Navajo Nation business confirms FBI agents conducted search (April 19, 2013)

FBI agents conducted a search of Navajo Agricultural Products Industry, a business owned by the Navajo Nation, The Farmington Daily Times reported. The search took place on Tuesday at NAPI headquarters near Farmington, New Mexico. The case is under seal...

Al Jazeera: Obama urged to grant clemency for Leonard Peltier (April 19, 2013)

Jason Coppola calls Leonard Peltier case "a stain on the judicial system of the United States:" "I think I can explain beyond serious doubt, that Leonard Peltier has committed no crime whatsoever," said former US Attourney General Ramsey Clark. "But...

South Dakota governor cites improved relationships with tribes (April 19, 2013)

South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R) says he has worked to improve relationships with the state's tribes. Daugaard told The Mitchell Daily Republic that he has met with each of the nine tribes at least once since taking office. He...

Pechanga Band set to host 18th annual powwow at end of June (April 19, 2013)

The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians in California hold its 18th annual powwow from June 28-30. The powwow typically attracts up to 60,000 people to the reservation. Drum groups dancers will be vying for $80,000 in prize money. The powwow...

Eastern Cherokees take advantage of Tribal Law and Order Act (April 19, 2013)

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina is taking advantage of the Tribal Law and Order Act. The law authorizes tribes to issue sentences longer than one year. It also allows tribes to house inmates in federal detention...

9th Circuit to resolve tribal membership issues in crime cases (April 19, 2013)

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has agreed to reconsider two decisions involving the "Indian" status of criminal defendants. In US v. Zepeda, the court held that a "certificate of enrollment" from the Gila River Indian Community was insufficient proof...

Patricia Michaels clears last hurdle for Project Runway's finale (April 19, 2013)

Week 13 look from Patricia Michaels. Photo from Project Runway website. Fashion designer Patricia Michaels of Taos Pueblo cleared one last hurdle on the finale of Project Runway on Thursday night. Michaels, who is the first Native American to...

Jamie Fuller: Tribes put a priority on economic diversification (April 19, 2013)

Jamie Fuller on the need for tribes to diversify their economies: As sovereign governments, Tribes must work to ensure a steady stream of revenues to fund services and provide for the well being of their communities and citizens for generations...

Steve Russell: Reading the tea leaves in Cherokee ICWA case (April 19, 2013)

Steve Russell, Cherokee, on Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl, an Indian Child Welfare Act case was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday: Baby Veronica comes to the Court with more advantages than many children. A loving parent and...

Wes Studi, Cherokee, to join Hall of Great Western Performers (April 19, 2013)

Actor Wes Studi, a member of the Cherokee Nation, will be inducted into the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s Hall of Great Western Performers on Saturday. Studi is known for his roles in “Dances with Wolves," “The Last of...

Native Sun News: Hopi Tribe fights to stop sale of sacred items (April 19, 2013)

The auction of 70 masks that are considered highly sacred to the Hopi people was allowed to take place in Paris after a French judge refused to step in on behalf of the tribe.

In the Loop: Interview with DOI Deputy Secretary David Hayes (April 19, 2013)

Al Kamen of In The Loop interviews David Hayes, the deputy secretary at the Interior Department: How are you celebrating Earth Day? Adding compost to my wife’s garden, per her instructions. What’s the most environmentally friendly thing that you do?...