House subcommittee weighs bills affecting Oregon tribal lands (July 26, 2012)

The House Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs held a hearing on Tuesday on land bills affecting Oregon tribes. The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians and the Confederated Tribes...

CNS: Native Catholics host 73rd annual Tekakwitha Conference (July 26, 2012)

"As the sun set on the 73rd annual Tekakwitha Conference at its namesake's birthplace July 21, dozens of pilgrims joined hands and formed a circle, launching a traditional dance symbolic of friendship. It also seemed to represent what many attendees...

Tribal leaders confirm engineers for dam are being held hostage (July 26, 2012)

Leaders of two tribes say three engineers who are working on the $10.6 billion Belo Monte Dam in Brazil are being held hostage. The Juruna and Arara tribes oppose the dam, saying it will prevent them from moving freely throughout...

Montana tribe seeks management role at National Bison Range (July 26, 2012)

The third time could be the charm for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes as they seek a management role at the National Bison Range in Montana. The range is located entirely within the boundaries of the Flathead Reservation. Its...

Coeur d'Alene Tribe received $18M as part of trust settlement (July 26, 2012)

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Idaho received $18 million as part of a trust fund settlement with the Obama administration. The tribe received the money last month. But the tribe isn't saying how it will be used. "The tribe...

Court supports return of child to Cherokee father under ICWA (July 26, 2012)

The South Carolina Supreme Court affirmed a decision to return custody of a two-year-old girl to her father, a member of the Cherokee Nation who lives in Oklahoma. By a 3-2 vote, the court ruled that the Indian Child Welfare...

Walker River Paiute man charged with murdering Iraq veteran (July 26, 2012)

A member of the Walker River Paiute Tribe of Nevada has been charged for murdering Jeremiah Sage, who was a member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of North Dakota. Waylon Hicks, 20, was charged with second-degree murder. He...

Ties between First Nations and Chinese companies being probed (July 26, 2012)

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Canada's intelligence agency, has been probing ties between First Nations and companies owned by the Chinese government, The National Post reports. Chinese companies have been stepping up their discussions with First Nations. “It’s no secret...

Developer resubmits bid for mine by Pechanga Band sacred site (July 26, 2012)

A developer resubmitted an application for a controversial quarry mine opposed by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians in California. The tribe has been fighting the Liberty Quarry mine, which would be located less than 500 miles from the reservation...

Sen. Webb seeking action on Virginia tribal recognition measure (July 26, 2012)

Sen. Jim Webb (D-Virginia) wants the Senate to vote on S.379, the Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act. The bill extends federal recognition to six tribes. It was approved by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee nearly a year ago....

Opposition groups appeal Chumash Tribe land-into-trust ruling (July 26, 2012)

Two opposition groups continue to fight a land-into-trust application for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians of California. The Bureau of Indian Affairs approved the tribe's application last month. Preservation of Los Olivos and Preservation of Santa Ynez filed...

Hoopa Valley Tribe aims to banish man accused of drug dealing (July 26, 2012)

The Hoopa Valley Tribe of California is trying to banish a man who is accused of drug trafficking on the reservation. But Arthur Jones says the move is political. He ran the campaign for his brother, who sought a seat...

Tribal leaders pay at least $60K for meet with President Obama (July 26, 2012)

Tribal leaders paid at least $60,000 each to meet with President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C., Indian Country Today reports. Some 25 tribal leaders attended the meeting on July 18, bringing in at least $1.5 million to the Obama Victory...

Native Sun News: Sioux firefighter finds his purpose in the field (July 26, 2012)

The following story was written and reported by David Arredondo, Native Sun News Summer Journalism Intern. All content © Native Sun News. Jimmy Alberts Dakota firefighter finds purpose in keeping hell at bay ‘This was just exactly what I needed’...

Native Sun News: Fires burning on Rosebud Sioux Reservation (July 26, 2012)

The following story was written and reported by Karin Eagle, Native Sun News Staff Writer. All content © Native Sun News. A series of wildfires are burning in the Two Strike and Rosebud communities on the Rosebud Reservation in south-central...