This year, we will observe Native American Day at the Capitol on May 13th and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Day at the Capitol on May 5th.

Both days will be formally recognized by our legislators, and the Capitol and Governor’s Mansion will be illuminated in honor of these observances. In addition, we will focus on virtual awareness efforts to pay tribute to the lives of Indigenous women and girls lost to violence while celebrating the strength, culture, and heritage of Native communities.

In alignment with this commitment, I plan to host our first MMIWG Council meeting on May 5th at the Capitol. A calendar invite will be sent to council members by the end of the week as we take this crucial step forward in advancing this important work.

Due to an intense legislative session, we will not host a full day of activities at the Capitol this year. However, these observances remain key opportunities for engagement:

• Network with legislators,
• Observe legislative sessions,
• Take photos with strategically placed signage in the Capitol lobby, and
• Meet with me and our policy advisors to share updates or discuss pressing matters.

As we approach these significant dates, I will share flyers, videos, and other materials to help spread awareness. Should you have any additional ideas or would like to do something in specifics please let me know.

Thank you for your continued dedication!

The Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) is offering Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trainings at no cost to you. These trainings are available in both Adult and Youth formats and done virtually.   

As part of ongoing efforts to improve the wellbeing of all Louisiana’s citizens, one of the goals of the SHIP is to increase the number of individuals trained in Mental Health First Aid.

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AIANTA is committed to education and developing future Indigenous tourism leaders. To support this mission, AIANTA offers the Tourism & Hospitality Scholarship, providing $2,000 per academic year to American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students pursuing degrees in hospitality, tourism, recreation, culinary arts, casino management, museum studies, fine art, marketing, business management, or related fields.

Each year, five students who meet all eligibility criteria will be awarded financial assistance. Applicants must be enrolled in a federally recognized tribe and pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in a relevant field. You submitted an application for last term, and I would encourage you to reapply for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The application deadline is April 25, 2025. Students can apply at https://www.aianta.org/scholarships.

Please share this opportunity with Native American students. For more information, visit www.aianta.org or reach out with any questions.

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