Leadership and Cultural Continuity
Hello Crosswinds Community!
The start of a new year offers an opportunity to recommit ourselves to the work that matters most: listening deeply and strengthening the flow of information across Native communities.
January’s coverage reflects that commitment, from data-driven insight about how Native residents access news, to leadership voices shaping the future, to new pathways for community storytellers.
Featured Story: Native-Focused Tulsa County Information Ecosystem Assessment Released
To begin the year, Crosswinds published its Native-Focused Tulsa County Information Ecosystem Assessment, a major milestone rooted in months of surveying and community conversations across the region.
The findings confirmed what many residents have long expressed: Native communities want journalism that is accessible, trustworthy, culturally grounded, and relevant to everyday life.
More importantly, this work does not end with a report; it actively guides how Crosswinds will report, engage, and build resources moving forward.
Find the full assessment here: https://www.crosswindsnews.net/native-focused-tulsa-county-information-ecosystem-assessment/
In direct response to the need for more culturally grounded, positive community news, January featured a powerful feature of the work of Carol Tiger, whose commitment to carrying Mvskoke food traditions forward reflects the strength of culture passed from one generation to the next.
Centered around gathering, teaching, and sharing meals, this story is a reminder that food is more than nourishment- it is memory, identity, and connection.
Read: You all come eat: Eugenia “Carol” Tiger and family carry Mvskoke food traditions forward
Supporting the Next Generation of Storytellers
Crosswinds officially opened applications for the StoryKeepers Program this month, inviting community members to step into journalism through structured training, mentorship, and real-world local news experience.
StoryKeepers represents more than a skills program — it is part of a long-term investment in community-driven storytelling and strengthening Native information systems from within.
Apply or learn more: Crosswinds News Invites Community Members to Apply for StoryKeepers Training Program
In Case You Missed It: Coverage Impacting Native Communities
This month also underscored the importance of timely, reliable coverage as reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity affecting Native people increased.
Tribal leaders urged community members to carry identification and understand their rights, a reminder that strong information networks play a critical role in community safety and awareness.
Read: Tribal nations in Oklahoma respond to ICE activity amid reports involving Native citizens
National reporting reflected similar concerns, with Native citizens in other regions taking precautions amid heightened enforcement activity. Together, these stories reinforce why culturally grounded journalism, especially during moments of uncertainty, is essential.
Read: Oglala Sioux Tribe says three tribal members arrested in Minneapolis are in ICE detention
Eyes On Leadership
January brought important developments across Tulsa-area leadership spaces, where Native voices continue to influence conversations around representation, education, and community priorities. Crosswinds News' Russell Sun Eagle was at the following community events to cover the updates:
The Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission met on January 20 at Tulsa City Hall. The meeting included a presentation by Caleb McDaniel on Indigenous Class, as well as the election of Matt Roberts as chair and Daniel Carter as vice chair for the 2026–2027 term. Winnie Guess Perdue was honored as Humanitarian of the Year.
Tulsa Indian Education met on January 13 via Zoom. Updates include beaded graduation cap classes beginning in early February, to be held twice a month on Saturdays. Work is also underway on the ongoing mascot rebranding, with efforts focused on partnering with a local Indigenous artist to create some concepts. Students are preparing for the upcoming Mvskoke Challenge Bowl, and the J.O.M. Conference is scheduled for May 5–6 at Okana Resort.
Meanwhile, the Native American Community Coalition (NACC) under the Indian Health Care Resource Center kicked off the year with its first quarterly NACC luncheon. The powerful convening force brought organizations together to coordinate resources, share insight, and respond collectively to community needs. The biggest issue discussed at this month's luncheon? The need for a Native Community Center in Tulsa. More on that effort to come! The next NACC luncheon will be held on April 15.
And the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma Tulsa Chapter held their monthly luncheon at River Spirit, featuring Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols as speaker. Nichols reflected on the initiatives he pursued during his first year and his work with local tribal governments. He also acknowledged the role the tribes play in the city’s success, and the need to have good relationships.
Read: Tulsa mayor reflects on first year, reaffirms commitment to sovereignty at AICCO luncheon
Taken together, these leadership spaces reflect steady momentum and a shared commitment to shaping a stronger future for Native communities across the region.
Looking Ahead: What’s Launching Next Month
The Crosswinds Podcast
Next month, Crosswinds will debut its new podcast, The Talking Winds Podcast, creating space for deeper conversations, community insight, and stories that deserve more than a headline. The podcast expands our commitment to meeting audiences across platforms while continuing to center Native voices.
Stay tuned for the official launch!
Expanded Community Calendar
We’re also preparing to roll out an expanded community calendar, making it easier to find cultural gatherings, public meetings, and opportunities for engagement across the region.
Access to centralized, reliable event information was a consistent theme throughout our Listening and Learning Tour, and this expansion is a direct response to what communities told us they need.
Moving Into 2026 Together
As we move further into the year, Crosswinds is focused on strengthening existing programs while launching new initiatives shaped directly by community input.
Our direction is clear:
- Listen first
- Report with purpose
- Increase access to information
- Invest in community storytellers
- Build resources people can use
Thank you for reading, sharing, and helping grow a Native-focused newsroom rooted in accountability and relationship.
In partnership,
The Crosswinds News Team
