Jodi Rave: An environmental role for Natives (October 26, 2006)

"How do you restore the Earth? The concept is at odds with indigenous peoples, who find themselves at an unprecedented crossroads. Tribal people never had to think about restoring Mother Earth on a global level because it was inconceivable anyone...

GOP candidate claims Lakota, Comanche ancestry (October 26, 2006)

A Republican candidate in Utah says Indians who question his tribal heritage are upset only because he is a conservative. Jay Brummett claims to be Lakota and Comanche. In the 1990s, he filed a complaint as a "member of...

Alaska Natives blast treatment of subsistence rights (October 26, 2006)

Hundreds of Alaska Natives railed against state and federal officials for what they said was a lack of respect for their subsistence rights. The meeting, organized by the Alaska Federation of Natives, called into question several decisions made by the...

Trial continues over Shinnecock Nation status (October 26, 2006)

A federal judge is holding a trial into the status of land owned by the Shinnecock Nation of New York. The tribe is recognized by the state and has a state-recognized reservation. But the state says 79 acres owned by...

Gila River industrial park marks 40th birthday (October 26, 2006)

The Gila River Indian Community in Arizona is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its industrial park. When it first opened, the park was considered somewhat remote. But due to the rapid expansion of the greater Phoenix area, the tribe has...

Navajo Nation challenges adoption in Utah (October 26, 2006)

The Navajo Nation is challenging the placement of a 20-month-old girl by an organization associated with the Mormon Church. The tribe says the LDS Family Services, a corporation set up by the church, violated the Indian Child Welfare Act. A...

Slate of relatives elected by Skull Valley Goshutes (October 26, 2006)

Leon Bear is no longer "chief for life" of the Skull Valley Band of Goshutes in Utah. Tribal members ousted Bear in a special election conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Instead, they elected his uncle, Lawrence Bear, as...

Billy Mills calls for Indian Country senators (October 26, 2006)

Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, says Indian people need their own representation in Congress. Mills says the current political system doesn't adequately represent the views of Indian Country. So he says the...

Washington tribes get out the Native vote (October 26, 2006)

Washington tribes are encouraging their members to become more active in the political process. The Tulalip Tribes hosted a Native Vote rally at its amphitheater earlier this month. About 300 people attended. "Our parents and our grandparents did not have...

Northern Cheyenne man in tough race for sheriff (October 26, 2006)

A member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe is facing tough questions about his past as he runs for sheriff in Big Horn County, Montana. Lawrence "Pete" Big Hair serves as deputy sheriff in the county. It's his prior record...

Eastern Band buys undisturbed Indian mound (October 26, 2006)

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina is purchasing a 71-acre site that includes an undisturbed Indian mound. The tribe worked with the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee River to acquire the site. “We’re very excited about...

Saskatchewan Indian Nations elects new chief (October 26, 2006)

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations elected Lawrence Joseph as its new chief. Joseph, currently serving as vice chief, defeated incumbent Alphonse Bird in a second round of balloting. Joseph had 465 votes to Bird's 348. Joseph is from...

California tribes spend millions on campaigns (October 26, 2006)

Six California tribes who formed a political committee are spending even more money on several campaigns. Team 2006 was funded with an initial donation of more than $3 million. The six tribes have since poured more money into the committee...

Oglala Sioux Tribe primary results nullified (October 26, 2006)

An election board of appeals for the Oglala Sioux Tribe has nullified the results of a recent primary. The appeals board said ballot misprints require an entirely new election. But the election board says it only needs to call a...

White Mountain Apache police chief indicted (October 26, 2006)

The police chief and an officer for the White Mountain Apache Tribe of Arizona have been indicted on 18 counts in federal court. Chief Lincoln Perry, 51, and officer Tim Goode, 53, are accused of submitting fraudulent paperwork to a...

Staff confirms Bush behind Cobell proposals (October 26, 2006)

Senate Indian Affairs Committee staff confirmed the Bush administration is behind a series of controversial proposals to the Cobell trust settlement bill. The committee released a "briefing paper" on Monday that outlined the changes. They seek a dramatic change in...

Yellow Bird: Respect other people's cultures (October 26, 2006)

"When you explore other cultures, it usually goes without saying that IF you want to participate in another person's culture, you respect and participate. An example might be an American Indian ceremony on a reservation. Several years ago, two...

Interview with Bruce Whalen, GOP candidate (October 26, 2006)

"Bruce Whalen is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe from Pine Ridge, S.D. He is married with three children. Whalen is a graduate of Oglala Lakota College with a bachelor's degree in human services. Whalen served in the Army...