University in Pennsylvania drops 'Indians' nick (September 25, 2006)

The Indiana University of Pennsylvania is searching for a new nickname. The school went by "Indians" but was placed on the NCAA's list of hostile and abusive mascots. The NCAA policy bars schools on the list from hosting post-season...

Osage Nation wins major trust fund ruling (September 25, 2006)

The Osage Nation hailed victory on Friday after a federal judge ruled the tribe is owed potentially billions for the mismanagement of trust assets. The tribe's reservation, created by an act of Congress in 1906, has been one of the...

Shiprock prepares for thousands at annual fair (September 25, 2006)

Organizers in Shiprock, New Mexico, are expecting more than 100,000 for the 95th annual Shiprock Navajo Fair. The fair is consider the oldest on the Navajo Nation. It takes place from September 28-October 1. Events include the Miss Northern Navajo...

Expert disputes Pechanga Band on disenrollment (September 25, 2006)

An anthropologist hired by the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians says the tribe's decision to disenroll the family of a respected elderly couple went against his research. John Johnson, a curator of anthropology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural...

Border fence will further divide Tohono O'odham Nation (September 25, 2006)

The Tohono O'odham Nation occupies 75 miles of what is now considered the border between the United States and Mexico. Despite the presence of the line, tribal members freely crossed the border for decades. Many come to the U.S. to...

New Mexico governor lobbies for water deals (September 25, 2006)

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) is headed to Washington, D.C., to ensure tribes receive money for their water rights. The Navajo Nation, Taos Pueblo and five other Pueblos have signed settlements with the state. But the Bush administration is...

Grant to help tribes, state combat youth suicide (September 25, 2006)

A $400,000 grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will be used to combat suicide among young people in South Dakota. The grant enables Sinte Gleska University on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation and Wakanyja Pawicayapi on the...

South Dakota Indians treated differently in courts (September 25, 2006)

South Dakota Indians say a recent state report confirms they are treated differently in the court system. South Dakota Indians are usually charged higher bonds than whites. They are less likely to be released on reasonable bail or on their...

Navajo woman fights for trust fund accountability (September 25, 2006)

Mary Johnson, an 81-year-old Navajo elder, has spent half of her life trying to hold the federal government accountable for drilling on her land. Oil companies have made billions drilling on Navajo land in Utah. Johnson has seen few...

Ute Tribe's financial adviser paid $52K a month (September 25, 2006)

The Ute Tribe of Utah pays its non-Indian financial adviser $62,500 a month. Tribal officials say its money well spent. "For any good financial advising, you have to pay for it," Cameron Cuch, a tribal energy analyst, told The...

Seneca-Cayuga Tribe licenses Internet pharmacy (September 25, 2006)

The Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma has licensed an Internet pharmacy that has officials in Oklahoma wondering about jurisdiction. J.R. Enyart opened the Grand Lake Pharmacy after he was denied a license from the state. He is apparently dispensing medication over...

Esther Martinez language act up for House vote (September 25, 2006)

The Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act, recently renamed in honor of the late Pueblo linguist and storyteller Esther Martinez, is up for a vote this week. The bill creates grant programs for Native language survival schools, Native...

Judge faults BLM for decision on ancient remains (September 25, 2006)

FROM THE INDIANZ.COM ARCHIVE• Nev. tribe wants ancient remains 'to come home' (February 14, 2003) • Norton treads uncharted waters over remains (April 22, 2002) A federal judge last Thursday ordered the Bureau of Land Management to reconsider its stance...

Akaka survives Democratic primary challenge (September 25, 2006)

Sen. Daniel Akaka (D) beat back a Democratic primary challenge from Rep. Ed Case (D) by more than 15,000 votes, according to the latest election results. Akaka, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, won 55 percent of...

Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (September 25, 2006)

"It can take months before some of the boarding school girls trust Leona Kitto enough to reveal their stories of abuse. She won't reveal details or names. But she cries when she thinks of their stories - and how...

Yellow Bird: Tribes need more checks and balances (September 25, 2006)

"One of the checks the tribe sorely needs is a newspaper that brings all kinds of information to the community. Our current newspaper, which is owned by the tribe, offers only news of the day and doesn't include anything...

Mark Trahant: Generation tested by challenges (September 25, 2006)

"I think we are living in a generation that is being tested by our own twin significant challenges, global climate change and the coming demographic tidal wave. These two burdens (or opportunities) are not as clearly defined as depression or...

NAIHC to launch homebuyer website at briefing (September 25, 2006)

The site is live at http://www.nativeamericanhomebuyer.com. The National American Indian Housing Council will launch its new homebuyer website at a Capitol Hill briefing today. The website is part of NAIHC's effort to raise $10 million for tribal housing programs. The...

Eastern Band forced to shut off water for second time (September 25, 2006)

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians shut off water to 1,500 families on Sunday, just two days after the North Carolina tribe lifted a drinking ban. The tribe first shut off the water last Thursday, when a gasoline leak contaminated...

Column: It's time for university to get rid of 'Utes' (September 25, 2006)

"Maybe it's time. Maybe this should all be cleared up before the divorce lawyers get involved. Maybe the Utes shouldn't be the Utes anymore. I'm not talking about the Utes, of course. Anyone with membership in the Ute Indian Tribe...