Shondiin Silversmith
@diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Diné • Editorial Director, Diné College Press • Ph.D. student at ASU • Posts about my life, Indigenous academia and journalism.
‼️ANNOUNCEMENT‼️
Diné College Press is recruiting volunteer advisors to help draft its mission, vision & purpose statements. Open to Diné scholars, educators, artists, writers, journalists, students & community members. Apply by Dec 1. Send a short statement + resume to shonsilversmith@dinecollege.edu
Diné College Press is recruiting volunteer advisors to help draft its mission, vision & purpose statements. Open to Diné scholars, educators, artists, writers, journalists, students & community members. Apply by Dec 1. Send a short statement + resume to shonsilversmith@dinecollege.edu
November 14, 2025 at 10:02 PM
‼️ANNOUNCEMENT‼️
Diné College Press is recruiting volunteer advisors to help draft its mission, vision & purpose statements. Open to Diné scholars, educators, artists, writers, journalists, students & community members. Apply by Dec 1. Send a short statement + resume to shonsilversmith@dinecollege.edu
Diné College Press is recruiting volunteer advisors to help draft its mission, vision & purpose statements. Open to Diné scholars, educators, artists, writers, journalists, students & community members. Apply by Dec 1. Send a short statement + resume to shonsilversmith@dinecollege.edu
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
“Seconds count any time an Arizonan goes missing, a fact that our Native communities know all too well.”
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
‘Indigenous lives matter’: Arizona’s Turquoise Alert for missing Indigenous people goes live
The Turquoise Alert for missing Indigenous or endangered persons is now officially online, offering a vital tool to assist law enforcement
azmirror.com
July 10, 2025 at 9:56 PM
“Seconds count any time an Arizonan goes missing, a fact that our Native communities know all too well.”
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
“We didn’t lose anyone. We did not lose any structures. We won.”
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
'We won': Navajo Nation lifts all evacuations as Oak Ridge Fire nears containment
Oak Ridge Fire evacuations lifted as Navajo Nation families return home to burned landscape after 11,000-acre blaze
azmirror.com
July 9, 2025 at 11:18 PM
“We didn’t lose anyone. We did not lose any structures. We won.”
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
“We’re only five people strong as officials and staff — but with the volunteers, that has allowed us to account for who is going to handle the food distribution and care packages.”
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
With the Oak Ridge Fire mostly contained, the work shifts to the 'tough' job of recovery
Oak Ridge Fire reaches 87% containment as Navajo Nation lifts evacuations after 11,000-acre blaze near Window Rock capital
azmirror.com
July 8, 2025 at 11:58 PM
“We’re only five people strong as officials and staff — but with the volunteers, that has allowed us to account for who is going to handle the food distribution and care packages.”
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
“A lot of families are going to receive their sheep back better than they brought them in.”
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
‘Part of our culture’: Navajo Nation’s Oak Ridge Fire response includes livestock
As the Oak Ridge Fire continued to spread southwest of the Navajo Nation capital last week, families living in the fire’s path not only scrambled to save what they could from their homes, but many als...
azmirror.com
July 7, 2025 at 9:20 PM
“A lot of families are going to receive their sheep back better than they brought them in.”
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Hundreds have been evacuated as a wildfire near the Navajo Nation capital grows to nearly 10,000 acres. The fire is 0% contained. Wind and dry conditions are a major factor in its spread. Multiple communities within the fire areas are under evacuation orders.
azmirror.com/2025/07/01/h...
azmirror.com/2025/07/01/h...
Hundreds evacuated as wildfire near Navajo Nation capital grows to nearly 10,000 acres
Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes near the Oak Ridge Fire, near Window Rock on the Navajo Nation.
azmirror.com
July 1, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Hundreds have been evacuated as a wildfire near the Navajo Nation capital grows to nearly 10,000 acres. The fire is 0% contained. Wind and dry conditions are a major factor in its spread. Multiple communities within the fire areas are under evacuation orders.
azmirror.com/2025/07/01/h...
azmirror.com/2025/07/01/h...
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
April Ignacio asked the room of Tohono O’odham police officers who was familiar with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement. Just 3 of the 15 officers raised their hands.
