Alabama senator doesn't believe in sovereignty (February 15, 2006)

Tribes shouldn't be treated sovereign governments and should be subject to state laws, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Alabama) said at a recent meeting, The Fort Payne Times-Journal reports. Shelby spoke about his objections to a pending tribal land acquisition in...

Senators, tribal leaders bash Bush's latest budget (February 15, 2006)

Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on President Bush's fiscal year 2007 budget, February 14, 2006. • Introductory Statements - 13.57 - 3.2MB • Panel I - 25:35 - 5.9MB | Q&A - 39:11 - 9MB • Panel II - 44:14...

Billy Mills to be honored at NMAI for charity work (February 15, 2006)

Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills will be presented with the Christian Relief Service Charities Humanitarian Award at a reception at the National Museum of the American Indian. The award will be presented during the 20th annual gala of the Christian...

Goshute nuclear waste dump faces more obstacles (February 15, 2006)

A proposal to store up to 44,000 tons of nuclear waste on the Skull Valley Goshute Reservation in Utah came one step closer to reality with the issuance of a license for the facility on Monday. But Utah's Congressional delegation...

Navajo Nation Supreme Court takes case on the road (February 15, 2006)

Correction: The hearing will take place March 17, not February 17 as incorrectly stated before. The Navajo Nation Supreme Court will be holding a session at the University of Michigan Law School next month, March 17. The court will hear...

Choctaw chief accused of hiding political spending (February 15, 2006)

Some members of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians say Chief Phillip Martin hid political donations and lobbying expenditures from the tribe. Linda Farve, a council member, says Martin never obtained approval to make political contributions. Other tribal members say...

Cherokee chief wants to sue BIA over constitution (February 15, 2006)

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith is asking the tribal council for authorization to sue the Bureau of Indian Affairs for failing to approve the tribe's constitution. Smith accuses the BIA of treating the tribe like a "stepchild." A council...

Oglala Sioux Tribe to lose 59 police officers (February 15, 2006)

The Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota will lose 59 police officers at the end of March due to a loss of federal funding. The tribe was awarded grants under the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program at the Department...

Tom Heffelfinger to step down as U.S. Attorney (February 15, 2006)

Tom Heffelfinger, the U.S. Attorney for Minnesota who was a major figure in the Red Lake shootings investigation and Indian gaming and law enforcement issues, is stepping down at the end of the month to return to private practice....

Ex-premier testifies at inquiry into Native man's death (February 15, 2006)

Mike Harris, the former premier of Ontario, took the stand on Tuesday at the inquiry into the death of Ojibwe activist Dudley George. Harris denied using obscene language at a meeting called to discuss the occupation of Ipperwash Provincial...

Hualapai Tribe sees interest in Grand Canyon skywalk (February 15, 2006)

The Hualapai Tribe's plan to create a skywalk over the Grand Canyon in Arizona has generated immense interest, tribal executives say. The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a glass bridge that extends over the edge of the canyon on the...

Kickapoo corruption case moves forward in Texas (February 15, 2006)

A federal judge has set hearings to resolve two final pre-trial issues in a corruption scheme involving former officials of the Kickapoo Tribe of Texas and their associates. Raul Garza, the former chief, and six others are charged with...

Lobby League: Top Indian shops in Washington (February 15, 2006)

The Hill newspaper ranks the "top lobbyists" for Indian affairs, a list that includes several lobbying firms and some inter-tribal organizations. The Holland & Knight firm is tops on the list for its recent hiring of retired Sen. Ben Nighthorse...

Opinion: Lawyer for anti-Indian group questions tribes (February 15, 2006)

"In the February 3, 2006 edition of the Tulsa World, a story entitled "Cole to fight limits on tribes," appeared to be something good for a change to read in a paper that sometimes appears to have disdain for tribal...

Bush, Democrats oppose $7B royalty giveaway (February 15, 2006)

The Bush administration and Democratic lawmakers said oil and gas companies should not receive lucrative incentives for drilling on federal lands when energy prices are at record highs. Under a "royalty relief" program, the Interior Department plans to give away...

Several lobbying firms report strong growth in 2005 (February 15, 2006)

Several Washington lobbying firms reported increases in revenue of more than 20 percent in 2005, The Hill reports. Number one on the list of firms was Patton Boggs, which reported $37 million in revenues, up from $31 million in 2004....

Editorial: White House doesn't know Jack Abramoff (February 15, 2006)

"It's not, as photos for a superlobbyist's power wall go, a terribly impressive shot: President Bush, his back to the camera, shaking the hand of Raul Garza, chief of the Kickapoo tribe of Texas. In the foreground, Karl Rove,...