IGRA amendments mired in debate over revenues (April 13, 2004)

A bill to reform federal oversight of the $15.9 billion Indian gaming industry stalled last week amid complaints that it could weaken ongoing negotiations to send more tribal casino revenues to state coffers. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee took up...

N.D. tribal council to consider status of bison herd (April 13, 2004)

The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation council will consider the status of the tribe's bison herd this month. Tribal employees and outsiders have accused the tribe of mismanaging the herd. They say a number of animals have died of malnutrition...

Alaska Republicans protest $100K village bulldozer (April 13, 2004)

Alaska Republicans in the State Senate are rejecting a bill that authorizes the purchase of an $100,000 bulldozer for an Alaska Native village and $10 million in other capital projects. The Rampart Village tribal council has requested the funds for...

Tribal leaders hope to counteract Bush budget cuts (April 13, 2004)

Tribal leaders are meeting in the Washington, D.C., area this week to finalize their response to the Bush administration's plans to scale back the Bureau of Indian Affairs budget. The BIA's tribal budget advisory council hopes to reverse the 2.4...

Native artists mix cultures to create Tekcno Pow-wow (April 13, 2004)

Two Native artists who mix traditional and contemporary elements into their work will host a Tekcno Pow-wow in Montana on April 17. Bently Spang, a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana, and Bert Benally, a member of the...

Absentee Shawnee Tribe to fund new bridge project (April 13, 2004)

The Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma will fund a new bridge project by leveraging federal funds. The tribe will use Bureau of Indian Affairs road funds for the construction of the bridge in Pottawatomie County. The total cost of the...

Report: Delaware Nation wants to buy land in Maryland (April 13, 2004)

The Delaware Nation of Oklahoma is interested in buying 481 acres in Maryland for use as a landfill, The Baltimore Sun reports. The tribe sought federal approval last October to buy the land, according to the paper. Local officials have...

Yellow Bird: Strong flower like spirit of Native people (April 13, 2004)

"When I see the flower, I think of our people - the Native people. I studied the journals and listened to the stories of generations of American Indians who survived the coming of the white men. We survived the straight...

Program helps Native students prepare for college (April 13, 2004)

A program called College Horizons helps Native students prepare for the college-admissions process. Native students participate in a five-day workshop that helps narrow down their college choices, understand financial aid and become successful test takers. Organizers call it a "crash...

State to pay for reburial of Klallam ancestors (April 13, 2004)

The state of Washington and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe signed an agreement over the reburial of tribal ancestors discovered at a transportation construction site. The state will spend $3 million to buy land to rebury the remains and to...

Native comedians headline show in Indian Capital of World (April 13, 2004)

Navajo comedians James Junes and Ernest Tsosie III will headline a benefit show in Gallup, New Mexico, the Indian Capital of the World, on Friday. Junes and Tsosie came together a year ago after working separately. Audiences quickly warmed to...

Syphilis outbreak develops near Navajo Nation (April 13, 2004)

The Navajo Nation has discovered an outbreak of syphilis in the off-reservation community of Gallup, New Mexico. The tribe's Social Hygiene Branch has been screening people in Gallup after noticing the outbreak in 2001. Gallup has the most syphilis cases...

Water rights discussion excluded Navajo Nation (April 13, 2004)

The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission held a secret meeting to discuss a proposed water settlement with the Navajo Nation but excluded the tribe and tribal members. The chairman of the commission says the meeting did not violate state laws....

Passamaquoddy chief wants Native role recognized (April 13, 2004)

The chief of a Passamaquoddy First Nation in New Brunswick wants the Canadian government to recognize the role Natives played in helping the first French settlers. Hugh Akagee says the French would not have made it without the help of...

Family wants BIA alcohol survey made public (April 13, 2004)

The family of a Nebraska couple killed by a former Bureau of Indian Affairs employee who was drinking on the job wants a study of alcohol problems by other employees made public. The Bellers settled a wrongful death suit with...

Accident in Oregon claims five Klamath tribal members (April 13, 2004)

Five members of the Klamath Tribes of Oregon died in a head-on collision on Saturday. Cleora Godowa, 60, was driving when her rear tire blew out, causing the car to hit a pickup. The crash instantly killed Godowa, one of...

Tohono O'odham Nation dealing with border 'crisis' (April 13, 2004)

The Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona is using half of its federal funds for border security instead of housing, roads, education and other tribal needs, Fox News reports. The reservation's 75-mile border with Mexico is an open invitation for illegal...

Trial examines Indian voting rights in South Dakota (April 13, 2004)

A federal judge in South Dakota began hearing testimony in a lawsuit claiming discrimination against Indian voters. The American Civil Liberties Union is challenging the state's legislative map. On behalf of Indian plaintiffs, the ACLU says the map illegally packs...

Nevada tribe to build arsenic water treatment plant (April 13, 2004)

The Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe of Nevada has obtained enough funds to build a $1 million arsenic water treatment plant. The tribe considered running its water through the city of Fallon's new plant but went with its own due to concerns...