Commentary: College the best choice for Natives (October 12, 2006)

"Your decision to go to college is an important one that will affect the rest of your life. Let’s explore some of the ways having a college degree can make a difference for you. First, it is the key...

Court delivers gaming victory to Idaho tribe (October 12, 2006)

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Idaho can offer an unlimited number of Class III games in perpetuity without negotiating a new compact, a federal appeals court ruled on Wednesday. In a unanimous decision, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the...

Colville Tribes alarmed by recent rash of suicides (October 12, 2006)

Leaders of the Confederated Colville Tribes in Washington are seeking federal help in combating a rash of suicides among young people on the reservation. The national Indian suicide rate is four times the national average. But on the Colville Reservation,...

Judge rejects dual tribal, federal prosecution (October 12, 2006)

A federal judge dismissed charges against member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, saying the man was already prosecuted for the crime in tribal court. Steven Christopher Brady Sr. was charged in federal court with misdemeanor assault and unlawful restraint. Brady...

Boy Scouts executive entered sacred site illegaly (October 12, 2006)

A national Boy Scouts executive pleaded guilty to entering a sacred site at Canyon de Chelly National Monument in violation of federal law. William Steele, 58, is an associate director for the Cub Scout Division of the Boy Scouts of...

Chippewa Cree man unopposed for State House run (October 12, 2006)

Jonathan Windy Boy, a member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, is running unopposed for Montana House District 32. Windy Boy has been re-elected twice. His district encompasses all of the Rocky Boy's and Fort Belknap reservations. Windy Boy, a...

Oglala Sioux family brings WWII veteran home (October 12, 2006)

An Oglala Sioux man who served in World War II will be reburied on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Army Sgt. Floyde G. Brown died on June 4, 1976. He was buried in a community cemetery in San...

Creek Nation approves raise in minimum wage (October 12, 2006)

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma approved a minimum wage increase in hopes of retaining tribal employees. The new minimum wages is $7.67. That's more than $2 higher than the state and federal minimum wage of $5.15. Principal Chief A.D....

Navajo voters polled outside Wal-Mart in Gallup (October 12, 2006)

A random poll of 35 Navajos outside of the Wal-Mart in Gallup, New Mexico, found presidential candidate Linda Lovejoy winning by three votes. Of the 35 tribal members interviewed by The Gallup Independent, 15 said they would vote for...

Editorial: Deal will help Indian students succeed (October 12, 2006)

"Visualize the achievement gap. What comes to mind are disadvantaged black and Hispanic students trailing far behind their white counterparts on test scores and other measures of academic success. Often left out of the picture are smaller populations of American...

Man accused of hate crime also charged with burglary (October 12, 2006)

A 20-year-old man facing hate crimes charges for the beating of a Navajo man was back in court to face burglary charges in another case. CL Carnie allegedly told two others to steal items from his former place of employment...

Nez Perce Tribe seeks more authority over probate (October 12, 2006)

The Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho has drafted a new probate code to take more control of the process. The tribe wants to hear probate cases in tribal court, particularly in cases without a will. The code would pre-empt the...

Column: It's time to get rid of 'Chief Illiniwek' (October 12, 2006)

"For generations, University of Illinois students, alumni, officials, families and fans have returned on homecoming to cheer for the team and to celebrate with Chief Illiniwek, mascot of the school's athletic teams since 1926. I came to this leafy,...

Delaware chief backs Cherokee recognition deal (October 12, 2006)

Jerry Douglas, the incumbent chief of the Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma, supports a deal with the Cherokee Nation to restore his tribe's recognition. The tribe lost its status after a court challenge from the Cherokee Nation. The two sides are...

State asks BIA about failed Mashpee land claim (October 12, 2006)

Massachusetts attorney general Tom Reilly has asked the Bureau of Indian Affairs to consider whether the Wampanaog Tribe's failed land claim has anything to do with the tribe's federal recognition. The tribe sued in 1976 to recover its ancestral land....

Mississippi Choctaws open culinary arts school (October 12, 2006)

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has opened a culinary arts school at its training center on the reservation. The goal is to prepare tribal members and others for careers in the culinary arts. Students get on the job training...

Apache chairman criticizes BIA handling of rape cases (October 12, 2006)

The chairman of the White Mountain Apache Tribe of Arizona says the Bureau of Indian Affairs has kept the tribe in the dark about a serial rapist who has victimized 12 girls and 1 young woman on the reservation. Chairman...

Opinion: Some may vote None of the Above in Nov. (October 12, 2006)

"'Are you tired of business as usual in our state and federal government?' began a letter to the editor in the Daily Inter Lake last week. Joani Young was driven to despair by Montana's U.S. Senate race, which pits...