Montana governor calls for tribal justice system (September 22, 2005)

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) is calling on the state corrections system to incorporate a tribal justice program. Schweitzer said the program would allow tribes to handle certain offenders in a culturally appropriate way. Similar programs in Canada have been...

NIGC asks Congress for authority over Class III gaming (September 22, 2005)

The National Indian Gaming Commission asked Congress on Wednesday to strengthen its authority over the $19 billion tribal casino industry in the wake of a court decision that limited the agency's powers. NIGC Chairman Phil Hogen, a Bush administration appointee,...

Utah court tries to figure out who is legally Indian (September 22, 2005)

The Utah Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on Wednesday in a case testing who is legally Indian in the state. Rick Reber, 53, and his son Colton, 16, are mixed-blood Uintas. They say their Indian status entitles them to...

Nez Perce Tribe re-enacts Lewis and Clark meet (September 22, 2005)

The Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho participated in a re-enactment of its encounter with the Lewis and Clark Expedition 200 years ago. The tribe met the expedition on September 20, 1805. Based on accounts from the time, William Clark...

Opinion: 'Racist' Hawaiian recognition bill (September 22, 2005)

"Does Hawaii want to secede from the Union? That sounds like a preposterous question, but the official Office of Hawaiian Affairs advertises on its website that the legislation scheduled to be voted on soon in the U.S. Senate will...

Arkansas schools asked to verify Indian enrollment (September 22, 2005)

The Department of Education is asking 24 public school districts in Arkansas to verify their Indian student enrollment. The districts reported a huge increase in Indian enrollment, leading to the schools receiving nearly $1.1 million in federal funds. But questions...

DOJ awards grants for Indian women safety sites (September 22, 2005)

The Department of Justice awarded grants to four tribes for the new Safety for Indian Women from Sexual Assault Offenders Demonstration Initiative. The Hannahville Indian Community in Wisconsin, the Navajo Nation, the Red Lake Nation in Minnesota and the Rosebud...

Lack of technology called a barrier to education (September 22, 2005)

Limited access to technology on reservations can be a hindrance to Native college students, speakers at a University of Arizona forum said. The lack of Internet access will hurt some Native students because the university is switching to an online-only...

White Bison to host wellbriety event in Nebraska (September 22, 2005)

White Bison Inc. is hosting an event in Nebraska to mark National Native American Wellbriety / Recovery Month. The event celebrates those who have recovered from alcohol and other drug addictions. Speeches, entertainment and dinner will be provided. There will...

Paper runs series on Cheyenne-Arapahos (September 22, 2005)

The Pueblo Chieftain in Colorado is running a series on the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. Tribal ancestors lived in Colorado until they were forced out after the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864. The tribe is now seeking to return...

Oneida Nation recognized for cultural efforts (September 22, 2005)

The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin received a gift of wampum for its efforts to preserve tribal culture and language. Members of the tribe accepted the wampum, which represents success, at a ceremony in New York. The Iroquois Confederacy recognized the...

Column: NCAA misses again on extension of policy (September 22, 2005)

"The National Collegiate Athletic Association is at it again, fueling the absurd while missing opportunities to assist the student/athletes who participate under this organization's so-called blanket of protection. While Purdue, for example, has waited more than a month for a...

Passamaquoddy Tribe seeks development of site (September 22, 2005)

The Passamaquoddy Tribe is proposing to develop an unused site on the waterfront in Rockland, Maine. The tribe wants to create a cultural center, retail store and luxury condominiums at the site of two unused silos. A meeting is planned...

NCAA asks for tribal views on 'Fighting Sioux' (September 22, 2005)

The NCAA has asked three Sioux tribes for their views about the University of North Dakota's "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo. The NCAA wants to know the tribal stance on the controversial name before deciding on appeal filed by...

Abramoff scandal may ensnare more Republicans (September 22, 2005)

Some Republicans are "nervous" about the seemingly-expanding investigation into disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Bloomberg News reports. A former Republican congressman and current lobbyist told Bloomberg that some Republicans are concerned about the probe. Abramoff did almost all of his business...

Appeals court terminates tribe's reservation (September 22, 2005)

The Shawnee Tribe's reservation in Kansas no longer exists, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on September 15. A three-judge panel of the court said the tribe, now based in Oklahoma, cannot lay claim to its former reservation in...

Sen. Leahy announces vote for Roberts confirmation (September 22, 2005)

Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said on Wednesday that he will vote for the nomination of U.S. Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts Jr. Leahy's announcement came on the eve of the...

Trust fund records dumped by federal records agency (September 22, 2005)

The National Archives and Records Administration, the federal agency charged with preserving records, has launched a probe to determine why Indian trust fund records were dumped in trash bins in Washington, D.C. NARA staff found the dumped documents in two...

Ex-Bush official blames arrest on Abramoff probe (September 22, 2005)

The lawyer for a former White House official says his arrest is an attempt to coerce him into cooperating with the probe into disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. David Safavian, 38, is accused of lying to investigators about his dealings with...

Editorial: Time to get to bottom of trust fund woes (September 22, 2005)

"A story periodically appears on news wires that’s full of questions about the federal government’s stewardship over money due American Indians for oil, gas, coal, grazing and timber royalties collected on their behalf. The story hasn’t commanded much attention but...