Freedmen, ousted from Muscogee Nation, seek recognition (February 9, 2012)

The Muscogee Creek Indian Freedmen have filed a federal recognition petition with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Freedmen were part of the Muscogee Nation under an 1866 treaty. But in 1979, other tribal members voted them out. "We're Creek...

Gila River Indian Community rejects highway on reservation (February 9, 2012)

Members of the Gila River Indian Community of Arizona don't want a state highway through the reservation, according to the unofficial results of a vote on Tuesday. The majority of voters -- 720 -- said no to building an extension...

Opinion: San Manuel Band chairman linked to violent crimes (February 9, 2012)

"As a U.S. Marine, I proudly defended our country in the Persian Gulf War. As San Bernardino County supervisor, I am a strong supporter of law enforcement and an independent taxpayer watchdog for the citizens of the 3rd District. I...

Washington court backs Yakama Nation man in fishing case (February 9, 2012)

The state of Washington lacks jurisdiction over a fishing site that was set aside by Congress, the Washington Supreme Court ruled today. Lester Ray Jim, a member of the Yakama Nation, was ticketed by the state for unlawfully retaining five...

9th Circuit rejects bid to protect sacred San Francisco Peaks (February 9, 2012)

Exactly a month after hearing the case, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals today rejected a lawsuit aimed at protecting the sacred San Francisco Peaks in Arizona.. In a unanimous decision, the court called the case "a gross abuse of...

Oglala Sioux Tribe files lawsuit targeting liquor in Whiteclay (February 9, 2012)

The Oglala Sioux Tribe filed a lawsuit in federal court today, aimed at stopping the sale of alcohol in Whiteclay, Nebraska. Whiteclay lies just outside the border of the Pine Ridge Reservation, where alcohol is banned. The lawsuit alleges that...

Native Sun News: Study shows high Indian infant death rate (February 9, 2012)

The following story was written and reported by Jesse Abernathy, Native Sun News Editor. All content © Native Sun News. PIERRE, SOUTH DAKOTA – Within the first month of being born, Native American babies in South Dakota have a two-to-one...

Charlie Galbraith: Land consolidation plan is a step forward (February 9, 2012)

"In an important step toward addressing a problem that has affected generations of American Indian people, last week the Department of the Interior released the Obama Administration’s draft plan for implementing the Cobell Land Consolidation Program. The program is a...

Kim Teehee: Celebrate the anniversary of Lets Move! effort (February 9, 2012)

"Today, First Lady Michelle Obama is hitting the road to kick off a three day, nation-wide tour celebrating the second anniversary of Let’s Move!. Since launching Let’s Move! on February 9, 2010, significant progress has been made to solve the...

Campaign eyes $80M to finish Indian museum in Oklahoma (February 9, 2012)

Two experienced fundraisers have been enlisted to help complete the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in Oklahoma. The $200 million facility in Oklahoma City needs $80 million. Blake Wade and Lee Allan Smith, who helped promote the 2007 state...

Tribes meet with Oklahoma governor to discuss water case (February 9, 2012)

The Choctaw Nation and the Chickasaw Nation met with Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) to discuss their water lawsuit against the state. Fallin has asked the tribes to drop the case and mentioned it during her State of the State...

Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation disputes suit over recognition (February 9, 2012)

The Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut did not file a lawsuit seeking federal recognition, Chairman Jim Cunha told The New London Day. The lawsuit was filed by a tribal member without the tribe's consent. Cunha has informed the federal...

OPB: Growing enrollment a big issue for tribes in Northwest (February 9, 2012)

"The membership rolls at some Northwest tribes are swelling much faster than growth in the general population. Some of that increase is due to a high birth rate among American Indians. Also, rising prosperity from casinos and other businesses is...

KCAW: Tlingit 'dictionary' baffling speakers of the language (February 9, 2012)

"A new encyclopedia of the Tlingit language has teachers in Sitka scratching their heads. The massive work by New Zealand scholar Sally-Ann Lambert is extraordinarily detailed, and the product of years of effort. The problem is: The language in the...

Doug George-Kanentiio: Solving Canada's Indian 'problem' (February 9, 2012)

Prime Minister Stephen Harper deserves credit for meeting with aboriginal leaders on January 24 to discuss ways to resolve the many challenges which confront Canada's native peoples. The meeting was characterized by an acknowledgment from the Prime Minister that changes...

Steven Newcomb: Allotment a massive grab of Indian lands (February 9, 2012)

"In his Executive Order declaring November 2011 “Native American Heritage Month,” U.S. President Barack Obama said that his administration “recognizes the painful chapters in our shared history.” As a key part of that history, today marks the 125th year since...

Billy Frank: Let's win salmon recovery battle in Washington (February 9, 2012)

"We are losing the battle for salmon recovery in western Washington because salmon habitat is being destroyed faster than it can be restored. Despite massive cuts in harvest, careful use of hatcheries and a huge financial investment in restoration during...

Hundreds in Indian town struck by food poisoning after rally (February 9, 2012)

Hundreds of people in an Indian town in southern Mexico were struck with food poisoning after attending a political rally. The Associated Press said 650 people in Chilapa were fainting, vomiting and suffering from diarrhea. They had eaten rice tacos...

Hualapai Tribe votes for takeover of Grand Canyon Skywalk (February 9, 2012)

The Hualapai Tribe of Arizona is taking over the Grand Canyon Skywalk from its non-Indian operator. The tribal council voted to exercise eminent domain over the business. David Jin, who built the attraction, will be compensated with $11 million. “The...