Letter: University tried to bribe tribe on sacred site (May 4, 2004)

"University of Arizona Mount Graham astronomy officials came to our reservation last month. They offered us $40,000 a year from UA, the University of Minnesota and the University of Virginia each. It was a cash package of programs for us...

Tribes challenge policy affecting federal housing funds (May 4, 2004)

A federal policy that distributes housing dollars based on the U.S. Census rather than tribal enrollment would hurt reservation communities, tribal leaders said on Monday. The 2000 Census count was considered the most accurate in history. It showed a dramatic...

Montana tribes take battle over gold mines to court (May 4, 2004)

A federal judge held a hearing in the Fort Belknap Tribes suit against the Bureau of Land Management over two abandoned gold mines near the reservation. The Assiniboine and Gros Ventre Tribes say the BLM never consulted them in regard...

Martin attacked for federal recognition decision (May 4, 2004)

The state of Connecticut accused the Bureau of Indian Affairs on Monday of a "complete about-face" for its controversial decision to recognize the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation. State attorney general Richard Blumenthal was joined by a host of municipal leaders to...

Reservation housing conditions compared to Third World (May 4, 2004)

Members of Congress visited the Navajo Nation on Monday to tour reservation housing and to hold a hearing on housing conditions in Indian Country. $p The visit was prompted by Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.), whose district includes parts of the...

In movie about Native boxer, 'the Indians win' (May 4, 2004)

Amateur boxers on the Navajo Nation are praising an independent movie that was partly filmed on the reservation. $p "In some movies, the Indians lose," amateur boxer Lowell Bahe told The Gallup Independent. "In this movie, the Indians win." Bahe...

Yellow Bird: Foreigners more interested in Indians (May 4, 2004)

"This keen interest in Native people from people of other countries always amazes me, because in the seven years I have lived in Grand Forks, I always am surprised to find how few people know how many tribes live in...

Blackfeet Reservation woman reported with hantavirus (May 4, 2004)

A young woman from the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana has contracted the deadly hantavirus, the Associated Press reports. $p The mid-20s woman has been hospitalized. She is the state's second victim. The first was a 61-year-old man who died in...

State turns up volume against BIA on recognition (May 4, 2004)

Connecticut attorney Richard Blumenthal is again criticizing the Bureau of Indian Affairs for its decision to recognize the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation. $p Blumenthal says the decision wasn't based on the law but on politics. He says BIA deputy Aurene Martin...

Federal judge to issue voting rights ruling this summer (May 4, 2004)

A federal judge in South Dakota plans to issue a ruling in a Native voting rights case sometime this summer. $p On behalf of Indian plaintiffs, the American Civil Liberties Union sued the state over the state's legislative map. The...

Cabazon Band breaks ground on convention center (May 4, 2004)

The Cabazon Band of Mission Indians of California is building a 100,000-square-foot convention and events center. The Fantasy Springs Special Events Center will cost $16.8 million. With seating for 4,500, it includes space for trade shows, concerts and sporting events....

California tribe files ballot initiative to stop landfill (May 4, 2004)

The Pala Band of Mission Indians filed a ballot initiative on Monday to stop a proposed landfill in San Diego County. $p The tribe says the $60 million landfill on 1,770 acres in Gregory Canyon will pollute the San Luis...

Ex-tribal employee pleads guilty for kickback (May 4, 2004)

A former employee of the Chehalis Tribe of Washington pleaded guilty on Friday to accepting a kickback. $p Charanjit Singh Sodhi was the tribe's natural resource director in 2001. He arranged for a $30,000 contract using Bureau of Indian Affairs...

Column: Diversification next step for gaming tribes (May 4, 2004)

"Given the unpleasant history of land deals involving Native Americans -- from incompetent land surveys to outright swindles and brazen thefts -- the rise of the American Indian-owned gambling casino has been an effective method for many tribes to reclaim...

Walk kicks off Minnesota's American Indian Month (May 4, 2004)

A reported 400 people representing 50 tribes and organizations participated in a walk to kick off American Indian Month in Minnesota. $p The nine-block walk was held in Minneapolis. Youth marched alongside elders before a series of proclamations and prayers...

Tribal coalition seeks to protect important sites (May 4, 2004)

A consortium of four California tribes is working to protect and preserve important sites. The Native American Land Conservancy's latest project is the creation of the 2,500-acre Old Woman Mountains Preserve. The land is home to pictographs and petroglyphs that...

Outside influences affect Brazilian tribes (May 4, 2004)

Tribal leaders on the first reservation that was created in Brazil are worried that their way of life is being lost due to encroachment and other outside influences. $p The 10,800-square-mile Xingu Reservation was established in 1961 and is home...

Republican governors report biggest donor in 2002 (May 4, 2004)

The top donor to the Republican Governors Association in the year 2002 was a firm run by a public relations executive whose high tribal fees are the subject of a Congressional investigation, The Washington Post reports. The Post does not...