Legislation won't address all land-into-trust issues (April 5, 2006)

The Senate and House are each considering legislation that would change the way land is taken into trust for gaming but neither proposal addresses issues raised by a recent Interior Department investigation. In an evaluation report, Inspector General Earl Devaney...

Billy Frank: Wrong people make decisions on salmon (April 5, 2006)

"A lot of misplaced anger will be directed at the Pacific Fishery Management Council as it meets in Sacramento this week to set ocean salmon fishing harvest levels. That's because the wrong people will be sitting across the table from...

Navajo Nation faces big threat in methamphetamine (April 5, 2006)

Statistics from the Navajo Nation paint a damning portrait of the effect of methamphetamine on the largest tribe in the country. Research by the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corp found that 25 percent of Navajo kids in Tuba City,...

DeLay denies resignation linked to Abramoff probe (April 5, 2006)

Embattled Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) adamantly denied his pending resignation has anything to do with "any investigation" into his activities or relationship with convict Jack Abramoff. DeLay's announcement came just days after a former aide pleaded guilty to corruption...

Ex-Spokane council member alleges retaliation (April 5, 2006)

A former council member for the Spokane Tribe of Washington says he was forced out of his position in the city of Spokane due to tribal retaliation. Ronald "Buzz" Gutierrez sat on the city's Native American Public Development Authority. But...

Editorial: The fall of Rep. Tom DeLay, the Hammer (April 5, 2006)

"Like the rise and fall of many a pugnacious politician, the case of Representative Tom DeLay, the pest exterminator turned power broker, is certainly spellbinding for its individual drama. But it is more important to note that Mr. DeLay's...

Business Week: Choctaws land shady Katrina contract (April 5, 2006)

"The Mississippi Choctaw Indians are looking for another way to work Washington -- this time, through the Pentagon. You remember the Choctaws: The wealthy tribe got national notice last year as one of Jack Abramoff's biggest clients, paying the disgraced...

Daily Variety: Arigon Starr show witty, insightful (April 5, 2006)

"Native American singer-songwriter Arigon Starr channels all the denizens of the All Nations Cafe in Sapulpa, Okla., in this witty, insightful dissection of Native American activism, racial stereotyping, tribal infighting and small-town politics. Helmer Randy Reinholz's active staging occasionally...

WSJ: Team DeLay to blame for Republican ethics woes (April 5, 2006)

"We took a lot of grief from Republicans for an editorial a year ago warning that Mr. DeLay and his crowd had gone Beltway native. It turns out we understated the problem. A spokesman for Mr. DeLay said last week...

Bar near sacred Bear Butte wins beer license (April 5, 2006)

Despite strong opposition from tribes and some local residents, the Meade County Commission in South Dakota voted 5-0 on Tuesday to approve a beer license for a bar near sacred Bear Butte. The commission heard two hours of comment...

Editorial: Details of shooting incident don't add up (April 5, 2006)

"The tragic weekend altercation between state park police officers and Ramapough Mountain Indians demands a rigorous and thorough investigation by Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli. So far, the information about the shooting incident simply does not add up, and the...

Officers faulted in shooting of Ramapough man (April 5, 2006)

The prosecutor in Bergen County, New Jersey, says state park police officers are at fault for the shooting of a member of the Ramapough Lenape Indian Nation but charges aren't being brought against the officers involved. State park police shot...

Florida to buy site of key Seminole battle (April 5, 2006)

The state of Florida will pay $2.3 million to preserve the Okeechobee Battlefield, the site of a key Seminole battle with the United States. Warriors from the Seminole and Miccosukee tribes, along with runaway slaves, fought U.S. soldiers on...

Omaha Tribe to sign telemedicine agreement (April 5, 2006)

The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and the Department of Veterans Administration will sign a telemedicine agreement on Thursday. The deal will allow doctors at VA facilities in Omaha and Lincoln to provide services to Native veterans on the Omaha Reservation....

Hoopa Valley Tribe again denied seat on board (April 5, 2006)

The Hoopa Valley Tribe in northern California was again denied a seat on the Humboldt County Association of Governments. The association board voted 4-4 last week on the tribe's membership. Even though the Humboldt County supports the tribe's stance, a...

Unofficial Shinnecock Nation election results (April 5, 2006)

The Shinnecock Nation of New York, a state-recognized tribe that is seeking federal recognition, held an election on Tuesday. Three people were elected to the board of trustees. According to the unofficial results, the winners were Lance Gumbs as chairman;...

Indian law practitioners meet for annual conference (April 5, 2006)

The Federal Bar Association's 31st annual Indian law conference takes place on Thursday and Friday in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The theme of the conference is "Active Sovereignty in the 21st Century." Among other topics, Indian law practitioners and Indian law...

BIA holds second consultion on Section 20 proposal (April 5, 2006)

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is holding the second consultation session on its proposed Section 20 regulations today in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The regulations will establish standards for implementing Section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Under the law,...

Witness list for Senate hearing on methamphetamine (April 5, 2006)

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee is holding a hearing this morning on "The Problem of Methamphetamine in Indian Country." The committee will hear from federal and tribal witnesses. The list follows: Panel 1 MR. WILLIAM P. RAGSDALE Director, Bureau of...