Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

September 8, 2026

Mohawk Nation News 'Akwesasne Mohawks Oppose US Senate Bill 3475 to Claim NYS'


AKWESASNE MOHAWKS OPPOSE US SENATE BILL 3475 TO CLAIM NYS
Posted on September 7, 2026 by Shé:kon
Mohawk Nation News


MNN. SEP. 7, 2026. U.S. SENATE BILL 3475 IS A PIECE OF LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN THE 119TH CONGRESS TO AUTHORIZE, RATIFY, AND CONFIRM THE AGREEMENT OF SETTLEMENT AND COMPROMISE RATIFYING THE AKWESASNE MOHAWK LAND CLAIM IN NORTHERN NEW YORK STATE.



Press Release Statement Opposing S.3475 Published July 28, 2026 Modified July 28, 2026

We are here today in the spirit of the Two Row Wampum, a concept that predates European settlement on this continent, but is the first treaty made by our ancestors with yours. We are not to interfere with one another’s affairs. Therefore our presence with you today is not to interfere with your affairs, it is to ensure that Bill S.3475 does not interfere with ours. We are here on behalf of Kanien’kehá:ka-Mohawk / Haudenosaunee Governance and Our Future Generations due to our responsibility for the land. Honourable Senators, representatives, officials, relatives, and all those gathered here today: We come before you with respect, humility, and a heavy responsibility; not as your constituents – as Kanien’kehá:ka-Mohawk Nation title holders of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. We are here today to oppose the proposed Land Claim Settlement Agreement that would have adverse effects on our Indigenous system of governance, which predates the formation of both the U.S. and Canada. We speak today for the land, the water, the people, the women, the children, for the families, the hereditary leaders, the clans, the ancestors, and for the generations not yet born. We ask you to listen not only with your legal minds, but with your conscience. Because the matter before you is not only a bill before your legislature, this settlement would have long-reaching detrimental impacts.

September 4, 2026

Epstein Survivor Describes Sex Trafficking by Tucson Border Patrol -- While Agents Seize Tohono O'odham Land for Border Wall Construction

Epstein Survivor Describes Sex Trafficking by Tucson Border Patrol -- While Agents Seize Tohono O'odham Land for Border Wall Construction

Photo by Tucson Border Patrol

An Epstein survivor describes the child sex trafficking of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Tucson, where she was a victim. She said detainees are being tortured to death during "trafficking tourism." At the same time, Tucson Border Patrol agents, heavily armed, are preventing Tohono O'odham tribal police from entering their own land to issue citations to border wall contractors. Meanwhile, the media has ignored a cartel witness from Sinaloa, Mexico, who described the trafficking of young girls in the Epstein files. 

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, Sept. 4, 2026

TUCSON -- It is one of the best kept secrets in the Epstein files.

Only one newspaper, in Mexico, reported it.

An FBI protected witness called TS-47, a former cartel operative in Sinaloa, Mexico, said the cartel provided Epstein with girls, 14 to 16 years old, who were trafficked through Laredo, Texas. The cartel operative said he provided girls to Epstein in the U.S. and Caribbean. The arrangements for the girls for "marketing parties" for investors were made at a New Jersey golf course. The current president of the U.S. is implicated, Excelsior reports.

This week, an Epstein survivor described how U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Tucson were sex trafficking children as young as 9 years old.

September 2, 2026

Bulldozers Crushing Nature's Life near Tohono O'odham's Sacred Springs


Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is being bulldozed for a second border wall. Bulldozers are 0.7 miles from Quitobaquito Springs. Photo from video by Russ McSpadden, Center for Biological Diversity.

Bulldozers Crushing Nature's Life near Tohono O'odham's Sacred Springs

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, September 2, 2026

Bulldozers are now crushing the life of the natural world on Organ Pipe Cactus National Park, 0.7 miles from the sacred ceremonial place of O'odham, Quitobaquito Springs. It is home to three endangered species, a pupfish, a snail, and a mud turtle.

One Land Defender Turns Military Around at 'No Border Wall' Tree Sit in Lochiel, Arizona


One Land Defender Turns Military Around at 'No Border Wall' Tree Sit in Lochiel, Arizona

One land defender turned around a bunch of military, National Guard, today, with a cop rented helicopter coming to the rescue. At the end of the day, the land defenders are still there. Great work KPFA Radio on the ground. O'odham are with land defenders at the tree sit in Lochiel, Arizona, where they don't back down. 'No border wall.' -- Censored News.

