Bush budget seeks cuts to Indian education programs (February 10, 2005)

Indian education will again be seeing a hit in fiscal year 2006 despite President Bush's pledge to leave no child behind. Programs at the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Department of Education are at risk for cuts or outright...

Meeting called over graving yard controversy (February 10, 2005)

The Washington Department of Transportation will hold a community meeting on Monday to discuss the controversy over a graving yard that was abandoned due to the discovery of a tribal village. Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) requested the meeting, to be...

Appeals court sides with tribe in trust land dispute (February 10, 2005)

A federal appeals court on Wednesday handed the Narragansett Tribe a much-needed victory in one of its many battles with the state of Rhode Island. The tribe and the state have been at odds over gaming, jurisdiction, taxation and a...

New Mexico governor seeks funds for urban clinic (February 10, 2005)

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) is asking the Indian Health Service to find money to keep an urban Indian health clinic in Albuquerque open. Richardson said the pending closure of the Albuquerque Indian Health Center will hurt urban Indians...

Tribal leader addresses Montana Legislature (February 10, 2005)

The chairman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes delivered the State of the Tribal Nations at the Montana Legislature on Wednesday. Fred Matt hailed "a new day in Montana" as tribal governments and the state work together to address...

Navajo Nation water settlement gains more support (February 10, 2005)

The Farmington, New Mexico, City Council voted 3-1 on Tuesday to endorse the Navajo Nation's $750 million water rights settlement. The council also voted 3-1 to approve an agreement with the tribe and the state to set out the city's...

EPA recognizes tribal authority under Clean Air Act (February 10, 2005)

The Environmental Protection Agency has recognized the authority of a Wisconsin tribe to regulate air quality on its reservation. The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is the first tribe in Wisconsin to gain treatment of state status under...

Group seeks to put more Indians in public office (February 10, 2005)

Former Congressional candidate and Justice Department attorney Kalyn Free is launching a new group aimed at putting more Indians in public office. The Indigenous Democratic Network, or INDN's List, will make its debut on February 28 at a reception in...

Harvard admissions doesn't verify tribal heritage (February 10, 2005)

The president of Native Americans at Harvard College says the school should require applicants to document their tribal heritage. Erica A. Scott, a Lenape, said she was asked to verify her tribal affiliation when she applied to Dartmouth College, Stanford...

Seminole Tribe hosting NAMMY awards ceremony (February 10, 2005)

The Seminole Tribe of Florida is hosting the seventh annual Native American Music Awards tonight. This year is the first time the show has gone to Florida but organizer Ellen Bello hopes it will stay there. The ceremony takes place...

Red Lake Band discusses trade with First Nations (February 10, 2005)

The Red Lake Band of Ojibwe from Minnesota met with eight First Nations for an historic meeting on Wednesday. Tribal leaders said they wanted to work together to explore trade and economic opportunities. One idea proposed was importing prescription drugs...

Another urban reserve proposed in Manitoba (February 10, 2005)

Native leaders in Manitoba want to establish an urban reserve in Winnipeg to promote economic development. The Roseau River First Nation and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs want to buy an abandoned 70-hectare site in the city. The land would...

Renowned Native actor named to Order of Canada (February 10, 2005)

Cree actor Gordon Tootoosis has been named to the Order of Canada. Tootoosis [IMDB Bio] is being recognized for his many film, television and stage roles. He appeared in the popular CBC TV show "North of 60" and currently starts...

Innu leaders accused of funding drugs, alcohol (February 10, 2005)

Leaders of a trouble Innu Nation community in Labrador are being accused of using tribal money to fund drug and alcohol runs. Sources told CBC News that tribal council members are smuggling marijuana and cocaine into the community. One council...

Colorado governor still wants Churchill fired (February 10, 2005)

Colorado Gov. Bill Owens (R) on Wednesday said controversial University of Colorado professor Ward Churchill should be fired because his research has been questioned. Owens wants to know how Churchill received tenure at CU, which receives limited funding from the...

County to talk with Chumash Tribe over trust land (February 10, 2005)

The Santa Barbara, California, County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0, with one member abstaining, to talk with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians about the tribe's land-into-trust request. The county is being pushed to appeal the Bureau of Indian...

California tribe offers $100K reward for arson hit (February 10, 2005)

The Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians is offering a $100,000 reward for information about the arson of a tribally-owned apartment complex. The Earth Liberation Front, a radical environmental group, claimed responsibility for Monday's fire. Seven firebombs were planted at...

Tribal-friendly candidate running for mayor (February 10, 2005)

A lawyer who helped pave the way for California's tribal gaming industry is running for mayor of Los Angeles. Bob Hertzberg and his father Harrison Hertzberg represented the Barona Band of Mission Indians in its battle to offer bingo. In...

House committee holds federal recognition hearing (February 10, 2005)

The House Resources Committee holds a hearing today on a bill to speed up the federal recognition process for tribes that have been waiting more than two decades for an answer. The hearing takes place at 10 am in 1324...

Thousands expected at Minnesota powwow (February 10, 2005)

Between 2,000 to 3,000 people are expected to attend the 16th annual High Plains Powwow at Concordia College in Minnesota this Saturday. The theme this year is “Where the Woodlands Meet the Plains." For the first time, it will be...

Church won't allow Lakota ceremony at funeral (February 10, 2005)

The family of the late Lakota activist Muriel Waukazoo has moved her funeral because a church in Oakland, California, won't allow a drum group or spiritual leader to participate. Paul Brown, deacon of the American Indian Baptist Church, said Indian...

Former Indian Affairs counsel joins law firm (February 10, 2005)

Paul Moorehead, the former Republican chief counsel and staff director for the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, has joined the law firm of Gardner Carton & Douglas, where he will work in the tribal and governmental affairs practice. Moorehead worked...