Arizona tribes oppose namking peak for Goldwater (October 7, 2004)

A peak will be named in honor of former U.S. senator Barry Goldwater over the objections of Arizona tribes. The state Board on Geographic and Historic Names voted in favor of Goldwater peak, the highest point in the White Tank...

Column: It's wrong to compare Columbus to Hitler (October 7, 2004)

"A few Native Americans and the usual suspects in the Coalition of Progressives Against All Western Culture will again attempt to intimidate local Italian-Americans as they celebrate the legacy of an important, if somewhat imprecise, explorer. Christopher Columbus is often...

Fort Sill Apache Tribe loses interest in firm (October 7, 2004)

The Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma won't buy an interest in a technology services company, chairman Jeff Houser said. Houser said the tribe asked Advancia Corp. for financial records and for the removal of a board member. But the...

Umatilla Tribes plan lawsuit on nuclear waste pollution (October 7, 2004)

The Umatilla Tribes of Oregon filed notice of a lawsuit against the Department of Energy over the nuclear waste contamination. The tribes want DOE to assess damage from 40 years of plutonium production at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. The tribes...

Former Catawba Nation official indicted for theft (October 7, 2004)

The former executive director for the Catawba Nation of South Carolina was indicted on Wednesday for allegedly stealing more than $10,000 from the tribe. Wanda George Warren, 43, faces five years in jail and a $250,000 fine for the alleged...

Court hears Delaware Nation's claim in Pennsylvania (October 7, 2004)

A federal judge heard arguments on Wednesday in a claim by the Delaware Nation of Oklahoma to 315 acres in Pennsylvania. The tribe says the land was deeded to a Delaware chief more than 300 years ago. The tribe wants...

Mohawk tribes announce land claim settlement (October 7, 2004)

The three Mohawk plaintiffs in the Mohawk land claim announced a settlement with the state of New York on Wednesday. The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, the Mohawk Council Nation of Chiefs and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne from Canada filed...

Montana tribes renew lawsuit over abandoned mines (October 7, 2004)

The Assiniboine and Gros Ventre tribes on the Fort Belknap Reservation in Montana filed a new complaint in federal court on Wednesday, alleging the state has failed to address contamination from two abandoned gold mines. The tribes were joined by...

Probate reform bill ready for Bush's signature (October 7, 2004)

A bill aimed at cleaning up the probate of Indian lands while reducing fractionation is ready for President Bush's signature. The House passed S.1721, the American Indian Probate Reform Act yesterday. Lawmakers said it will help individual Indians and tribes...

Man denied license to sell beer in Whiteclay tries again (October 7, 2004)

A Nebraska man is renewing efforts to sell liquor in the border town of Whiteclay. Thomas Bernard had been rejected by the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. In its decision, the commission said there were already enough liquor stores in the...

Black Hills pow-wow expected to draw thousands (October 7, 2004)

The 18th annual Black Hills Pow Wow is expected to draw 11,000 people to Rapid City this weekend. From Friday through Sunday, the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center will be filled with dancers, drum groups, food booths and arts and crafts...

Russell Means top vote-getter in Pine Ridge primary (October 7, 2004)

American Indian Movement activist Russell Means was the top vote-getter in the primary for president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. Means took 917 votes, more than twice received by incumbent President John Yellow Bird Steele, who came...

Editorial: Tribe taking small steps for tourism (October 7, 2004)

"It's a small change. But the transfer of the White River Visitor Center at Badlands National Park to the Oglala Sioux Tribe is a good one. The prosperity it's supposed to lead to, though, is another story. Tribal officials hope...

Saskatchewan First Nations resist smoking ban (October 7, 2004)

The government of Saskatchewan says its upcoming ban on smoking in public places will apply to casinos run by First Nations. Health Minister John Nilson says the First Nations agreed to accept provincial laws under gaming compacts. But the Federation...

Treatment program for Native youth called failure (October 7, 2004)

The Canadian government wasted $6.5 million (Canadian) on a treatment program for Native youth from the Innu community in Labrador, a doctor says. Dr. Ted Rosales treated some of the children, many of whom suffered from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. He...

Innu Nation election marred by influx of alcohol (October 7, 2004)

Elections for the Innu Nation of Labrador were marred by an influx of alcohol that sent drunk voters to the polls, CBC News reports. Alcohol normally flows into the community of Natuashish in advance of a vote. The Royal Canadian...

New Zealand Maoris blasted for claiming airspace (October 7, 2004)

A Maori tribe is coming under fire for claiming the airspace above a lake used for recreation purposes. The Ngati Tuwharetoa Tribe has ownership of Lake Taupo and the beds of its tributaries. Under an agreement with the government, the...

California tribe says ancient village bulldozed (October 7, 2004)

The Kashia Band of Pomo Indians is protesting development at an ancient village it says was destroyed by a bulldozer. The tribe says workers at the Peter Michael winery destroyed the Se Epi Ama Cey village and took artifacts from...

Judge rules Mohican reservation diminished (October 7, 2004)

A federal magistrate last week ruled that the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Reservation in Wisconsin has been diminished. In a lawsuit brought by the state over a disputed property on which gaming was occurring, U.S. Magistrate Patricia Gorence said Congress reduced the...

Another tribe considers lawsuit against lobbyists (October 7, 2004)

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan is likely to file a lawsuit against two Washington insiders accused of bilking six tribes of at least $66 million. Tribal leaders hired lobbyist Jack Abramoff and public relations consultant Michael Scanlon to represent...

'Underrepresented' minority term barred by Bush (October 7, 2004)

Women and minorities are no longer considered "underrepresented" within the federal government under a new Bush administration directive, The Washington Post reports. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission adopted new guidelines that no longer allow the use of the term "underrepresented"...

DeLay rebuked yet again for flaunting influence (October 7, 2004)

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) was rebuked for the third time on Wednesday for flaunting his influence as a top Republican leader. A House ethics committee admonished DeLay for getting the Federal Aviation Administration to track down a plane...