Sen. Durbin Floor Statement on Lobbying Reforms (December 19, 2005)

The following is the text of a statement by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) on S.2128, a bill to reform lobbying practices. December 16, 2005. Mr. President, I join in echoing the comments of the Senator from Connecticut about what we...

Sen. Lieberman Floor Statement on Lobbying Reforms (December 19, 2005)

The following is the text of a statement by Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Connecticut) on S.2128, a bill to reform lobbying practices. December 16, 2005. Mr. President, I thank the Chair. Mr. President, I came to the floor to thank my...

Sen. McCain Floor Statement on Lobbying Reforms (December 19, 2005)

The following is the text of a statement by Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) on S.2128, a bill to reform lobbying practices. December 16, 2005. Mr. President, today I introduce legislation to provide greater transparency into the process of influencing our...

On heels of Abramoff, McCain seeks lobbying reforms (December 19, 2005)

Calling the Jack Abramoff scandal an "exploitation" of Native Americans, Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) on Friday introduced legislation to reform lobbying practices in Washington, D.C. McCain, the chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, said the investigation of Abramoff has...

Judge reaffirms ruling in Dakota trust fund lawsuit (December 19, 2005)

A federal judge has reaffirmed a ruling that allows Dakota descendants to pursue a trust fund lawsuit against the United States. The plaintiffs in Wolfchild v. US say the federal government breached its responsibilities by failing to hold their land...

Billy Mills to help tribes cover heating costs (December 19, 2005)

Running Strong for American Indian Youth, a national organization founded by Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills, is helping two tribes cover heating costs for tribal members. Running Strong will be providing matching funds to the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the...

Judge won't allow access to Jourdain sentencing (December 19, 2005)

A federal judge on Friday ruled that the sentencing hearing for Louis Jourdain Jr., the only person charged in connection with the March 21, 2005, shootings on the Red Lake Reservation, will remain closed. The families of some of the...

Editorial: Little help for tribes with illegal dumps (December 19, 2005)

"Unfortunately, many Indian tribal lands across America serve as the nation's secret dumping grounds. The Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla tribe's land in the east valley is among those reservations. Torres Martinez leaders last week urged a Coachella Valley Association of...

BIA runs out of money to pay for welfare programs (December 19, 2005)

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has run out of money to pay for tribal welfare programs, The Farmington Daily Times reports. The BIA has a shortfall of $15 million affecting tribes across the nation, a spokesperson said. The shortfall covers...

Few boys being born into First Nation in Ontario (December 19, 2005)

Researchers are trying to determine why few boys are being born into the Aamjiwnaang First Nation of Ontario. The percentage of boys started dropping below 50 percent in 1993, a tribal member discovered. Now, only 30 percent of newborns are...

Hayworth called top recipient of Abramoff cash (December 19, 2005)

Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-Arizona), the co-chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus, has received more money from Jack Abramoff than any other member of Congress, according to a new analysis from the Center for Responsive Politics. Hayworth received $101,620...

Indian coca farmer elected president in Bolivia (December 19, 2005)

Evo Morales, an Indian coca farmer and activist, claimed victory in Bolivia's presidential election on Sunday. The official results have not been tabulated but Morales had at least 51 percent of the vote, according to news reports. His leading challenger,...

Ross Swimmer: No 'lump sum' settlement for Cobell (December 19, 2005)

"I appreciate the Argus Leader's recent coverage of the long-running Cobell v. Norton lawsuit and proposed legislation to settle this contentious issue, however, the Argus Leader didn't quote anyone from the Department of the Interior, so I'd like to...

Column: GOP leaders asking Ralph Reed to drop out (December 19, 2005)

"The Bush Administration finds itself in a very odd place — under and sinking fast — and for them, the dislocation must be staggering. And while it is interesting to watch as the White House unveils its new candor...

Attorney: Interior still not living up to trust duties (December 19, 2005)

"The Cobell case is not about wealthy gaming Tribes or even the land held by less wealthy reservations; it is about a smaller subset of individual Indians, some impoverished, living on plots in a checkerboard of privately held acreage. They...

Sen. Reid calls Abramoff a 'Republican scandal' (December 19, 2005)

Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada), the leader of the Democrats in the Senate, called Jack Abramoff a "Republican scandal" and said he received no money from the disgraced lobbyist. "Don't lump me in with Jack Abramoff. This is a Republican...

Mark Trahant: How about a coin for Vine Deloria? (December 19, 2005)

"Why can't we just get rid of the paper buck? It might be annoying for a time -- even a year or two. But we will all eventually get used to coins as dollars. That's certainly the case in Canada....

Yellow Bird: Why do young Indians come to UND? (December 19, 2005)

"Regarding the Fighting Sioux mascot controversy, a colleague once told me that he would be in favor of changing the name if there was evidence - evidence such as American Indian students staying away from UND in droves. Here are...

Opinion: The life story of Cecilia Fire Thunder (December 19, 2005)

"Tomorrow morning, after a 20-day suspension that has turned into almost two months, Oglala Sioux Tribal President Cecilia Fire Thunder will have an opportunity to confront her accusers. The first complaint: She's not a member of the tribe! I...

Another Republican returns Abramoff donations (December 19, 2005)

Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Montana) has returned $19,000 in donations from former tribal clients and associates of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the Associated Press reported. Rehberg gave the tribal donations back to the tribes. He donated $2,000 that he had received...

Editorial: Dorgan does right thing on Abramoff (December 19, 2005)

Photo United Tribes Technical College. "Sen. Byron Dorgan’s decision to give back donations from American Indian tribes that were associated with lobbyist Jack Abramoff was correct. The North Dakota Democrat also is right to resist calls to recuse himself from...