GAO calls for more oversight of Alaska Native contracts (April 28, 2006)

The Alaska Native contract industry has exploded in the last five years without adequate oversight from the federal government, the Government Accountability Office said in a report on Thursday. In fiscal year 2000, Alaska Native corporations were awarded $265 million...

Court throws out suit challenging Indian preference (April 28, 2006)

Private companies that enter into contracts with tribal governments cannot be sued for following Indian preference laws, a federal appeals court ruled on Thursday. In the first case of its kind, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals was confronted with...

Federal Register: Proposed IHS Medicare rule (April 28, 2006)

The Indian Health Service is accepting comments until June 27 on a proposed Medicare rule. A notice published today in the Federal Register outlines the proposal. The regulations will define how health clinics run by tribes, tribal organizations or urban...

Pueblo artist unveils Santa Fe Indian Market poster (April 28, 2006)

Virgil Ortiz, an artist and fashion designer from Cochiti Pueblo, unveiled his winning design for the 85th annual Santa Fe Indian Market's official poster. Ortiz was selected to design the poster amid a field of more than 30 artists....

Gathering of Nations Powwow kicks off in Albuquerque (April 28, 2006)

The 23rd annual Gathering of Nations Powwow, the largest powwow in North America, kicked off Thursday in Albuquerque, New Mexico. More than 150,000 people are expected to attend the three-day event. Over 3,000 dancers and dozens of drum groups...

Pechanga Band reaches deal with IRS over tips (April 28, 2006)

The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians has reached a deal with the Internal Revenue Service over tips at the tribe's casino. Table game dealers must now pool their tips and distribute them equally. The IRS treats such tips as income...

Editorial: Rebuilding economies in Indian Country (April 28, 2006)

"Job training. Work force development. Business creation. Add basic education and we have the core of what’s needed to raise Indian reservations out of their crushing poverty. That’s the focus of the Great Plains Regional Tribal Economic Development Summit in...

Urban Indian health centers fight Bush budget cut (April 28, 2006)

The leaders of Montana's five urban Indian health centers are meeting today to develop a strategy to oppose President Bush's proposed cut of the entire $33 million urban Indian health program. The Montana clinics stand to lose big if the...

Northern Cheyenne Tribe declares war on meth (April 28, 2006)

A community coalition established by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana is battling methamphetamine. The War on Meth coalition has produced bumper stickers aimed at sending out a strong message against the drug. The "Don't Meth With Me" and...

Scientists study remains of ancient ancestors (April 28, 2006)

Although Kennewick Man has stolen the spotlight, scientists are studying the remains of other ancient Native ancestors, sometimes with the cooperation and encouragement of tribes. A 10,300-year-old man was discovered on Prince of Wales Island off the southeast Alaska coast....

Youth gangs a growing problem for Puyallup Tribe (April 28, 2006)

A gang war in Tacoma, Washington, has engulfed young members of the Puyallup Tribe. Two young tribal members who were cousins were murdered in December 2005 and January 2006. One of them, Donald George-Oya, 19, belonged to a Native...

Utah governor latest to oppose big military blast (April 28, 2006)

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. (R) is joining opposition to the Pentagon's plan to blow up more than 700 tons of explosives at the Nevada Test Site. Huntsman said the blast should be halted because it could stir up radioactive...

Standing Rock chairman disputes UND on 'Sioux' (April 28, 2006)

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe does not support the "Fighting Sioux" nickname of the University of North Dakota, chairman Ron His Horse Is Thunder has told the NCAA. But UND President Charles Kupchella is claiming that the tribe backs the...

Mural depicting Ohlones is defaced in Oakland (April 28, 2006)

The so-called "Ohlone Mural" in Oakland, California, was defaced by unknown vandals a week before the controversial artwork was to be dedicated. The 25-by-10-foot mural is on 41st and Piedmont Ave. It was painted by local artist Rocky Baird,...

Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe reaches land-use deal (April 28, 2006)

The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts and the town of Aquinnah signed a new land-use agreement that both sides hope will avoid future disputes. The tribe and the town were parties in a landmark case. The state's highest court ruled...

Cherokee council tables bill to block Freedmen (April 28, 2006)

The Cherokee Nation council tabled legislation on Thursday that would block the Freedmen from citizenship in the second-largest tribe in the U.S. The tribe's highest court ruled that the Freedmen, regardless of Indian blood quantum, are entitled to citizenship. But...

House narrowly revives lobbying reform bill (April 28, 2006)

The House narrowly voted 216-207 on Thursday to revive its version of the lobbying reform bill. House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois) had pulled the Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act from consideration after members of the Appropriations Committee said they...

Jack Abramoff and family spotted at pricey resort (April 28, 2006)

Convicted felon Jack Abramoff and his family spent more than a week at a pricey resort on Florida, The New York Times reports. Abramoff, his wife and five children were guests at the Turnberry Isle Resort and Country Club [Website]...

Sen. Johnson: Long overdue honor for Native soldier (April 28, 2006)

"Few Americans will recognize Master Sgt. Woodrow Keeble's name, but he was an American hero who served in two wars and who deserves our nation's most prestigious recognition. I first became aware of Keeble's bravery in 2002 after being contacted...

Harjo: Indians forced to pay price for Abramoff (April 28, 2006)

"[First Indian affairs assistant secretary Forrest] Gerard decries those who want to ''make Indians pay a price'' for the scandal, saying the justice system will take care of wrongdoing and the ''tribes' inherent systems'' are making appropriate changes in leadership....