Underscore News

Jarrette Werk, an amazing reporter and photojournalist for Underscore News, departs on his next journey after 4 years with our news organization.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone that has been a part of my journey here at Underscore, and [that] I'm forever grateful for all of the experiences that I was able to have while being here, and [I am] so, so proud of the work that we were able to produce, and the stories that we were able to share, and the connections we were able to make with the people out here in the Pacific Northwest. The PNW is always gonna have a special place in my heart,” shared Jarrette.

The Yakama Nation is continuing to protest the advancement of a proposed hydropower storage facility that will decimate their sacred mountain, Pushpum.

In solidarity with the Yakama Nation, William Ray, Jr., chairman of the Klamath Tribes, asked “How can there be a price put on religion?”

✍️&📸: Lyric Aquino, Underscore News + Report for America

Read more here: https://www.underscore.news/land/yakama-nation-continues-to-fight-proposed-hydroelectric-project-that-would-destroy-pushpum-cultural-site/

At this year’s annual Q***r Prom hosted by Native American Youth and Family Center’s Two-Spirit Program, over 300 high school students from across the Portland Metro area and beyond danced to beats by DJ Aspen at AVENUE Portland. They showed up dressed in comic book inspired outfits for the theme “Superheros vs. Villains Edition.”

“Being able to have a space like this is really important because it provides an opportunity for us to come together in community and celebrate q***r joy,” said Kiara Wehrenberg, Tlingit and the Two-Spirit program coordinator at the center. Wehrenberg coordinates Q***r Prom.

Read full story here:
https://www.underscore.news/justice/lgbtqia2s/nayas-two-spirit-program-hosts-another-successful-q***r-prom-creating-space-for-q***r-youth-to-be-unabashedly-themselves/

By Nika Bartoo-Smith, Underscore News + Indian Country Today