By KPFA, Sept. 2, 2026

Tribal members and activists are continuing to occupy tree sits, blockades and a prayer camp at several points along the U.S. / Mexico border in Arizona to resist the expansion of the Trump administration’s border wall, which they say amounts to ecocide and violates Tribal sovereignty.

In Lochiel, Arizona, tensions escalated this morning, with additional federal law enforcement entering areas near the encampment.

September 1, 2026

US Government is Preventing Tohono O'odham Nation Police From Entering Their Sovereign Land

 

Photo courtesy Tohono O'odham Nation. US Border Patrol preventing tribal police from entering the Tohono O'odham Nation's sovereign land as border wall drillers began drilling.

US Government is Preventing Tohono O'odham Nation Police From Entering Their Sovereign Land

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, September 2, 2026

SELLS, Tohono O'odham Nation -- The U.S. Border Patrol is preventing Tohono O'odham Nation's tribal police from entering their own land to issue citations to border wall construction crews.

The crews are violating the 'No Trespass' order to build the border wall. Drilling is underway,

August 30, 2026

Honoring the Movements and People who Inspire. Warriors, Writers and Dreamers -- Censored News 20th Anniversary.

 

Klee Benally, Dine' writer, musician and revolutionary, Debra White Plume, Lakota, wife, mom, writer and revolutionary; Ofelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham, writer, photographer and human rights advocate; Marcos, Zapatista revolutionary, Michelle Cook, Dine' human rights lawyer; Floyd Westerman, Lakota musician and icon; Bolivian President Evo Morales, leader and revolutionary.

Honoring the Movements and People who Inspire us. Warriors, Writers and Dreamers -- A Thread Runs Through Them. Censored News 20th Anniversary.

'Know who you are, and never let anyone take your power from you.'

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, August 30, 2026


Kahentinetha is publisher of Mohawk Nation News and a Mohawk Mother holding Canada responsible for kidnapped, missing, tortured and murdered Native children. Kahentinetha holds her Haudenosaunee passport during the border summit in San Xavier, Tohono O'odham Nation, in 2007. Photo by Brenda Norrell.

We're coming up on our 20th anniversary at Censored News, and we are honoring the warriors, leaders, writers and dreamers who make Censored News possible.

When the Mohawks came for the border summit in 2006 and 2007, it was, as they say in the movie Casablanca, the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

August 29, 2026

Tohono O'odham Nation -- US Government is Violating Laws for Unnecessary Border Wall


Border wall drilling rig on the Tohono O'odham O'odham Nation protected by armed federal agents.
Photo courtesy Tohono O'odham Nation.

Tohono O'odham Nation -- US Government is Violating Laws for Unnecessary Border Wall

Censored News, August 28, 2026

The Tohono O'odham Nation said today that the U.S. Government is violating laws and their sovereignty as armed agents continue to protect border wall contractors -- who continue  drilling on the Nation. The Nation is working on court appeals and points out that the U.S. failed to consult the Nation as required by law. Further, the Nation said that a political candidate, Daniel Butierez, violated tribal laws by livestreaming on the Nation without permission, and made derogatory statements about O'odham.


 

Masked and Armed U.S. Border Patrol Agents Threaten Land Defenders in Lochiel Again Today


 

'No Border Wall' Masked and Armed U.S. Border Patrol Threatened Land Defenders in Lochiel Today, Saturday

Censored News, August 29, 2026

LOCHIEL, Arizona -- U.S. Border Patrol Agents swarmed the Tree Sit at Lochiel, threatening land defenders who shut down border wall construction this week in a bi-national and peaceful protest of construction of the border wall east of Nogales, Arizona

Land Defenders said, "Another big show of force from masked Border Patrol this morning."

"We are facing extreme harassment, but we remain resilient and committed."

"Camp is ongoing, and we need your support. The tree sit holds strong and will not be intimidated," land defenders said today, Saturday, as they protect a Grandmother cottonwood tree from destruction for the border wall.

August 28, 2026

O'odham Women Join Tree Sit and Shut Down Border Wall Construction in Lochiel, Arizona

O'odham on the front line today at Tree Sit in Lochiel, Arizona

Breaking News -- Border Patrol Threatened Land Defenders in Lochiel Again Today, Saturday Censored News, August 29, 2026

LOCHIEL, Arizona -- U.S. Border Patrol Agents swarmed the Tree Sit at Lochiel, threatening land defenders who shut down border wall construction this week in a bi-national and peaceful protest of construction of the border wall east of Nogales, Arizona

Land Defenders said, "Another big show of force from masked Border Patrol this morning."

