FROM THE ARCHIVE

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In The Hoop
THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2002

Welcome to In The Hoop, Indianz.Com's occasional column about assorted Indian issues.

Thanks for the Shout Out!
Former Native American Times publisher Jim Gray is now Principal Chief of the Osage Nation, a position that keeps him on the go these days.

Case in point: During yesterday's informational meeting with Indian trust fund plaintiff Elouise Cobell, Gray's cell phone rang -- while he was on the podium answering a question from a tribal member. But without missing a heartbeat, he finished his response and then took the call.

Gray also didn't forget to give a shout-out to Indianz.Com, which he called a very "popular" web site. Thanks Jim Gray!

al-Tillman
There was someone else who got recognized at yesterday's meeting, but it wasn't in a good context. It seems some Osage tribal members are still upset at former chief Charles Tillman.

But we guess that's why the voters kicked him, and most of the old tribal council -- who didn't seem to be in attendance at yesterday's soiree, out of office. One tribal member referred to the Prince of Darkness as "Osama bin Tillman." Others groaned when they found out some of his legal maneuvers regarding the tribe's trust assets were less than ideal.

Who Let the Deer Out?
Well, it was bound to come out sooner or later. It's not like its a major surprise -- Montie R. Deer is leaving the National Indian Gaming Commission.

Indianz.Com was informed of the resignation days ago but we promised to honor an embargo requested by none other than Deer himself. But that wasn't the case with one infamous Indian lawyer, who started spreading the news faster than you can say MegaNanza.

In Your Hoop
Do you know who will be the next NIGC chairman? Email In the Hoop and let us know.