New Cobell judge has experience with DOI (December 13, 2006)

The new judge for the Cobell trust fund lawsuit has experience with the Interior Department, though it hasn't always been a positive one. U.S. District Judge James Robertson has sat on the bench since 1994, after being appointed by President...

Paper publishes special report on Arizona tribes (December 13, 2006)

The Arizona Daily Star published a special report on Arizona's 21 tribes today. The report looks at the past and present of the tribes. Special focus is paid to the tribes around the Tucson area -- the Tohono O'odham...

Federal Register: Two land-into-trust notices (December 13, 2006)

Two land-into-trust notices are published in the Federal Register today. In the first, the Bureau of Indian Affairs agreed to take 31,000 acres into trust for the Jicarilla Apache Nation of New Mexico. The acquisition has been opposed by local...

Lakota Nation Invitational returns to Rapid City (December 13, 2006)

Hundreds of students, teachers and parents are pouring into Rapid City, South Dakota, this week for the 30th annual Lakota Nation Invitational. The event features a basketball tournament, traditional hand games, a Lakota quiz bowl and Indian education seminars....

Onondaga Nation might get into cigarette business (December 13, 2006)

Leaders of the Onondaga Nation of New York are considering a plan to produce and sell their own brand of cigarettes. The tribe began construction of a warehouse that could b used to manufacture the cigarettes. A final decision hasn't...

First Nations give up whaling rights for treaty (December 13, 2006)

The Maa-nulth First Nations of British Columbia gave up whaling rights for 25 years as part of a a treaty signed over the weekend. The tribes vowed to return to hunting after the Makah Nation in Washington resumed its hunt....

Panel at Harvard discusses issues facing tribes (December 13, 2006)

Issues facing New England's tribes were the subject of a panel at Harvard University on Tuesday night. Panelists represented tribes from Massachusetts and Connecticut. They noted that Harvard was founded to educate Indians, but only graduated one student, a Wampanoag...

Narragansett chief meets with Rhode Island governor (December 13, 2006)

The leaders of the Narragansett Tribe and the state of Rhode Island met on Tuesday to discuss legal, political and other issues. The tribe and the state have been at odds over land-into-trust, sovereignty and gaming. But Narragansett Chief...

Warrants served on San Manuel in major meth bust (December 13, 2006)

Multiple law enforcement agencies in southern California busted a major Mexican Mafia methamphetamine drug ring on Tuesday, with several search warrants served on the San Manuel Reservation. Authorities seized two pounds of meth, $500,000 in cash and 56 firearms. They...

Ex-Crow chairman ordered to report to prison (December 13, 2006)

Clifford G. Birdinground, the former chairman of the Crow Tribe of Montana, was ordered to begin serving his 37-month prison sentence. Birdinground was sentenced in September 2003 after being convicted of bribery. But he has remained free while pursuing...

Opinion: English a foreign language in America (December 13, 2006)

"Let’s start with the obvious: While some of the indigenous people killed or displaced by Europeans and their descendants learned to communicate in English with the settler-colonizers, they did so in a second (or third, fourth, or fifth) language....

Fort Berthold tribal college signs partnership (December 13, 2006)

Students at Fort Berthold Community College in North Dakota will be able to work towards a four-year degree under a partnership with Minot State University. The agreement is the first of its kind for the college, which serves the Mandan,...

Wisconsin tribes consider state pension program (December 13, 2006)

Wisconsin's 11 tribes are being asked to consider joining the state's pension program. The tribes would put their law enforcement personnel on the program. It could help retain and reward their officers. The Oneida Nation and the Lac du Flambeau...

Montana tribe to fight for bison range contract (December 13, 2006)

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes will continue to seek a role at the National Bison Range in Montana, Chairman James Steele Jr. said. Steele said he was upset that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service abruptly canceled the...

Opinion: First Nations take control of their future (December 13, 2006)

"With the initialing last week of the first urban treaty at Tsawwassen, and the first multi-tribe treaty on the west coast of Vancouver Island, the movement towards treaty settlements across the province now has a momentum that appears unstoppable. I...

Women disenrolled after criticizing leaders (December 13, 2006)

Two women were disenrolled from the Enterprise Rancheria of California after criticizing tribal leaders for removing 70 people from the rolls. Carolyn Porteous and Darlene Taylor were vocal opponents of the November 2003 disenrollment of 70 people. So the tribe...

Shinnecock Nation in court over land, recognition (December 13, 2006)

The Shinnecock Nation of New York has been busy lately with lawsuits over land, gaming and federal recognition. Based on Long Island, the tribe has a state-recognized reservation but is waiting on the Bureau of Indian Affairs for recognition. A...

San Manuel Band donates $50K to Toys for Tots (December 13, 2006)

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians of California is donating $50,000 to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. The money will help the foundation during the holiday season. The tribe is also sponsoring a Toys for Tots golf tournament...

Crow Tribe to round up horses for auction (December 13, 2006)

The Crow Tribe of Montana will be rounding up horses on the reservation later this month. The tribe's Natural Resource Department will ship the horses to auction. Proceeds will cover the cost of the roundup and transportation. Get the Story:...