NCAA rejects two more challenges to mascot policy (May 1, 2006)

The NCAA held firm to its Indian mascot policy on Friday, rejecting appeals filed by two schools whose "Fighting Sioux" and "Chief Illiniwek" symbols are among the most controversial. The decision by the NCAA's executive committee again cited the hostile...

Letters: Controversy over 'Fighting Sioux' name (May 1, 2006)

Steve Molvig: "Native Americans who attended reservation schools in either North or South Dakota for the past 50 years had a better that 90 percent chance that their school had a Native American logo. And, yes, there are two schools...

Kempthorne confirmation hearing to start May 4 (May 1, 2006)

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (http://energy.senate.gov) will start the confirmation hearing for Interior Secretary nominee Dirk Kempthorne on Thursday, May 4. Kempthorne, the Republican governor from Idaho, was nominated on March 16. He would replace Gale Norton, who...

Legislation would add 2,000 miles to Trail of Tears (May 1, 2006)

Legislation pending in Congress would add about 2,000 miles to the Trail of Tears. The trail covers 2,200 miles of land and water routes in nine states. The bill adds sites that tribal leaders and historians say have been forgotten....

Arrests made in slaughter of bald eagles in Canada (May 1, 2006)

A 15-month investigation into the slaughter of dozens of bald eagles has led to arrests and charges against 11 men in British Columbia. Some of the men are from the Burrard First Nation, where some of the eagles were found...

Washington tribes meet with state over taxes (May 1, 2006)

Leaders of all 29 Washington tribes are meeting with state officials today to discuss taxes. The first meeting of the Tribal Tax Work Group is hosted by the Squaxin Island Tribe. The tribe is one of several that has reached...

More than 150,000 attend Gathering of Nations (May 1, 2006)

More than 150,000 dancers, drummers and spectators packed the Pit in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the 23rd annual Gathering of Nations Powwow. The event kicked off on Friday and ran through Sunday. Featuring drum groups, dancers, artists and music...

California Indians protest removal from tribes (May 1, 2006)

About 40 California Indians who have been disenrolled from their tribes held a protest on Friday at the city hall in Richmond. The American Indian Rights and Resource Organization says it will hold rallies wherever tribes are planning to...

About 800 Cherokee Freedmen enrolled since decision (May 1, 2006)

About 800 Freedmen have enrolled in the Cherokee Nation since the tribe's highest court ruled they were entitled to citizenship. But the Freedmen face removal from the tribe under a proposed amendment to the constitution. A tribal council member is...

Native HIV/AIDS conference being held in Anchorage (May 1, 2006)

More than 800 people are expected in Anchorage this week for the "Embracing Our Traditions" HIV/AIDS conference. American Indians and Alaska Natives make up less than 1 percent of new HIV diagnoses nationwide. But the rate of infection among Native...

Rep. Pombo said to be in 'trouble' over Abramoff (May 1, 2006)

Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California) and his connections to Jack Abramoff have become an issue as he faces re-election this November. "I'd say he's in trouble," a Republican consultant told The New York Times. Pombo accepted $40,000 in campaign contributions...

Pawnee brothers reach new level with hip-hop group (May 1, 2006)

Two brothers from the Pawnee Tribe of Oklahoma have found a higher calling as a Christian hip-hip group Lil Mike, 25, and Funny Bone, 20, make their own music on their home computer. Their latest release, "Dirty South Native...

Rep. Ney faces wider probe in Abramoff scandal (May 1, 2006)

Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) faces a wider probe in connection with his dealings with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Ney was told by the Department of Justice that he was the subject of a possibly bribery case. In 2000, he placed...

Yellow Bird: School offers students a community (May 1, 2006)

"So, when I was told Schoolcraft was a special or different school, I assumed it was for young people who were having trouble in school, academically or emotionally. I was wrong. My first inkling that this was not a typical...

Opinion: Understanding the late Vine Deloria Jr. (May 1, 2006)

"Many of us first became acquainted with Dr. [Vine] Deloria's thinking when he published his groundbreaking work "Custer Died for Your Sins" in 1969. The book was a major awakening to those of us, who, while aware of the...

Mark Trahant: Stark choices define American politics (May 1, 2006)

"We live in an era when stark choices define our political decision making. Choose any side on a list of issues we hear about often. Tax cuts versus spending programs, immigrant rights or migrant criminals, and the continued war or...

Senate Indian Affairs Committee schedule (May 1, 2006)

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee has scheduled three hearings this month. On May 10, the committee is holding an oversight hearing on economic development. This is the first on the topic since Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) took over as chairman...

Appeals court rejects Peltier's latest challenge (May 1, 2006)

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday rejected imprisoned American Indian Movement activist Leonard Peltier's latest challenge to his conviction for the murders of two FBI agents. Peltier argued that the federal government lacked jurisdiction to prosecute the crime...

Wyoming tribes dispute state prosecution of murder (May 1, 2006)

The Eastern Shoshone Tribe and the Northern Arapaho Tribe are challenging the state of Wyoming's jurisdiction over a murder involving tribal members. The tribes want Andrew Yellowbear Jr. brought to justice for the murder of his 22-month-old daughter, Marcela Hope...