Tex Hall stress votes and unity in speech (January 28, 2004)

National Congress of American Indians President Tex Hall spoke on the Fort Belknap Reservation in Montana on Tuesday. Subzero temperatures and dangerous driving conditions prevented many from attending as planned, The Great Falls Tribune reported. But those who did said...

Wash. county opposing tribe's land-into-trust request (January 28, 2004)

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Washington is running into some opposition over a request to place 10 acres of land into trust. The property is adjacent to a 20-acre site where the tribe plans to build a casino. The casino site...

Democrats turn to states with key Indian votes (January 28, 2004)

Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts sailed to victory in New Hampshire's Democratic primary on Tuesday, easily beating former front runner Howard Dean by 13 points. Retired Army general Wesley Clark, an Indian Country favorite, narrowly edged out Sen. John Edwards...

N.D. judge rules gas tax on Indians illegal (January 28, 2004)

As many as 7,000 tribal members who purchase fuel on reservations in North Dakota may be entitled to refunds for being forced to pay the state's gasoline tax. The courts still have to sort out how much money may be...

Navajo leaders object to efforts to re-open water deal (January 28, 2004)

Navajo Nation leaders said the New Mexico Legislature shouldn't try to re-open a proposed water settlement between the tribe, the state and the federal government. Some lawmakers say that non-Indians weren't involved in the process. But Navajo leaders say the...

Commentary: Lewis and Clark robbed Native peoples (January 28, 2004)

"Meriwether Lewis and William Clark sit high in the pantheon of American folk heroes. Even today, Lewis and Clark are viewed as brave adventurers who went where no one had gone before, exploring and conquering the wilderness for the betterment...

Tribes using wildlife grants for various projects (January 28, 2004)

Tribes in Montana, Wyoming, Utah and California are among the recipients of $14 million in federal grants to help endangered, threatened and other wildlife on tribal lands. In Montana, the Fort Belknap Tribes, the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes,...

Okla. governor seeks big increase in tobacco tax (January 28, 2004)

Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry (D) is proposing to raise the state's cigarette excise tax from 23 cents to $1 a pack. If the tax goes through, several tribes that signed compacts with the state will have to share a portion...

Tribal lobbyist appointed to head DOI commission (January 28, 2004)

Ron Kaufman, a Republican lobbyist who represented the Eastern Pequot Tribe of Connecticut in its successful quest for federal recognition, has been nominated to head a Department of Interior commission. A Democrat lawmaker and the former head of the Cape...

Sask. First Nation considers starting up MRI clinic (January 28, 2004)

The Muskeg Lake Cree Nation of Saskatchewan is in discussions to start an MRI clinic on its urban reserve. Tribal leaders are talking with federal and provincial officials to clarify whether the tribe can run the clinic. Private-run health facilities...

Sault Ste. Marie chair, family, receive death threats (January 28, 2004)

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Michigan is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for threats against Chairman Bernard Bouschor, his family and associates. According to The Soo Evening News, three...

Jewish groups oppose Native leader's nomination (January 28, 2004)

David Ahenakew, an Aboriginal leader whose comments praising the Holocaust netted hate crimes charges, has been nominated to sit on a Canadian-funded commission. Jewish groups are outraged that Ahenakew's name was even presented. But sources with the Assembly of First...

Caddo women still holed up in tribal headquarters (January 28, 2004)

Five women of the Caddo Tribe of Oklahoma continue their sit-in protest at the tribe's headquarters. The women are protesting chairwoman LaRue Parker. They claim she has misused federal funds and are calling for a federal investigation. The sit-in started...

Judge rules Schwarzenegger violated campaign law (January 28, 2004)

A California judge ruled on Monday that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) violated the same campaign finance limits Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante (D) was criticized for. Schwarzenegger said he always intended to repay a $4.5 million bank loan he used for...

Donations accepted for family who lost four children (January 28, 2004)

The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota is accepting clothing, household goods and furniture for a family who lost four children and their house in a fire on the reservation. Federal and tribal law enforcement continue to look into...

Judge to have 'final word' on Shinnecock recognition (January 28, 2004)

A federal judge in New York says he will have the "final word" on the Shinnecock Nation's status as a sovereign tribe. U.S. District Judge Thomas C. Platt also said that a tribe doesn't have to show "absolute continuity" to...

Minn. biologists agree on harvest levels for tribes (January 28, 2004)

The state of Minnesota's 1837 Ceded Territory Fisheries Committee, composed of tribal and state biologists, has agreed to harvest levels for the 2004 fishing season. The committee set a level of 480,000 pounds of walleye. Of this, eight Ojibwe bands...

Senate Indian Affairs panel holding first meeting (January 28, 2004)

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee is holding its first meeting of the Congressional session this morning. The committee is expected to mark up S.1721, the American Indian Probate Reform Act of 2003. The bill would create a national probate standard...

Maori girl wins Best Actress nod for 'Whale Rider' (January 28, 2004)

Keisha Castle-Hughes, a 13-year-old Maori girl from New England, was nominated for Best Actress by the Academy Awards. Castle-Hughes is not the first young person nominated for an Oscar. But she is the youngest ever for that category. In "The...