Underscore News

09/02/2026

The Quileute Tribe never received any compensation for the Twilight Franchise’s success. Now, over 20 years after the first book’s release, Twilight fans around the world are coming together to help raise funds to relocate the tribe’s ancestral home which is at risk of being washed away due to coastal erosion and Tsunamis.

✍: Lyric Aqunio, Underscore News + Report for America
Illustration by Chanti Mañon

Fans of the 2000s pop-culture phenomena are using online communities to fundraise for the tribe that says they never saw a cent after having their likeness used.

08/27/2026

The revisions to Section 106 rules would make tribal consultation optional for development on ancestral lands.

✍️: Nika Bartoo-Smith, UNN + ICT

The revisions to Section 106 rules would make tribal consultation optional for development on ancestral lands.

08/27/2026

Jason Smith and his partner Kremena Doust are trying to adopt out as many wild horses as they can from their Warm Springs ranch, following the devastating Bench Fire. The loss of grazing land means their animals are both hungry and needing a safe habitat to roam and prosper.

✍: Brian Bull, Underscore News

Hundreds of wild horses at Jason Smith Ranch are at risk after the Bench Fire razes grazing land.

08/27/2026

Sp'q'n'i is an Indian relay team rooted in family and culture.

Sp'q'n'i co-owner Tj Flett hopes to get more Spokane tribal members interested in Indian Relay: "The door is open; you just got to walk through it. I’ll do my best to show them what I know, and if they get started, somebody will show them more down the road.”

Sp'q'n'i has been busy racing over the summer, with their next race coming up this weekend.

08/26/2026

Sneak peek: Tomorrow we drop a longer video on Sp’q’n’i, an Indian relay team from the Spokane tribe.

Subscribe to our newsletter to be one of the first to watch the full short documentary, before we post it on social media.

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08/24/2026

In the second year that the U.S. Forest Service suspended commercial harvest in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Ḱamíłpa Band members report feeling safer in fields, though sale of wild berries persists.

In the second year that the U.S. Forest Service suspended commercial harvest in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Ḱamíłpa Band members report feeling safer in fields, though sale of wild berries persists.

08/24/2026

Under a state law passed in 2025, 90 names are up for replacement. Only two have been officially changed so far.

✍: Mackenzie Olivo, Underscore News

Under a state law passed in 2025, 90 names are up for replacement. Only two have been officially changed so far.

08/21/2026

The Klamath Tribes’ Wildland Fire Program continues to work with other crews to help contain the Wrights Spring Fire.

✍: Nika Bartoo-Smith, Underscore News + Indian Country Today

08/20/2026

Look for Kenzie's last story for us as a fellow publishing Friday, on Oregon’s efforts to replace offensive place names across the state.

Read several of Kenzie’s favorite stories at www.underscore.com.

08/19/2026

Out of a dozen Native candidates on the ballot for the primary election on Aug. 4 in Washington, eight candidates won and will advance to the November election.

✍: Nika Bartoo-Smith, Underscore News + Indian Country Today