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Tohono O’odham PD takes mandatory training on missing and murdered Indigenous peoples
Standing in front of a room full of Tohono O’odham police officers, April Ignaico asked who was familiar with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement. Three of the 15 officers raised their ...
azmirror.com
June 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
April Ignacio asked the room of Tohono O’odham police officers who was familiar with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement. Just 3 of the 15 officers raised their hands.
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
“As Native peoples, we don’t see our precious resources as dollar bills. We are caretakers of these lands, with a responsibility to protect and manage them sustainably for generations to come.”
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Opponents call GOP public lands sell-off a violation of tribal sovereignty and treaties
Tribal nations demand consultation on public lands sell-off plans, warning of threats to sovereignty and ancestral homelands
azmirror.com
June 25, 2025 at 5:22 PM
“As Native peoples, we don’t see our precious resources as dollar bills. We are caretakers of these lands, with a responsibility to protect and manage them sustainably for generations to come.”
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
“Let’s do a purification. I’ll purify your soul in the fiery pits of hell. Demons, take this pedophile and make him suffer,” the murdered Navajo medicine man was told in the church play
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
'Absolutely revolting' church play depicting Navajo medicine man in hell sparks outrage
Navajo woman demands apology after Gallup church play depicts medicine man condemned to hell in viral video
azmirror.com
June 18, 2025 at 10:45 PM
“Let’s do a purification. I’ll purify your soul in the fiery pits of hell. Demons, take this pedophile and make him suffer,” the murdered Navajo medicine man was told in the church play
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
“Two Spirit existed before colonization and the Stonewall Riot. My ancestors were here before the colonizers."
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Phoenix Indian Center holds annual Rainbow Gathering for Two Spirit LGBTQIA+ community
In a time of uncertainty and continuous attacks on the rights of LGBTQ+ people in Arizona and beyond, the Phoenix Indian Center wanted to offer the community a safe space
azmirror.com
June 13, 2025 at 10:55 PM
“Two Spirit existed before colonization and the Stonewall Riot. My ancestors were here before the colonizers."
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
The Arizona Mirror and @diinsilversmith.bsky.social took home three awards in the Indigenous Journalists Association’s annual journalism contest
Mirror wins 3 awards for covering Arizona’s Indigenous communities | Arizona Mirror
Shondiin Silversmith and the Arizona Mirror took home three awards in the Indigenous Journalists Association’s annual journalism contest
azmirror.com
June 13, 2025 at 5:02 PM
The Arizona Mirror and @diinsilversmith.bsky.social took home three awards in the Indigenous Journalists Association’s annual journalism contest
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
Six professors call for removal of an assistant vice provost they say is harming Indigenous community
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
University of Arizona faculty say administrator causing severe harm to Native students
UofA Native American faculty concerns lead to demands for administrator removal over student safety issues
azmirror.com
June 10, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Six professors call for removal of an assistant vice provost they say is harming Indigenous community
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
“He made sure that the well-being of the students was always at the forefront and this decision doesn’t reflect that.”
Story by @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Story by @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
UofA Indigenous students oppose cultural center restructuring, termination of director
Native students at University of Arizona are worried after their cultural group leader was fired and replaced with someone they don't trust.
azmirror.com
June 5, 2025 at 7:44 PM
“He made sure that the well-being of the students was always at the forefront and this decision doesn’t reflect that.”
Story by @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Story by @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Indigenous students at UofA have expressed safety concerns regarding leadership in the Office of Native American Initiatives for months. Now, NAI will oversee the cultural center, which offered students a safe space, and the university has fired the center's director.
azmirror.com/2025/06/05/u...
azmirror.com/2025/06/05/u...
UofA Indigenous students oppose cultural center restructuring, termination of director
Native students at University of Arizona are worried after their cultural group leader was fired and replaced with someone they don't trust.
azmirror.com
June 5, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Indigenous students at UofA have expressed safety concerns regarding leadership in the Office of Native American Initiatives for months. Now, NAI will oversee the cultural center, which offered students a safe space, and the university has fired the center's director.
azmirror.com/2025/06/05/u...
azmirror.com/2025/06/05/u...
