Democrat Claire McCaskill of Missouri wins re-election to Senate (November 6, 2012)

Democrat Claire McCaskill defeated Republican Todd Akin to win re-election for the U.S. Senate in Missouri. The incumbent McCaskill initially faced a strong challenge from Akin, who represents Missouri's 2nd Congressional district. But his controversial comments about rape and gender...

Democrat Elizabeth Warren wins Senate seat for Massachusetts (November 6, 2012)

Democrat Elizabeth Warren unseated Republican Scott Brown for the U.S. Senate seat in Massachusetts in one of the most heated and closely-watched campaigns of the election cycle. Warren faced repeated ridicule from Brown over her claims of Cherokee ancestry. But...

GOP Markwayne Mullin, Cherokee, wins House seat in Oklahoma (November 6, 2012)

Republican Markwayne Mullin defeated Democrat Rob Wallace for an open U.S. House seat in Oklahoma, according to early election returns. Mullin is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. However, he has not brought up his tribal heritage on the campaign...

Democrat Chris Murphy secures U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut (November 6, 2012)

Democrat Chris Murphy defeated Republican Linda McMahon for the U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut, according to early election results. The race to win the seat being vacated by Sen. Joe Lieberman (I) was the most expensive in state history. McMahon,...

APTN: Indian voters could tip election outcomes in key states (November 6, 2012)

"As Americans head to the polls today, there’s an historic push to get Native Americans voting as well. Media, tribal organizations and political parties themselves are all encouraging Native Americans to get out and vote. Among the loudest voices calling...

BIA disputes some child abuse incidents at Spirit Lake Nation (November 6, 2012)

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is disputing a federal official's claims of certain child abuse incidents on the Spirit Lake Nation in North Dakota. Thomas Sullivan, a regional official with the Administration for Children and Families, emailed federal prosecutors and...

Mescalero Apache man sentenced for sexual abuse of a minor (November 6, 2012)

Manuel Coronado Cervantes, a member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe of New Mexico, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for sexual abuse of a minor. Cervantes, 59, pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact of a 12-year-old child. The...

Chairman of Yurok Tribe facing run-off election on Wednesday (November 6, 2012)

The Yurok Tribe of California holds a run-off election for chairman on Wednesday. Incumbent Thomas O'Rourke, Sr. is being challenged by Raymond McQuillen for the post. O'Rourke received 31 percent of the vote in a primary last month, compared to...

George Wickliffe re-elected as United Keetoowah Band leader (November 6, 2012)

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma held an election on Monday. Chief George Wickliffe was re-elected to his third term with 57 percent of the vote. He has presided over the tribe's first successful land-into-trust applications. Assistant...

WyoFile: Getting out the votes on the Wind River Reservation (November 6, 2012)

"Micah Lott and Jenea Mandan, a pair of teenagers raised on the Wind River Indian Reservation, knock on the door of a modest wooden home in Beaver Creek, a small development on a barren rise just south of Riverton. When...

Mark Charles: Taking another step to form a more perfect union (November 6, 2012)

If I had to translate her words into Navajo, I would say “ádin.” Ádin means nothing, none, zero. I couldn't believe my ears. I was visiting Iowa in the first week of January during an election year. Presidential candidates were...

Seminole Tribe sends emergency team to aid Shinnecock Nation (November 6, 2012)

The Seminole Tribe of Florida is helping the Shinnecock Nation of New York deal with the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Last week's storm knocked out power on the Shinnecock Reservation and caused damage to homes, government building and the tribe's...

Navajo Nation Council offers Internet streaming of fall session (November 6, 2012)

For the first time, the Navajo Nation Council can be seen in action on the Internet. The council began broadcasting its fall session on uStream. Tribal members across the world, as well as the general public, can view the proceedings...

Warm Springs Tribes battle high rates of crime on reservation (November 6, 2012)

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon are working to battle high rates of crime on the reservation. With a population of a little more than 5,000, the reservation suffers from the highest per capita crime rates in...

Native Sun News: South Dakota church welcomes Indian pastors (November 6, 2012)

From left, Hampton Andrews, Sicangu Lakota, Norman Blue Coat, Cheyenne River Dakota, and Mike Kills Pretty Enemy, Hunkpapa Lakota, made history in South Dakota when they were ordained as pastors at the state United Church of Christ conference in...

NPR: Mohawk character comes to life in Assassins video game (November 6, 2012)

"The Assassin's Creed video game series has become a megahit for gaming enthusiasts. The story line follows a bloody war between Assassins and the Knights Templar, first during the Crusades and then in Renaissance Italy. The newly released Assassins...

Vincent Shilling: Social media in Indian Country flexes powers (November 6, 2012)

"On Saturday November 3, Indian country celebrated a bit of a victory and was paid a not a small amount of respect from Gwen Stefani of the group No Doubt. Within a few hours of posting their latest video...

Steve Russell: Indian fighters in the annals of American politics (November 6, 2012)

"If Indians should vote in elections called by the colonial state, the question becomes for whom? It is axiomatic that we vote our interests, but which of many interests? I maintain that we should reserve voting as Indians to helping...

Rep. Tom Cole: Democrats stoke fears about Republican budget (November 6, 2012)

"In their recent letter to Indian Country Today Media Network, Congressmen Ed Markey and Ben Ray Lujan expressed concern that chronically underfunded tribal programs are in jeopardy of damaging further spending reductions. I share these concerns and appreciate their efforts...

Renee Roman Nose: Vote to protect the rights of Indian people (November 6, 2012)

"To all our non-Native friends, this November is Native American Heritage Month and the month when we as a nation celebrate Thanksgiving. It is also the anniversary of the Sand Creek Massacre and the month in which we elect a...

Charles Trimble: A political kiss of death from Lakota columnist (November 6, 2012)

I’ve followed with interest the editorial confrontation between columnist Tim Giago and Lakota educator and scholar Ryan Wilson over whether it was wise or good for Giago to endorse the candidacy of Kristi Noem, the incumbent Republican candidate for...