U.S. Supreme Court asked to rule on state taxation (December 2, 2004)

Taxation issues are once again before the U.S. Supreme Court this session as two states seek to impose gasoline taxes on tribes. Despite losing big in the lower courts, officials in Idaho and Kansas are pressing their cases. Last month,...

Navajo Nation justice recalled as dedicated servant (December 2, 2004)

About 200 people attended funeral services for Claudeen Bates-Arthur, the first woman to head the Navajo Nation Supreme Court. Friends and family remembered Bates-Arthur as a devout Christian who was dedicated to the Navajo people. Her interest in tribal issues...

Lawsuit filed over teen's suicide at BIA jail (December 2, 2004)

A wrongful lawsuit has been filed against the federal government for the suicide of a 15-year-old Indian girl at a Bureau of Indian Affairs detention facility. Nicole Kallestewa, 15, hung herself on March 12, 2003, at the Zuni Detention Center...

Editorial: Justice lacking in Crow murder case (December 2, 2004)

"Perhaps, the FBI soon will complete the investigation it won't speak of publicly. Perhaps U.S. Attorney Bill Mercer will take the case to the federal grand jury when it convenes for a monthly session. Meanwhile, the survivors of Koren Diebert...

Judge tosses wrongful death suit against Janklow (December 2, 2004)

A federal judge has dismissed a wrongful death suit against former Congressman and former South Dakota governor Bill Janklow. Since Janklow was on official government business during the August 2003 accident that killed motorcyclist Randy Scott, he cannot be sued,...

Mayan woman reunited with children taken from her (December 2, 2004)

A Mayan Indian woman from Guatemala whose children were taken away from her after she was deported was reunited with her family. Mercedes Santiago-Felipe was living in Nebraska when child service workers questioned her treatment of her son and daughter....

Report: Native children were placed in holding cells (December 2, 2004)

Child welfare workers on the Pauingassi First Nation in Manitoba never apologized for stripping three Native children and placing them in a police holding cell for alleged solvent abuse, a report released on Monday concluded. In an annual report, the...

Metis Nation loses more than $2M in funding (December 2, 2004)

The Metis Nation of Saskatchewan has lost more than $2 million (Canadian) in federal and provincial funding as the result of a disputed election. The province suspended $410,000 and won't recognize the new chief. The Canadian government followed suit and...

Indiana tribe thankful for donation of land (December 2, 2004)

An Indiana tribe that has been denied federal recognition celebrated a gift of 150 acres of prime land. The Miami Nation held a ceremony on Sunday to accept the donation. The land came from Stan Calvert, 69, a childhood friend...

Column: Chief Illiniwek mascot inappropriate (December 2, 2004)

" There is no doubt that those who love and support the Chief intend to honor American Indians with their portrayal. To generations - including three in my own family - who have stood under the welcoming arms of the...

Indian Eddie: Praise for rapper but not Code Talker (December 2, 2004)

"On Nov. 13, the rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard - I am not making this name up - died in New York at the grandfatherly-for-rap age of 35. Three days later, at Fort Defiance (Ariz.) Medical Center, Navajo Code Talker Samuel...

New York high school to replace Indian mascot (December 2, 2004)

Students at Rhinebeck High School in New York are taking suggestions on a new mascot. The school has used an Indian head mascot and an "Indians" nickname. Use of the symbol and name have been scaled back over the past...

BIA takes input on Cowlitz land-into-trust bid (December 2, 2004)

The Bureau of Indian Affairs held a public meeting on Wednesday night to discuss the Cowlitz Tribe's land-into-trust request. The recently recognized Washington tribe wants 152 acres for an initial reservation. The land will be used for a casino complex,...

Kickapoo Tribe sues former chairman, lawyer (December 2, 2004)

The Kickapoo Tribe of Texas is suing its former chairman and former lawyer, saying the two stole funds after being removed from power two years ago. The tribe says former chairman Raul Garza and attorney Joe Ruiz took at least...

Catawba Nation shuts down government operations (December 2, 2004)

The Catawba Nation of South Carolina has run out of money, forcing the tribe to furlough about 70 employees and suspend operations. The Bureau of Indian Affairs cut off $1.6 million funding to the tribe. Chief Gilbert Blue said the...

IHS expands Gallup Indian Medical Center (December 2, 2004)

The Indian Health Service dedicated an addition to the Gallup Indian Medical Center in Gallup, New Mexico, on Wednesday. The $12.5 million new ambulatory care building will serve Indians living in northern New Mexico. The 40,000-square-foot building consolidates and enhances...