Communities

The West is more than heroes and villains
The West is more than heroes and villains
In ‘This Land,’ Christopher Ketcham roams the West in search of both, and misses a lot in between.
Carl Segerstrom Nov. 11, 2019 From the print edition
When disaster strikes, Indigenous communities receive unequal recovery aid
When disaster strikes, Indigenous communities receive unequal recovery aid
U.S. citizens recovering from natural disasters receive $26 per person, per year from the federal government. Tribal citizens? Just $3.
Allison Herrera Nov. 6, 2019
The U.S. has spent more money erasing Native languages than saving them
The U.S. has spent more money erasing Native languages than saving them
As tribes fight to save their languages from extinction, has the government done enough?
Rebecca Nagle Perspective Nov. 5, 2019
Salmon swim above the Grand Coulee Dam for first time in 80 years
Salmon swim above the Grand Coulee Dam for first time in 80 years
Members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation gather to begin a new cycle for salmon.
Joe Whittle Photos Oct. 28, 2019 From the print edition
No relief from fracking industry on Colorado’s Front Range
No relief from fracking industry on Colorado’s Front Range
Advocates hope new laws will bring changes, but they aren’t seeing much yet.
Stephanie Kirchgaessner Oct. 15, 2019
Refugees look for belonging in Idaho
Refugees look for belonging in Idaho
The Twin Falls resettlement program continues to thrive in the face of recent serious challenges.
Sarah Tory Oct. 11, 2019
When 911 feels like a ticket to deportation, undocumented workers turn to a local nonprofit
When 911 feels like a ticket to deportation, undocumented workers turn to a local nonprofit
Policy shifts leave at-risk workers looking for help in other places.
Emily Kinskey and Anna Clare Spelman Photos Video Oct. 10, 2019
An uptick in street prostitution challenges Seattle’s progressive policies
An uptick in street prostitution challenges Seattle’s progressive policies
Community outcry and overwhelmed services lead to police arresting more sex workers than buyers.
David Kroman Oct. 3, 2019
Climate activists take aim at ‘Wall Street West’
Climate activists take aim at ‘Wall Street West’
Last week, protestors shut down business in San Francisco’s financial center.
Delilah Friedler Photos Oct. 1, 2019
‘Smoke Signals’ was needed, but it doesn’t hold up
‘Smoke Signals’ was needed, but it doesn’t hold up
The seminal film, while important for finally having Native representation, relied on stereotypes.
Jason Asenap Perspective Oct. 1, 2019 From the print edition
One man’s mission to save a historic ship built a digital community
One man’s mission to save a historic ship built a digital community
If you (re)build it, they will come.
Amelia Urry Essay Sept. 25, 2019 From the print edition
The prospect of more Airbnbs tempts a struggling New Mexico town
The prospect of more Airbnbs tempts a struggling New Mexico town
Vacation rentals have gutted the culture of nearby communities, but a new project in Questa flips the narrative.
Elizabeth Miller Sept. 20, 2019 From the print edition
A water ‘win-win’ in Colorado? Not so fast.
A water ‘win-win’ in Colorado? Not so fast.
A plan to export water from the San Luis Valley to the Denver Metro area is met with defiance.
Nick Bowlin Sept. 16, 2019 From the print edition
Colorado farmers fight to save their water and their community’s future
Colorado farmers fight to save their water and their community’s future
‘We can either wait on Mother Nature — or we can give it a shot ourselves.’
Nick Bowlin Sept. 16, 2019 From the print edition
Stickball: Indigenous women show who’s got game
Stickball: Indigenous women show who’s got game
Physicality and communication are key elements at the Choctaw Nation’s annual tournament.
Graham Lee Brewer Sept. 10, 2019
What about the rails?
What about the rails?
A recent Amtrak journey conjures visions of functional rail transportation in the U.S.
Katie Wilson Perspective Essay Sept. 9, 2019
Life after death in Swan Valley
Life after death in Swan Valley
The Meyers turned their 120 acres in Montana into a natural cemetery, where bodies can be buried with as few frills as possible.
Lauren Grabelle Photos Aug. 16, 2019
When public lands become tribal lands again
When public lands become tribal lands again
A story of fire, stolen lands, and how hard it is to get the U.S. to follow its own laws.
Anna V. Smith Aug. 16, 2019 From the print edition
The West’s hidden corners offer a safe space for polygamists
The West’s hidden corners offer a safe space for polygamists
Each year, Mormon fundamentalists gather on a remote slice of southeastern Utah.
Nate Carlisle Photos Aug. 8, 2019
Grounding and grandmothers in a gentrifying Denver
Grounding and grandmothers in a gentrifying Denver
Denver author Kali Fajardo-Anstine’s rich debut story collection centers young female protagonists.
Jenny Shank Aug. 5, 2019 From the print edition
See the journey to a new career at a wildland fire academy
See the journey to a new career at a wildland fire academy
Ex-gang members, veterans and immigrants alike take a three-month course to become California firefighters.
Christian Monterrosa Photos Aug. 5, 2019 From the print edition
Who pays for infrastructure in Borderland colonias?
Who pays for infrastructure in Borderland colonias?
In places like Vado, New Mexico, good roads are hard to find.
Jessica Kutz Aug. 5, 2019 From the print edition
New Mexico’s economic and energy extraction quagmire
New Mexico’s economic and energy extraction quagmire
‘We’re on a death train, economically.’
Jonathan Thompson Analysis Aug. 1, 2019
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