Sen. Campbell won't seek re-election this year (March 3, 2004)

The following is the text of a statement by Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado) on his decision not to seek re-election this year. March 3, 2004. After a great deal of soul searching and reflection I have decided not...

Inouye criticizes attempts to change trust relationship (March 3, 2004)

Tribes should be wary of proposals that aim to redefine the federal government's trust responsibilities, a leading Indian Country advocate said last week. In a speech to the National Congress of American Indians, Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) warned of a...

Pueblo governor says $1M fee to PR firm not worth it (March 3, 2004)

Count Sandia Pueblo in New Mexico as one of those disappointed with the services of a public relations firm linked to big-time lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who officially resigned from the Greenberg Traurig firm today. Pueblo Gov. Stuwart Paisano said his...

Agua Caliente Tribe revives Palm Springs plan (March 3, 2004)

The tribal council of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians voted to revise a plan for tribal land in Palm Springs, California, The Palm Springs Desert Sun reported. The revisions are aimed at resolving misconceptions about the tribe's proposal...

Kerry secures Democratic nomination on Super Tuesday (March 3, 2004)

Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts secured the Democratic party's presidential nomination with a sweep of nine states on Tuesday, paving the way for a heated matchup against President George W. Bush that tribal leaders say will draw 1 million Native...

Mashantucket Tribe is largest taxpayer in town (March 3, 2004)

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation is once again the largest taxpayer in the town of Ledyard, Connecticut. The tribe's properties in Ledyard were assessed at $32.1 million. Dow Chemical was second with $26.6 million. The tribe is also among the...

N.M. tribe offers technology classes at new center (March 3, 2004)

Pojoaque Pueblo in New Mexico has turned part of its cultural center and museum into a center for new technology. The Computer Training Center offers classes in graphics, common applications and the Internet. Future courses are planned in website design...

Police say Mescalero Apache teen killed mother (March 3, 2004)

Police on the Mescalero Apache Reservation in New Mexico say a 17-year-old boy killed his mother before taking his own life. Christian Aldava reportedly killed his mother Agnes Aldava on Sunday night after an argument. Police said the argument wa...

Nuclear panel halts uranium mining at Navajo sites (March 3, 2004)

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Friday ordered a company to stop mining at two sites on the Navajo Nation pending approval of a new financial assurance plan. Eastern Navajo Dine Against Uranium Mining and Southwest Research and Information Center...

Two boys at Flathead died of alcohol consumption (March 3, 2004)

Authorities in Montana said two 11-year-old boys found dead on the Flathead Reservation had elevated blood alcohol levels. The boys were found in a field near a tribal housing development. They had died either late Friday or early Saturday, the...

Navajo Code Talker recounts experience in WWII (March 3, 2004)

Navajo Code Talker Wilfred Billey spoke to the San Juan Archaeological Society in New Mexico about his experiences in World War II. Billey spent 30 months in combat during his four years in the military. He became a Code Talker...

Okla. Senate approves buyout bill for Tar Creek site (March 3, 2004)

The Oklahoma Senate voted 36-6 to approve a bill that would relocate families with young children from the Tar Creek Superfund site. According to the Associated Press, the state would provide $5 million to buy homes of families who volunteer...

Delaware chief opposes tobacco tax hike in Okla. (March 3, 2004)

Joe Brooks is chief of the Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma. But he's also the owner of a smoke shop that he says will suffer under a proposed tax hike. Gov. Brad Henry (D) wants to increase the excise tax from...

N.M. county must redraw map to include Navajos (March 3, 2004)

Socorro County in New Mexico has to redraw its map because two Navajo families were inadvertently forgotten. The commission drew boundaries that divided the Alamo portion of the Navajo Nation into two districts. But the Department of Justice said the...

Calif. tribes go online with Digital Village (March 3, 2004)

With the help of a three-year $5 million grant from Hewlett Packard, tribes in southern California created the Tribal Digital Village. Based in San Diego County, home to 18 reservations, the village provides Internet and technology services to about 15,000...

Peltier locks up Peace and Freedom nomination (March 3, 2004)

Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts may have swept Super Tuesday but American Indian Movement activist Leonard Peltier won the California Peace & Freedom Party nomination in California yesterday. With 91.4 percent of the precincts reporting, Peltier won 58.3 percent of...

Tulalip Tribes build respect with new police department (March 3, 2004)

In just two years, the Tulalip Tribes of Washington has built a police department that is earning respect from reservation residents and local law enforcement. Washington is a Public Law 280 state but the state retroceded jurisdiction in November 2001....

Appeals court hears Oneida Nation eviction case (March 3, 2004)

The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday heard oral arguments in the Oneida Nation's eviction case. Four families want the court to prevent the tribe from removing them and destroying their homes. The tribe says the homes are unsafe....

Narragansett Tribe seeks police agreement with town (March 3, 2004)

The Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island says a recent incident shows the need for a policing agreement with the town of Charlestown. The Charlestown police chief agrees. The town asked the state for a legal opinion on police matters but...

Grand Ronde Tribe revives naming ceremony (March 3, 2004)

Members of the Grand Ronde Tribes of Oregon gathered Saturday for a traditional naming ceremony that one elder said hasn't taken place in nearly 100 years. Traditional leaders from the Grand Ronde, Wasco and Warm Springs took part in the...

Hoopa Valley Tribe critical of DOI water offer (March 3, 2004)

The Hoopa Valley Tribe of California met with Department of Interior officials on Tuesday to discuss water issues in the Klamath Basin. The tribe has treaty and fishing rights on the Trinity River but nearly all of the water has...

Tribal college pow-wow to mark start of Lakota New Year (March 3, 2004)

The Oglala Lakota College Center in Rapid City, South Dakota, will mark the Lakota New Year with a traditional pow-wow on March 6. The pow-wow will not be competitive but the first seven drum groups to arrive will be paid....

Judge denies Janklow's request for early release (March 3, 2004)

A South Dakota judge on Tuesday denied former governor and Congressman Bill Janklow (R) an early release from jail for felony manslaughter. That means Janklow has 75 more days to serve as part of an agreement in which his crime...

S.D. tribe worried about massive fish kill (March 3, 2004)

The Environmental Protection Agency sent an emergency team to South Dakota over the weekend after the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe reported a massive fish kill in the Big Sioux River. Anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 fish died last week, according...