Indian housing funds see no major increase (November 24, 2004)

Despite attempts by tribal leaders to increase funding levels, the budget for Indian housing programs remained steady in the $388 billion omnibus approved by Congress. The 2005 consolidated appropriations act that passed the House and Senate provides $627 million for...

Court deals gaming victory to Wyoming tribe (November 24, 2004)

In a major victory for a Wyoming tribe, a federal appeals court on Tuesday ruled that the state must negotiate a compact for all forms of Class III gaming, including slot machines. The unanimous decision from the 10th Circuit Court...

Excess Air Force homes being sent to reservation (November 24, 2004)

Four excess military housing units from Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota are on their way to the Rosebud Sioux Reservation. The Walking Shield American Indian Society coordinated the transfer. It was the first time the base donated homes...

Oneida Nation runs ad against Seneca-Cayuga deal (November 24, 2004)

The Oneida Nation of New York is running a television ad criticizing a land claim settlement that will allow an out-of-state tribe to build a casino. The ad says the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe will use the casino to "take profits back...

Turkey often excluded from Seminole Thanksgiving (November 24, 2004)

A Thanksgiving celebration among members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida is likely to exclude a key dish: turkey. Seminole traditionalists avoid foods that contain spirits, like turkey. Same goes for mushrooms. Max Osceola, a tribal council representative, says he...

Original Cherokee enrollee celebrates 100 years (November 24, 2004)

Mary Louvenia “Babe” Sanders Mayes, an original enrollee of the Cherokee Nation, celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday. Mayes is one of the first 12 enrollees. She was born on November 16, 1904, in Oklahoma, and is a descendant of...

Another guilty plea in Crow kickback scheme (November 24, 2004)

A fourth person has pleaded guilty in a kickback scheme to help former Crow chairman Clifford G. Bird in Ground, Brenden Dean Passes, 29, pleaded guilty to theft from a tribal organization. He faces up to five years in prison...

Three Indian women to help new Montana governor (November 24, 2004)

Three Indian women are joining the transition team of Montana governor-elect Brian Schweitzer (D). Anna Whiting-Sorrell, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, will serve as deputy policy director. Nancy L. Warneke-Gaynor, also Salish/Kootenai, will serve as deputy...

Dole tried to insert Lumbee recognition in ominbus (November 24, 2004)

Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-North Carolina) tried to insert legislation to recognize the Lumbee Tribe into the $388 billion omnibus appropriations act. But the effort was blocked, a Dole spokesperson said. Dole plans to revive the issue next year, the spokesperson...

Sherman Alexie proud to hang onto mullet hairstyle (November 24, 2004)

Author and filmmaker Sherman Alexie says he clung onto his mullet hairstyle as a way of maintaining his Indian identity. Alexie, a member of the Spokane Tribe of Washington, was interviewed for a documentary film called "Half of Anything" by...

Neighbors fear Chumash Tribe's development plans (November 24, 2004)

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians hasn't filed an application to have 745 acres placed in trust but neighbors fear what might happen if the tribe moves forward with its development plans. The tribe has partnered with "Davey Crockett"...

Longtime Barona Band leader ousted by newcomer (November 24, 2004)

The Barona Band of Mission Indians in California elected a new leader over the weekend. Voters ousted longtime chairman, Clifford LaChappa and elected newcomer Rhonda "Lisa" Welch-Scalco. The vote tally was not reported. LaChappa served four terms as chairman, overseeing...

Iowa announces foster care plan for Indian children (November 24, 2004)

The state of Iowa announced a $75,000, seven-month pilot project in Woodbury County to reduce the number of Indian children in the child welfare system. The county has a large Indian population because it is near four Indian communities in...

Red Lake Nation wants BIA to fix water system (November 24, 2004)

The Red Lake Nation of Minnesota is asking the Bureau of Indian Affairs to fix the tribe's crumbling water system. Ojibwe leaders say the 100-year-old system has been broken for as long as they can remember. Pipes burst regularly, forcing...

Oregon tribes to acquire former national guard site (November 24, 2004)

The General Services Administration has reversed course and plans to return 43 acres of surplus government property to the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians in Oregon. The tribes sought to acquire the former Air National...

Goshute Tribe wants land in Michigan in trust (November 24, 2004)

The Confederated Goshute Tribes of Utah plan to ask the federal government to place land in Michigan in trust. The tribe doesn't want a gaming facility though. The tribe has partnered with a Michigan group to open a health care...

Oneida Nation to pay $136K for village services (November 24, 2004)

The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin will pay the village of Hobart nearly $136,000 for municipal services. The one-year agreement took several years to negotiate. Tribal and village leaders said they were happy with the outcome. Under the agreement, the tribe...

Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe elects new leader (November 24, 2004)

The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts has ousted its longtime chairwoman. Beverly Wright was seeking a sixth term as leader of the only federally recognized tribe in the state. But voters elected Donald Widdiss by a close vote of 132...

Funds restored to United Tribes Technical College (November 24, 2004)

News from the United Tribes Technical College in North Dakota. Good news for United Tribes Technical College; Congress has restored federal funding for the current fiscal year. UTTC funding was included in the omnibus appropriation bill passed by Congress November...

Controversy over tax return provision continues (November 24, 2004)

The House's plan to repeal a controversial appropriations rider that would allow Congressional staff to look at anyone's tax return broke down on Tuesday. Lawmakers planned to return to session today to repeal the section by unanimous consent. But House...

McCain eyes reform of lobbying disclosure laws (November 24, 2004)

Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), the incoming chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, says the probe of lobbyist Jack Abramoff and public relations consultant Michael Scanlon could lead to reforms in lobbying disclosure laws, The Hill reports. The probe has...

Order freezing Abramoff's assets lifted in lawsuit (November 24, 2004)

A judge's order freezing the assets of lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his wife has been lifted, Forward Newspaper reports. The order was issued in a lawsuit filed by former employees of a Jewish school that Abramoff opened. The ex-teachers say...