Shondiin Silversmith

‼️ANNOUNCEMENT‼️
Diné College Press is recruiting volunteer advisors to help draft its mission, vision & purpose statements. Open to Diné scholars, educators, artists, writers, journalists, students & community members. Apply by Dec 1. Send a short statement + resume to shonsilversmith@dinecollege.edu

‘Indigenous lives matter’: Arizona’s Turquoise Alert for missing Indigenous people goes live The Turquoise Alert for missing Indigenous or endangered persons is now officially online, offering a vital tool to assist law enforcement

“Seconds count any time an Arizonan goes missing, a fact that our Native communities know all too well.”

story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

'We won': Navajo Nation lifts all evacuations as Oak Ridge Fire nears containment Oak Ridge Fire evacuations lifted as Navajo Nation families return home to burned landscape after 11,000-acre blaze

“We didn’t lose anyone. We did not lose any structures. We won.”

story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

With the Oak Ridge Fire mostly contained, the work shifts to the 'tough' job of recovery Oak Ridge Fire reaches 87% containment as Navajo Nation lifts evacuations after 11,000-acre blaze near Window Rock capital

“We’re only five people strong as officials and staff — but with the volunteers, that has allowed us to account for who is going to handle the food distribution and care packages.”

story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

‘Part of our culture’: Navajo Nation’s Oak Ridge Fire response includes livestock As the Oak Ridge Fire continued to spread southwest of the Navajo Nation capital last week, families living in the fire’s path not only scrambled to save what they could from their homes, but many als...

“A lot of families are going to receive their sheep back better than they brought them in.”

story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

Hundreds evacuated as wildfire near Navajo Nation capital grows to nearly 10,000 acres Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes near the Oak Ridge Fire, near Window Rock on the Navajo Nation.

Hundreds have been evacuated as a wildfire near the Navajo Nation capital grows to nearly 10,000 acres. The fire is 0% contained. Wind and dry conditions are a major factor in its spread. Multiple communities within the fire areas are under evacuation orders.
azmirror.com/2025/07/01/h...

Tohono O’odham PD takes mandatory training on missing and murdered Indigenous peoples Standing in front of a room full of Tohono O’odham police officers, April Ignaico asked who was familiar with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement. Three of the 15 officers raised their ...

April Ignacio asked the room of Tohono O’odham police officers who was familiar with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement. Just 3 of the 15 officers raised their hands.

story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

Opponents call GOP public lands sell-off a violation of tribal sovereignty and treaties Tribal nations demand consultation on public lands sell-off plans, warning of threats to sovereignty and ancestral homelands

“As Native peoples, we don’t see our precious resources as dollar bills. We are caretakers of these lands, with a responsibility to protect and manage them sustainably for generations to come.”

story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

'Absolutely revolting' church play depicting Navajo medicine man in hell sparks outrage Navajo woman demands apology after Gallup church play depicts medicine man condemned to hell in viral video

“Let’s do a purification. I’ll purify your soul in the fiery pits of hell. Demons, take this pedophile and make him suffer,” the murdered Navajo medicine man was told in the church play

story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

Phoenix Indian Center holds annual Rainbow Gathering for Two Spirit LGBTQIA+ community In a time of uncertainty and continuous attacks on the rights of LGBTQ+ people in Arizona and beyond, the Phoenix Indian Center wanted to offer the community a safe space

“Two Spirit existed before colonization and the Stonewall Riot. My ancestors were here before the colonizers."

story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

Mirror wins 3 awards for covering Arizona’s Indigenous communities | Arizona Mirror Shondiin Silversmith and the Arizona Mirror took home three awards in the Indigenous Journalists Association’s annual journalism contest

The Arizona Mirror and @diinsilversmith.bsky.social took home three awards in the Indigenous Journalists Association’s annual journalism contest

University of Arizona faculty say administrator causing severe harm to Native students UofA Native American faculty concerns lead to demands for administrator removal over student safety issues

Six professors call for removal of an assistant vice provost they say is harming Indigenous community

story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

UofA Indigenous students oppose cultural center restructuring, termination of director Native students at University of Arizona are worried after their cultural group leader was fired and replaced with someone they don't trust.

“He made sure that the well-being of the students was always at the forefront and this decision doesn’t reflect that.”

Story by @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

UofA Indigenous students oppose cultural center restructuring, termination of director Native students at University of Arizona are worried after their cultural group leader was fired and replaced with someone they don't trust.

Indigenous students at UofA have expressed safety concerns regarding leadership in the Office of Native American Initiatives for months. Now, NAI will oversee the cultural center, which offered students a safe space, and the university has fired the center's director.
azmirror.com/2025/06/05/u...

