Judge indicted for accepting Kickapoo cash (October 28, 2005)

A judge in Texas was indicted on Thursday for failing to report the source of $15,000 that came from the Kickapoo Tribe. Amado Abascal III, a state district judge, said the money came from 15 people. But authorities said it...

Senate panel advances Indian health care measure (October 28, 2005)

A Senate panel approved a measure to improve Indian health care on Thursday amid considerable debate on a controversial dental program in Alaska. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma), a new member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, led the charge against...

Cheney aide indicted on five counts in CIA case (October 28, 2005)

Vice President Dick Cheney's top aide, I. Lewis Libby, was indicted today on charges of obstruction of justice, making false statements and perjury in the CIA leak probe [PDF: US v. Libby]. Libby also resigned his post in the...

Judge rules Oneida Nation land can't be foreclosed (October 28, 2005)

Land owned by a sovereign government can't be taken away by another government, a federal judge ruled on Wednesday. In a 22-page decision, U.S. District Judge David Hurd said officials in Madison County, New York, can't foreclose on land owned...

Miers cited Native Hawaiian work before withdrawing (October 28, 2005)

Before she withdrew her U.S. Supreme Court nomination on Thursday, White House counsel Harriet Miers told a Senate panel that she advised President Bush on Native Hawaiian recognition. In a supplemental questionnaire submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Miers left...

Couple found guilty of reservation fire death (October 28, 2005)

A couple from the Fort Belknap Reservation was convicted of murdering a 15-year-old girl who died after her home was set on fire. Kenneth Arcand, 20, and his common-law wife, Bobbi Jo Wing, 25, were found guilty of first degree...

Churchill denies making Holocaust remark (October 28, 2005)

Controversial University of Colorado professor Ward Churchill is denying that he made another reference to the Holocaust during a recent speech. According to articles at The American Thinker, a conservative publication, Churchill said "Hitler exterminated the wrong people." He...

Canada pledges action on First Nation water crisis (October 28, 2005)

The Canadian government on Thursday offered to relocate an entire Native community and clean up the water system amid an emergency evacuation of the Kashechewan First Nation in northern Ontario. After days of criticism, Canadian officials announced a plan...

CMU panel discusses Indian education issues (October 28, 2005)

A panel of Indian leaders discussed Indian education issues at Central Michigan University on Wednesday. Sonny Smart, a member of the Bad River Band of Chippewa and a Native American studies professor at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, said Indians are...

Louisiana tribe seeks help after two hurricanes (October 28, 2005)

The United Houma Nation of Louisiana would receive more assistance if it were federally recognized, the tribal liaison at the Federal Emergency Management Agency says. The tribe is recognized by the state but FEMA treats it like any other community,...

Man to change name, location of Bear Butte bar (October 28, 2005)

In response to objections from Lakota activists, an Arizona man has decided to change the name and location of a bar near sacred Bear Butte in South Dakota. Jay Allen owns the Broken Spoke Saloon. He recently announced plans to...

Umatilla Tribes work to preserve languages (October 28, 2005)

The Confederated Umatilla Tribes of Oregon are working hard to preserve their three tribal languages. Of 2,525 members, only 44 elders speak the Cayuse/Nez Perce, Umatilla and Walla Walla languages fluently. But with grants from federal and private sources,...

Rosebud Sioux Tribe unofficial election results (October 28, 2005)

Members of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota ousted incumbent President Charlie Colombe, the Associated Press reports. Colombe was defeated by Rodney Bordeaux, according to unofficial results. For vice president, Louis Wayne Boyd Sr. defeated Webster Two Hawk...

Letter: Tulalip Tribes have become greedy (October 28, 2005)

"While I have respect for the Tulalip Tribes of the past, I'm not sure I do today. If Glen Gobin does not accept a meeting, how does he know they are unwilling to recognize the tribes' sovereignty? It is not...

Indian sergeant who admitted fraud still on payroll (October 28, 2005)

A member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe who admitted to taking part in an $88 million investment scam at an Indian bank is still on the payroll as a Maricopa County Sheriff's sergeant, The Arizona Republic reports. Leo Driving Hawk...

Indian bowling tournamnet kicks off in Nevad (October 28, 2005)

The 21st annual American Indian Bowling Tournament kicks off in Carson City, Nevada, tonight. Gary Wood, a member of the Walker River Paiute Tribe, and his wife, Sharon, a member of the Washoe Tribe, are hosting the tournament. They...

Jail says eagle feather can be used as weapon (October 28, 2005)

A jail in Benton County, Arkansas, is refusing to allow an Indian inmate to use an eagle feather for religious ceremonies. Officials won't let Joe Wolfe Jr. use a feather because they say it can be used as a weapon...

Saginaw Chippewa Tribe defends nickname (October 28, 2005)

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan fully supports Central Michigan University's "Chippewas" nickname but not everyone agrees its appropriate. The issue was debated at an open forum on campus. Sophomore Amy Burdo said the school is wrong to use Indian...

Mechoopda Tribe, Chico State to sign agreement (October 28, 2005)

The Mechoopda Tribe and Chico State University will sign an agreement today that formalizes their relationship. Before losing their rancheria to termination, the Mechoopdas lived on land that is now part of the Chico campus. Villages and burial grounds are...

Northern Ute Tribe launches oil and gas company (October 28, 2005)

The Northern Ute Tribe of Utah launched an oil and gas company on Thursday, announcing plans to drill on 236,000 acres of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. The tribe has allowed development of the reservation and has taken a royalty...

Norton associate to testify at Abramoff hearing (October 28, 2005)

Italia Federici, a close associate of Interior Secretary Gale Norton, is expected to testify next week on the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal, The Washington Post reports. Federici worked on Norton's failed U.S. Senate campaign in 1996. She now serves as...

Nez Perce Chair: Tribe loses friend, advocate (October 28, 2005)

"In a time of significant change for the Nez Perce people; we have lost a great friend and advocate. The death of historian Alvin Josephy Jr. touches the hearts of Nimiipuu and demands reflection on the importance of his life....