The current understanding of ‘hate groups’ excludes those who undermine tribal rights and sovereignty.
Anna V. Smith
Anna V. Smith is an associate editor of High Country News. She writes and edits stories on tribal sovereignty and environmental justice for the Indigenous Affairs desk from Oregon.
Posted inAugust 31, 2018: The Big Threat to Bighorns
The next Supreme Court pick could shape Indian law for decades
The highest court in the land holds legal power over tribal nations, but it lacks knowledge of tribal law.
Posted inJune 11, 2018: Reclaiming the Klamath
How the Yurok Tribe is reclaiming the Klamath River
For the first time, the largest tribe in California has one of its own to lead its legal battles.
Posted inArticles
As Oregon’s midterms approach, divided sides dig in
The right and the ‘resistance’ are doubling down after the election of Donald Trump.
Posted inArticles
Bureau of Indian Affairs director resigns
As the agency navigates turbulent times, its leadership changes hands.
Posted inApril 16, 2018: Cashing in on Standing Rock
By the numbers: harassment in the Interior Department
Findings from the department’s survey.
Posted inApril 16, 2018: Cashing in on Standing Rock
Harassment pervades the Bureau of Indian Affairs
One of the oldest agencies in the Department of Interior appears to have some of its worst harassment problems.
Posted inFebruary 5, 2018: Caught Between Crises
What Northwestern tribes say about the Jordan Cove pipeline
Under Trump, the natural gas pipeline gets a third chance.
Posted inFebruary 5, 2018: Caught Between Crises
Latest: Long-term noise pollution gives birds PTSD
New research links natural gas compressors with physical impacts on birds.
Posted inFebruary 5, 2018: Caught Between Crises
Latest: Another lease on life for the Salton Sea?
Now that water deliveries have ended, it’s a race for a solution.
Posted inDecember 11, 2017: Scorched Earth
In a burning West, wildfire smoke threatens public health
Montana hospitals handled an increase of respiratory-related problems this year.
Posted inDecember 25, 2017: Bear Essentials
What Trump’s Supreme Court pick holds for Indian Country
Neil Gorsuch’s background in Indian law and Western issues could be useful to tribal litigants.
Posted inNovember 27, 2017: Profit and Politics
How states generate money from the land they own
From Arizona to Oregon, states have different tactics to make money off their state trust lands.
Posted inArticles
A ‘war on the Republican establishment’ comes West
Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon aims to unseat incumbents in the 2018 midterms.
Posted inArticles
A Northwest tribal sovereignty battle, centered on culverts
21 tribal nations wait to see if the Supreme Court will hear a decades-old case about salmon.
Posted inArticles
What is the Indian Health Service?
The Indian Health Service, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides health services to federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes. The agency focuses on school nutrition and exercise programs, education about diabetes and obesity, injury prevention, and treatment for mental health issues and substance abuse. With about 15,000 employees, […]
Posted inArticles
What is the U.S. Geological Survey?
The U.S. Geological Survey was created in 1879 to map the land and waters of the United States. Part of the Department of the Interior, today it also focuses on conducting scientific research and developing new methods and tools. The USGS gathers data on climate change, groundwater, natural ecosystems, oil, gas and renewable energy and […]
Posted inArticles
What is the National Park Service?
Founded in 1916 as part of the Interior Department, the National Park Service oversees 417 units on over 84 million acres. That includes national parks as well as national monuments, historic landmarks, heritage areas, wild and scenic rivers and 44 million acres of designated wilderness. Its budget in 2016 was $3 billion, but it needs […]
Posted inArticles
What is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
Part of the Interior Department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is primarily responsible for conserving the nation’s flora and fauna. It manages 850 million acres of water and land in the National Wildlife Refuge System, which provides hunting, fishing and wildlife-watching opportunities. The agency also oversees fish hatcheries, enforces federal wildlife laws and manages […]
Posted inArticles
What is the Bureau of Reclamation?
The Bureau of Reclamation, part of the Interior Department, manages water conservation and delivery, flood control, drought response and rural water projects. It helped Western homesteaders in the early 20th century by providing water to farmers and ranchers through dams, irrigation and reservoirs. Today, it delivers water to one in five farmers in the Western […]