Western Shoshone payout bill clears Congress (June 25, 2004)

A controversial bill to distribute more than $145 million to members of the Western Shoshone Nation is headed to President Bush for his signature. By unanimous consent, the Senate approved the payout bill yesterday. The measure was pushed by Sen....

Tribal money secretly funneled to GOP strategist (June 25, 2004)

The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana hired ex-Christian Coalition director Ralph Reed to lobby against another tribe but kept his involvement secret by funneling his payments through associates being investigated by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, The Nation reports. $p Citing...

Blackfeet vice chair arrested in domestic dispute (June 25, 2004)

The vice chairman of the Blackfeet Nation of Montana was arrested on domestic abuse and child endangerment charges, The Great Falls Tribune reports. $p James "Jimmy" St. Goddard was arrested after tribal police received a call about an incident Monday...

Rep. J.D. Hayworth: I told you so! On tribal labor (June 25, 2004)

"Over four years ago I warned that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) was dangerously close to imposing its jurisdiction on Indian tribal governments. A few weeks ago, the NLRB did just that, voting 3 - 1 to overturn decades-old...

First Nation wants official fired over orca move (June 25, 2004)

The Mowachaat-Muchalaat First Nation of British Columbia is calling on the Canadian government to fire an official over the botched move of an orca revered as the spiritual embodiment of a late tribal leader. $p Marilyn Joyce, director general of...

Impeachment of Keetoowah Band officials delayed (June 25, 2004)

Attempts to impeach two officials of the United Keetoowah Band of Oklahoma have been delayed. $P Not enough tribal council members showed up to a special meeting called to impeach treasurer Julie Moss. She is accused of failing to relinquish...

Alaska Native subsidiary awarded NASA contract (June 25, 2004)

A subsidiary of an Alaska Native village corporation has been awarded a five-year, $3 million contract to provide information technology services to the federal government. $p Eyak Technology LLC, a subsidiary of Cordova-based Eyak Corp., won the contract through NASA....

Northern Cheyenne riders head for Little Bighorn (June 25, 2004)

Riders from the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana are headed to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument to participate in the 128th anniversary of the historic June 25, 1876, Battle of the Little Bighorn. $p Upwards of 50 tribal members...

Opinion: Dave Anderson should 'immediately resign' (June 25, 2004)

"The top American Indian at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Dave Anderson, must immediately resign from his post. Anderson has neglected a major part of his job, and he seems more interested in maintaining the Bush administration's agenda of indifference...

Charges pending for murders on Crow Reservation (June 25, 2004)

The FBI is still investigating the brutal beating deaths of two women on the Crow Reservation in Montana. $p Koren Diebert, 26, and LaFonda Big Leggins, 23, were found dead on Thanksgiving Day., November 27. Their bodies were dumped in...

Bill would add money to two tribes' trust funds (June 25, 2004)

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing last week on a bill to add money to the trust funds of two South Dakota tribes. The Tribal Parity Act would boost the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe's trust by $78.4 million....

Navajo police dog credited with $1M marijuana bust (June 25, 2004)

A Navajo police dog named Tarpez is being credited with a $1 million marijuana bust in Arizona. $p Tarpez came to the aid of the Arizona Highway Patrol, who became suspicious of a tractor-trailer. Inside, police found 698 pounds of...

Dave Anderson to speak at tribal youth conference (June 25, 2004)

Assistant secretary Dave Anderson will speak at the United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) conference today. Anderson will be the first speaker to address youth attending UNITY's annual conference, which is being held on the Gila River Reservation in Arizona....

Camp connects Chippewa-Cree kids to tribal culture (June 25, 2004)

Youth on the Rocky Boy's Reservation in Montana are wrapping up a week-long stay at the Chippewa Cree Tribe's Pah-Nah-To Park. The kids, ages 11 to 14, took part in activities designed to be educational and fun. They met with...

State claims pressure tactics on BIA are working (June 25, 2004)

Opponents of the way tribes are federally recognized say their lobbying of the Bureau of Indian Affairs is working. $p Politicians and anti-casino advocates in Connecticut claim the BIA is corrupt. But they say they support the agency's recent decisions...

Signatures on Pala Tribe's petition validated (June 25, 2004)

The Pala Band of Mission Indians cleared one hurdle on Thursday with the validation of signatures on the tribe's petition against a landfill. $p But attorneys in San Diego County are still deciding whether the petition will be placed on...

Michigan land claim bills get tough hearing in House (June 25, 2004)

The House Resources Committee held a hearing on Thursday on two bills that would settle the land claims of two Michigan tribes. $p The bills are controversial because they would allow the Bay Mills Indian Community and the Sault Ste....

Utah buys ranch containing thousands of sites (June 25, 2004)

The state of Utah is announcing its recent purchase of a ranch containing thousands of previously undisclosed and undisturbed Indian sites. $p With funds from the federal government, the state bought the ranch for $2.5 million from a rancher. Waldo...

High court won't force Cheney to reveal information (June 25, 2004)

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to force Vice President Dick Cheney to reveal the contacts his energy task force had with the industry. $p By a 7-2 vote, the justices sent the case back to a lower court for...