Alaska justice commission has year to complete work (February 2, 2004)

A commission that will study tribal laws and make recommendations on establishing a "unified" jurisdiction in rural Alaska has until January 2005 to complete its work. Attorney General John Ashcroft will appoint the nine members of the commission, which tilts...

CDC: Smoking rates highest among Native Americans (February 2, 2004)

American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest rate of cigarette use in the nation, according to statistics released on Friday. Current smoking among Native Americans surpassed all other racial and ethnic groups, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...

Navajo Nation cleared in cattle rustling case (February 2, 2004)

The Navajo Nation has been cleared of contempt charges in a politically-charged cattle rustling case. Former Navajo Council Delegate J.C. Begay's home was raided by tribal police during a cattle rustling investigation. No charges were ever filed but Begay sued...

S.D. students hope to move statue they say is racist (February 2, 2004)

Three students in Rapid City, South Dakota, have started a campaign against a statue they consider racist. Michael Lieberman, 14, Yvonne Bear Stops, 17, and Matt Frank, 16, say the statue of a bound Indian warrior misrepresents Native people. They...

Alaska Supreme Court affirms tribal sovereignty (February 2, 2004)

In a unanimous opinion, the Alaska Supreme Court on Friday upheld the sovereign rights of Alaska's federally recognized tribes. But the court said tribal sovereignty doesn't extend to the Association of Village Council Presidents, an inter-tribal organization that administers government...

Southern Ute convicted of lesser manslaughter charge (February 2, 2004)

A federal jury in Colorado convicted a Southern Ute tribal member of voluntary manslaughter for the beating death of his ex-lover. Prosecutors charged Carlos Herrera, 31, with murder but the jury handed down the lesser verdict. He faces up to...

Calif. Assembly passes law to outlaw 'Redskins' name (February 2, 2004)

The California Assembly voted 43-20 on Thursday to outlaw the use of the term "Redskins" for public school mascots. The bill targets five schools with a "Redskins" mascot. The schools would be required to phase out their mascots by 2006....

Yellow Bird: The magic of the Spirit of the North (February 2, 2004)

"How do we tell that this is record-setting cold? You can tell it's really cold by the different sound the snow makes when you walk on it at minus 44 degrees. Lift one flap of your "mad bomber" cap and...

Quapaw tribal members vote to settle trust lawsuit (February 2, 2004)

Members of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma voted 135-18 on Saturday to settle an historical accounting lawsuit with the Department of Interior. Under the settlement, the tribe would drop its claim for an accounting of tribal trust funds. In exchange,...

Man accused of murdering Anna Mae goes on trial (February 2, 2004)

Jury selection begins on Tuesday for the trial of a man accused of murdering American Indian Movement activist Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash. In February 1976, Pictou-Aquash, a member of the Mi'kmaq Tribe from Canada, was found dead on the Pine Ridge...

Kennedy meets with tribal leaders to promote Kerry (February 2, 2004)

News from the Office of the Speaker, Navajo Nation Council. ESPANOLA, N.M., January 31 – Navajo Nation Council delegate Kenneth Maryboy offered a traditional blessing to U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy and Vanessa Kerry, daughter of Presidential Democratic hopeful John Kerry,...

Seth Prince: Coming full circle with my tribal (February 2, 2004)

"I am Indian, my family had always told me. For years, however, I let society tell me otherwise. I lost my Indianness in the chasm separating those two views. And it has taken me much of the past decade to...

Dakota comic book hero fights negativity in 2nd release (February 2, 2004)

News from the United Tribes Technical College in North Dakota. BISMARCK, ND - The vibrant red and blue inks jump from the pulpy pages, as KODA the Warrior is ready to tackle a new adventure. The American Indian Superhero, star...

Tobacco tax bill has broad group of supporters (February 2, 2004)

A tobacco tax bill that would open up tribes and Indian businesses to state enforcement is gaining steam in Congress. A broad group of interests, including tobacco manufacturers, anti-smoking groups and convenience store owners, supports the legislation. They say it...

Gover praises BIA for not bowing to pressure (February 2, 2004)

Former assistant secretary Kevin Gover is praising the Bureau of Indian Affairs for not caving into pressure from anti-recognition officials in Connecticut. Twice, the BIA has recognized tribes in the state despite mounted opposition. The Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation was...

Schaghticoke Tribe considering more land claims (February 2, 2004)

The newly recognized Schaghticoke Tribal Nation is considering additional land claims in Connecticut in hopes of forcing the state to negotiate for a casino. The tribe already has a 2,000-acre claim for land around its reservation. A federal judge had...

Bush administration rolling out fiscal year 2005 budget (February 2, 2004)

The Bush administration is releasing its fiscal year 2005 budget today. President Bush will request an $818 billion discretionary budget, an increase of 4.1 percent over the current year. Congressional sources said to expect cuts in energy, agricultural and environmental...

Nez Perce cemetery in Ore. threatened by development (February 2, 2004)

A county board in Oregon is set to decide today whether a housing development will be allowed near the grave of Old Chief Joseph, a leader of the Nez Perce Tribe. A developer wants to build 11 homes on 62...

Southern, Eastern tribes meeting in DC this week (February 2, 2004)

Ed. Note: There have been several schedule changes. Some of the latest are reported here. The United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) is holding its annual Impact Week Meeting in the Washington, D.C., area this week. Today, attendees will get...

Case tests Pechanga Tribe's right to disenroll 130 (February 2, 2004)

A federal lawsuit has been filed on behalf of 130 members of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians who are being threatened with disenrollment. The group claims descent from one of the tribe's major leaders. But the tribe's enrollment committee...