Native language preservation bill becomes law (December 15, 2006)

A bill that will help tribes preserve their languages was signed into law by President Bush on Thursday. H.R.4766, the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act, authorizes funding for new programs that tribes will use to prevent the loss...

Five-hour meeting on Oneida Nation land-into-trust (December 15, 2006)

More than 120 people spoke at a five-hour public hearing on the Oneida Nation's land-into-trust application. About 800 people attended, The Syracuse Post-Standard reported. At least half were tribal employees, who wore t-shirts that read "My job my vote," the...

Letter: Banishment not the right option for tribe (December 15, 2006)

"This letter is in regard to the Fallon tribe seeking to gain the authority to banish members who are convicted of dealing or making drugs on the reservation. While I am very against drugs, and I agree it is time...

Native American Bank to expand operations (December 15, 2006)

The Native American Bank is expanding its operations in Colorado. The bank will acquire the charter of First National Bank. The move enable the bank to establish branches in Denver and on reservations in Colorado. The bank is chartered in...

Monteau: Connecticut's genocide of Native people (December 15, 2006)

"Connecticut's elected officials have gone far beyond hypocrisy and have ventured into waters that no civilized society should countenance. They want several Indian tribes in the state declared ''extinct'' even though these tribes have been recognized by the colonial and...

Tohono O'odham district bars armed National Guard (December 15, 2006)

The Pisinimo District Council of the Tohono O'odham Nation passed a resolution barring armed National Guard troops from the district. Gaurdsmen have been assisting the U.S. Border Patrol on the reservation. But after troops detained several tribal members who...

Editorial: Ruling puts end to Paugussett saga (December 15, 2006)

"The last of the land claims filed in western Connecticut by the Golden Hill Paugussetts have been dismissed by a federal judge. That should end the tribe's effort to use the claims for leverage in building a casino -- and...

Seminole/Creek filmmaker to show at Sundance (December 15, 2006)

"Four Sheets to the Wind," a film by Sterlin Harjo [Bio] of Oklahoma, will make its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Harjo, who is Seminole and Creek, shot the film in Oklahoma. His work was one of...

Northern Cheyenne woman lied about rape at BIA jail (December 15, 2006)

A woman from the Northern Cheyenne Reservation pleaded guilty to making false statements about an alleged rape at a Bureau of Indian Affairs jail. Jennifer Marie Simpson Woodenlegs, 28, said she was raped multiple times by several officers during several...

South Dakota considers Indian Education Act (December 15, 2006)

Citing a growing Indian population, South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds (R) and his administration are pushing for the passage of the Indian Education Act. Rounds created an Office of Indian Education and an advisory council on Indian issue. The bill...

Yellow Bird: Tribes concerned about DNA studies (December 15, 2006)

" As for the geneticists hot on the trail to prove their theories and with needles and blood flasks in hand they chose some of the American Indian and Alaskan natives as subjects. They wanted indigenous DNA samples. Surprisingly,...

Navajo vice president meets with protesters (December 15, 2006)

Outgoing Navajo Nation Vice President Frank Dayish Jr. met with a group of tribal members who are protesting work at the site of a proposed power plant near Shiprock, New Mexico. Dayish said he wanted to make sure the protesters,...

Lakota Nation Invitational welcomes boxers (December 15, 2006)

Boxers will step into the ring today at the 30th annual Lakota National Invitational in Rapid City, South Dakota. Young men and women are competing in 26 scheduled bouts. "When somebody hits me, it motivates me to get in...

Reward increased to $30K for missing Red Lake boys (December 15, 2006)

The reward for information about two brothers who went missing from the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota has been increased to $30,000. The Red Lake Nation added $10,000 to the $20,000 reward offered by the FBI. The tribe and...

Elderly Natives denied abuse settlement payments (December 15, 2006)

About 300 elderly Natives have not been able to receive advance payments that were promised under the $1.9 billion residential school abuse settlement. The Canadian government said it would pay $8,000 to former students over the age of 65. But...

New Salt River president won't drop liquor issue (December 15, 2006)

The incoming president of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of Arizona said expanding the sale of liquor will remain an issue as the tribe continues to grow. Diane Enos [Campaign Web Site], who takes office on Saturday, said...

Trial continues over Shinnecock Nation's sovereignty (December 15, 2006)

A trial into the Shinnecock Nation's sovereignty continued in a federal court in New York. The tribe wants to use 79 acres for a possible resort. Local and state officials are trying to block the project, saying tribal sovereignty would...

Outlook optimistic for Sen. Johnson after surgery (December 15, 2006)

Family, doctors and experts were optimistic for the recovery of Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota), a day after he underwent emergency brain surgery. Johnson, 59, fell ill during a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. He was taken to a...

South Dakota Indians praise Sen. Johnson's work (December 15, 2006)

South Dakota Indians say Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) has been a strong advocate for their needs. Johnson serves on the Indian Affairs and Appropriations committees. He has used both positions to ensure tribal communities receive funds for their programs....

Criminal inquiries into royalty collection at DOI (December 15, 2006)

The Justice Department has launched two criminal inquiries into royalty collection at the Interior Department, The New York Times reports. One inquiry involves Interior officials in Denver who manage the Minerals Management Service's royalty in kind program [RIK Site]. RIKs...