Skepticism greets Seneca-Cayuga settlement (November 15, 2004)

Officials in western New York are skeptical that a settlement with the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma will resolve the long-running land claim because the Cayuga Nation isn't involved. The officials have opposed gaming by both tribes. They were able to...

Powell among four Cabinet departures pending (November 15, 2004)

Secretary of State Colin Powell, the first African-American to hold the post, resigned today, one of four resignations expected by the White House. News reports said Powell, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, Education Secretary Rod Paige and Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham...

Oklahoma tribe settles land claim for New York casino (November 15, 2004)

In the first deal of its kind nationwide, the governor of New York has agreed to settle a land claim with an out-of-state tribe for a casino. After flatly rejecting any sort of deal with the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma,...

Activist is Brazil's first Indian woman lawyer (November 15, 2004)

When Joênia Batista de Carvalho wanted to become a lawyer, people told her not to bother. As a young Indian woman, joining the legal field was unheard of. But Batista persevered and worked her way through college. Now she is...

20 percent of Oklahoma Indians have diabetes (November 15, 2004)

Nearly 20 percent of Oklahoma Indians have diabetes, with about a third not knowing it, according to the state Department of Health. Diabetes afflicts young and old Indians. Of those age 45 and higher, 38 percent of Indian men and...

Pueblo kids who created opera subject of film (November 15, 2004)

A group of kids from Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico, who created their own operate are the subject of a documentary film airing on public television. The 50 elementary school children produced and performed "River Where We Dream" last year. They...

New Mexico tribe sued over disenrollment (November 15, 2004)

Thirteen people who are being disenrolled from Isleta Pueblo in New Mexico filed suit against the tribe in federal court. The group says their civil rights were violated by their removal from the rolls. The action came as the tribe...

Officers linked to Native teen's death are fired (November 15, 2004)

Two police officers in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, who have been linked to the death of a Cree Native teen were fired on Friday. The removal of Bradley Senger and Larry Hartwig was welcomed by Native leaders. But the officers plan to...

Pressure is on Fire Thunder as Pine Ridge president (November 15, 2004)

Cecelia Fire Thunder won't be inaugurated as president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota until next month but is already facing pressure as the first woman to lead the tribe. Fire Thunder, 58, says she's aware her gender...

Northern Cheyenne Tribe to inaugurate president (November 15, 2004)

The Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana is holding an inauguration for its new president today. Eugene Little Coyote, 32, is said to be the youngest to hold the position. He replaces Geri Small, who was the first woman to lead...

Native woman says racism persists in mascots (November 15, 2004)

The use of mascots like Chief Wahoo and the Redskins shows that racism against Native Americans continues, Native activist Juanita Helphrey says. Helphrey spent several years fighting the Chief Wahoo mascot of the Cleveland Indians. She lobbied to have the...

Wyoming lawmakers debate status of tribal liaison (November 15, 2004)

The Wyoming Legislature's Select Committee on Tribal Relations discussed the future of the state's tribal liaison at a hearing last week. Tribal leaders appeared divided about the need for the position and its effectiveness. Some said the liaison didn't have...

Kickapoo Tribe of Texas has come a long way (November 15, 2004)

Less than 20 years ago, members of the Kickapoo Tribe of Texas used to live under a bridge. Now, they have a reservation, a brand-new casino and have set their sights on a brighter future. Tribal members used to spend...

Eastern Pequot Tribe confident of recognition (November 15, 2004)

The Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut is awaiting another ruling on its bid for federal recognition. The tribe was granted final recognition by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in June 2002. The decision is being appealed by the state...

Library wants Gila River Community involved (November 15, 2004)

The Phoenix, Arizona, Public Library is reaching out to the Gila River Indian Community. The Ironwood branch, located near the reservation, has started programs to get tribal members, young and old, involved. First graders on the reservation are given library...

Abramoff's assets frozen in employee case (November 15, 2004)

A judge in Maryland has frozen the assets of disgraced Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his wife in a lawsuit over unpaid wages. Abramoff used windfall from his lobbying business to open a Jewish school. The school has since been...

Campbell plans to impose trust fund settlement (November 15, 2004)

Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado) said he will meet this week with other lawmakers to seek a Congressional settlement of the Cobell v. Norton trust fund lawsuit. "I don't support the idea of Congress imposing a settlement, but if we...

Letter: Being a tribe is more than blood quantum (November 15, 2004)

"Herald columnist Dorreen Yellow Bird should be ashamed of herself. Her antagonistic skepticism regarding the "true identity" of Indians, implying that my own tribe's chairman lacks enough Indian blood to be accepted in Yellow Bird's racial-profiling, inadvertently condemns the lineage...

Yellow Bird: Feeling guilty about your new car (November 15, 2004)

"Two summers ago, my younger sister upgraded her old rattletrap. She looked cool driving her sea-green Oldsmobile down the dusty gravel road toward my aunt's place on the reservation that day. The bumpers of the car sparkled so brightly, it...