"We are facing extreme harassment, but we remain resilient and committed."

"Camp is ongoing, and we need your support. The tree sit holds strong and will not be intimidated," land defenders said today, Saturday, as they protect a Grandmother cottonwood tree from destruction for the border wall.


Friday Update, after the video was shared today of O'odham women joining the Tree Sit, US Border Patrol swarmed the tree sit in Lochiel, Arizona. Video on Instagram: by tierralibre_noborders



Armed U.S. Border Patrol swarmed the Tree Sit at Lochiel. Screenshot Censored News


August 27, 2026

Mexico's Police Deployed to aid Invasion of Tohono O'odham Land for Border Wall Construction




Mexico's Police Deployed to Aid in Invasion of Tohono O'odham Land for Border Wall Construction

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, August 27, 2026

Mexico's police were deployed to the border of the Tohono O'odham Nation on Wednesday, after being requested by U.S. Homeland Security, for the protection of the border wall construction crews who invaded sovereign Tohono O'odham Nation land with a drilling rig.

August 26, 2026

'NO BORDER WALL' Land Defenders Block Trucks at Tree Sit in Lochiel, Arizona



Blocking the border wall trucks at the Tree Sit in Lochiel, Arizona.
Watch the video to the sounds of 'Wage Against the Machine.'

Land defenders halt the construction of the border wall in a three-mile stretch on Wednesday, near the "Grandmother's Tree," as binational resistance grows to border wall construction, on both sides of the so-called border, the group said in Lochiel, east of Nogales, on August 26, 2026.
"We are putting our bodies on the line."
Watch videos in English and Espanol

NOW! Border Wall Construction Crews on Tohono O'odham Nation

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Border Wall construction crews were escorted on to the Tohono O'odham Nation by masked and armed federal agents, and began drilling immediately today. Photo: Tohono O'odham Nation

NOW! Border Wall Construction Crews on Tohono O'odham Nation 


Update: Just before noon today, the contractor's drill was set up, surrounded by a swarm of US Border Patrol agents. The Tohono O'odham Nation said the 

Border Patrol has set up a vehicle barrier to prevent tribal police from entering the area on their tribal land and issuing citations. The heavy-handed U.S. security on tribal land at the site includes the U.S. Border Patrol special ops which is the BORTAC SWAT team based in El Paso; BIA officers, and Border Patrol from Tucson. Mexico's police have been deployed to protect border wall contractors from Mexico's south side.

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, August 26, 2026

SELLS, TOHONO O'odham Nation -- The Tohono O'odham Nation said that twenty masked and armed federal agents from Tucson entered their sovereign tribal land accompanying border wall construction crews at 4 am on Tuesday, in violation of tribal sovereignty.

August 25, 2026

Lawsuit Challenges Arizona Copper Mine Exploration Threatening Mexican Spotted Owls

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Copper Creek Canyon. Photo credit: Russ McSpadden, Center for Biological Diversity


Lawsuit Challenges Arizona Copper Mine Exploration Threatening Mexican Spotted Owls

By Center for Biological Diversity, Censored News, August 25, 2026

MAMMOTH, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity, the San Carlos Apache Tribe and the Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance sued the Trump administration today for approving exploratory drilling for a copper mine that threatens Mexican spotted owls and other imperiled wildlife near Arizona’s iconic San Pedro River.

“Federal officials knew that Mexican spotted owls were in the project area and still approved more than 1,300 acres of industrial drilling on our public lands,” said Russ McSpadden, Southwest conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. 

OAK FLAT: Copper Mine will Guzzle Water and Dump Massive Toxic Waste

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Photo by Sandra Rambler, San Carlos Apache. Rest in Power.

OAK FLAT: Copper Mine will Guzzle Water and Dump Massive Toxic Waste

By Center for Biological Diversity, Censored News, August 25, 2026

After years of opposition from a diverse coalition — including Indigenous Tribes and the Center for Biological Diversity — the Trump administration finalized the transfer of 2,422 acres of public lands in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest to a foreign mining giant. These lands include Oak Flat, an Apache sacred site threatened by the company’s plan to build one of the biggest underground copper mines in North America.

