NIGC: Indian gaming continues to enjoy growth (July 14, 2005)

Indian gaming grew by 15.3 percent last year, the National Indian Gaming Commission reported.• PDF: Tribal Gaming Revenues for 2004 Tribal casinos across the country took in $19.4 billion in 2004, the National Indian Gaming Commission reported on Wednesday....

Pombo has taken $71K from tribes so far this year (July 14, 2005)

Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California), the chairman of the House Resources Committee, has received $71,000 in contributions from 15 tribes so far this year, The Sacramento Bee reports. The contributions include $5,000 from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians of...

Opinion: Indian education benefits all Montanans (July 14, 2005)

"Tragically, Americans know next to nothing about our country's native people. Even here in 'Indian Country,' the Rocky Mountain West, our schools neglect Indian history. Montanans, finally, are accepting the opportunity, encouraged by Title X of our 1972 state constitution...

Editorial: Stop stalling on Native voting rights (July 14, 2005)

"A small group of South Dakota legislators chose stubbornness over fairness this week, ignoring a federal judge's order to change district lines to make voting more fair for Native Americans. And one of the primary reasons is sickening in its...

Families to invest in huge statue of Indian (July 14, 2005)

Three Oklahoma families are investing in a huge 21-story statue of an American Indian. Osage artist Shan Gray says "The American" will be the largest and tallest freestanding bronze sculpture in the world. He plans to locate it outside of...

House and Senate hearings, briefing on health care (July 14, 2005)

The House Resources Committee is holding a hearing at 10am today on New York tribal land claims. The hearing will be broadcast over the Internet. • Witness List | Audio Link Ed Note: The hearing recessed around 10:30am so committee...

Navajo Nation police officer recognized for arrest (July 14, 2005)

A Navajo Nation police officer who apprehended an armed suspect received a certificate of commendation for his service. Officer Eldon Barton arrested Marc G. Clark, 28, in the early morning hours of July 6. Barton pursued Clark on foot...

BIA approves water bottling plant for La Jolla Band (July 14, 2005)

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has given its approval for the La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians to open a water bottling plant. The BIA issued a finding of significant impact for the project and declined to require a full...

Litefoot, Mashantuckets team up for Reach the Rez (July 14, 2005)

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut has donated $250,000 to Cherokee Nation rapper Litefoot and his "Reach the Rez" tour. Litefoot kicks off the one-year tour on Friday. It will take him to 212 reservations in 40 states,...

Mascots not only an issue for Native Americans (July 14, 2005)

Native Americans aren't the only ones concerned about offensive mascots, The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. The University of Mississippi's "Rebels" mascot has been opposed by African-Americans who say it honors slavery. The school has now decided to eliminate the "Col....

Opinion: It's time for racist mascots to go (July 14, 2005)

"After fifty years, Native American Indians are still fighting the fight to get American Professional Sports teams to change their names or at least respect the names they have chosen for their teams. African Americans should be supporting our Native...

Travel: Exploring Indian Pueblos in New Mexico (July 14, 2005)

"Travelers who venture out of the New Mexican cities of Albuquerque, Santa Fe, or Taos enjoy what many refer to as "Indian time," a sense that community and the cycle of seasons and life are more important than the incessant...

Tulalip Tribes meet with state over work at park (July 14, 2005)

The Tulalip Tribes met with Washington state officials on Wednesday over the future of the Cama Beach State Park. The meeting took place at the park, which the tribe says is a significant historic and cultural site. The tribe has...

Chief Justice Rehnquist hospitalized with fever (July 14, 2005)

Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist was hospitalized after complaining of a fever, heightening speculation on his future with the U.S. Supreme Court. Rehnquist, 80, has thyroid cancer and has been rumored to be considering his resignation. He hasn't announced his...

New Jersey tribe sees support for recognition bid (July 14, 2005)

The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indians of New Jersey are seeing support for their bid to gain state and federal recognition. The tribe was recognized by a state resolution in the 1980s. But a lawmaker has introduced a new bill to clarify...

Natives in Tasmania battle over race and identity (July 14, 2005)

A Native group in Tasmania is accusing a rival group of faking Aboriginal heritage in order to obtain government benefits and services. The Palawa are considered the main tribe in Tasmania and are recognized by the government. They say a...

Wampanoag Tribe faces action in sovereignty case (July 14, 2005)

The Massachusetts town that sparked the legal battle over the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe's sovereignty is rejoining the case. The town of Aquinnah wants the tribe to comply with local regulations. The tribe had raised sovereign immunity but the state's highest...

Indian women set for historic meeting in Minnesota (July 14, 2005)

More than 100 women are expected to gather for the first ever Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations conference in Minnesota. The conference kicks off with a reception tonight. It will be followed by workshops and lectures on Friday and...

Alaska Native corporation leader voted out (July 14, 2005)

Oliver Leavitt, a longtime leader of Arctic Slope Regional Corp., has been ousted from the board of directors. Leavitt, 61, still serves as vice president of government affairs for ASRC. But this is the first time since 1972 that he...

Editorial: Chumash Tribe not cooperating on land (July 14, 2005)

"It appears that skeptics of a deal between the county and Chumash tribal leaders may have been right. If tribal leaders and county officials can't come up with an agreement by the deadline, the county should join in the appeal...

Schaghticoke Tribal Nation to submit more evidence (July 14, 2005)

A federal judge approved a plan to allow the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation of Connecticut to submit more evidence as part of its federal recognition bid, The Hartford Courant reports. The tribe hopes to prove its case by submitting additional evidence...

Ralph Reed defends work on behalf of Jack Abramoff (July 14, 2005)

Republican Ralph Reed says he was more than "happy" to take money from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff if it meant fighting against the expansion of gaming. Reed took millions from Abramoff's tribal clients but has denied knowing the source of...

McCain plans hearing on Cobell settlement, reform (July 14, 2005)

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee has tentatively scheduled a hearing on July 26 on legislation to settle the Cobell v. Norton lawsuit and reform the broken Indian trust. Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), the chairman of the committee, is expected to...