News Archive: September 7, 2007 Archives

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September 7, 2007
Hundreds mourn death of Native teen in Winnipeg
About 200 people attended a memorial for Fonassa Bruyere, a 17-year-old Native teen who was murdered in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Bruyere was last seen getting into a car about a month ago. Her body was found in a field northwest...

Editorial: Politicians can't afford to ignore Native vote
"Noting that only three of the eight major Democratic presidential contenders showed at the first effort to bring them to "Indian country," voters and organizers are justified in wondering if they are as good as their words. The tribes are...

Owner of troubled mobile home park sues BIA
The owner of a troubled mobile home park on the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Reservation is suing the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Harvey Duro says the BIA is trying to shut down the Desert Mobile Home Park -- also known...

Local says law enforcement lacking in Whiteclay
Law enforcement in the border town of Whiteclay, Nebraska, is weak, according to one of the owners of a beer store. But the sheriff in Sheridan County says officers visit the town about four times a day. That results in...

Cherokee Freedmen dispute affects NAHASDA debate
The House reauthorized the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act on Thursday but sent a warning to the Cherokee Nation over the status of the Freedmen. H.R.2786 drew bipartisan support, with every Democrat who was present voting in favor...

Editorial: Community mourns death of Navajo student
"Our community is heavy with grief and pain from the death of University of Arizona freshman Mia Henderson, 18. The bright young woman who wanted a medical career helping others was killed at Graham-Greenlee Residence Hall Wednesday morning. Her...

Navajo student charged with roommate's death
An 18-year-old member of the Navajo Nation was charged with first-degree murder on Thursday after allegedly killing her roommate at the University of Arizona. Galareka Harrison is being held in Tucson. She was arrested on Wednesday after an...

BIA working on study of detention centers
Despite a slew of reports documenting poor conditions at Indian Country detention centers, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has hired a consultant to study the issue. The final report is expected later this year. Meanwhile, offenders on the Navajo...

Catawba Nation to hold first meeting since election
The Catawba Nation of South Carolina holds its first meeting on Saturday since electing new leaders in July. New Chief Donald Rodgers wants as many tribal members as possible to attend. "I'm trying to get back to the surface. We've...

Leader of fake tribe arrested in immigration scam
The leader of a fake tribe was arrested on Thursday and faces federal charges for selling "membership" to immigrants. Malcolm L. Webber, who calls himself Chief Thunderbird IV, has been recruiting immigrants to join the Kaweah Nation. He claims...

Muscogee council members criticize court ruling
Members of the Muscogee Nation's National Council criticized a tribal court decision that calls for their public censure. Councilors accused the Creek Nation Supreme Court of distorting the tribal constitution. They also said the court was injecting politics into the...

Eastern Cherokee Band re-elects incumbents
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina re-elected incumbents to its top two seats. Principal Chief Michell Hicks narrowly defeated challenger Patrick Lambert. The tally was 1,854 to 1,824. Vice Chief Larry Blythe defeated challenger Teresa McCoy...

Rhode Island court to hear Narragansett case
The Rhode Island Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear a case that would block Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) from testifying about his role in the state's raid of the Narragansett Reservation. The court expedited the case in order to...

Robert Levi, Desert Cahuilla elder, dies at 89
Robert Levi, an elder of the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Tribe of California, died August 29. He was 89. Levi was a keeper of traditional Cahuilla bird songs. "The songs tell about the birds, how they started out on their...

Grim explains reasons for withdrawing nomination
Charles Grim, the outgoing director of the Indian Health Service, said he withdrew his nomination for family reasons. Grim, a member of the Cherokee Nation, and his wife have five children. Their youngest is 2 years old and he told...

Harjo: Abramoffs still at work in Indian Country
"It's time for tribal leaders to stop taking the legal and political advice of the Abramoffs currently in Indian country. Team Abramoff only got $80-plus million of Indian monies. Others in the same league are getting much more today for...

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