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In The Hoop
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2003

Welcome to In The Hoop, Indianz.Com's occasional column about assorted Indian issues.

It's Gettin' Hot in Herre
A special shout-out goes to the Tech folks over at USA Today, which named Indianz.Com as a Hot Site yesterday.

"View the news through Native American eyes, courtesy of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska," reads the blurb. "Discover what a Lieberman presidency might mean for tribal recognition, or just see what comes up in the handy 'SearchInjun.'"

The appearance by Indianz.Com is actually the second time on the paper's hotlist. On January 12, 2000, we were called a "cultural portal, with an emphasis on Indian rights."

A Peacemaker's Snub
On Monday, the Oneida Nation of New York proudly announced that it was hosting an official GRAMMY celebration to honor the five nominees for the Best Native American Music Album.

"It is an honor to be recognized as hosts of an official GRAMMY Fest event," said Ray Halbritter, Nation Representative and Chief Executive Officer of the Oneida Indian Nation.

But not all are being welcomed to the event, including tribal member and 2001 GRAMMY nominee Joanne Shenandoah. The Utica-Observer-Dispatch reported yesterday that the songstress, whose family has challenged Halbritter's policies, is not invited.

A tribal spokesperson said: "[T]here's just not a good relationship there."

The paper said it was unable to reach Shenandoah. We last ran into her at Indian Market in August 2002 and, as always, she was graceful and elegant.

Frequent Flyers
We weren't surprised recently when, waiting to board a crowded flight, we saw the chairman, a council member and the general counsel of an Oklahoma tribe. Once we got on the plane, though, we were amused at the seating arrangement.

In first class was none other than the tribe's general counsel. But no chairman!

As we made our way to the rear of the plane (we can't afford the expensive seats), we finally saw the chairman, seated next to the aforementioned council member. There just wasn't enough room up there to fit all the big wigs.

In Your Hoop
Does your tribal lawyer always get seated in first class? Write us and let us know.

More of In The Hoop
Jan. 15 | Jan. 10 | Jan. 9 | Jan. 2 | Dec. 20