Republican lawmaker falls to Abramoff scandal (August 8, 2006)

A Republican Congressman who went to bat for Jack Abramoff's tribal clients announced he was dropping his re-election bid on Monday amid an investigation of his role in the scandal. Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio), a six-term lawmaker, made no mention...

New York Indians gear up for tobacco tax fight (August 8, 2006)

The debate over tobacco is raging again in New York as non-Indian retailers press the state to collect taxes on reservations. At least four lawsuits have been filed to force collection of the tax. Non-Indians say the state is losing...

Tulalip Tribes happy with outdoor concert venue (August 8, 2006)

The Tulalip Tribes of Washington opened a new outdoor concert venue a year ago and are already close to making a profit. The 2,500-seat Tulalip Tribes Amphitheatre was built in about 10 months. So far, it has seen its share...

Passamaquoddy Tribe receives law enforcement grant (August 8, 2006)

The Passamaquoddy Tribe of Maine received a $150,000 law enforcement grant from the Department of Justice. The grant is part of the Community Orientated Policing Services (COPS) program. The money will be used by the tribe to improve its law...

Artifacts stolen before being returned to Caddo Tribe (August 8, 2006)

Several bowls and bottles awaiting repatriation to the Caddo Tribe of Oklahoma have been stolen from the Southern Arkansas University. The items were in a locked storage room at the university. No signs of forced entry were visible. David Jeane,...

Kempthorne criticized for skipping Bear Butte (August 8, 2006)

Native activists protested Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne's appearance at the opening of the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally on Monday. Holding up signs, activists briefly chanted "Protect Bear Butte" as Kempthorne unveiled four motorcycle-themed postage stamps. Some protesters outside the...

Permit requested for Navajo march in border town (August 8, 2006)

Organizers from the Navajo Nation are planning a peaceful march in Farmington, New Mexico, to call attention to racism in border towns. Duane "Chili" Yazzie, the president of the Shiprock Chapter, said the march is not a protest. He said...

Navajo Nation head to polls for presidential primary (August 8, 2006)

Members of the Navajo Nation are casting votes today in the tribe's presidential primary. Incumbent President Joe Shirley Jr. is facing nine challengers, including Vice President Frank Dayish Jr. Only two of the candidates will survive the race. Dayish won't...

Tribal critic cites 'political terrorism' over recall (August 8, 2006)

A county commissioner in Oregon is blaming the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians for trying to recall her. Marilyn Kittelman of the Douglas County faces a recall over her controversial stances against the tribe. She is opposing...

Flooding prompts evacuation at Laguna Pueblo (August 8, 2006)

Floods caused by more than four days of rain prompted an evacuation of some residents of Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico, The Cibola County Beacon reports. Several roads and bridges in the western part of the reservation were closed due to...

New book promotes tourism on Arizona reservations (August 8, 2006)

A new book encourages tourists to stay home in Arizona and visit the state's tribal communities. Anne O'Brien, author of "Traveling Indian Arizona," says tourists can learn a lot from tribal cultures. She devotes a section in the book...

Washington Republicans question gas tax deals (August 8, 2006)

Republican lawmakers in Washington say the state is giving up too much by allowing two tribes to keep most of the gasoline tax revenues generated on their reservations. Gov. Chris Gregoire (D) signed the deals after a federal judge ruled...

Red Lake Nation council to decide on new election (August 8, 2006)

The tribal council of the Red Lake Nation in Minnesota is meeting today to decide whether to prevent the tribe's election board from calling a new election. The board said allegations of voter fraud required a new election. But...

Column: Oneida Nation diversifies economy (August 8, 2006)

"Life on the Oneida Nation Reservation has changed drastically during the past 25 years. Most would agree that the changes have been good and that much of them are because of Oneida gaming operations. That's true, but there are other...

Editorial: Quick end to Paugussett land claim (August 8, 2006)

"Thankfully, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has moved quickly to end the latest attempt by the Golden Hill Paugussetts to claim lands in Fairfield and New Haven counties. Blumenthal last week asked the U.S. District Court in New Haven to...

Professor: Removal of Judge Lamberth a tragedy (August 8, 2006)

"Adverse judicial orders are a reality for every lawyer. The possible responses range from acceptance, to appeal, to downright anger in the case of orders that, in the lawyer’s mind, are unduly harsh or critical. Rarely, though, does a lawyer...

Letter: Indian farmers fight discrimination (August 8, 2006)

"Activist Eloise Cobell has brought to light the unbridled actions of the Department of Interior. As a former client of the FmHA, I, too, experienced first hand the handling of my "borrowed money" and consequently went broke. This was the...

Editorial: Rep. Ney exploited corrupt system (August 8, 2006)

"He is, in the guarded language of criminal indictments, "Representative #1." His former chief of staff has pleaded guilty to conspiring to corrupt the congressman's official actions, accepting gifts and trips to sway the lawmaker while still a Hill staffer...

Tim Giago: Tribes giving up their sovereignty (August 8, 2006)

"In their haste to gain sudden wealth, tribes signed away much of their sovereignty beginning in 1988 with the introduction of the National Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. If the tribal leaders from those early days thought everything would come out...