News director apologizes for 'drunk Native' Facebook comment (August 6, 2012)

A TV news director in Minnesota apologized for a comment on Facebook that compared a "drunk" Native man to an animal. Jason Vincent, the news director at KQDS, FOX 21, in Duluth, said he was sorry for offending people....

Law Article: HEARTH Act offers more flexiblity for tribal leasing (August 6, 2012)

"On July 30, 2012, President Obama signed the HEARTH Act of 2012, Public Law No. 112-151, amending the Indian Long Term Leasing Act, 25 U.S.C. § 415. The HEARTH Act authorizes Indian tribes to lease tribal land for business and...

Alaska Native villages hit hard by changes in the environment (August 6, 2012)

Alaska Native villages are among the hardest hit by changes in the environment, The Washington Post reports. Subsistence foods are disappearing, coastlines are eroding and entire villages are being moved in response to the changes. “So much of our culture...

New York authorities blocking testimony in tribal tobacco case (August 6, 2012)

Authorities in New York are trying to prevent a key official from testifying in a tribal tobacco case. Andrew Laughing, a member of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, was charged for transporting tobacco from his reservation to a business on...

Siletz Tribes work to preserve language for future generations (August 6, 2012)

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians in Oregon are working to preserve their language for future generations. The language is known as Siletz Dee-ni. Only a few fluent speakers remain but its future looks a lot brighter thanks to the...

NCAI endorses Kevin Washburn as Assistant Secretary at BIA (August 6, 2012)

The National Congress of American Indians, the largest inter-tribal organization, added its support to the nomination of Kevin Washburn as Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. Washburn, who serves as dean of the law school at the University of New Mexico,...

NAIHC congratulates Kevin Washburn on nomination to BIA (August 6, 2012)

The National American Indian Housing Council congratulated Kevin Washburn on his nomination to lead the Bureau of Indian Affairs. NAIHC successfully lobbied for H.R.205, the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership Act (HEARTH) Act, which President Barack Obama signed...

Northwest tribes back Kevin Washburn for BIA leadership post (August 6, 2012)

The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians unanimously endorsed Kevin Washburn to lead the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The ATNI board met Friday to consider Washburn's nomination. Tribal leaders said his quick confirmation was necessary to protect the health, safety, welfare,...

Native Sun News: Indian women targeted in Mexico's drug war (August 6, 2012)

The following story was written and reported by Talli Nauman, Native Sun News Health & Environment Editor. All content © Native Sun News. Maria del Rocio Garcia Gaytan Indigenous women targets in Mexican drug war Thousands are victims of violent...

Column: Mohegan soldier used tribal knowledge on battlefield (August 6, 2012)

"A war hero seemed to be far ahead of his time when he offered insects for his fellow downed crew members to eat. Harold Albert Tantaquidgeon was born on June 18, 1904, in Uncasville. His formal education ceased at eighth...

Column: Leech Lake Band takes new path with wellness court (August 6, 2012)

"Excessive drinking cost the U.S. economy $223.5 billion in 2006, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2009, 10,839 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for roughly one-third of all traffic-related deaths in the...

Editorial: IHS can't hide from child abuse at Spirit Lake Nation (August 6, 2012)

"The Indian Health Service has changed its mind. Dr. Michael Tilus won’t be reprimanded after all. That’s a good thing. It’s the right thing. Tilus is the clinical psychiatrist who raised the alarm about child abuse at Spirit Lake. The...

Arthur Blazer: Helping tribes diversify their sources of energy (August 6, 2012)

"Across rural America, biomass like wood pellets and wood chips is helping communities diversify their energy sources, create jobs, and save money on utility bills. At the Forest Service, we are working to support biomass projects that help us manage...

Lloyd Miller: Supreme Court vindicates tribes in contract case (August 6, 2012)

"On June 18 the Supreme Court issued a rare decision favoring Indian Tribes in a one billion dollar case pitting the Tribes against the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the U.S. Indian Health Service. The epic battle had been brewing...

Steve Russell: Voting doesn't conflict with my tribal citizenship (August 6, 2012)

"Should Indians show up when elections are called by the colonial state? I can’t say “Yes” because a more appropriate answer is “Hell, yes!” Bias out front: my first career was as a state court judge, which is an elected...

Review: 'Rez Life' provides a true sense of Indian communities (August 6, 2012)

"Even though there are some 300 American Indian reservations in the United States, the media seem to get stuck on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Readers will be pleased to know David Treuer's latest book "Rez...

Editorial: Girl's death shows problems for Yankton Sioux Tribe (August 6, 2012)

"The death of a 2-year-old girl has brought attention to a real problem on tribal lands — drug use and the lack of adequate enforcement. Without RieLee Lovell’s death in July while in the care of two people charged with...