The ICT Newscast for Friday, May 22, 2026, covers a landmark federal court ruling, a Native-owned beauty brand landing on Time Magazine’s most influential list, Navajo footballer Shiyazh Pete signs with the Dallas Cowboys, Akwesasne Mohawk filmmaker Katsitsionni Fox eyes a European expansion, and an Oglala Lakota muralist brings together the community. Check out the ICT Newscast on YouTube for this episode and more.
Winnebago tribe wins legal battle for return of children’s remains
The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska scored a landmark legal victory after suing the United States Army for the return of remains of two Indigenous boys, Samuel Gilbert and Edward Hensley, who died more than a century ago after being forcibly taken to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. A federal court ruled that the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) applied to the tribe’s repatriation request, clearing the way for the boys’ return home.
N8iV Beauty joins time magazine’s most influential list
N8iV Beauty, founded by Ruth-Ann Thorn, has been recognized as one of Time Magazine’s Most Influential Fashion and Beauty Companies of 2026 — placing the Indigenous-owned brand alongside giants like Ralph Lauren and Skims. She says the business was born from a visit to Sephora with her daughter, where the striking absence of Native-owned brands on store shelves inspired her to act. Thorn says what makes her products special is that they feature Indigenous ingredients, including acorn oil, and were developed with community input from the start.
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Navajo footballer Shiyazh Pete signs with Dallas Cowboys
Navajo football player Shiyazh Pete is heading to Dallas after signing with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent following this year’s NFL Draft. NDNSports.com’s Brent Cahwee and ICT’s Kolby KickingWoman broke down what the signing means for Pete and for Indigenous representation in professional football. Cahwee outlined the road ahead, explaining what Pete will need to show during training camp to secure a permanent roster spot: a path that comes with both real opportunity and significant obstacles unique to the undrafted free agent experience. Another Native athlete navigating the same journey is Xavier Guillory with the Baltimore Ravens.
Native filmmaker eyes european expansion with wampum documentary in the works
Award-winning Akwesasne Mohawk filmmaker Katsitsionni Fox is balancing a full slate of projects, blending short-form work with ambitious long-format documentaries.
Fox began exploring Haudenosaunee pottery revitalization during the pandemic, and the project reflects her broader commitment to preserving Indigenous cultural traditions on film. She says shorter projects help sustain her creative rhythm while longer works develop. Looking ahead, Fox is planning to grow her presence in European markets and is currently working on a feature-length documentary about wampum.
Oglala Lakota artist brings Indigenous mural to community
A Kansas community has commissioned Oglala Lakota muralist Tokeya Waci U Richardson to create a large-scale public mural in Lawrence, Kansas. Selected from a competitive pool of artists, Richardson sees the project as an opportunity to educate the broader community while bringing young Native people together around art and culture. Community members contributed directly to the mural’s creation, making it a collaborative celebration of Indigenous presence in the region.
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