To do that it needs to acquire 8,200 acres of Arizona state trust land, an area known as Skunk Camp, to build a facility where it can dump more than a billion tons of toxic mining waste.

Navajo Nation Council approves Sacred Site Legislation at Confluence




Navajo Nation Council approves Sacred Site Legislation at Confluence

by Halne'e | Aug 24, 2026 | News

The Navajo Nation Council agreed, in a 18 yes and none opposed vote, an area inside the Grand Canyon be designated a sacred site Monday during a special session.

The area near “The Confluence,” the point where the Colorado River and Little Colorado River meet, abuts Grand Canyon National Park, on the Western Navajo Nation near Bodaway/Gap Chapter. Locals call the area Tóahidíídlih, “Where the rivers meet,” in the Navajo language.

August 22, 2026

Tohono O'odham Nation Denied Injunction to Halt Border Wall

Tohono O'odham Nation Denied Injunction to Halt Border Wall
Photo: Border Wall construction near Yuma, Arizona. Photo US Army Corps of Engineers.

A federal judge's rejection of the Tohono O'odham Nation's lawsuit to stop construction of the border wall means the blowing up of six mountain peaks and a heavy construction staging area on tribal land to be chosen by contractors. The Nation is now considering its options.

August 21, 2026

Anonymous Gives Officers 48 Hours to Turn Themselves In -- Operation Morton County Engaged 2016 Updated

Anonymous Message to Morton County Sheriff Removed at YouTube

Censored News, Aug. 22, 2026

STANDING ROCK, North Dakota -- One of Censored News most viewed articles this week is the Anonymous video concerning Morton County and violent law enforcement, during the defense of the water at Standing Rock.

The rest of the story came later from Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier in a separate case, North Dakota v US.

August 19, 2026

O'odham Ancestral Land Being Stripped Bare at Sacred Quitobaquito Springs for Second Border Wall

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Bulldozers scrape the sweet earth bare today near O'odham's Sacred Quitobaquito Springs. Video by Russ McSpadden.

O'odham Ancestral Land Being Stripped Bare at Sacred Quitobaquito Springs for Second Border Wall

Article by Brenda Norrell, Censored News, August 18, 2026

QUITOBAQUITO SPRINGS, Arizona -- The ancestral land of O'odham is being stripped bare near Sacred Quitobaquito Springs, home to pupfish, snails and turtles found nowhere else in the world, except here in the fragile Sonoran Desert. 

Quitobaquito Springs is a place of prayer and ceremony for O'odham. The federal government is destroying this land for a second border wall, that is being protested here on the Arizona border, and from California to Texas.

The roads are closed, but Russ McSpadden hiked into the area Monday and found the destruction underway at Organ Pipe National Monument.

The Hungry Hounds: US Border Patrol Lurks at Tohono O'odham Nation Border

US Border Patrol at Tohono O'odham Nation's border. Photo Russ McSpadden.


By Brenda Norrell, Censored News. August

The Hungry Hounds: US Border Patrol Lurks at Tohono O'odham Nation Border

The Hungry Hounds: The U.S. Border Patrol lurks awaiting its prey at the border of the Tohono O'odham Nation, near the Nation's new 'NO TRESPASSING" signs directed at border wall contractors.

The US Border Patrol is part of Homeland Security and its plan to seize the Nation's land for the border wall. The US Border Patrol already has open access to the land of the Tohono O'odham Nation, and a spy system in place to track O'odham and watch them.

August 17, 2026

Indigenous at the United Nations Expose A.I. Data Centers and Racially-Biased Misinformation

Indigenous at the United Nations Expose A.I. Data Centers and Racially-Biased Misinformation

Sara Olsvig, chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council

Update: Today, August 17, 2026: 404 Media revealed that Amazon is buying large quantities of rare books, cutting off their spines, and scanning the books for AI, artificial intelligence. 404 Media placed a tracking device in a rare book and tracked it to an Amazon facility in Las Vegas, known as VGT3. AI companies have been data-scraping the Internet, including copyrighted books, news articles, music and ancestral knowledge for their money-making industries. -- Censored News.

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, July 14, 2026, Updated

GENEVA -- The mediocre, middle-of-the-road approach to A.I. at the United Nations was countered by testimony today from Indigenous Peoples pointing out that artificial intelligence is not a solution, and is doing great harm to Indigenous with derogatory misinformation and massive data centers that are poisoning the land, water and air.