Nipmuc Nation loses backer of recognition bid (December 10, 2004)

The Nipmuc Nation of Massachusetts has fallen on hard times since losing the financial support of a gaming company that was backing the tribe's bid for federal recognition. Lakes Gaming gave $6 million to the tribe over the years. But...

Norton to remain on job for second Bush term (December 10, 2004)

Interior Secretary Gale Norton will remain on the job for a second term, the Bush administration announced on Thursday. President Bush asked Norton to stay and she agreed, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said. Also remaining on board are...

South Dakota tribe's college still in limbo (December 10, 2004)

The college owned by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota is hoping to get its financial problems straightened out. Si Tanka University missed payroll last month and is in foreclosure litigation over $6 million in loans. The school...

Fond du Lac Band beefing up police presence (December 10, 2004)

The Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe is on its way to becoming the primary police force on its Minnesota reservation. The tribe's police department has grown from five to 17, including 15 officers, in less than two years. Officers...

University considers return of 'Warriors' nickname (December 10, 2004)

Marquette University in Illinois is considering whether to bring back its old "Warriors" nickname. The school changed to the Golden Eagles in 1994 after 40 years of using the Warriors name and Indian logo. The school's "Willie Wampum" mascot...

Congressman questioned during lobbyist probe (December 10, 2004)

An Ohio Congressman who tried to help a Texas tribe reopen its casino said he was questioned by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee for his involvement in a Washington lobbying scandal. Rep. Bob Ney (R) agreed to insert a rider...

Lawmakers ask Norton to block tribe's recognition (December 10, 2004)

Three Connecticut lawmakers asked Interior Secretary Gale Norton to revoke the recognition of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation because the Bureau of Indian Affairs made a mistake in the case. Reps. Nancy Johnson, Christopher Shays and Rob Simmons, all Republicans, said...

Resurrection of 'Redskins' mascot stirs debate (December 10, 2004)

A school district in Pennsylvania that still uses a "Redskins" mascot is debating whether the name is appropriate. The Neshaminy district's sports teams began using the name 50 years ago. A student used to dress up as an Indian during...

Indian woman from Maine voted off 'Survivor' (December 10, 2004)

A member of the Maliseet Tribe of Maine was kicked off the popular television show "Survivor" after making it through 13 episodes. Julie Berry, 23, lost a chance at a $1 million prize after fellow contestants voted 3-2 against her....

Six indicted for stealing from Kickapoo Tribe (December 10, 2004)

Six people, including a state lawmaker, were indicted on Thursday for stealing more than $900,000 from the Kickapoo Tribe of Texas. Authorities said state Rep. Timoteo Garza (D), former tribal attorney Jose "Joe" Ruiz and Arthur Lee Martin, a former...

Three tribes diversify holdings with new hotel (December 10, 2004)

Three tribes say a new $53 million hotel in California's state capitol is an important step in the diversification of their economies. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and the Oneida Nation of...

San Manuel Band moves to develop prime parcel (December 10, 2004)

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is hoping to finalize plans to develop a prime piece of real estate located near two highways. Chairman Deron Marquez said the development will include a hotel, restaurants and retail and office space....

International court awards $7.9M for massacre (December 10, 2004)

The Interamerican Court of Human Rights has ordered the government of Guatemala to pay $7.9 million (US) to the survivors of massacre of a Mayan Indian village. In 1982, government soldiers entered the village of Plan de Sanchez, raped the...

South Carolina tribe suffers major setbacks (December 10, 2004)

South Carolina's only federally recognized tribe is in the middle of a major crisis. In the past year alone, the tribe lost its federal funding, saw the indictment of a former executive director, went to court to battle the state...

Civil rights pick opposes affirmative action (December 10, 2004)

President Bush's pick for the new chairman of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission is a conservative African-American lawyer who opposes affirmative action. Gerald A. Reynolds, a former assistant secretary for the office of civil rights in the Education Department, doesn't...

Federal judge who was blocked by Senate retires (December 10, 2004)

A controversial federal judge who was placed on an appeals court only after Senate Democrats blocked his nomination retired on Thursday. Charles W. Pickering Sr. said he retired so President Bush could make a permanent appointment to the 5th Circuit...

Intelligence reform bill expands police powers (December 10, 2004)

An intelligence reform bill that President Bush is expected to sign loosens the standards for FBI surveillance warrants and allows the government to detain terrorist suspects without bail. The provisions would expire by 2005 or 2006 unless Congress renews them...

Wampanoag Tribe to appeal sovereignty case (December 10, 2004)

The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts plans to take its sovereignty case to a federal appeals court, incoming chairman Donald Widdiss said. Widdiss said he wasn't surprised by the decision from the state Supreme Judicial Court. He said it didn't...

Massachusetts court deals blow to tribe's sovereignty (December 10, 2004)

Click for larger map of Martha's Vineyard. Massachusetts' only federally recognized tribe waived its sovereign immunity by agreeing to state jurisdiction on the reservation, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled on Thursday. In a 5-1 decision, the state's highest...

Tribal college to add three more online courses (December 10, 2004)

News from the United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, North Dakota. United Tribes Technical College has received accreditation to offer three additional associate degree programs online, expanding the college online degrees to five. The new online degree programs are Health...