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- By Native News Online Staff
Join Levi Rickert, publisher of Native News Online on Native Bidaské, this Friday at 12 p.m. ET as he interviews special guest Jonathan Nez, former president of the Navajo Nation and current congressional candidate.
Learn about Nez's motivations for running for Congress and how his leadership experience can benefit the diverse communities in Arizona's second congressional district.
Nez, born in Tuba City, Arizona, and raised in Shonto, is a dedicated public servant from the Navajo Nation. With a diverse clan background, he began his career at 29 and served as Vice President and later President of the Navajo Nation. During his presidency, Nez led through the COVID-19 pandemic, securing funds for healthcare and veteran homes, and improving infrastructure. He overcame personal struggles, including alcohol addiction, and is committed to commonsense problem-solving in Washington. Nez prioritizes government reform, job creation, cost reduction, veteran support, and individual rights. He resides in Flagstaff with his family.
Tune in to learn more about Nez's response to the dysfunction in Washington, DC, his decision to run for Congress, the importance of tribal unity and Native American voting power in the upcoming election, and Nez's perspective on the state of democracy in the U.S. and his commitment to bipartisanship. Nez also addresses voter suppression concerns and the need for community empowerment.
Don't miss this crucial conversation! Tune in LIVE this Friday, January 26th, 2024, at 12 p.m. ET on Native News Online's Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube channel.
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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.
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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.
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Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