Supreme Court refuses Apache plea to save Oak Flat from copper mining destruction Supreme Court Oak Flat Apache sacred site case denied review, clearing path for Resolution Copper to transform religious site into a crater

In his dissent, Neil Gorsuch called the decision a "grave mistake" as a copper mine threatens to create massive crater on a sacred Apache site

story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

Native leaders, advocates gather for ceremonial signing of Emily's Law Indigenous leaders, advocates, and officials gathered with Gov. Katie Hobbs on May 21 for the ceremonial signing of Emily's Law.

“ We are here because the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people demands our full attention and collaboration,” said Gov. Katie Hobbs. “It demands action and it demands solutions.”

Story by @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

After a month off from reporting due to the demands of a PhD program and the necessary exams, I am back at work this week. So, what did I miss?

Tensions escalate among Navajo leaders as Nygren finally agrees to address Navajo Nation Council Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren agrees to speak Wednesday after missing four quarterly reports and ignoring a subpoena

Delegates accused Nygren of "mocking" collaboration after he skipped Monday's session despite a subpoena

story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

‘Fill in that gap’: Arizona hopes to have Missing Endangered Persons alert system live by summer For years, Indigenous families have shared their experiences of reporting a missing loved one, highlighting how it is often met with a lack of response or urgency

By summer, Arizona will be launching a Missing Endangered Persons alert, something MMIP advocates have been seeking for years

story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

San Carlos Apache tribe demands investigation into group homes after Emily Pike's murder • Arizona Mirror San Carlos Apache tribe demands investigation into Arizona group homes after 14-year-old Emily Pike fled facility and was murdered

“This crime must not go unsolved. Emily was murdered in a cruel, depraved and heinous act and the perpetrator(s) must be held accountable.”

via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

Stanton and Ansari demand return of Arizona Native heroes to Pentagon website • Arizona Mirror Native American veterans Ira Hayes and Lori Piestewa removed from Pentagon website following Trump's DEI ban, despite tribal sovereignty claims

Arizona lawmakers: Removing Hayes and Piestewa stories contradicts tribal sovereignty

via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

'We've waited too long': Bill to create an Indigenous missing persons alert wins bipartisan backing Arizona legislators advance bill creating an Arizona missing Indigenous alert system to address gaps in reporting and finding missing adults

“I can’t help but think, what if this law was in place early? Would Emily be alive today? We must act.”

via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

Tribal flags removed from Phoenix VA hospital under new federal policy • Arizona Mirror All 22 Arizona tribal flags were removed from Phoenix VA medical center as Phoenix VA tribal flags removed under new federal display policy

“Not only is this nonsensical, but it dishonors all Native American veterans and their families who have given so much to protect this country.”

via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

‘They heard us’: Indigenous advocates rally at Capitol for MMIP awareness • Arizona Mirror MMIP Arizona Capitol rally features red handprint ceremony as Indigenous advocates honor Emily Pike and demand justice for missing and murdered people

“I have three daughters. I am fighting for them.”

via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

'My dad didn't go to war for nothing': Pentagon scrubs Native American heroes from website Navajo Code Talkers removed Pentagon website under Trump's anti-DEI order sparks outrage as tribes demand restoration of Indigenous military heroes' history

One of the greatest achievements in my journalism career was profiling five Navajo Code Talkers in 2019. Now, only two remain. When one of these last living Navajo Code Talkers states that their contributions have nothing to do with DEI, people need to listen.
azmirror.com/2025/03/19/m...

'My dad didn't go to war for nothing': Pentagon scrubs Native American heroes from website Navajo Code Talkers removed Pentagon website under Trump's anti-DEI order sparks outrage as tribes demand restoration of Indigenous military heroes' history

The Department of Defense deleted websites for Navajo Code Talkers and an Iwo Jima flag raiser under Trump's order banning anything that remotely looks like DEI

via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

'Apache Strong': Mural honors slain teen Emily Pike as community demands justice Emily Pike mural unites community with hundreds of red handprints honoring the murdered 14-year-old as tribe offers $75,000 reward for information

Emily Pike's death sparks calls for justice as community places hundreds of red handprints in memorial

via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social

Who killed Sonya Cywink? A sister’s journey to find the truth | The Fifth Estate YouTube video by The Fifth Estate

I've been working on a story about Sonya and Meggie Cywink. Sonya was killed in 1994 & for the last several years, her sister Meggie Cywink has taken on the task of trying to solve her sister's murder - tracking down leads, interviewing people & piecing together the mystery of her sister's death.

Gila River Indian Community holds prayer vigil in honor of Emily Pike Family members of Emily Pike received hugs, handshakes and condolences from dozens of people during a prayer vigil hosted by the Gila River Indian Community.

“Tribal communities across the country will not let Emily’s name be forgotten. Let her memory be a call to action.”

via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social