Senate vote set on Bush appeal court nominee (July 20, 2004)

Update: The Senate voted 53-44 this afternoon, seven votes short of the 60 needed to end debate. The nomination was blocked. A controversial federal court nominee whom tribes say will be a disaster for Indian Country goes up for a...

Kerry's sister campaigns on Montana reservations (July 20, 2004)

The sister of Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry (Massachusetts) campaigned on two Montana reservations on Monday. Diana Kerry met with tribal leaders and members on the Crow Reservation and Northern Cheyenne Reservation. According to The Billings Gazette, she said...

Report to downplay race as factor in justice system (July 20, 2004)

A forthcoming report on disparities in South Dakota's justice system will link different treatment of Indians to poverty not race. The report by Richard Braunstein, a University of South Dakota who studied the system, acknowledges that Indians receive longer sentences...

HHS Secretary pledges more funds for Navajo Nation (July 20, 2004)

Outgoing Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson told Navajo Nation leaders on Monday that he would seek more funds to improve health care on the reservation. Thompson addressed the Navajo Nation council and heard of Third World living conditions...

Father of missing Native girl charged with assault (July 20, 2004)

The stepfather of a five-year-old Native girl who has been missing since July 5 appeared in court on Monday to face assault charges. According to news reports, the alleged assault occurred only four hours after Tamra Keepness was last seen...

USDA denies money in Black farmers' bias suit (July 20, 2004)

A study shows that 90 percent of African-American farmers who sought money through a discrimination lawsuit were denied by the Department of Agriculture. USDA settled the $3 billion case five years ago with the promise of providing restitution to Black...

Tribes to seek restrictions on Kennewick Man study (July 20, 2004)

Four Pacific Northwest tribes who claim Kennewick Man as an ancestor plan to seek restrictions on scientific study of the remains, a tribal lawyer said. Study of the 9,000-year-old man is imminent now that the tribes decided not to take...

House panel holds hearing on Endangered Species Act (July 20, 2004)

A House subcommittee's field hearing on the Endangered Species Act drew about tribes, environmentalists, farmers and fishers to Klamath Falls, Oregon, on Saturday. About 100 tribal members and their supporters marched to the site of the hearing, chanting "What about...

Study finds Tulalip Tribes wetlands healthy (July 20, 2004)

The Tulalip Tribe of Washington is conducting a baseline study of wetlands on the reservation. Focusing on four wetlands, tribal biologists have found a wide number of species, including some not native to the area. They also discovered six tail...

Confusion still marks Western Shoshone payout law (July 20, 2004)

A July 31 meeting to discuss the new law requiring the distribution of a $145 million trust fund to members of the Western Shoshone Nation is drawing controversy. A steering committee that supported the payout scheduled the meeting to inform...

Teen shot by tribal police on Paiute reservation (July 20, 2004)

A 17-year-old teen was shot to death by tribal police on the Walker River Paiute Reservation in Nevada. Norman Boney Jr. allegedly charged an officer who responded to a domestic incident at his family's home. He was shot twice and...

Coeur d'Alene Tribe mourns death of revered elder (July 20, 2004)

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Idaho is mourning the loss of Lawrence G. Nicodemus, a tribal elder who worked to preserve the Snchitsu'umshtsn language. Nicodemus died Saturday at the age of 94. He spent his life developing materials to keep...

Anderson sued by former business partners (July 20, 2004)

Bureau of Indian Affairs head Dave Anderson is being sued by former business partners over a new restaurant he helped open. Patricia and Timothy Buffham say Anderson owes them $1.3 million for construction costs at the Kokomo's Island Cafe at...