March 3, 2025
Flooding at Dunbar Cave State Park in Tennessee has raised concerns over potential damage to 800-year-old Mississippian charcoal drawings, according to park officials. Heavy rains submerged the artwork for the first time, leaving a layer of mud that could cause permanent harm. Rangers are working with archaeologists to assess the impact and explore why flooding has worsened. Dunbar Cave houses the only publicly accessible dark-zone cave art in the U.S.
We provide the independent reporting that non-Native, extractive outlets often overlook. We give our communities the context and the facts they need to make informed decisions.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we exist to illuminate tribal government decision-making for everyone who cares about transparency about Native issues. Because the consequences of restricted press freedom affect our communities every day, our trauma-informed reporting is rooted in a deep, firsthand expertise. Every gift helps keep the fire burning. A monthly contribution makes the biggest impact.