Nika Bartoo-Smith
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nikabartoosmith.bsky.social
Nika Bartoo-Smith
@nikabartoosmith.bsky.social
Indigenous affairs reporter at Underscore Native News and ICT (formerly Indian Country Today), based in the PNW. Email story tips to nbartoosmith@underscore.news
Reposted by Nika Bartoo-Smith
Ahead of the two weeks of strenuous paddling and celebration protocols, canoe families begin preparations months before the canoe ever even touches the water.

🔗 : www.underscore.news/culture/stor...
✍️ : @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social for Underscore Native News + ICT and Carrie Johnson
‘Storm Before The Calm:’ The Making of Tribal Canoe Journeys - Underscore Native News
Preparation for the annual voyage across the Salish Sea requires an entire year of preparation with the highs and lows following.
www.underscore.news
September 16, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Reposted by Nika Bartoo-Smith
“This project exemplifies the power of partnership, showcasing how conservation efforts and the land back movement can come together to benefit the rivers, fish, wildlife and people of an entire landscape.”

✍️: @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social UNN + ICT
Yurok Tribe Celebrates Largest Land Back Deal in California History - Underscore Native News
The over 47,000 acres of ancestral lands double Yurok’s land holdings and includes the Blue Creek Salmon Sanctuary.
www.underscore.news
June 17, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Reposted by Nika Bartoo-Smith
A cycle of tumultuous firings & political neglect has reduced Portland's Tribal Relations office to a shadow of its former self.

Indigenous Portlanders & Tribal officials see an opportunity to get the program back on track, if the city is willing to listen.

My story w/ @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social
opb.org OPB @opb.org · Jun 9
Portland’s Tribal Relations Program once turned heads as a model for cities and counties looking to repair long-neglected ties to Native communities. Now, it’s a shell of its former self, and the stakes are high to rebuild it as patience runs thin with Indigenous communities and tribal leaders.
Portland’s Tribal Relations office was once a national leader. What happened?
Indigenous community leaders and tribal officials see an opportunity to get Portland's Tribal Relations Program back on track — if city leaders are willing to listen.
www.opb.org
June 9, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Reposted by Nika Bartoo-Smith
In a joint statement the Yakama, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Siletz nations outlined their support of PGE during this trial and in seeking condemnation of the property.

🔗: www.underscore.news/justice/pge-...
✍️: @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social for UNN + ICT
PGE Court Battle Nears Conclusion Over Land Rights at Willamette Falls   - Underscore Native News
Judge preparing to issue written decision in trial that seeks to settle a yearslong land ownership dispute between Portland General Electric and the Oregon Department of State Lands that centers aroun...
www.underscore.news
May 23, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Reposted by Nika Bartoo-Smith
Reposted by Nika Bartoo-Smith
UNN Youth Profiles Series ✨

Meet Kazsia Connelly an aspiring actress and screenwriter from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.

📰: www.underscore.news/people-profi...
April 16, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Reposted by Nika Bartoo-Smith
The NATIVE Project introduced a new four-story children’s health center in Spokane, a crowning achievement for an organization that started with $100 nearly 40 years ago.

✍️: @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social for Underscore Native News + Indian Country Today
New Center Providing Comprehensive Youth Services Opens in Spokane - Underscore Native News
The NATIVE Project, serving the Indigenous community and beyond in the Spokane region, celebrated the opening of its Children and Youth Services Center in March.
www.underscore.news
April 14, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Reposted by Nika Bartoo-Smith
“I am ancestor guided and I ask Creator almost every day to illuminate my path,” Washington said. “And then I will walk it, without question.”

📰: www.underscore.news/people-profi...
✍️: @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social UNN+ICT
A ‘Decolonized Approach’ to Law - Underscore Native News
Molly Washington started her own law firm, N’dee Law LLC, in 2024 and hopes to use her practice to bring an Indigenized lens to law and inspire future generations of Indigenous law practitioners.
www.underscore.news
April 2, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Reposted by Nika Bartoo-Smith
Connection to the Native American Washut faith and culture has been an essential part of a decade of sobriety.

“My sobriety journey didn’t start until I was 38 years old. That’s when I had a choice of losing my kids forever, or actually doing sobriety.”

✍️: @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social UNN/ICT
Healing through Song: Culture as Medicine - Underscore Native News
Ten years ago, Aldo Garcia (Puxtunxt), a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, almost lost custody of his children after going to court for a DUI charge. While on his journey to sobr...
www.underscore.news
March 11, 2025 at 9:45 PM
I had the most incredible time last week at OPB for NPR's Next Generation Radio. I spent the week learning about audio journalism, creating a piece I am so proud of.

Shout out to so many people who worked to make this possible.

opb2025.nextgenradio.org/moments-of-t...
Healing through song: Culture as medicine
Ten years ago, Aldo Garcia (Puxtunxt), a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, almost lost custody of his children after going to court for a DUI charge. While on his journey to sobr...
opb2025.nextgenradio.org
March 3, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I am beyond excited to welcome Christine Trudeau to the Underscore Native News team!
We're thrilled to introduce our new managing editor, Christine Trudeau, an award-winning investigative editor and reporter who is the perfect newsroom leader to guide our editorial team and vision!

Read more: mailchi.mp/underscore.n...
February 24, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Reposted by Nika Bartoo-Smith
Kitana Connelly, citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, hopes to create spaces for healing and creativity through her art book “Sacred Flow: Creativity as Medicine.”

Read the full article below!

✍️: @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social
📸 : @jarrette-werk.bsky.social
Finding Strength in Vulnerability - Underscore Native News
Artist Kitana Connelly, citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, hopes to create spaces for healing and creativity through her art book “Sacred Flow: Creativity as Medicine” and by opening u...
www.underscore.news
February 18, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Reposted by Nika Bartoo-Smith
Native Nations across Turtle Island are working to ensure their citizens’ safety amid rising reports of Indigenous people being racially profiled, stopped, questioned, and mistakenly detained for undocumented immigrants.

📰: shorturl.at/JOlRj
✍️: Luna Reyna, UNN/ICT
Native Nations Mobilize Against ICE Targeting and Profiling - Underscore Native News
Native Nations across Turtle Island are working to ensure their citizens’ safety amid widespread reports of Indigenous people being racially profiled, stopped, questioned, and mistakenly detained for ...
shorturl.at
February 11, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Reposted by Nika Bartoo-Smith
Here at Underscore we produces Indigenous-centered journalism that illuminates the intersections of sovereignty and justice and portrays the rich diversity of Native communities in the Pacific Northwest. Follow us or visit our website at www.underscore.news
Underscore Native News - Underscore Native News
Recent Stories Staff Favorites justice Land Connect Underscore Native News is a nonprofit, and we rely on the support of readers like you to make our mission a reality. Help us amplify and underscore ...
www.underscore.news
February 11, 2025 at 8:13 PM
I was recently highlighted in the University of Oregon, Robert D. Clark Honors College alumni newsletter, covering my career in journalism. It feels strange to be in an article, not writing one, but honored to have been approached.

honors.uoregon.edu/news/2025/1/...
Alumni Spotlight: Nika Bartoo-Smith | UO Clark Honors College
honors.uoregon.edu
January 31, 2025 at 9:12 PM