Appeals court sanctions lawyer in San Francisco Peaks litigation (June 21, 2012)

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals sanctioned attorney Howard Shanker for 'grossly' abusing the judicial process in litigation to protect the sacred San Francisco Peaks.

Investigation in closure of three public schools on Navajo Nation (June 21, 2012)

The Obama administration is investigating the closure of three public schools on the New Mexico portion of the Navajo Nation. The Gallup McKinley County School District closed the three middle schools in order to save money. But Navajo parents say...

Pueblos plan commercial development at Santa Fe Indian School (June 21, 2012)

The 19 Pueblos of New Mexico are planning to use the Santa Fe Indian School for economic development but details are still being worked out. The tribes began razing part of the campus in preparation for some form of development....

New York City files suit against tobacco retailer on Seneca Nation (June 21, 2012)

New York City filed a lawsuit in federal court against a tobacco retailer based on the Seneca Nation. The lawsuit accuses Robert and Marcia Gordon of selling tax-free cigarettes to non-Indians. The couple previously accepted orders over the Internet but...

Recount confirms results of Leech Lake Band chairman's election (June 21, 2012)

A recount confirmed the results of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe election but appeals are looming. The recount gave Carri Jones, 32, an additional two votes. She defeated incumbent Arthur “Archie” LaRose by a total of seven votes. LaRose,...

Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe spends 'pretty fair chunk' on garden (June 21, 2012)

The Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe of Washington purchased the Heronswood Gardens at an auction last Friday. The purchase price wasn't disclosed. But the tribe went well above the $749,000 minimum bid, The Kitsap Sun reported. "We did. A pretty fair...

Grand Ronde Tribes oust council member facing criminal charges (June 21, 2012)

Leaders of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in Oregon removed Valorie Sheker Robertson from the council. Robertson, 50, was charged in April with domestic assault, harassment and possession of methamphetamine. Since then, she's missed three consecutive council meetings in...

Tribes in Minnesota contribute at least $138K to state politicians (June 21, 2012)

Tribes have contributed at least $138,000 to state campaigns so far in the 2012 election cycle, Politics in Minnesota reported. Most of the money went to Democrats. The DFL House Caucus and DFL Senate Caucus received a total of $64,500...

Southern Ute Tribe investigates fatal accident on its reservation (June 21, 2012)

The Southern Ute Tribe of Colorado is investigating a vehicle accident that claimed the lives of four people on the reservation. The driver who is allegedly at fault is American Indian, The Durango Herald reported. The names of the victims...

Letters: Readers discuss Oregon policy against 'Indian' mascots (June 21, 2012)

Bill Cloran: "As far as the racism so ingrained that it is not recognized, consider the Irish: A police van is called a Paddy Wagon, "Paddy" being a derogatory name for the Irish." Geoffrey A. Gass: "Why not honor Native...

Man enters not guilty plea for homicides of Yankton Sioux family (June 21, 2012)

A citizen of Somalia pleaded not guilty for the homicides of three members of the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. Omar Mohamed Kalmio, 27, is accused of killing Sabrina Zephier, 19; her 13-year-old brother, Dillon Zephier; and her mother,...

Leaders of Yankton Sioux Tribe question suspension from council (June 21, 2012)

Six leaders of the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota say they were wrongly suspended from office. Vice Chairwoman Ida Ashes and all five members of the Business and Claims Committee were suspended for 30 days without pay after they...

Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians picks Jeff Grubbe as chair (June 21, 2012)

Members of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians of California elected Jeff Grubbe as chairman. Grubbe was serving as acting chair following the death of Richard Milanovich in March. He doesn't plan any major changes in the tribe's activities....

Native Sun News: 'Let's Move! in Indian Country' hits a milestone (June 21, 2012)

First Lady Michelle Obama congratulated 'Let’s Move! in Indian Country' participants with a short presentation that summed up their challenges on the program's first anniversary.

Court won't remove judge from Miccosukee wrongful death case (June 21, 2012)

A Florida appeals court won't remove a judge from a wrongful death case involving two members of the Miccosukee Tribe. Attorneys for Tammy Gwen Billie and her father, Jimmie Bert, accused Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Ronald Dresnick of being biased. They...

NPR: Comedian Charlie Hill, Oneida, living the 'indigenous dream' (June 21, 2012)

"Native American comedian Charlie Hill says he's living the American dream. Actually, make that the "indigenous dream," which he prefers to call it. In many ways, Hill's comedy is about how native people weren't even allowed to have an American...

Richard Gomez: Santa Ynez Band committed to education efforts (June 21, 2012)

"Graduation time in Santa Barbara County is upon us. One of my interests as tribal vice-chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has been promoting increased educational opportunities for our tribal families. This time of year is always...

Chumash Tribe critics hail Supreme Court's land-into-trust ruling (June 21, 2012)

Critics of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians say the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Salazar v. Patchak will help them fight the tribe's land-into-trust efforts. Preservation of Los Olivos (POLO) and Preservation of Santa Ynez sued the Bureau...

Harold Monteau: Elizabeth Warren and claims of Indian ancestry (June 21, 2012)

"It has been interesting to follow the media frenzy with regard to Elizabeth Warren and her use of “self-suspected” Indian ancestry to advance her career in academia. The true relevance of the discussion is whether she was privileged to claim...