Happy Monday!
This week is Earth Week. Wednesday, April 22, 2026, is Earth Day. Native Americans believe it is every generation’s responsibility to preserve Mother Earth for the next seven generations.
Here are some of the articles you may have missed this past weekend:
Chickasaw Cultural Center Presents Earth Day Celebration Week
The Chickasaw Cultural Center, 867 Cooper Memorial Drive, will observe Earth Day during regular business hours April 21 to 25. During this exciting weeklong event, the Chickasaw Cultural Center will host educational activities and presentations on recycling, water conservation and composting.
Daily themes and activities
Stomp dance demonstrations will take place daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Chikasha Inchokka’ Traditional Village
NCAI Raises Concerns as Washington Commanders Unveil Updated Logo and Branding
After two seasons as the “Washington Football Team,” the organization officially rebranded as the Washington Commanders in 2022. The new name was chosen to emphasize themes of leadership, strength, and a connection to Washington, D.C.’s military identity, while making a clean break from Native American imagery.
The updated logos and uniforms introduced in recent seasons are part of an ongoing effort to refine that identity. Team leadership has said the goal is to “blend past and present,” acknowledging the franchise’s history while building a more inclusive and forward-looking brand.
However, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has expressed concern about elements of the new branding. In a statement, NCAI said it “celebrated the retirement of the racist moniker” in 2020 and was encouraged by the franchise’s stated commitment to move forward. At the same time, the organization cautioned that the new alternate logo’s attempt to connect past and present “can carry an insidious message and is therefore harmful,” emphasizing that even subtle references to the former identity risk perpetuating harm.
Cherokee Nation Chief Hoskin Barred from Oklahoma House Floor After Medicaid Speech
Chuck Hoskin Jr., principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, has been barred from speaking again on the floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives following remarks in support of Medicaid expansion.
The decision came after Hoskin addressed lawmakers during Cherokee Nation Legislative Day on April 8, 2026, where he advocated for protecting Medicaid expansion in Oklahoma. His comments drew criticism from House leadership, particularly Republican Kyle Hilbert, who is the speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Hilbert said the speech crossed into political advocacy.
“What I had concern with was going on to the House floor and making a political speech,” Hilbert said, adding that Hoskin took a position “knowingly contrary to the majority” of the chamber.
Hilbert announced that Hoskin would no longer be invited to speak on the House floor, citing what he described as a pattern of “politically pointed speeches.” Despite the decision, the speaker indicated he intends to continue working with the Cherokee Nation on policy matters.
