For many descendants of those who perished at Wounded Knee in 1890, the Defense Department’s refusal to rescind Medals of Honor is a bitter blow. As a Senate Committee seeks information into the controversy, advocates like Violet Catches vow to continue pushing for a reckoning with history.

Ernie “Big Cat” Stevens Jr. shaped Native American gaming for more than two decades, driving growth and advocating for tribal sovereignty. His passing at age 66 marks the end of an era for the Indian Gaming Association and the many communities he served.