Blog

Dallas Cowboys rookie Shiyazh Pete made history as the first member of the Navajo Nation to sign with an NFL team. His first preseason appearance brought thousands of Diné supporters together in Glendale, Arizona.

Thirty Tribal Nations share the Colorado River Basin, and many hold some of its oldest water rights. As new rules take shape in 2026, the fight is about more than water. It is about sovereignty, culture, infrastructure, and who has the authority to decide the river’s future.

Border construction in 2026 damaged an ancient O’odham geoglyph, altered a mountain sacred to Kumeyaay and Kumiai communities, and placed Lower Pecos rock art at risk. The conflict raises a difficult question: can the United States secure its border without destroying the Indigenous history it is also responsible for protecting?

Federal officials are reconsidering protections covering approximately 336,400 acres around Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The proposal could reopen federal public lands to mineral leasing and mining claims after decades of Tribal advocacy and bipartisan efforts to protect the Greater Chaco landscape.

Can tribal nations be fully sovereign if another government controls criminal jurisdiction and sacred lands? Explore Native sovereignty, Oliphant, Bears Ears, Chaco Canyon, and treaty rights.

Museum of Indigenous People Executive Director Manuel Lucero, Cherokee, was invited to provide a blessing ceremony at Prescott’s World’s Oldest Rodeo®. The moment honored Indigenous heritage, the history of the land, and the community connections that continue to shape Prescott today.

MIP celebrates the volunteers who have helped shape the museum over the years and invites new volunteers to join the mission, support museum growth, and help visitors connect with the Indigenous Cultures of the Southwest.

Learn how to handle, clean, display, and store Native pottery, jewelry, figurines, baskets, beadwork, textiles, and other cultural works without damaging their materials or meaning.

The Museum of Indigenous People was honored to receive an $11,550 one-time grant from 100 Men Who Care of Yavapai County. The award followed a Prescott community giving event where local nonprofits shared their work and attendees voted to support one organization.

The Museum of Indigenous People’s journey is one of reflection, accountability, and renewal. In a recent Flagstaff Business News feature, Executive Director Manuel Lucero discusses the museum’s evolution — from acknowledging its complex origins to strengthening partnerships with Native communities. The article highlights ongoing efforts to preserve Indigenous history while building a future centered on authenticity, education, and cultural integrity.