Redding Rancheria disenrolls 67 family members (January 29, 2004)

The tribal council on the Redding Rancheria disenrolled 67 members of an extended family on Wednesday, almost one-quarter of its membership, The Redding Record Searchlight reported. The Foreman family said they have DNA evidence that proves descent from an original...

Agreement keeps Indian loan program afloat (January 29, 2004)

The Department of Agriculture has restored funds to a program that helps Indian farmers and ranchers in 28 states obtain loans. The USDA Farm Service Agency and the National Tribal Development Association in Montana signed an agreement that will keep...

Man charged with murder in Mont. tribal court (January 29, 2004)

Authorities on the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana laid murder and attempted murder charges for the death of a 40-year-old woman and an injured 23-year-old woman. Robert Brien was charged in tribal court for allegedly killing Francine DeCouteau, who died...

N.M. Indian affairs officials unexpectedly resign (January 29, 2004)

The two top officials for the state of New Mexico's Indian Affairs Department tendered their resignations last week, The Santa Fe New Mexican reports. In letters to Gov. Bill Richardson (D), Secretary Bernie Teba and deputy director Sam Cata did...

Probate reform bill heads to Senate for vote (January 29, 2004)

The chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee on Wednesday said he expects quick passage of a bill that seeks to reform one aspect of the Indian trust. After several iterations, the American Indian Probate Reform Act of 2004 was...

Supreme Court hears from states in gaming case (January 29, 2004)

A coalition of nine states has sided with the Bush administration in seeking U.S. Supreme Court review of an Indian gaming dispute with implications for tribes nationwide. Led by California, the group takes aim at two circuit court rulings that...

Man accused in Aquash murder fights U.S. extradition (January 29, 2004)

A Canadian Native man accused of murdering American Indian Movement activist Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash is fighting his extradition to the U.S. John Graham says he would rather face trial in Canada. 'To be extradited down into the U.S. would be...

Oneida Nation urges Supreme Court to reject tax case (January 29, 2004)

The Oneida Nation of New York has asked the U.S. Supreme Court not to review the tribe's victory in a treaty rights/taxation case. In a 2-1 decision, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals held that the 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua...

Tribal consultation over dam licenses criticized (January 29, 2004)

Non-Indian water users and the power industry in the Pacific Northwest are challenging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's decision to hold government-to-government consultation meetings with five tribal nations. FERC says it is bound to meet with the tribes to discuss...

S.D. officials to create Indian education office (January 29, 2004)

The state of South Dakota is creating an Indian education office within the Department of Education. A 15-member advisory panel consisting of tribal representatives and school officials will lay groundwork for the office. The state will involve the Bureau of...

S.D. drops voter fraud charges against Indian woman (January 29, 2004)

Prosecutors in South Dakota dropped voter fraud charges against an Indian woman accused of forging signatures on absentee ballot cards for the 2002 general election. According to news reports, the state's own expert witness attested that the signatures were not...

Wis. study ranks reservation worst in health (January 29, 2004)

The Wisconsin Public Health and Health Policy Institute released its first report card on health in the state's 72 counties on Wednesday. Menominee County, home to the Menominee Nation, came in dead last. Researchers based the ranking on 20 factors...

Top N.Y. lawmaker rejects call to delay Indian tax (January 29, 2004)

Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno (D) rejected Gov. George Pataki's request to delay imposing the state's sales tax on Indian businesses. Pataki, a Republican, said he wants to avoid confrontations with tribal members, who shut down a major...

N.C. board delays removal of two Indian mascots (January 29, 2004)

The Guilford County Board of Education in North Carolina has put off the removal of two Indian mascots pending further discussion, including with Native Americans. The board tentatively agreed to get rid of the Andrews Red Raiders and Southern Indians...

Panel endorses tribe's entertainment district (January 29, 2004)

Protests by Palm Springs residents didn't stop a city panel from unanimously approving the Agua Caliente Tribe's plan to create an entertainment district. The 3 1/2-hour meeting was emotional, according to news reports. Opponents said the tribe's was being given...

Judge orders Exxon to pay $7B for Valdez spill (January 29, 2004)

A federal judge in Alaska ordered Exxon Mobil Corporation to pay $7 billion in damages and interest to Alaska Natives, fishermen, land owners and others affected by the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989. The damages award was the third...

Yale to appoint faculty member in Native studies (January 29, 2004)

Yale University will appoint its first faculty member in Native American studies this fall. To move towards creating a Native studies program, the school will host a colloquium series this semester to present graduate and doctorate work in Native-related areas....

Students in Va. collect books for Laguna Pueblo (January 29, 2004)

Students at an elementary school in Virginia have collected more than 4,500 books for the Laguna Pueblo School in New Mexico. The effort began when a mother learned the tribe only had 1,200 usable books. So students, parents and faculty...

Calif. tribe, local police break up drug ring (January 29, 2004)

The Tachi-Yokut Tribe and local law enforcement in California cooperated to break up a drug ring at the tribe's casino. Police arrested 31 people on a number of counts, including the sale of methamphetamine. Tribal leaders authorized the Kings County...

Tribal homeland security legislation in limbo (January 29, 2004)

A bill that would enable tribes to become full partners in securing and protecting America's homelands is in limbo in the Senate. S.578 would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 by recognizing the ability of tribes to arrest non-Indians....

Editorial: Keep open mind on Palm Springs plan (January 29, 2004)

The Palm Springs Desert Sun urges readers not to rush to judge the Agua Caliente Tribe's plan to create an entertainment district in Palm Springs. The paper points out that the tribe is a sovereign nation and doesn't have to...

Native teen organizes Junior Native Olympics (January 29, 2004)

An Alaska Native high school senior has organized the first Junior Native Youth Olympics in her hometown of Fairbanks. The event will be held Saturday and will include several traditional competitions, such as the seal hop, high kick, wrist carry...

Utah spent $3.8M fighting Goshute waste dump (January 29, 2004)

The state of Utah has spent nearly $3.8 million fighting a proposed nuclear waste dump on the Skull Valley Goshute Reservation, The Salt Lake Tribune reports. State lawmakers are being asked to approve $500,000 over the next two years to...