Senators' letter questioned NIGC's agenda (January 26, 2005)

The National Indian Gaming Commission was warned last month that its review of tribal casino agreements with non-Indian investors was having a "chilling effect" on the $16 billion industry. In one of their last actions as the leaders of the...

Columbus Day parade likened to cross-burning (January 26, 2005)

Opponents of the Columbus Day parade in Denver, Colorado, say the controversial event is comparable to cross-burning. Protesters who blocked last year's parade say the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that intimidating actions are not protected by the First Amendment. The...

Editorial: Law should protect Columbus Day parade (January 26, 2005)

"[Columbus Day] protester and CU-Boulder professor Ward Churchill told the gathering that the First Amendment doesn't protect hate speech, citing a 2003 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows states to ban cross burnings. But burning a cross with the intent...

Tulalip Tribes face punishment in housing case (January 26, 2005)

The Tulalip Tribes of Washington face sanctions for misusing federal housing funds. An audit by the Department of Housing and Urban Development found that the tribe's housing commission used federal funds for first-class travel, Palm Pilots, cellphones, expensive meals and...

Indian man files lawsuit over boarding school abuse (January 26, 2005)

A member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe who says he was abused at a government boarding school has filed suit in federal court, seeking damages. Orrie Harry Charger, 74, attended St. Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota. He...

California imposes fines in tribal insurance flap (January 26, 2005)

The state of California has fined two agents as part of its crackdown against the tribal insurance industry. The state Department of Insurance says tribes who offer workers' insurance to businesses are breaking state law. At least two tribes are...

Peltier said to have given false info in Aquash case (January 26, 2005)

Imprisoned American Indian Movement activist Leonard Peltier was pressured to give false evidence in the murder case of Anna Mae Pictou Aquash, a lawyer said on Tuesday. Peltier gave the information to U.S. prosecutors in hopes of helping his own...

Wyoming lawmakers consider two tribal liaison posts (January 26, 2005)

The Wyoming Senate Revenue Committee voted 4-1 on a bill that would create two tribal-state liaisons. The state previously had one tribal liaison but the post has been vacant since November. The position was jointly funded by the state and...

BIA approves Chumash Tribe's land-into-trust request (January 26, 2005)

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has approved a land-into-trust request by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. The tribe plans to use 6.9 acres for a museum, cultural center and commercial space. The land is located across from the...

State of Tribe address won't shy from problems (January 26, 2005)

Harold Frazier, chairman of Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, says he won't shy from problems in his first State of the Tribe address. Frazier said the public needs to know what is going on within the tribe, whether it be good...

Oglala Sioux Tribe suspends school board (January 26, 2005)

At its first meeting of the year, the Oglala Sioux Tribe's council suspended a school board on the reservation in response to parent complaints. The council was asked to dissolve the Crazy Horse School Board so that a new election...

Washington halts work at another tribal site (January 26, 2005)

The state of Washington has halted a road construction project after artifacts linked to the Chinook Nation were discovered. The state will conduct more archaeological work and consult the tribe before any work resumes. The site likely documents Chinook life...

Blame laid on Indian man killed by police officer (January 26, 2005)

An Indian man who was fatally shot by a police officer fired his gun first, the man's cousin said in a criminal complaint. Benjamin DeCoteau, 21, was killed early Saturday morning in Minneapolis. His cousin, Dana Blue-David Dickenson, said he...

Bush administration forecasts $427B budget deficit (January 26, 2005)

The Bush administration said the federal budget deficit would rise to $427 billion this year. The amount is higher than the $331 billion deficit the administration had previously expected. Part of the increase is due to $80 billion that President...