Anderson's BIA ceremony almost perfect affair (February 24, 2004)

Dave Anderson is sworn in as assistant secretary for Indian affairs by Interior Secretary Gale Norton in Washington, D.C. Just about everything at Dave Anderson's public swearing-in as head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs yesterday went smoothly. The...

Tribal leaders focusing on votes in 2004 (February 24, 2004)

With the promise of 1 million voters at the polls this November, the president of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) kicked off the largest inter-tribal organization's winter session on Monday. President Tex Hall echoed the theme of the...

Senator Daschle at NCAI Winter Session 2004 (February 24, 2004)

Ed. Note: The following is the text of the prepared remarks of Sen. Tom Daschle (D-South Dakota) at the National Congress of American Indians winter session. February 23, 2004. Washington, D.C. It is an honor and a privilege to participate...

Yellow Bird: Tribal justice program to bring some good (February 24, 2004)

"One of the great things about the relationship between Indian country and university communities is that outstanding ideas sometimes sprout, are nurtured and blossom into great programs. Examples are the RAIN program, or Recruitment and Retention of American Indians Into...

Talks continue to mediate Cobell trust fund suit (February 24, 2004)

The parties in the Cobell Indian trust fund lawsuit continue to discuss mediation of the seven-year-old case. The plaintiffs and Department of Interior officials have met at least twice in recent months. Associate Deputy Secretary Jim Cason and attorney David...

S.D. tribes unhappy with gutting of ICWA bill (February 24, 2004)

Tribal leaders in South Dakota and their representatives say Gov. Mike Round (R) interfered with a bill that would have forced compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act. The original version would have written ICWA into state law. But at...

LaDuke supports Nader's right to run for president (February 24, 2004)

Native environmental activist Winona LaDuke said she supports Ralph Nader's right to run for president as an independent. But LaDuke, a member of the White Earth Ojibwe Tribe, told The Minneapolis Star Tribune that she hasn't decided whether to support...

Mont. sheriff charged for fraud in Indian ag program (February 24, 2004)

The sheriff and his deputy for the Montana county that is home to the Blackfeet Nation were arrested on Monday for defrauding the American Indian Livestock Feed Program. Glacier County Sheriff Gary Racine and Deputy John P. Evans pleaded not...

Wild West: Tribe willing to share despite our greed (February 24, 2004)

"There are more than 100 reservations in California, amounting to something like 800 square miles — about half of 1% of the land that these tribes had to themselves 250 years ago. Yes, the Indians' acres these days hold more...

Column: Science the winner in Kennewick Man case (February 24, 2004)

Ed. Note: Tech Central Station, the publisher of the article, is a Libertarian-leaning organization funded by large corporations. Lynn Scarlett, the Department of Interior assistant secretary for policy, management and budget, was affiliated with TCS before joining the Bush administration...

'Super Chief' Wadena on ballot again at White Earth (February 24, 2004)

"Super Chief" Darrell "Chip" Wadena is running for chairman of the White Earth Ojibwe Tribe of Minnesota again. Wadena was convicted of stealing from the tribe and was sent to federal prison. "I believe I was wrongly sent to prison,...

Lumbee student moves to next round in American Idol (February 24, 2004)

Charly Lowry, a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, has advanced to the next round in the American Idol competition. Lowry, 20, plans to sing an Aretha Franklin song tonight, according to USA Today. Her strategy to winning...

Senate, House panels to hold hearings on budget (February 24, 2004)

Two Congressional committees will hold hearings on President Bush's fiscal year 2005 budget on Wednesday. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will take testimony from government officials from different agencies, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This hearing was to have...

GOP Congressman wants probe into tribal enrollment (February 24, 2004)

Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) dashed off a series of letters on Monday seeking a probe into the way the Bureau of Indian Affairs handled enrollment for a California tribe. Wolf, an opponent of gaming, said the FBI should investigate alleged...

Former Canadian PM testifies in mismanagement case (February 24, 2004)

Former Canadian prime minister Jean Chrétien testified on Monday in a case alleging mismanagement of $1.4 billion in Indian trust assets. Chrétien was called to the stand by the Samson Cree First Nation of Alberta. The tribe believes he can...

BIA to fund repairs at Crow Creek Sioux school (February 24, 2004)

Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) on Monday announced that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has approved emergency funding to replace the gymnasium at the Crow Creek Tribal School in South Dakota. Daschle, the Senate minority leader, said he worked closely...

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe signs $26.5M road deal (February 24, 2004)

North Dakota Congressman Earl Pomeroy on Monday announced that the Bureau of Indian Affairs has signed a project agreement that will enable the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to access up to $26.5 million to construct new community streets and roads...

Alaska Native corporation diversifies portfolio (February 24, 2004)

Eyak Corp, the Alaska Native corporation representing the village of Eyak, has moved away from resources development to diversify its business holdings. The corporation got rid of its timber business 10 years ago. It now has three subsidiaries in the...

Yaquis in Mexico threaten blockade of major highway (February 24, 2004)

Yaqui tribal members in Mexico are threatening to resume a blockade of a major highway in a protest over land. Last week, tribal members shut down the highway, causing a backup of commercial traffic into the U.S. They are demanding...

Groups question Alaska tribal contract for refuge (February 24, 2004)

Some groups are questioning a proposed management contract between 10 Alaska tribes and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and the Blue Goose Alliance of New Mexico say the agreement could potentially set a bad...

Wis. tribe to build new cultural center for museum (February 24, 2004)

The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin is planning to build a 5,000-square-foot cultural center that will house its museum and cultural heritage department. The tribe expects to complete the center by 2006. It replaces the Oneida Museum, which is celebrating its...

Supreme Court asks for DOJ brief in Oneida case (February 24, 2004)

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday asked the Department of Justice to submit a brief in the Oneida Nation's treaty rights case. The city of Sherrill is challenging a ruling that forbids state and local taxation of the tribe's treaty...