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
In his dissent, Neil Gorsuch called the decision a "grave mistake" as a copper mine threatens to create massive crater on a sacred Apache site
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Supreme Court refuses Apache plea to save Oak Flat from copper mining destruction
Supreme Court Oak Flat Apache sacred site case denied review, clearing path for Resolution Copper to transform religious site into a crater
azmirror.com
May 27, 2025 at 7:55 PM
In his dissent, Neil Gorsuch called the decision a "grave mistake" as a copper mine threatens to create massive crater on a sacred Apache site
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
“ We are here because the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people demands our full attention and collaboration,” said Gov. Katie Hobbs. “It demands action and it demands solutions.”
Story by @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Story by @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Native leaders, advocates gather for ceremonial signing of Emily's Law
Indigenous leaders, advocates, and officials gathered with Gov. Katie Hobbs on May 21 for the ceremonial signing of Emily's Law.
azmirror.com
May 21, 2025 at 10:56 PM
“ We are here because the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people demands our full attention and collaboration,” said Gov. Katie Hobbs. “It demands action and it demands solutions.”
Story by @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Story by @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
After a month off from reporting due to the demands of a PhD program and the necessary exams, I am back at work this week. So, what did I miss?
May 20, 2025 at 11:47 PM
After a month off from reporting due to the demands of a PhD program and the necessary exams, I am back at work this week. So, what did I miss?
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
Delegates accused Nygren of "mocking" collaboration after he skipped Monday's session despite a subpoena
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Tensions escalate among Navajo leaders as Nygren finally agrees to address Navajo Nation Council
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren agrees to speak Wednesday after missing four quarterly reports and ignoring a subpoena
azmirror.com
April 22, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Delegates accused Nygren of "mocking" collaboration after he skipped Monday's session despite a subpoena
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
By summer, Arizona will be launching a Missing Endangered Persons alert, something MMIP advocates have been seeking for years
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
‘Fill in that gap’: Arizona hopes to have Missing Endangered Persons alert system live by summer
For years, Indigenous families have shared their experiences of reporting a missing loved one, highlighting how it is often met with a lack of response or urgency
azmirror.com
April 4, 2025 at 8:26 PM
By summer, Arizona will be launching a Missing Endangered Persons alert, something MMIP advocates have been seeking for years
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
story via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
“This crime must not go unsolved. Emily was murdered in a cruel, depraved and heinous act and the perpetrator(s) must be held accountable.”
via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
San Carlos Apache tribe demands investigation into group homes after Emily Pike's murder • Arizona Mirror
San Carlos Apache tribe demands investigation into Arizona group homes after 14-year-old Emily Pike fled facility and was murdered
azmirror.com
March 28, 2025 at 6:44 PM
“This crime must not go unsolved. Emily was murdered in a cruel, depraved and heinous act and the perpetrator(s) must be held accountable.”
via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
Arizona lawmakers: Removing Hayes and Piestewa stories contradicts tribal sovereignty
via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Stanton and Ansari demand return of Arizona Native heroes to Pentagon website • Arizona Mirror
Native American veterans Ira Hayes and Lori Piestewa removed from Pentagon website following Trump's DEI ban, despite tribal sovereignty claims
azmirror.com
March 25, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Arizona lawmakers: Removing Hayes and Piestewa stories contradicts tribal sovereignty
via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
“I can’t help but think, what if this law was in place early? Would Emily be alive today? We must act.”
via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
'We've waited too long': Bill to create an Indigenous missing persons alert wins bipartisan backing
Arizona legislators advance bill creating an Arizona missing Indigenous alert system to address gaps in reporting and finding missing adults
azmirror.com
March 21, 2025 at 6:24 PM
“I can’t help but think, what if this law was in place early? Would Emily be alive today? We must act.”
via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
“Not only is this nonsensical, but it dishonors all Native American veterans and their families who have given so much to protect this country.”
via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Tribal flags removed from Phoenix VA hospital under new federal policy • Arizona Mirror
All 22 Arizona tribal flags were removed from Phoenix VA medical center as Phoenix VA tribal flags removed under new federal display policy
azmirror.com
March 20, 2025 at 8:36 PM
“Not only is this nonsensical, but it dishonors all Native American veterans and their families who have given so much to protect this country.”
via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
via @diinsilversmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Shondiin Silversmith
