Ernestine Hayes: On being a 'Blonde Indian' (October 23, 2006)

"When I was a girl growing up in the village, my grandmother taught me songs. Blonde Indian, Blonde Indian, she sang, while I danced and sang and shook my hands. Blonde Indian, Blonde Indian. I had light-colored hair when...

Appeals court limits NIGC's role in Class III gaming (October 23, 2006)

Efforts to overhaul the $23 billion Indian gaming industry were reignited on Friday with an appeals court decision that limits the role of federal regulators. The National Indian Gaming Commission has been pushing Congress to increase its authority over tribal...

Miss America to warn Navajo youth about drinking (October 23, 2006)

Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry will visit the Navajo Nation to warn youth about underage drinking. Berry, 23, lost a 15-year-old friend in an underage driving accident. She said the death inspired her to educate youth about the dangers...

Oklahoma tribes defend rise in federal funding (October 23, 2006)

Oklahoma tribes say they should continue to receive federal funds despite an increase in their own revenues. According to The Tulsa World, Oklahoma tribes received more than $294 million in federal funds in 2002. By 2004, the amount increased...

Supreme Court reinstates Arizona voter ID rules (October 23, 2006)

The U.S. Supreme Court reinstated Arizona's voter identification rules on Friday in a lawsuit that the Navajo Nation and other tribes joined. The unanimous decision was not on the merits of requiring voters to present photo ID at the polls....

Northern Cheyenne Tribe to vote on development (October 23, 2006)

Members of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana will vote on two natural resource development questions on November 7. One question asks whether the tribe should develop its coal reserves. The other asks about coalbed methane development. The issue is...

Sisseton-Wahpeton man can't get ID in Oregon (October 23, 2006)

Michael Crawford, a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribe of South Dakota, moved to Oregon in 2004 to be near his grandchildren. Crawford proudly carries the driver's license issued by his tribe. But it wasn't good enough for the Oregon Department...

Jodi Rave: Rehberg and Lindeen tout tribal issues (October 23, 2006)

"As U.S. House candidates vie for Montana's sole seat in Congress, Montana tribal leaders are asking candidates to be a voice for them in the nation's capital. With the Nov. 7 election nearing, Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg and Democratic...

Alaska Natives face risk of deadly bird flu virus (October 23, 2006)

Alaska Natives are worried that one of their main sources of food may kill them. Birds have been hunted by Alaska Natives for centuries. But they may be carrying the deadly bird flu virus that originated in Asia and...

Time running out on Cobell settlement bill (October 23, 2006)

Congress went on break last month without considering an $8 billion settlement to the Cobell trust fund lawsuit. Lawmakers return to work after the November elections. But Elouise Cobell, the lead plaintiff, said she is worried they won't take action...

Politicians mum on reasons for taking Indian money (October 23, 2006)

Arizona tribes have donated $4.6 million to national politicians in the past six years, The East Valley Tribune reports. The spending is part of a nationwide increase in tribal giving. In the last 10 years, tribes have donated about $26.7...

Jodi Rave: Burns and Tester seek Indian vote (October 23, 2006)

Ed. Note: The story has generated a lot of comments on The Billings Gazette site. "With a decision just 15 days away, Montana's U.S. Senate candidates are wooing the Native vote in one of the country's most-watched Senate races....

Senate committee holds more Cobell meetings (October 23, 2006)

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee has scheduled six more consultation meetings on the $8 billion settlement to the Cobell trust fund lawsuit. The first meeting takes place today in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The last will be held November 9 at the...

NAJA on the move to University of Oklahoma (October 23, 2006)

The Native American Journalists Association is moving to Oklahoma. NAJA accepted an invitation to move to the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma. NAJA President Mike Kellogg said the move will help the organization...

Mark Trahant: Voters look at the bigger picture (October 23, 2006)

"This might be the Macro Election; the nearest we'll come to an American-style parliament when voters think as much about the next "leader" as they do about their member of Congress. It is one thing to like and agree with...

Two more arrests in Fort Apache rape probe (October 23, 2006)

Two more men have been arrested as more facts surface about a series of rapes on the Fort Apache Reservation in Arizona. Jesse Dupris, 26, and Jeremy Reed, 23, were arrested Friday. Both worked as security officers for the White...

Arigon Starr in consideration for Grammy nod (October 23, 2006)

The soundtrack to Arigon Starr's one-woman play is being considered for a Grammy nomination, The Native American Times reports. The Kickapoo/Creek diva earned rave reviews for "The Red Road." She played all the characters in the show and performed...