Listening First, Telling Truth Together
Happy Holidays, Crosswinds Community!
As we close out the year, December brought us back to the heart of our work: listening to community, honoring lived experience, and examining the systems that continue to shape Native life today.
This month, Crosswinds News centered community voices across northeast Oklahoma while also continuing deep historical reporting that helps explain the why behind so many of today’s challenges.
Featured Story: Yearlong “Listening and Learning Tour Across Northeast Oklahoma Reservations” shows communities want timely news that helps them stay involved
Our December reporting included a recap of our yearlong Listening and Learning Tour across northeast Oklahoma reservations, where community members shared a clear and consistent message:
They want timely and connective news that helps them stay actively involved in their communities.
From jazz labs to community centers, residents spoke about gaps in local coverage, the need for trustworthy information, and the importance of journalism that reflects Native priorities - not just problems.
This story reflects what Crosswinds is building toward: journalism rooted in relationships, accountability, and service to community needs.
December also marked the near end of our first cohort of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, 2Spirit and Transgender People (MMIWG2T) Historical Reporting Project.
These stories included a mini-series about Jackson Barnett, known as “the world’s richest Indian,”. His life story exposes how oil wealth, guardianship systems, and settler courts worked together to strip Native people of autonomy, especially in moments of extraordinary prosperity.
Read Part 1 here: Reflecting on an era of fortune and deviousness: The Jackson Barnett saga
Additional MMIWG2T Historical Reporting stories published this month include Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis is a century-old problem. Akey Ulteeskee's story proves it and Trapped by Wealth: The Abuse and Trafficking of Katie Fixico
Inclusion Update: Parks Board votes to rename trail after Tuckabache
Crosswinds News has reported on the story of Tuckabache, a highly regarded Muscogee (Creek) leader, through its award-winning Stealing Tvlse series, produced with the Lucinda Hickory Research Institute. Launched in 2022, the series investigates Allotment Era injustice and the wider lack of acknowledgement for how Native land loss helped shape Tulsa’s rise.
Earlier this month, the Tulsa Parks Board voted 3-0 to recommend the renaming of the Midland Valley Trail to the Tuckabache Trail.
The trail runs through the Gathering Place, which was Tuckabache’s land.
“In some ways it feels like a small gesture, but extremely meaningful given the magnitude of the corruption that most people don’t know about,” said Tatianna Duncan, the 3rd great granddaughter of Tuckabache and the founder of the Lucinda Hickory Research Institute.
Read: Parks Board votes to rename trail after Tuckabache
And December was also cause for celebration for Indigenous athletes across Turtle Island.
Athletes representing 48 tribal nations took the field inside one of the NFL’s premier stadiums for the Native All-American Football Game. They hailed from 21 U.S. states and Canada, and this year, 14 call Oklahoma home.
Read: More than a game: Native All-American Showcase builds leaders on and off the field
In partner news, we're excited to be a part of the development of Rooted Together: A Cultural Guide for At-Home Caregivers of Native American Children. This collaborative project is led by Catalyst News in partnership with the Muscogee Nation Cultural Department, Muscogee Nation Child and Family Services. It is funded by a grant from The Oklahoma Clearinghouse for Early Childhood Success. Crosswinds News is supporting the toolkit's research and development.
Catalyst News is currently looking for families with Muscogee children between the ages of 0 and 5 to test out an at-home toolkit of cultural resources.
The toolkit aims to support families with cultural teachings and tools to pass on to Muscogee children in their care.
Read: Caregivers of Muscogee children invited to test at-home cultural toolkit
Talking Circle and the Lower Sioux Cultural Department launched a new cultural tourism initiative designed to strengthen community connection, share Dakota history, and support long-term economic sustainability.
Talking Circle is the parent company of Crosswinds News, providing the operational, strategy, and technology support that helps sustain Crosswinds’ community-centered journalism. While Crosswinds focuses on reporting and serving community members, Talking Circle Solutions builds the tools, partnerships, and infrastructure that make that work possible.
And the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma (AICCO) is heading into 2026 with new state leadership.
Nathan Hart will serve as president, Les McGee will serve as vice president, Amber Sharp will serve as secretary, and Katera Snelling will serve as treasurer. Angie Reeves and Julie Aldridge were also elected to serve on the state board.
A Cheyenne businessman and artist with more than 30 years in tribal relations, economic development, and leadership, Hart says he hopes to see AICCO expand relationships and increase collaboration with other minority chambers in 2026.
Read: Nathan Hart Takes Helm of AICCO, Lays Out Vision for 2026
Looking Ahead: Expanding What It Means to Be a Community Partner in 2026
As we move into 2026, Crosswinds is focused on strengthening and evolving what it means to be a true community partner.
That means continuing to improve the programs our communities already love, while also launching new initiatives shaped directly by what we’ve heard through our Listening and Learning Tour. From expanding community-centered reporting and in-person engagement to developing new tools, resources, and collaborations, our work in the coming year will be guided by responsiveness and relationship-building. We’re committed to growing alongside our partners; not just telling stories about community but working with community to build something lasting together.
Would you like to be a part of our 2026 community initiatives? Click here to send us an email at admin@crosswindsnews.net
Or catch our team at the upcoming NACC luncheon at the Indian Health Care Resource Center!
Thank you for being part of this growing community and for supporting independent, Native-led journalism this year.
We wish you not just a happy New Year, but a more peaceful, joyful and connected New Year, full of all the love and belonging you deserve.
With gratitude,
The Crosswinds News Team
