Supreme Court move settles tribal authority cases (October 11, 2006)

Tribal jurisdiction over all Indians appears to be safe after the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected two cases, including a long-running challenge from activist Russell Means. Means, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, is accused of committing a...

New Standard: Oil giant tries to cheat tribes of money (October 11, 2006)

Note: The case is BP America Production Co. v. Burton, No. 05-669. The briefs can be found here. The October 4 oral argument transcript has been posted by the Supreme Court. "A case pending before the US Supreme Court may...

Tonto Apache Tribe lends Native theme to race (October 11, 2006)

The Tonto Apache Tribe of Arizona is lending a Native theme to an upcoming race. The tribe's casino is co-sponsoring the 006 Rim Country Challenge half-marathon and 5K race in Payson on October 28. The Habitat for Humanity is organizing...

Lumbee Tribe in dispute over handling of funds (October 11, 2006)

The chairman of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina stormed out of a council meeting on Tuesday, accusing others of trying to take control of federal housing money. Chairman Jimmy Goins shouted at people at the meeting before leaving. “I...

Pine Ridge Reservation teen dies in stabbing (October 11, 2006)

A 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The teen, identified in his obituary as Jon W. Red Hawk, was stabbed early Saturday morning. An FBI agent said an altercation led to the...

Jodi Rave: Tribes to bless Native center at UM (October 11, 2006)

"Spiritual leaders representing all 12 Montana tribes are preparing to gather for the first healing and blessing ceremony to take place on the University of Montana campus in more than 100 years. “This has been a long time in coming,”...

Editorial: State should work with tribes on land (October 11, 2006)

"Whining won't change anything. South Dakota now must deal with reality - Native Americans can buy off-reservation land and put it into trust with the Department of Interior. That means two things: # Such land goes off the property-tax rolls....

Minneapolis schools sign Indian education agreement (October 11, 2006)

The Minneapolis public school board signed an agreement aimed at improving Indian student performance. The school board has been negotiating with a group of Indian agencies. The talks resulted in a deal that will emphasize parental involvement, research and teaching...

Miccosukee Tribe sues to get water records (October 11, 2006)

The Miccosukee Tribe filed a lawsuit against the South Florida Water Management District to obtain water records. The tribe asked for the records in August. They pertain to a new Environmental Protection Agency rule that the tribe is challenging. The...

Opinion: Oppose Delaware-Cherokee 'recognition' (October 11, 2006)

"Let me start by saying, I absolutely support the Delaware Tribe having our federal recognition restored; we should be actively pursuing all options that will not harm our people and/or our tribe. However, I am concerned with the avenue our...

Review: Kit Carson stars in 'Blood and Thunder' (October 11, 2006)

"The promise and the price of this great mission propel “Blood and Thunder,” Mr. [Hampton] Sides’s rousing, full-throated rendition of an old story, the making of the American West Within this larger story he concentrates on the territory of...

Montana Indian Civil Rights Commission meets (October 11, 2006)

The Montana Indian Civil Rights Commission met for the first time on Tuesday at the headquarters of the Little Shell Tribe. The commission was created in response to racism in border towns. Representatives of each of the state's eight tribes...

New York tribes cite sovereignty in tax suit (October 11, 2006)

Two New York tribes were in federal court on Tuesday to challenge the state's attempt to impose taxes on tobacco products sold to non-Indians. The Shinnecock Nation and the Unkechaug Nation are recognized by the state. Attorney Conly J. Schulte,...

Shinnecock Nation asserts sovereignty over land (October 11, 2006)

The Shinnecock Nation was in federal court on Tuesday to assert sovereignty over its land in New York. The tribe is recognized by the state but is not recognized by the federal government. A federal judge, however, said the Shinnecocks...

'Tribe' college drops use of feathers in logo (October 11, 2006)

The College of William and Mary in Virginia has dropped the use of its "feathers" logo. The college was placed on the NCAA's list of hostile and abusive mascots. On appeal, the NCAA said the school could keep its...

Billing records link Abramoff and Rep. Pombo (October 11, 2006)

Records released by a former client of Jack Abramoff show contacts between the convicted lobbyist and Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California). Pombo, the chairman of the House Resources Committee, has met Abramoff. But he says the convicted felon "never lobbied me...

Yellow Bird: Native journalists have power to change (October 11, 2006)

"A recent conference in South Dakota was an eye-opener for me regarding new issues in Indian country. And it helped me realize that as a member of the media, I can affect positive changes on reservations. The conference, called...

Column: Montana voters grow tired of Sen. Burns (October 11, 2006)

"Hobbled by a foot planted firmly in his mouth, dogged by nearly $150,000 in donations he took from clients of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, embattled Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., is fighting back with pork and slime. A crowd of more...

Editorial: Jack Abramoff and the White House (October 11, 2006)

"We wonder how the Bush administration can say it knew so little of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, given all the e-mails and billings that flowed between the White House and Abramoff's office over three years, as cited in a new...