Senate panel shares criticism of Bush budget (February 12, 2004)

Tribal leaders weren't the only ones critical of the Bush administration's new budget at a hearing on Wednesday where Democrats and even Republicans expressed disappointment with funding for Indian programs. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.), chairman of the Senate Indian...

Legal group challenges Indian teacher program (February 12, 2004)

A conservative legal group that Interior Secretary Gale Norton used to work for is challenging Indian teacher training programs at four universities. William Perry Pendley, president and chief legal officer of the Denver-based Mountain States Legal Foundation (http://www.mountainstateslegal.org), said the...

Navajo Nation voters chose Kerry in Ariz. primary (February 12, 2004)

Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts was the top vote-getter among members of the Navajo Nation, The Navajo Hopi-Observer reports. Across all counties of the Arizona part of the reservation, Kerry averaged 30 to 40 percent of the vote. Retired Army...

Wash. tribe's training program offers opportunities (February 12, 2004)

Members of the Tulalip Tribes of Washington are hoping to land jobs in the construction industry. The tribe and Edmonds Community College offer a 14-week construction training program. Students of all ages learn about equipment, plumbing, electricity and other subjects....

Oglala Sioux council to take up liquor debate again (February 12, 2004)

The Oglala Sioux Tribe council will decide next week whether to send voters a referendum to legalize the sale of alcohol. A council representative believes the tribe could take in $7 million a year by selling alcohol at the casino...

Ousted tribal members protest at Calif. state capitol (February 12, 2004)

Former members of two California tribes protested at the state capitol on Wednesday, seeking support from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). The Redding Rancheria disenrolled 67 members of an extended family who allegedly could not prove their...

Native groups nominated for 2004 JUNO Awards (February 12, 2004)

A diverse group of performers is up for the Aboriginal Recording of the Year in the 2004 Juno Awards in Canada. Singer Susan Aglukark was nominated for the contemporary "Big Feeling." Burnt out of Manitoba was recognized for its diverse...

Commentary: Unthinkable desecration of grave (February 12, 2004)

"The epic struggle of the Nez Perce Native Americans to retain their beloved homeland is a saga of dishonor in this nation's history. The Wallowa band was expelled from the Wallowa Valley of Oregon in 1877, when U.S. Army Gen....

Boldt treaty rights decision still alive 30 years later (February 12, 2004)

Thirty years after the landmark ruling affirming fishing rights in Washington, some tribal fishermen are finding an industry that is not as lucrative as it once was. The Upper Skagit Tribe's salmon fleet has gone from 50 boats to fewer...

Being Frank: On Earth And On Mars, Water Is Life (February 12, 2004)

Ed. Note: The following is a column from Billy Frank Jr., chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. For his role in treaty rights and resources protection, Frank has been chosen to receive the inaugural American Indian Visionary Award from...

Company accuses Mohegan Tribe of scuttling plans (February 12, 2004)

The chairman of the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut said the tribe won't work with a developer seeking to build an entertainment theme park near the tribe's casino. Utopia Studios of New York wants to build on a former hospital site...

Clark makes it official and drops out of race (February 12, 2004)

Retired Army general Wesley Clark dropped out of the Democratic presidential race on Wednesday. Campaign aides, supporters and observers gave several explanations for what went wrong with Clark's bid. Some cited the failure to campaign in Iowa. Others said he...

House approves technical corrections legislation (February 12, 2004)

The House gave final approval on Wednesday to a bill that would update several laws benefiting dozens of tribes. Rep. Richard Pombo (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Resources Committee, praised the passage of the Native American Technical Corrections Act of...

Domenici cites spending hike for reservation roads (February 12, 2004)

The following is a press release from Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.). Washington, D.C., February 11 - Senator Pete Domenici today endorsed increased funding levels in new federal highway legislation that authorizes a nearly 36 percent increase in resources to improve...

Column: Facts about the Shinnecock Nation (February 12, 2004)

"Fact: New York State has supported legalized gambling for years with its lottery, scratch games and, right now, the State is installing VLTs (electronic slot machines) at racetrack and probably at every OTB, including Southampton. Fact: Indian gaming is one...

Indian Eddie: Why not an Average White Guy Day? (February 12, 2004)

"I was sorry to hear of yet another "Native American Day" (Week, Month, Year, etc.) function recently, this time at the Legislature. How about Average White Guy Day? White guys could show up, dance out of rhythm and meekly mutter...

E! Online: GRAMMY show offensive to Natives (February 12, 2004)

The chair of the Indian organization calling for a boycott of CBS, the GRAMMYs and the record label of OutKast says the protest is not an attack on the popular hip-hop group. "We're not attacking OutKast as artists," Andrew Brother...

TV Critic: Public ignoring offensive performance (February 12, 2004)

"In the midst of our heated dialogue about decency, CBS's Grammy broadcast is providing us a lesson in what constitutes offensiveness. Problem is, American viewers are barely noticing. After Jack Black dramatically announced, "the natives were getting restless!" over a...

Owner of Geronimo liquor store considers name change (February 12, 2004)

The owner of a liquor store named after the Apache leader Geronimo said he is considering a name change in response to protest from the Indian community in Florida. Protests have taken place outside Geronimo's Spirits for the past month....

Nine injured by bull at Tohono O'odham Nation rodeo (February 12, 2004)

Nine people were injured at the Tohono O'odham Nation's rodeo on Saturday. A bull broke out of a gate and stormed through a crown. No one was gored but people were trampled. Five people were hospitalized but none had life-threatening...

Editorial: Feel free to criticize others, even tribes (February 12, 2004)

"Prosecutors in Paiute tribal court in Northern Nevada on Monday made discretion the better part of valor as they wisely decided not to respond to tribe member Patty Hicks' motion to dismiss libel charges against her. That prompted tribal court...

Judge won't move trial for murder of Native woman (February 12, 2004)

A judge in Alaska rejected a motion to move the trial of an ex-cop accused of murdering an Alaska Native woman. The attorney for Matthew C. Owens, who is white, said pre-trial publicity has tainted the case. But the district...