Kerry campaign counting on Native American support (August 10, 2004)

VOTE 2004: Sen. John Kerry appears with Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano and Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. at a rally in Flagstaff. Photo © Navajo Nation. On the Web: Navajo Nation From the leader of the nation's largest...

Small percentage of Interior's IT systems secure (August 10, 2004)

Only 21 percent of the information technology systems at the Department of Interior are secure, according to a report released by the White House Office of Management and Budget on Monday. Interior's rating was one of the worst in the...

Lummi Nation gets grant for college prep program (August 10, 2004)

The Lummi Nation of Washington will use a $769,000 federal grant to prepare Indian students for college. The three-year project will emphasize reading, writing, math and science. Students will take part in an annual six-week program and receive tutoring throughout...

Historian tracks down Taino descendants in Cuba (August 10, 2004)

Historian Alejandro Hartmann is conducting the first census of Taino descendants in Cuba. The Taino Tribe occupied Cuba, Puerto Rico and neighboring islands at the time of contact with Europeans. The population dwindled dramatically due to war, slavery, disease and...

Land auction delayed for fear of Cayuga Nation (August 10, 2004)

The federal government has delayed the public auction of land in New York due to local concern that the Cayuga Nation might buy it. The 128-acre parcel surrounds the tribe's Class II casino. Local officials are worried the facility might...

NPS report tracks lead dust from mine near villages (August 10, 2004)

The National Park Service released a report on Monday tracking lead dust contamination near the world's largest zinc mine. The study showed that lead dust has traveled miles beyond the Red Dog mine. But it says the levels aren't high...

Alaska Native men charged with poaching walrus (August 10, 2004)

Five Alaska Native men from the Yupik Eskimo village of Gambell have been charged with poaching walruses in the Bering Sea. Federal law allows Natives to sell walrus parts but the animal must be used for cultural purposes or for...

Goshute waste dump hearings closed to public (August 10, 2004)

The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board on Monday began holding closed-door hearings on the proposal to store nuclear waste on the Skull Valley Goshute Reservation in Utah. The hearings are not open to the public because they deal with military...

NMAI prepares to welcome Native people to DC (August 10, 2004)

Upwards of 20,000 indigenous people from North, Central and South American are expected to pour into the nation's capitol next month for the opening of the new National Museum of the American Indian. Construction crews and NMAI staff are putting...

Mashantucket Tribe negotiating for water for golf course (August 10, 2004)

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut hopes to negotiate a water-service agreement in time for a limited opening of its new golf course. The tribe had been granted the right provide water to the Lake of Isles Golf Course....

Program targets drinking among Native youth (August 10, 2004)

A new program targets drinking among Native youth in Nebraska. "Protecting You/Protecting Me" was developed by Mothers Against Drunk Driving and tailored to the Winnebago, Omaha and Santee Sioux tribes. Coordinators will implement the program this fall at reservation schools...

South Dakota report card shows achievement gap (August 10, 2004)

South Dakota's No Child Left Behind report card shows reservation schools trailing the state. Most of the schools needing improvement are located on or near the state's nine reservations. In Todd County, on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation, eight schools are...

Slain Navajo soldier enlisted to receive education (August 10, 2004)

Army Pfc. Harry Shondee Jr., 19, was a member of the National Honor Society and a popular student but couldn't round up any scholarships to attend college. So he enlisted in the Army in hopes of getting money to pay...

Indians impressed by Kerry visit to Gallup pow-wow (August 10, 2004)

New Mexico Indians say they were impressed by what Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry had to say at the 83rd annual Gallup Inter-tribal Ceremonial on Sunday. Kerry and his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, attended the pow-wow. Kerry said he...

Lewis and Clark exhibit stops on Omaha Reservation (August 10, 2004)

The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska is hosting the National Park Service's traveling exhibit on the Lewis and Clark expedition. "Corps of Discovery II -- 200 Years Into the Future" made a stop in Macy, a town on the reservation. It...

First Nation leaders head to Israel to build relations (August 10, 2004)

About 30 First Nation leaders are on their way to Israel to build better relations between Native and Jewish communities. The trip was arranged in the wake of a highly publicized incident involving a Native leader. David Ahenakew, a former...

Connecticut towns join case over Indian taxation (August 10, 2004)

Three Connecticut towns that have fought tribes on land-into-trust and federal recognition have joined a case over taxation. The towns of Preston, Ledyard and North Stonington filed in brief in a case involving Jo-Ann Dark Eyes. The towns say Dark...

Murkowski finds it difficult to escape father's shadow (August 10, 2004)

As she seeks re-election, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is finding it hard to avoid the fact that the only reason she is serving in the Senate is because of her father. Frank Murkowski appointed his daughter to his position when...

Study links antidepressants to suicide in children (August 10, 2004)

The Food and Drug Administration has concluded twice that use of antidpressants leads to increased risk of suicide among children, The Washington Post reports. The analyses are based on clinical trials conducted by drug manufacturers. One FDA researher found that...