BIA ordered to reconsider two recognition cases (May 16, 2005)

Two Connecticut tribes whose 300-plus year histories with the state helped them win federal recognition were sent back to the drawing board last week in two of the most highly controversial and politicized cases to date. In separate decisions dated...

Abramoff tribes gave $153K to Montana delegation (May 16, 2005)

Montana's Congressional delegation took $153,000 from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his tribal clients, The Great Falls Tribune reports. Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Montana) got the most. Abramoff, two associates, his old lobbying firm and five ex-tribal clients gave $127,000 in...

Class of 2005: Haskell, IAIA hold commencements (May 16, 2005)

It was pomp and circumstance for the Class of 2005 at two of the most well-known tribal colleges. More than 170 students graduated from Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas. Included were sisters Alta and Alicia Malchoff, who dedicated their...

Lincoln Journal Star: Whiteclay at the crossroads (May 16, 2005)

The Lincoln Journal Star ran a special multi-part report "Whiteclay: Standing at the Crossroads" to examine issues surrounding the sale of liquor in Whiteclay, Nebraska, and its effect on the nearby Pine Ridge Reservation. Liquor is banned on the reservation...

Reservation homes threatened by dangerous mold (May 16, 2005)

Mold is slowly infesting homes on South Dakota reservations, threatening the health and welfare of tribal members. On the Pine Ridge Reservation, 75 percent of the Oglala Sioux Tribe's 1,700 housing units are contaminated with mold, The Sioux Falls Argus...

Column: Indian Land Tenure Foundation debuts film (May 16, 2005)

"Two movies open here Thursday. One is the new 'Star Wars' eposide; the other isn't. But both are about issues that began long, long ago and whose solutions are far, far away. The movie without Yoda is 'American Indian Homelands:...

Override of Navajo same-sex marriage bill sought (May 16, 2005)

The Navajo Nation Council delegate who introduced a bill to ban same-sex marriage is seeking to override President Joe Shirley Jr.'s veto of the controversial measure. Delegate Larry Anderson issued a statement on Friday criticizing Shirley's veto. "The president’s action...

California AIM blames greed for mass disenrollments (May 16, 2005)

The California American Indian Movement says 1,500 people have been ousted from tribes in the state over greed. ''Gaming has brought in the dominant culture's disease of greed,'' Marty Firerider told Indian Country Today. Firerider and others are protesting what...

Ho-Chunk Nation in 'very good' shape, says president (May 16, 2005)

The finances of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin are "very good" despite a recent report warning of bankruptcy, president George Lewis told The Wisconsin State Journal. Lewis said the tribe is taking steps to address concerns raised by a recent...

Pataki presses Oneida Nation to settle land claim (May 16, 2005)

New York Gov. George Pataki (R) is warning the Oneida Nation to settle its land claim in light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that went against the tribe. Pataki said a settlement of the 250,000-acre claim is necessary...

Two arrested in theft from Stockbridge-Munsees (May 16, 2005)

A former tribal loan officer and an alleged accomplice have been charged with stealing nearly $200,000 from the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans in Wisconsin. State authorities say Cathryn M. Mohawk, 36, used her position as a loan officer to fraudulently...

Water finally being restored to the Trinity River (May 16, 2005)

After decades of fighting in and out of the courts, water is finally being restored to the Trinity River in northern California. Since 1963, when two dams were built, up to 90 percent of the Trinity's flows have been diverted....

Schools defend Indian mascots in reports to NCAA (May 16, 2005)

The NCAA's Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee is reviewing reports submitted by schools that were asked to justify their use of Indian mascots and other imagery. So far, twenty of 38 schools have submitted reports to the committee. According...

Narragansett Tribe, state weigh options on smoke shop (May 16, 2005)

The Narragansett Tribe and the state of Rhode Island are considering their options now that a federal appeals court has ruled in the smoke shop dispute. The tribe is considering reopening the shop that the state raided on July 14,...

Editorials: Christian activists have explaining to do (May 16, 2005)

The Birmingham News: "The Boston Globe disclosed Friday that the anti-tax group Americans for Tax Reform sent $1.15 million from an Indian tribe that runs a casino in Mississippi to two groups that oppose gambling in Alabama. In 2000, the...

Opinion: Everyone, 'Fighting Sioux' is here to stay (May 16, 2005)

"Attention, anti-UND Fighting Sioux Logo activists: Please understand, the logo is going to stay. So are the classes and majors in Indian-related studies. So is the fact that underpopulated North Dakota graduates more Indian physicians than any other state. So...

Mark Trahant: We're all as young as we feel (May 16, 2005)

"So who's old? A century ago, the answer was easy: I would be old right now. The average person lived 47 years in North America. Only a small percentage of the population made it into their 60s or 70s. In...