Utilities commission takes up complaint over Crow Creek firm (April 6, 2011)

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission said it will decide on a complaint filed against a telecommunications firm that operates on the Crow Creek Sioux Reservation. Sprint is accusing Native American Telecom of a practice known as traffic pumping. The...

Federal Bar Association sets 36th annual Indian law conference (April 6, 2011)

The Federal Bar Association kicks off its 36th annual Indian law conference tomorrow. The conference is being hosted at the Buffalo Thunder Resort, at Pojoaque Pueblo in New Mexico. This is the third time the event has been held on...

Shinnecock Nation holds first election after federal recognition (April 6, 2011)

The Shinnecock Nation of New York held its first election since gaining federal recognition last October. Randy King was re-elected to his sixth term on the board of trustees. He currently serves as chairman. Gerrod Smith was elected to his...

Labor Department goes after San Carlos Apache Tribe business (April 6, 2011)

The Department of Labor is asking a federal judge to bar a company owned by the San Carlos Apache Tribe from bidding on government contracts for three years. The department says Teltara Ndee Tribal Enterprises failed to pay prevailing wages...

Only a handful of First Nations taking part in taxation program (April 6, 2011)

Only 22 First Nations are taking part in the First Nations Goods and Services Tax program offered by the Canadian government but at least one more might be signing up. Under the program, a First Nation can charge the same...

First Nation in Manitoba battles huffing with odorless gasoline (April 6, 2011)

Solvent abuse has been reduced on the Shamattawa First Nation in Manitoba since the introduction of an odorless gasoline on the reserve. Opal fuel was developed in Australia to combat huffing in Aboriginal communities. The fuel is stripped of nearly...

Leaders of Shiprock Chapter on Navajo Nation pushed to resign (April 6, 2011)

The leaders of the Shiprock Chapter on the Navajo Nation are facing pressure to resign amid concerns about financial mismanagement. Tribal members want President William Lee, Vice President Donald Benally and Secretary Lula Jackson to step down. If they refuse,...

Utah couple 'thrilled' with 10th Circuit decision in ICWA dispute (April 6, 2011)

A Utah couple whose adoption of a newborn was contested by the Cherokee Nation is "thrilled" with a 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in the case, their attorney said. Joshua and Sunny Ketchum adopted the boy a day after...

Echo Hawk delivers keynote at child abuse prevention meeting (April 6, 2011)

Assistant Secretary Larry Echo Hawk delivered the keynote at a child abuse prevention conference in Montana on Monday. Echo Hawk said the Bureau of Indian Affairs is working to improve public safety on reservations. He said the Tribal Law and...

Editorial: Tribal members retain rights to fish in Massachusetts (April 6, 2011)

"If the state would get the word out that tribe members aren’t subject to state or local fishing regulations, there wouldn’t be any ugly scenes like the one last fall between a Mashpee Wampanoag clam digger and a Town of...

Editorial: 'Fighting Sioux' meeting should be open to the (April 6, 2011)

"Officials from North Dakota and representatives of the National Collegiate Athletic Association are scheduled to discuss the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo issue at a closed-door meeting on Good Friday in Bismarck. The public will only be told "what it...

Indian Law and Order Commission holds first in-person session (April 6, 2011)

The Indian Law and Order Commission is holding its first in-person meeting today in New Mexico. The commission was created by Congress through the Tribal Law and Order Act. It will make recommendations to improve public safety and justice in...

New Mexico governor vetoes taxation bill by Navajo lawmaker (April 6, 2011)

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez (R) vetoed a tax bill that was sponsored by Sen. Lynda Lovejoy (D), a member of the Navajo Nation. SB 397, Cigarette Stamp to Determine Escrow Payments, would have allowed the state to tax cigarette...

Zuni Pueblo benefits from $11M settlement announced by SEC (April 6, 2011)

Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico will benefit from a $11 million settlement announced by the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday. The tribe invested millions in mortgage-backed securities and derivatives. As the housing marking was showing signs of distress, Wachovia...

Cobell plaintiffs oppose Republican bill to restrict attorney fees (April 6, 2011)

The plaintiffs in the Indian trust fund lawsuit said a bill to limit their attorney fee threatens the $3.4 billion settlement to the case. The settlement leaves the final decision on fees to a federal judge. But House Republicans, angry...

Native Sun News: Oglala Sioux Tribe suspends council member (April 6, 2011)

The following story was written and reported by Ernestine Chasing Hawk. All content © Native Sun News. PINE RIDGE, SOUTH DAKOTA — The Oglala Sioux Tribal council voted to suspend Whiteclay District Representative Deb Rooks-Cook for 20 days without pay...