Nika Bartoo-Smith

‘Storm Before The Calm:’ The Making of Tribal Canoe Journeys - Underscore Native News Preparation for the annual voyage across the Salish Sea requires an entire year of preparation with the highs and lows following.

Ahead of the two weeks of strenuous paddling and celebration protocols, canoe families begin preparations months before the canoe ever even touches the water.

🔗 : www.underscore.news/culture/stor...
✍️ : @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social for Underscore Native News + ICT and Carrie Johnson

Yurok Tribe Celebrates Largest Land Back Deal in California History - Underscore Native News The over 47,000 acres of ancestral lands double Yurok’s land holdings and includes the Blue Creek Salmon Sanctuary.

“This project exemplifies the power of partnership, showcasing how conservation efforts and the land back movement can come together to benefit the rivers, fish, wildlife and people of an entire landscape.”

✍️: @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social UNN + ICT

A cycle of tumultuous firings & political neglect has reduced Portland's Tribal Relations office to a shadow of its former self.

Indigenous Portlanders & Tribal officials see an opportunity to get the program back on track, if the city is willing to listen.

My story w/ @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social

PGE Court Battle Nears Conclusion Over Land Rights at Willamette Falls   - Underscore Native News Judge preparing to issue written decision in trial that seeks to settle a yearslong land ownership dispute between Portland General Electric and the Oregon Department of State Lands that centers aroun...

In a joint statement the Yakama, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Siletz nations outlined their support of PGE during this trial and in seeking condemnation of the property.

🔗: www.underscore.news/justice/pge-...
✍️: @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social for UNN + ICT

Underscore on XRAY: 'Release The Pain We Carry' Scenes from MMIR Day of Awareness and Action - Underscore On XRAY /// XRAY.fm Welcome to Underscore on X-RAY. This is a collaboration between X RAY and local publication Underscore Native News. Tune in every other Tuesday at 8:45 a.m. Underscore produces...

Joined X-RAY fm this past week to talk about reporting on MMIR Day of Awareness.
www.xray.fm/broadcasts/6...

‘Release the Pain We Carry:’ Scenes from MMIR Day of Awareness and Action - Underscore Native News Underscore spent the day documenting images and interviews in Portland, where crowds gathered to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives by raising awareness with signs and speakers while prov...

‘Release the Pain We Carry:’ Scenes from MMIR Day of Awareness and Action.

✍️: @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social UNN+ICT
📸 : @jarrette-werk.bsky.social UNN + RFA

UNN Youth Profiles Series ✨

Meet Kazsia Connelly an aspiring actress and screenwriter from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.

📰: www.underscore.news/people-profi...

New Center Providing Comprehensive Youth Services Opens in Spokane - Underscore Native News The NATIVE Project, serving the Indigenous community and beyond in the Spokane region, celebrated the opening of its Children and Youth Services Center in March.

The NATIVE Project introduced a new four-story children’s health center in Spokane, a crowning achievement for an organization that started with $100 nearly 40 years ago.

✍️: @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social for Underscore Native News + Indian Country Today

A ‘Decolonized Approach’ to Law - Underscore Native News Molly Washington started her own law firm, N’dee Law LLC, in 2024 and hopes to use her practice to bring an Indigenized lens to law and inspire future generations of Indigenous law practitioners.

“I am ancestor guided and I ask Creator almost every day to illuminate my path,” Washington said. “And then I will walk it, without question.”

📰: www.underscore.news/people-profi...
✍️: @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social UNN+ICT

Healing through Song: Culture as Medicine - Underscore Native News Ten years ago, Aldo Garcia (Puxtunxt), a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, almost lost custody of his children after going to court for a DUI charge. While on his journey to sobr...

Here’s the piece:

www.underscore.news/people-profi...

Healing through Song: Culture as Medicine - Underscore Native News Ten years ago, Aldo Garcia (Puxtunxt), a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, almost lost custody of his children after going to court for a DUI charge. While on his journey to sobr...

Connection to the Native American Washut faith and culture has been an essential part of a decade of sobriety.

“My sobriety journey didn’t start until I was 38 years old. That’s when I had a choice of losing my kids forever, or actually doing sobriety.”

✍️: @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social UNN/ICT

Healing through song: Culture as medicine Ten years ago, Aldo Garcia (Puxtunxt), a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, almost lost custody of his children after going to court for a DUI charge. While on his journey to sobr...

I had the most incredible time last week at OPB for NPR's Next Generation Radio. I spent the week learning about audio journalism, creating a piece I am so proud of.

Shout out to so many people who worked to make this possible.

opb2025.nextgenradio.org/moments-of-t...

I am beyond excited to welcome Christine Trudeau to the Underscore Native News team!

Finding Strength in Vulnerability - Underscore Native News Artist Kitana Connelly, citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, hopes to create spaces for healing and creativity through her art book “Sacred Flow: Creativity as Medicine” and by opening u...

Kitana Connelly, citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, hopes to create spaces for healing and creativity through her art book “Sacred Flow: Creativity as Medicine.”

Read the full article below!

✍️: @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social
📸 : @jarrette-werk.bsky.social

Native Nations Mobilize Against ICE Targeting and Profiling - Underscore Native News Native Nations across Turtle Island are working to ensure their citizens’ safety amid widespread reports of Indigenous people being racially profiled, stopped, questioned, and mistakenly detained for ...

Native Nations across Turtle Island are working to ensure their citizens’ safety amid rising reports of Indigenous people being racially profiled, stopped, questioned, and mistakenly detained for undocumented immigrants.

📰: shorturl.at/JOlRj
✍️: Luna Reyna, UNN/ICT

Underscore Native News - Underscore Native News Recent Stories Staff Favorites justice Land Connect Underscore Native News is a nonprofit, and we rely on the support of readers like you to make our mission a reality. Help us amplify and underscore ...

Here at Underscore we produces Indigenous-centered journalism that illuminates the intersections of sovereignty and justice and portrays the rich diversity of Native communities in the Pacific Northwest. Follow us or visit our website at www.underscore.news

I was recently highlighted in the University of Oregon, Robert D. Clark Honors College alumni newsletter, covering my career in journalism. It feels strange to be in an article, not writing one, but honored to have been approached.

honors.uoregon.edu/news/2025/1/...

Siletz Celebrate Historic Land Back Deal - Underscore Native News Tribe’s focus will be restoration, preservation and cultural uses like first foods for the 2,000-acre site at the base of Table Rocks in Southern Oregon.

From earlier this month:

www.underscore.news/land/siletz-...

Flatlining Salmon and Steelhead Numbers in Columbia Basin Both a Success and Cautionary Tale - Underscore Native News A December report from the Northwest Power and Conservation Council shows a rolling 10-year average return of 2.3 million adult salmon and steelhead to the Columbia River Basin annually, higher than t...

Hey Bluesky! Read my latest piece about salmon and steelhead numbers in the Columbia River Basin.

www.underscore.news/land/flatlin...