7th at 12 Noon ET on Native News Online's Facebook, X (Twitter), or YouTube channel.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Protests Greet Western Governors in Santa Fe
Red Hoop Talk: Native Stories, Real Conversations
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
