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The Week in Review
ending September 23

George Bush's Fashion Week.
On Oprah. On Regis.
Photos © Reuters/AP
 
Missed our stories? All the headlines for the week can be found here.

Everyone's talking federal recognition
It must be an election year because a topic that isn't well known to many outside of Indian Country seems to be getting a lot of attention this fall.

Although the BIA is ready to give up its recognition duties, it won't be doing so any time soon. Having already turned down one request for a moratorium, the Bureau was asked again this week to put a temporary halt on issuing findings on petitioning groups.

Not only that, the BIA faces and investigation of its policies and procedures, should the General Accounting Office decide to conduct an inquiry as requested by several Republican members of Congress.

But given the amount of opposition and doubt about two almost similar bills that would create a new governmental entity whose sole purpose would be recognizing tribes, the BIA might be in the recognition business for quite some time still. The work load could have gotten smaller since a judge in Connecticut decided to take it upon himself to decide on the status of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, but then another Pequot tribe began petitioning for recognition.

Left in the shadows appears to be eight Virginia tribes. "First to Welcome, Last to Be Recognized" read their t-shirts and with serious opposition facing a bill that would do exactly that, leaders took to Capitol Hill to assure others that they aren't seeking casinos on their land.

Get the Story:
Lieberman asked to oppose bill (9/18)
BIA wont stop recognizing tribes (9/19)
Virginia tribes: Recognition Yes, Casinos No (9/19)
Another Pequot tribe petitions BIA (9/20)
Court to rule on recognition (9/21)
State, tribe's lawyer question judge (9/22)
Recognition bill awaits vote (9/21)
Republicans call for BIA investigation (9/22)
Tribes support BIA investigation (9/22)

How's your health knowledge?
Many say there is a health crisis in Indian Country, but judging by the amount of study and research that takes place today, the entire world is in the midst of a health emergency. How can tribes and Native people keep up?

With the launch of a new program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Indian Health Service (IHS), keeping up with medical knowledge might get a little easier now that tribes have more power and funding to undertake their own research. Instead of being mere subjects, Native people can be in control of their medical future by taking advantage of the program.

One area Native people might avoid, however, is genome research involving humans. A group of scientists this week warned that modifying genes so that the changes show up in future generations might not be all that great for those future generations.

But not all genome research is bad. Native people can benefit greatly from advances in genetic science, says a leading Indian doctor. It just might take a little time.

Get the Story:
Tribes wanted for health program (9/18)
Experts issue gene research warning (9/19)
Gene therapy death target of lawsuit (9/19)
Doctor foresees benefits for Indians (9/19)

more top stories
But wait, there's more! Read the other top stories of the week.


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