News Archive: February 2, 2007 Archives

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February 2, 2007
Winnebago Tribe wins taxation case in Kansas
The state of Kansas can't impose a fuel distribution tax on the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled today. The court said Ho-Chunk Inc., the tribe's economic development corporation, doesn't qualify as a "distributor" under state law....

Cason's authority over Indian affairs questioned
Jim Cason is the associate deputy secretary at the Interior Department. He was not nominated by the president nor was he confirmed by the Senate. But ever since Dave Anderson resigned as head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs two...

9th Circuit vacates tribal jurisdiction ruling
In a reversal, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday vacated an earlier ruling that said the Navajo Nation lacked jurisdiction to hear a lawsuit involving Ford Motor Company. The 9th Circuit said it wasn't clear that the matter...

Mashantucket Tribe is top taxpayer in town
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation is once again the top taxpayer in the town of Ledyard, Connecticut. The tribe's off-reservation properties were assessed by the town at $40.58 million. That's $5 million more than the second highest taxpayer. The tribe...

Haskell University develops women's health program
Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas is hosting a semester-long program to focus on women's health. Each month will be dedicated to different topics such as cancer, diabetes, eating habits, exercise and mental health. This month, it's heart disease, the...

Alaska Native corporation sells Vegas interests
Cook Inlet Region Inc., an Alaska Native regional corporation, recently sold its interests in two Las Vegas resorts. CIRI sold its 46 percent stake in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Spa at Lake Las Vegas because it wasn't performing as expected....

Candidate for Hopi chair faces residency challenge
The top vote-getter in the Hopi Tribe's recent special primary is facing questions about his eligibility to serve in public office. Ben Nuvamsa came in first out of 14 candidates. But some of his opponents said he hasn't lived on...

Two teens arrested for Blackfeet stabbing death
Two teenagers, ages 14 and 16, were arrested on Thursday in connection with the stabbing death of a member of the Blackfeet Nation of Montana. The teens were arrested by police in Great Falls, off the reservation. They were...

Senate panel promises strong backing for BIA nominee
The Democratic chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee said on Thursday he will work hard to secure the confirmation of Republican Carl J. Artman as head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota) said it...

Former BIA officials start new Washington law firm
Two former Bureau of Indian Affairs officials who served during the Clinton administration announced the formation of a new law firm in Washington, D.C. Michael J. Anderson, a member of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma, and Loretta A. Tuell, a...

Navajo woman appointed to New Mexico Legislature
Lynda Lovejoy, a member of the Navajo Nation, has been appointed to the New Mexico Legislature by Gov. Bill Richardson (D). Lovejoy will represent State Senate District 22. She replaces Leonard Tsosie, who resigned to serve in the Navajo...

Law firm says $1.9B abuse settlement held up
A Canadian law firm that has been working on residential school abuse cases says the government's appeal is holding up the $1.9 billion settlement. The Merchant Law Group has represented over 10,000 former students who suffered physical, sexual and mental...

Opponents of 'Chief Illiniwek' rally on campus
Hundreds of opponents of the "Chief Illiniwek" mascot of the University of Illinois held a rally on the Urbana campus on Thursday. Students and their supporters said the mascot was disrespectful to Native people. "If the chief showed up...

North Dakota tribal college funding bill endorsed
A bill to help North Dakota's tribal colleges educate non-Native students has received "do-pass" recommendations by two committees. The five colleges receive federal funds for tribal members. But they don't receive any money to educate non-Natives. The bill would provide...

Heard Museum to host hoop dance championship
The Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, is hosting the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest this weekend. The 17th annual contest draws dancers from ages 2 to 70. They are competing for $3,000 prize and the title of world champion. The...

Tribes forced to ration funds for health services
The Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma says limited resources force the tribe to ration health care services. The tribe receives $3.8 million from the Indian Health Service. Although the tribe adds $3.6 million of its own money, that's not...

Opinion: Indians and non-Indians at Tulalip
"Like many people, my parents have a picture on their wall of their wedding day. Recently, one of our kids pulled the picture down for closer examination on a weekend visit to Grandma and Grandpa's and noted a copy of...

Grand Traverse Band ousts council incumbents
Members of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan ousted at least two incumbents on the tribal council. Voters went to the polls last Thursday amid an ongoing election dispute. The tribe held two primaries last...

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