Supreme Court Roundup: 2003-2004 Term (July 8, 2004)

The U.S. Supreme Court wrapped up its latest term last week, having decided just one major Indian law case while managing to avoid several others. Tribes claimed victory when the court, in April, held that tribal governments have jurisdiction over...

Jails on Navajo Nation among worst in BIA system (July 8, 2004)

There has already been one attempted suicide and one escape at Bureau of Indian Affairs detention facilities on the Navajo Nation. An 18-year-old man hanged himself in the Chinle Detention Center. But two detention officers were able to revive him...

Navajo Nation households can sign up for $1 cell phones (July 8, 2004)

Qualifying households on the Navajo Nation can sign up for cell phone service for $1 a month under a federally-subsidized plan. Signups begin July 14-16 at the Shiprock Boys and Girls Club in Shiprock, New Mexico. Cellular One is providing...

Hearings set in response to Indian voter complaints (July 8, 2004)

Two hearings have been scheduled in response to complaints by Indian voters in South Dakota. Some Indians said they were turned away from the polls on June 1. They cited confusion over a new state law that requires a photo...

Mashantucket Pequot museum holds annual pow-wow (July 8, 2004)

The Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center kicked off its second annual pow-wow on Wednesday. The two-day festival features demonstrations from dancers representing tribes on the East Coast and throughout Indian Country. About 120 people attended the event. Get the...

Enterprise Rancheria rejected sites in home county (July 8, 2004)

The Bureau of Indian Affairs released an environmental assessment on the Enterprise Rancheria's request to have 40 acres taken into trust for a hotel and casino. The tribe considered sites in Butte County, where it is currently based, but rejected...

Doctors support First Nation's plans for MRI clinic (July 8, 2004)

The Canadian Association of Radiologists says a First Nation's proposed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) clinic is a good idea. The Muskeg Lake Cree Nation wants to build the clinic on its urban reserve in Saskatchewan. The facility would relieve demand...

Innu community could lose fire service over rowdy kids (July 8, 2004)

An Innu community in Labrador could lose fire services because local firefighters are tired of being harassed by kids. The North West River volunteer fire department says its crew is pelted with rocks every time it responds to an incident...

Bruce Babbitt: Arctic drilling would harm Inupiats (July 8, 2004)

"In 1998 the Clinton administration took the first steps to open the reserve with a two-year study involving hundreds of scientists and representatives of the Inupiat communities. Two years later the scientific teams returned with a recommendation to begin oil...

Nipmuc Nation 'humiliated' by denial of federal status (July 8, 2004)

Leaders of the Nipmuc Nation of Massachusetts said they were "humiliated" by the Bureau of Indian Affairs' decision to deny them federal recognition. Tribal leaders blamed anti-casino forces for the rejection of their petition. Officials in Connecticut who oppose the...

Bush signs Western Shoshone payout bill into law (July 8, 2004)

President Bush signed into law a bill to distribute $145 million to members of the Western Shoshone Nation. The money is payment for 26 million acres of land Western Shoshone tribes lost to white encroachment and other actions. Some tribal...

Indian man accused of abducting son arrested (July 8, 2004)

Federal authorities arrested an Indian man in connection with the abduction of his 18-month-old son. Marshall Fox, 24, fled to his mother's home on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. He took his son, Evan, with him after...

Tribal objections to coal mine in North Dakota rejected (July 8, 2004)

Over the objections of tribes and Lakota activists, the North Dakota Public Service Commission upheld its decision to allow the expansion of the sate's largest coal mine. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, the Cheyenne River Sioux and the Defenders of...

Meatpacking plant a success for South Dakota tribe (July 8, 2004)

The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota isn't having any problems selling meat processed and packed at its new plant. The tribe opened Pte Hca Ka, or Return of the Buffalo, a few months ago. Roy Lemmon, executive director...

Embattled GOP lobbyist starts non-lobbying business (July 8, 2004)

Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff has started a new venture that will not do any lobbying or government work, Judy Sarasohn of The Washington Post reports. Abramoff is ending his relationship with the Cassidy & Associates firm to form Middle...