Justice bill puts focus on tribal casino crime (August 4, 2004)

Despite the controversy over conditions at Indian Country jails, an appropriations bill approved by the House last month provides scant funds for the troubled facilities. Instead, more money directed to investigating tribal casinos. Although federal officials say they only have...

Mobil to pay $5.5M for polluting reservation water (August 4, 2004)

Exxon Mobil Corp. has agreed to pay $5.5 million to settle a dispute over polluted water on the Navajo Nation in southeastern Utah. Mobil will pay a $515,000 penalty and spend $4.7 million to reduce incidents of oil spills. The...

New Mexico tribes press for youth justice services (August 4, 2004)

The New Mexico Legislature's Indian Affairs Committee. held a hearing on Tuesday to focus on juveniles in the justice system. Lawmakers were told that tribes have little or no input in the juvenile justice system. Youth inmates are sent far...

Tribes awarded $1.7M in grants to mentor convicts' kids (August 4, 2004)

Five tribes and tribal organizations have received $1.7 million in federal grants to develop mentoring programs for children of prisoners. The money was awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services. The department says children of inmates are likely...

Artifacts discovered at another Washington site (August 4, 2004)

Archaeologists in Washington have discovered carved stone tools at a construction site in Washington. Snohomish County is working with the Tulalip, Stillaguamish and Sauk-Suiattle tribes on an agreement. It is not known whether the discovery will delay construction of an...

Agua Caliente Tribe opposes diversion of water (August 4, 2004)

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is asserting historical rights over water that has been diverted from its lands for nearly 100 years. The tribe's reservation was created 128 years ago. The tribe has senior rights to the water...

Pala Band's anti-landfill measure placed on ballot (August 4, 2004)

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has placed the Pala Band's initiative against a proposed landfill on the November ballot. The tribe says the landfill will harm the environment and contaminate San Luis Rey River. If built, it would...

AIM sponsors annual Sundance in South Dakota (August 4, 2004)

The American Indian Movement is sponsoring the 14th annual Sacred Pipes Sundance in Pipestone, South Dakota. The Sundance began July 23 and runs through Sunday. It has drawn people from as far away as Ontario, Canada. The Sundance requires participants...

Leech Lake teen sentenced for brutal beating death (August 4, 2004)

An 18-year-old from the Leech Lake Ojibwe Reservation in Minnesota was sentenced to 17 years in prison and 8 1/2 years of supervised release for his role in the brutal beating death of a blind man. George Allen Raphael Boswell...

Series: Traditions keep Narragansett Tribe going (August 4, 2004)

From termination to land claims to the fight for federal recognition, the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island has survived by relying on its traditions. The state terminated its relationship with the tribe in 1880 but tribal members stayed together. They...

Maine tribes consider starting first credit union (August 4, 2004)

An effort is underway to create the first credit union serving tribal members in Maine. Craig Sanborn, director of the Penobscot Nation's housing authority, said the goal is to keep money within Indian hands. He said tribal members spend their...

Minority journalists gather for UNITY conference (August 4, 2004)

UNITY 2004, the largest gathering of minority journalists, is taking place in Washington, D.C., this week. Nearly 7,000 Native American, African-American, Asian-American and Hispanic journalists have registered for UNITY 2004 It is the third time the four major associations representing...

Native lawyers push for Native judge on Supreme Court (August 4, 2004)

Native lawyers in Canada say a Native judge should be appointed to one of the two seats open on the Supreme Court. The aboriginal section of the Canadian Bar Association is sponsoring a resolution that calls for the appointment of...

First Nation hosts meeting on boarding school abuse (August 4, 2004)

The Gordon First Nation of Saskatchewan is hosting a meeting on residential school abuse this week. Organizer Eddie Bitternose said the gathering is focused on the healing process. He is a survivor of school abuse. The government sponsored boarding schools...

Police have little information on missing Native girl (August 4, 2004)

Police and the family of a five-year-old Native girl who has been missing for a month say they are frustrated with the lack of progress in the case. Police have been focusing on the family but have not released any...

Report finds high mercury levels in most fish (August 4, 2004)

More than half of the freshwater fish in the nation have mercury levels that could be dangerous for women of child-bearing age and young children, according to a new report. Clean the Air analyzed existing data from the Environmental Protection...

Former Standing Rock officials indicted for fraud (August 4, 2004)

Three former officials of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe have been indicted on fraud charges in federal court in North Dakota. Rinissa Fitzpatrick, Terrance Yellow Fat and Marcia Brave Thunder are accused of approving fraudulent agreements that cost the tribe...

Tribal employees ordered not to talk to media (August 4, 2004)

Employees of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation have been threatened with termination if they talk to the press without going through the tribe's media office. Chairman Tex Hall, who also serves as president of the National Congress of American...