FEC seeks to correct 'errors' about tribal donations (February 8, 2006)

Amid heightened interest in the political activities of tribes, the Federal Election Commission issued an advisory last week aimed at correcting "errors" in news reports about tribal campaign contributions. In the past couple of weeks, numerous reports have suggested that...

Supreme Court asked to revive Cayuga land claim (February 8, 2006)

The U.S. Supreme Court is being asked to revive the 64,000-acre Cayuga land claim in New York. The Cayuga Nation of New York and the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma filed a petition to review a 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals...

Interior hits the road with new trust reform initiative (February 8, 2006)

The Bush administration is launching a new round of trust reform talks, the likes of which haven't been seen since the reorganization of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the controversial BITAM proposal. The first meeting takes place over two...

New House majority leader keeps Abramoff cash (February 8, 2006)

New House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) says he won't return $32,500 he received from former tribal clients of Jack Abramoff. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana gave $15,000 to Boehner's leadership PAC, the Freedom...

BIA to hold another Oneida Nation meeting in March (February 8, 2006)

The Bureau of Indian Affairs will be holding another public meeting on the Oneida Nation's land-into-trust application. The last meeting drew a huge crowd, The Syracuse Post-Standard reported. So the BIA is searching for a bigger place to hold the...

Bill to limit peyote to tribal members advances (February 8, 2006)

The Utah Senate Judiciary Committee approved HB60, a bill that will limit use of peyote to members of federally recognized tribes. The bill was drafted in response to the case of James "Flaming Eagle" Mooney, a self-proclaimed medicine man and...

Minnesota tribes implement sex offender laws (February 8, 2006)

Five Minnesota tribes have implemented new laws that require sex offenders who live on the reservation to register with tribal police. The Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, the Prairie Island Indian Community, the Upper...

Johnson calls Bush's Indian budget inadequate (February 8, 2006)

Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) says the Bush administration's budget for Indian programs won't meet housing, health care and other needs. Johnson criticized cuts in the Indian Health Service, including the outright elimination of the $33 million urban health programs....

Oglala Sioux man to challenge Herseth for House seat (February 8, 2006)

Bruce Whalen, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, plans to seek the Republican nomination to challenge Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D) for South Dakota's lone House seat. Whalen, 43, a resident of the Pine Ridge Reservation and chairman of the...

Critic: Abramoff scandal highlights tribal influence (February 8, 2006)

"The Abramoff scandal has just brought it to light in a new way – how political influence is secured in "Indian Gaming World". That is what I call the places ruled by sovereignty, not United States law. The http://www.thetisconsulting.com web...

First Nation sues over oil spill on Wabamun Lake (February 8, 2006)

The Paul First Nation of Alberta filed a $775 million damage claim for an oil spill last summer on Wabamun Lake. The First Nation says the lake was irreversibly damaged when 43 CN Rail cars derailed and dumped an...

Trial delayed for judge who took Kickapoo cash (February 8, 2006)

The trial of a Texas judge who took $15,000 from the former manager of the Kickapoo Tribe has been delayed. District Judge Amado Abascal of Eagle Pass is charged with filing false campaign finance reports. He claimed that the $15,000...

Chippewa Cree Tribe to start housing juveniles (February 8, 2006)

The Chippewa Cree Tribe is going to start housing juvenile offenders on the Rocky Boy's Reservation in Montana rather than send them to a local detention center. The tribal council is discussing where to place the juveniles. A room at...

Tensions high on Rincon Reservation after deaths (February 8, 2006)

Tensions remain high on the Rincon Reservation in California after the shooting deaths of three people. Rumors flew of a retaliatory attack, The North County Times reported. The sheriff's department stepped up its presence on the reservation, sending more...

Guaranis seek independent nation in South America (February 8, 2006)

Members of the Guarani Tribe and their supporters held a five-hour march on Tuesday to call for the creation of an independent Guarani Nation in South America. The march was held on the 250th anniversary of the death of...

Listening Lounge: Hearing on tribes and campaign act (February 8, 2006)

• Witness List/Testimony | Webcast The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held an oversight hearing this morning on tribes and the Federal Election Campaign Act. The following witnesses testified: • Introduction - 3:43 - 872kb Panel I • Testimony - 23:18...

Shakopee Tribe shares wealth with Indian Country (February 8, 2006)

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of Minnesota is continuing to share its financial success with Indian Country. The tribe's latest grant is $808,473 to the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma. The Poncas will use the money for debt reduction and economic...

Griles trying hard to avoid Abramoff indictment (February 8, 2006)

Former Interior deputy secretary J. Steven Griles, under scrutiny for his ties to Jack Abramoff, has offered to meet with federal prosecutors but they have refused, The Wall Street Journal reports. Griles is trying to avoid being indicted as part...