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Tag: alaska natives

  • Raising Voices for Incarcerated Native Peoples and Defending Indigenous Traditions

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    On September 3, 2025, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)—represented by the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) and general counsel—along with Huy and the United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund (USET SPF)—represented by Hobbs, Straus, Dean, and Walker LLP and general counsel—filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court. The brief argues for strong legal remedies for individuals whose religious freedoms are violated while incarcerated. Filed in Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections, the brief supports Mr. Landor, a practicing Rastafarian who was forced to cut his dreadlocks while in a Louisiana prison.

    For many Native Peoples, wearing unshorn hair is a sacred and longstanding religious tradition. It is not only a spiritual practice in itself but is often a prerequisite for participating in other religious ceremonies. Historically, the forced cutting of hair was one of the many violent methods used to impose federal assimilation policies on Native Peoples between the late 19th and mid-20th centuries.

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    Today, more than 29,500 American Indians and Alaska Natives are incarcerated in the United States. Enabling religious expression among incarcerated Native individuals is linked to better rehabilitation outcomes and a lower risk of recidivism. Forced haircuts imposed by prison officials deprive many Native inmates of a core aspect of their identity and place an undue burden on their ability to practice their religion. This practice is particularly harmful given its deep association with historical efforts to erase Native identity and suppress Indigenous spiritual traditions.

    “As we see in Mr. Landor’s case, some of the most upsetting religious injuries suffered by incarcerated people are inflicted by the individuals who supervise them on a day-to-day basis. Recognizing that the law provides for financial damages in lawsuits against those individuals can help prevent unlawful conduct and protect religious freedom, which can be important for people seeking to live full, healthy lives,” said NARF Staff Attorney Sydney Tarzwell.

    The National Congress of American Indians is the oldest and largest national organization advocating on behalf of American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Huy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing religious, cultural, and rehabilitative opportunities for incarcerated American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. USET SPF is a nonprofit inter-Tribal organization representing 33 federally recognized Tribal Nations from the Northeastern Woodlands to the Everglades and along the Gulf of Mexico. Its mission includes strengthening Tribal Nations, increasing Tribal governmental capacity, and enhancing the quality of life for Native peoples.

    About the Author: “Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. “

    Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net

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  • Monkeypox Case Rates 5 Times Higher in Black Americans

    Monkeypox Case Rates 5 Times Higher in Black Americans

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    Oct. 7, 2022 — Monkeypox cases in the U.S. disproportionately affect Black Americans, with rates five times higher than among white peers, according to a new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

    Hispanic Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders also have significantly higher rates of reported monkeypox cases.

    “Disparities in cases persist among Black and Hispanic people, a pattern also seen with HIV and COVID-19,” KFF wrote.

    The analysis was based on CDC data for 68% of monkeypox cases reported in the U.S. as of Sept. 23. Monkeypox case rates are:

    • 14.4 per 100,000 people among Black Americans
    • 10 per 100,000 people among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
    • 8.3 per 100,000 people among Hispanic Americans
    • 3 per 100,000 people among Asian Americans
    • 2.8 per 100,000 people among American Indians and Alaska Natives
    • 2.6 per 100,000 people among white Americans

    Overall, Black Americans account for the largest share of monkeypox cases, and both Black and Hispanic Americans account for a larger share of cases. About 70% of cases are among people of color, while people of color account for 40% of the U.S. population.

    The monkeypox outbreak in the U.S. appears to be slowing down, KFF wrote, reaching a peak in August and declining in September. However, new cases among Black Americans began to exceed those among white Americans in early August. Although those cases are now declining, the numbers continue to remain higher.

    In addition, Black and Hispanic Americans have received smaller shares of monkeypox vaccines, the report found. As of Sept. 27, 51% of first doses have gone to white Americans, although they represent 30% of cases. In contrast, Black Americans have received 13% of first doses despite accounting for about 35% of cases. Similarly, Hispanic Americans have received 22% of first doses, while they account for 30% of cases.

    “The lower shares of vaccinations among these groups may in part explain why they have had higher numbers of new cases and complicate efforts to address disparities moving forward,” KFF wrote.

    The U.S. has reported 26,385 monkeypox cases during the current outbreak, according to the latest CDC data. More than 70,000 cases and 27 deaths have been reported worldwide.

    KFF noted the ongoing challenge of tracking the outbreak due to data limitations around testing and vaccination. For instance, race and ethnicity data is missing for 32% of reported cases and 9% of vaccinations. Without data, researchers aren’t able to conduct an analysis of disparities across multiple factors, such as race and ethnicity, sex, gender identity, and risk.

    “As has been seen with HIV and COVID-19, underlying structural inequities place people of color at increased risk for public health threats, and focused efforts will be key to minimizing and preventing further disparities going forward,” KFF wrote. “While the federal government has begun piloting efforts to reach communities of color with MPX vaccines in order to address disparities, it is unclear if such efforts will be enough to stave off further disproportionate impact, and much will also depend on what state and local jurisdictions do.”

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