Federal Circuit rules Navajo Nation waited too long to file lawsuit (January 11, 2011)

The Navajo Nation waited too long to file a lawsuit against the United States, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Monday. The tribe accused the federal government of taking its land without compensation in violation of the Fifth...

Inquest begins into officer's fatal shooting of Native wood carver (January 11, 2011)

An inquest began on Monday into the fatal shooting of John T. Williams, a traditional Native woodcarver, by a police officer in Seattle, Washington. Williams, 50, was a member of the Dididaht First Nation of British Columbia. He was shot...

Town claims jurisdiction on business owned by Mohawk woman (January 11, 2011)

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe of New York says the town of Fort Covington can't assert jurisdiction over a business owned by one of its members. The tribe says the business sits on land that is part of the reservation....

San Felipe Pueblo man sentenced to 12 years on murder charge (January 11, 2011)

Leon Ray Sanchez, a 24-year-old man from San Felipe Pueblo in New Mexico, was sentenced to 12 years in prison on a second-degree murder charge. Sanchez pleaded guilty for the murder of 48-year-old Nancy Sandoval. He admitted he killed Sandoval...

North Dakota governor doesn't want to reopen deal for oil taxes (January 11, 2011)

North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple (R) doesn't think the state has to renegotiate an oil tax agreement with the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation. The state shares oil tax revenue with the tribe for development on the Fort Berhold Reservation....

Amah Mutsun Tribe third in line on BIA federal recognition queue (January 11, 2011)

Leaders of the Amah Mutsun Tribe of California hope the Bureau of Indian Affairs will make a decision on their federal recognition petition in the next few years The tribe started the process in 1990. Its petition was complete in...

New president of Navajo Nation reaches settlement in fraud case (January 11, 2011)

The new president and the new vice president of the Navajo Nation have reached settlements in a fraud case. President Ben Shelly and Vice President Rex Lee Jim were sworn into office on Tuesday. They announced settlements to pay back...

North Dakota Republicans aim to keep 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (January 11, 2011)

Republicans in North Dakota have introduced bills to keep the "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo at the University of North Dakota. One bill bars UND and the state Board of Higher Education from retiring the nickname even though both institutions...

Public comment sought on land deal involving Ho-Chunk Nation (January 11, 2011)

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input on a land deal involving the Ho-Chunk Nation. The tribe is working with Jackson County and the state on the deal. It involves the tribe's purchase of 250 acres of...

Gallery puts century old Yup'ik Eskimo mask on market for $2.1M (January 11, 2011)

An art gallery in Ontario, Canada, has put a century-old Yup'ik Eskimo mask on the market for over $2.1 million. The 34-inch tall mask was used for ceremonial dances. It was purchased in Alaska in 1905 and has changed...

Menominee Nation woman charged with assault of police officer (January 11, 2011)

A woman from the Menominee Nation of Wisconsin has been charged with assaulting a federal officer. Jamie Corn, 31, allegedly stole the tribal officer's squad car and tried to ram the officer with it. The incident occurred December 11, 2010,...

Dakota descendants win another round in trust management suit (January 11, 2011)

A federal judge has again ruled that the federal government owes money to Dakota descendants whose ancestors were promised land in the late 1800s. Judge Charles Lettow ruled that Congress created a trust for the "loyal Mdewakanton" through a series...

Tom DeLay, former House majority leader, sentenced to 3 years (January 11, 2011)

Former Republican House majority leader Tom DeLay was sentenced to three years in prison on conspiracy and money laundering charges in Texas. DeLay, who plans to appeal, was found guilty of funneling $190,000 in corporate donations to Texas politicians....

Opinion: Take a serious look at alternatives to 'Redskins' mascot (January 11, 2011)

"I’m as loyal a Redskins fan as there is. At 60, I have followed the team for more than half a century. I’m a proud season-ticket holder and a fan who refuses to boo even when the performance seems to...