Death of woman on Sandy Bay First Nation treated as a homicide (August 1, 2011)

Authorities are investigating a homicide on the Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation in Manitoba. The remains of Roberta McIvor, 32, were found Saturday on the reserve. She had last spoken to her mother on Friday. "[She's] somebody's mother, somebody's sister,...

Donations sought to complete work on 'More Than Frybread' film (August 1, 2011)

The director, writer and producer of More Than Frybread is seeking donations to complete his film about the fictional Arizona Frybread Championship. Travis Hamilton is putting the finishing touches on the project. "Doing things right isn't always the cheapest."...

Pawnee man named Native American liaison by Kansas governor (August 1, 2011)

Chris Howell, a member of the Pawnee Nation, has been named Native American Liaison for Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R). Howell will work with the Kickapoo Tribe, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, the Sac and Fox Nation and the Iowa...

Kimberly Yellow Robe: Prevent identity theft in Indian Country (August 1, 2011)

"When listening to Tribal Elders and community members across Indian Country, together we learned about how individuals can become victims of identity theft. Have you ever lost your wallet? Tribal ID Card? How about losing personal documents containing your Social...

Column: Seminole Tribe plays vital role in 450th commemoration (August 1, 2011)

"Allan Marcil's letter ("Give Seminole Tribe a seat on 450th panel") appears to ask for what appears to have already been determined. At the July 18 "inaugural meeting" of the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration Commission, only 13 members were identified....

Senate Indian Affairs Committee schedules hearing on probate (August 1, 2011)

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will hold an oversight hearing this Thursday to discuss the American Indian Probate Reform Act. Congress passed the law in 2004. It created a federal probate code for Indian beneficiaries, who previously had to adhere...

Cherokee Nation schedules September 24 vote for principal chief (August 1, 2011)

Members of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma who registered for the first principal chief election will get another chance to vote on September 24. Incumbent chief Chad Smith will once again face challenger Bill John Baker. The results of the...

Mark Trahant: Now let the real debate begin on federal spending (August 1, 2011)

There’s nothing like deadline to produce a deal: The president and congressional leaders reached an agreement over the weekend to increase the nation’s debt limit, cut federal spending, and create a powerful committee charged with finding even more budget cuts....

Claim forms due September 16 for $3.4B trust fund settlement (August 1, 2011)

Judge Thomas Hogan issued an order on July 27 granting final approval to the $3.4 billion settlement for the Cobell trust fund lawsuit. The order follows the decision he issued from the bench at the June 20 fairness hearing. He...

Kevin Abourezk: Man seeks tribal clients for insurance business (August 1, 2011)

"When a Grand Island insurance agency declared bankruptcy in January 2009, Gary Shovlain feared he would lose his $3.7 million investment in First Americans Insurance Service. Now, two years later, he's sure he will never see his investment returned. But...

TV Review: Raoul Trujillo stars as Queequeg in lavish 'Moby Dick' (August 1, 2011)

"High school English teachers, your attention please! I have wonderful and terrible news. Encore, that glorious waster of weekend afternoons on cable’s desolate seas, has finally decided to show something besides an endless loop of “Dumb and Dumber.” For...

Vi Waln: Indian children deserve better lives on the reservation (August 1, 2011)

I attended the Department of Justice Attorney General’s Advisory Committee, Native American Issues Subcommittee meeting in Rapid City, South Dakota, last week. This meeting was with Attorney General Eric Holder along with the District of South Dakota’s US Attorney Brendan...

Wambli Sina Win: Embracing your indestructible Indian identity (August 1, 2011)

From the moment of birth, a baby bear (mato) knows who he is. This baby bear is aggressively protected by his parents who are ready to defend him with their lives. The bear is a part of the Great Mystery,...

Native Sun News: One boarding school survivor shares his story (August 1, 2011)

The following story was written and reported by Stephanie Woodard. All content © Native Sun News. OMAHA, NEBRASKA –– The United Nations definition of genocide includes actions many would expect to see in such a statement, including killing and injuring...

President Obama statement on year of Tribal Law and Order Act (August 1, 2011)

President Barack Obama issued the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the Tribal Law and Order Act. A year ago today, I was proud to sign the Tribal Law and Order Act into law. American Indians and Alaska Natives...

Opinion: Tribal Law and Order Act takes aim at reservation crime (August 1, 2011)

"Today marks the one year anniversary of the Tribal Law & Order Act (TLOA), an historic piece of legislation signed into law by President Obama on July 29, 2010. That anniversary represents an important moment to reflect on the work...