Disagreement over future of 'Pioneers' statue (April 4, 2006)

A meeting and rally were held on Monday to discuss the fate of a statue Kalamazoo, Michigan, that Indian activists say depicts Native Americans unfairly. Indian activists organized a rally against the "Fountain of the Pioneers" statue in Bronson...

Lobbying activities helped tribe bolster recognition (April 4, 2006)

The lobbying activities of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts, whose leaders hired associates of Jack Abramoff, were used as evidence in the tribe's federal recognition bid. Frustrated with the slow pace on the tribe's petition, Chairman Glenn Marshall hired...

Washington rally to show support for Cobell case (April 4, 2006)

Elouise Cobell, the lead plaintiff in the Indian trust fund lawsuit, is planning a big showing in Washington, D.C., next week to show support for the 10-year-old case amid Congressional settlement efforts. In a display of unity, Cobell will be...

Editorial: Improving the census count on reservations (April 4, 2006)

"The U.S. Census Bureau admits readily that it has had difficulty getting accurate counts of the people who live on American Indian reservations full time or part time. But the Bureau will try to do better in the 2010 census....

Interior nominee Kempthorne meets with senators (April 4, 2006)

Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne (R), President Bush's nominee for Secretary of the Interior, met with senators on Monday in advance of his confirmation hearing. Kempthorne said he wouldn't talk about the substance of his meetings or comment about issues he...

Man surprised by opposition to proposed Bear Butte bar (April 4, 2006)

The Arizona businessman who wants to build a biker bar near sacred Bear Butte in South Dakota says he is surprised by opposition to the proposal. Jay Allen announced plans for the "Sacred Ground" bar and an 80-foot-tall Indian statue...

Taos Pueblo water rights settlement proposed (April 4, 2006)

The state of New Mexico announced a proposed settlement of Taos Pueblo's water rights. The settlement was reached with the tribe, the state, the town of Taos and local water users. It calls for the tribe to receive about 5,900...

Native leader challenges hate crime conviction (April 4, 2006)

David Ahenakew, the former chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and former chief of the Assembly of First Nations, was in court on Monday to challenge his conviction of a hate crime. Ahenakew, 72, made anti-Semitic remarks...

Ramapough Tribe angry after officer shoots man (April 4, 2006)

Members of the Ramapough Lenape Indian Nation of New Jersey are upset after a 43-year-old tribal member was shot and critical wounded by a state park police officer. Emil Mann remains hospitalized in critical condition. He was shot after some...

Tulalip Tribes offer reservation for state university (April 4, 2006)

The Tulalip Tribes of Washington want the state to build its next public university on the Tulalip Reservation. State Rep. John McCoy, a tribal member, said three potential sites have been identified. Two are within Quil Ceda Village, the tribe's...

Pine Ridge man in extradition dispute arrested (April 4, 2006)

A man from the Pine Ridge Reservation was arrested last week on charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault for an incident that occurred off the reservation. Dakota Garnier, 19, is accused of participating in the beating attack of a...

Yakama Nation juice company lands big customer (April 4, 2006)

The Yakama Nation's juice company has landed a contract to sell 20,000 cases of apple and pomegranate juice to Costco Wholesale Corp for sale in 45 stores throughout the Pacific Northwest. The tribe purchased Yakama Juice, whose plant is based...

Editorial: Probe of reservation homicides overdue (April 4, 2006)

"U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on Wednesday gave a huge boost to improving intergovernmental cooperation and communication between the Yakama Nation and the federal government. During a Toppenish press conference, Gonzales promised a cold-case review of a series of unsolved...

Pueblo artists removed from Santa Fe portal posts (April 4, 2006)

Three Pueblo artists have been removed from their leadership positions on the committee that oversees the sale of Indian art in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. Palace of the Governors Portal committee chairman Glenn Paquin, vice chairman Merton Sisneros...

Iowa high school won't drop 'Indians' nickname (April 4, 2006)

The school board in Spirit Lake, Iowa, voted unanimously Monday night to retain the high school's "Indian" nickname. The board voted after two hours of public comment. According to The Des Moines Register, 18 people spoke in favor of keeping...

Outspoken San Manuel chairman to step down (April 4, 2006)

Deron Marquez, the prominent chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians in southern California, is stepping down in 2007, after more than six years in office. Marquez, 36, will be serving the remainder of his term. Then...

Large family to be removed from Narragansett Tribe (April 4, 2006)

A large family is being removed from the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island after reportedly failing to produce evidence of their Narragansett ancestry. The Champlains were among 119 people who were suspended after their lineage was questioned. About half of...

Yellow Bird: An extraordinary day for bird-watchers (April 4, 2006)

"This was an extraordinary weekend, and I missed it ... well, I missed an incident of major importance, anyway. While I was looking down at dirty dishes and unvacuumed floors, I should have been looking up at the thousands upon...

Rep. Doolittle won't return convicted lobbyist's cash (April 4, 2006)

Rep. John Doolittle (R-California) won't return campaign contributions from a former Washington lobbyist who just pleaded guilty to defrauding tribes and a corruption conspiracy. Doolittle received $12,500 in contributions from Tony C. Rudy, a former aide to retiring Rep....

Embattled Rep. Tom DeLay won't seek re-election (April 4, 2006)

Beset by legal troubles as the Jack Abramoff corruption scandal inches closer, Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) plans to retire from Congress rather than seek re-election. DeLay faces trial on Texas on charges that he violated state law by injecting...

Tim Giago: Indians most affected by immigration (April 4, 2006)

"I would venture to say that no other segment of the American population was affected by immigration as much as the American Indian. Lands occupied for centuries by the indigenous people were opened up (stolen) and a flood of settlers...