BIA accused of mismanaging detention facilities (October 5, 2004)

The poor condition of jails on the Navajo Nation is due to Bureau of Indian Affairs mismanagement, a tribal leader said. Navajo Nation council delegate Hope MacDonald-Lonetree said the BIA has not provided enough funding for the tribe to operate...

Indian youth cite mistreatment at reservation jail (October 5, 2004)

A juvenile detention facility on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana is under investigation over allegations that Indian youth were abused and mistreated. Former inmates at the White Buffalo Center say they were strapped to restraining chairs, handcuffed for long periods...

Editorial: Treatment of Indian youth a horror (October 5, 2004)

"Earlier this year a national report documented abysmal conditions in jails and prisons throughout Indian Country. That was bad enough and underscored the need for remedies, including better funding. But now come the complaints from families of teenagers at the...

FBI probes death at Rocky Boy's Reservation jail (October 5, 2004)

The FBI is investigating the death of a man at a jail on the Rocky Boy's Reservation in Montana. Robert Rotzler, 44, died at the jail after being arrested. He had apparently been involved in a car crash on the...

Editorial: Campbell should not interfere with NAGPRA (October 5, 2004)

"A bill pending in the U.S. Senate would likely hamper any further research on ancient human remains found in the United States. This would be an unfortunate result, one in which superstition and political correctness combine to thwart the drive...

Lewis and Clark re-enactors run into problems (October 5, 2004)

A group of Lewis and Clark re-enactors were threatened with physical violence as they made their way into Lakota country, according to National Geographic News. Alex White Plume and others from the Pine Ridge Reservation opposed the group's presence. They...

Mexico promises Christmas trees to Mazahuas Tribe (October 5, 2004)

The Mexican government is promising to plan seedlings for thousands of Christmas trees as a partial settlement with the Mazahuas Tribe over water issues. The tribe was threatening to cut off water supplies to Mexico City. Tribal members say dams...

Opinion: Bush's words offer hope to Indian Country (October 5, 2004)

"Everybody loves dead Indians -- especially liberals, who seem to want us to remain frozen in the past, stuck in stereotypes of how they believe we once lived. But we are not historical remnants of an imaginary native paradise. We...

Omaha educator retiring after 31 years of service (October 5, 2004)

A member of the Omaha Tribe is retiring after 31 years of service in the public school system in Lawrence, Kansas. Russell Blackbird started out as a teacher and ended up as principal. He said he has seen the schools...

Chumash Tribe still in talks for major development (October 5, 2004)

The Santa Ynez band of Chumash Indians is still working on a major development even though the project has fallen out of escrow, a spokesperson said. The tribe is talking with "Davy Crockett" actor Fess Parker to buy 745 acres....

Supreme Court takes on federal sentencing guidelines (October 5, 2004)

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on Monday over the constitutionality of the federal sentencing guidelines. According to news reports, a majority of justices indicated they would strike down the rules. They cited an accused person's Sixth Amendment right to...

Chickasaw astronaut hopes to inspire students (October 5, 2004)

John Herrington, the first American Indian to walk in space, spoke to students in eastern New Mexico on Monday. Herrington, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, shared his experiences on the Space Shuttle Endeavour. He told students what it...

Interior denies attempt to halt trust fund payments (October 5, 2004)

The Interior Department doesn't plan on withholding checks from Indian beneficiaries, a spokesperson said. Special Trustee Ross Swimmer suggested in a memo last week that all communications with account holders be put on hold. He even said sending royalty checks...

Court rules against tribe in Snake River case (October 5, 2004)

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho on Thursday, upholding the federal government's operation of four dams on the Snake River. The tribe and a coalition of environmental groups said the U.S. Army...

Church ordered to remove tent from reservation (October 5, 2004)

A tent on the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Reservation in California has been told to move or face destruction. The tent, intended as a command center for a homeless shelter, was erected by the Global Church over the summer. But the...

San Manuel Band to pay $5.5M for road improvements (October 5, 2004)

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians will pay $5.5 million to the city of San Bernardino, California, for road improvements. The tribe negotiated an agreement with the city to cover impacts of a casino expansion. The city will widen...

Election might add diversity to Senate makeup (October 5, 2004)

There are only three minorities in the U.S. Senate and one of them -- Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado), the only American Indian in the chamber -- is retiring. But depending on the election goes this November, Colorado attorney general...

Washington tribe wins award for wetlands restoration (October 5, 2004)

The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe of Washington will receive an award for its wetlands restoration program. The tribe is restoring an area of Sequim Bay that will benefit fish, animals and other endangered species. The work is being done with the...