Laurel Morales

A Native American family that sees Alzheimer's disease as a natural part of life may be less likely to reach for resources that could help, say Arizona mental health workers. They hope to change that.

The spill of heavy metals into the Animas River has contaminated water for hundreds of farmers in the Navajo Nation downstream, bringing up memories of past environmental disasters.

While the Supreme Court ruling legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states, it didn't affect American Indian tribes. The 566 tribes in the U.S. are sovereign, and only 10 have legalized gay marriage.

One report shows that state courts are twice as likely to incarcerate Native teens for minor crimes like truancy and alcohol use. Another, that alternatives like treatment programs are more effective.

The National Park Service says that an 89-year-old Navajo elder will be the last to live at Wupatki National Monument. Stella Peshlakai Smith's family faces eviction when she dies.

For decades, residents of the Navajo Nation's Smith Lake community have had to make their water stretch; a mission trucks it in monthly from 50 miles away. But soon, they'll be getting their own well.

Teens living on reservations often face a daunting array of hurdles. To help them cope, Navajo sibling musicians Clayson and Jeneda Benally are working to inspire students to write songs of their own.

Native Americans have some of the highest substance abuse rates compared to other ethnic groups. Alcohol and meth are the drugs of choice. Now, cartels are taking advantage of lax police enforcement.

Starting this month across the country, Native American tribes are now allowed to prosecute crimes against women in their own courts, even if the perpetrator is not Native American. Three tribes have been piloting ways to honor both the tribal and federal legal systems.

Some tribes are trying to set up growing operations after the Justice Department announced it would back off enforcement. Others worry about the potential for substance abuse.