Lamberth exchanges harsh words with Cobell critic (August 2, 2004)

The federal judge overseeing the Indian trust fund has been cleared of bias in an unusually bitter war of words with a Washington, D.C., law professor. In documents made public July 23, a panel of judges revealed they were dismissing...

Survey finds 'alarming' level of BIA employee misconduct (August 2, 2004)

Bureau of Indian Affairs employees reported an "alarming" level of misconduct within their agency, according to the results of an internal survey. When asked by the Department of Interior's Office of Inspector General (OIG), a record 63 percent of BIA...

Battle over Kennewick Man study far from over (August 2, 2004)

Even though the Bush administration failed to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, the federal government is not giving up the remains of Kennewick Man so easily. The government still has possession of the 9,400-year-old remains that have...

Native Catholics integrate traditional practices (August 2, 2004)

Blending Native spirituality with Catholicism was one of the topics being discussed at the 65th annual Tekakwitha Conference being held in El Paso, Texas. In the past, the Catholic church discouraged Natives from practicing traditional religion. But now Natives say...

Jodi Rave Lee: Native presence can't be denied (August 2, 2004)

"When presidential nominee John Kerry finally took center stage Thursday at the Democratic National Convention, a delegation of Native people was among the thousands of jubilant, sign-waving attendees. And so Kerry spoke: "My fellow citizens, elections are about choices. And...

Report says Klamath fishkill worse than thought (August 2, 2004)

The fishkill in the Klamath Basin was worse than thought, the California Department of Fish and Game said in a report on Friday. The department said as many as 68,000 chinook salmon died in September 2002. Previously, tribal, state and...

Rosebud Sioux Tribe seeks probe into feather use (August 2, 2004)

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota has asked federal authorities to investigate the use of eagle feathers by non-Indians. Tribal leaders said they were told that non-Indians were using feathers and other sacred items at a Sundance held on...

Police call off another search for missing Native girl (August 2, 2004)

Police in Saskatchewan called off yet another search for Tamra Keepness, a five-year-old Native girl who has been missing since July 5. Police had been searching a remote area outside Regina. The area included the Pasqua Reserve. But after two...

Course helps Indian students get into college (August 2, 2004)

A five-day course called College Horizons is helping Indian high school students get into college and, hopefully, stay there. Held around the country, the course seeks to demystify the college admissions process. Officials from top universities talk to students about...

New Indian museum in DC promises to be 'different' (August 2, 2004)

The new National Museum of the American Indian, to open in Washington, D.C., on September 21, is seeking to be "different" from every other museum and exhibit about Native people. This one is going to actually pay attention to Native...

Decision on returning state park to tribe awaited (August 2, 2004)

The Washington State Parks Commission is set to decide next week whether to return a state park to its original owner, the Suquamish Tribe. Old Man House State Park is located on land the federal government took from the tribe...

Tribes, scientists clash over wild rice research (August 2, 2004)

The Minneapolis Star Tribune publishes three viewpoints on the merits of wild rice research, with only one outright supporting scientific study. Joe Lagarde, a member of the White Earth Band, says research on the most sacred item of the Anishinabe...

Pember: Obesity threatening Indian Country (August 2, 2004)

"Since the 1940s, Indians have struggled with an unprecedented epidemic of obesity and diabetes in their communities. The incidence of diabetes among Indians is more than double that of non-Hispanic whites, and more than 80 percent of those diagnosed are...

Mark Trahant: The one that didn't get away (August 2, 2004)

"I remember the first time I caught a chinook salmon. I was still a kid and we were fishing on a tributary of Idaho's Salmon River. When I thought the fish was getting away, I dove into the shallow, cold...

Yellow Bird: Ceremony provided needed respite (August 2, 2004)

"Aside from uncomfortably hard and lumpy ground that made sleeping difficult, no faucet for washing, scratchy weeds and grass that crept into my sleeping bag and the happy smiles on the faces of ants, beetles and mosquitoes who enjoyed a...