Fort Belknap Tribes shocked by president's resignation (May 12, 2004)

Ben Speak Thunder, the president of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Council of Montana, resigned suddenly on Monday. $p Speak Thunder, who served seven years as leader of the Assiniboine and Gros Ventre tribes, gave no reason for his decision....

Report finds BIA misused school emergency funds (May 12, 2004)

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has misused millions of dollars in administrative funds, shortchanging Indian schools of money set aside for emergencies, according to a recent internal audit. Over a three-year period, the BIA used at least $5 million in...

Seneca Nation commissions study on state tax plan (May 12, 2004)

A study commissioned by the Seneca Nation of New York shows that the state would lose 2,785 jobs and $400 million in sales if taxation is enforced on Indian businesses. $p The study by Charles W. de Seve, president of...

Editorial: Full inquiry into Campbell needed (May 12, 2004)

"The Justice Department wants to know whether U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell or someone in his office violated federal law. So should the voters of Colorado. Campbell startled the political world in March by announcing that he wouldn't seek a...

Run for the Wall to make stop at Navajo Nation (May 12, 2004)

The Run for the Wall motorcycle ride to the Vietnam Veterans memorial in Washington, D.C., will make a stop on the Navajo Reservation on May 20. $p The group will be joined by Rolling Thunder, another veterans organization, to honor...

Foundation to help tribes develop economies (May 12, 2004)

The Northwest Area Foundation has started a leadership program to improve economic conditions in nine reservation communities. $p As part of the program, the foundation selected two tribal colleges and one tribal organization. Each grantee will receive nearly $1.1 million...

School district countersues in Navajo bias suit (May 12, 2004)

Ed. Note: Tina Deschenie and Harry Descheenie are not married, as incorrectly stated earlier. A New Mexico public school district accused of violating the freedom of speech rights of Navajo employees has filed a countersuit against a Navajo couple and...

North Dakota tribe, park plan to review bison agreement (May 12, 2004)

The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of North Dakota and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park hope to continue their relationship amid controversy over the tribe's bison herd. $p An agreement to transfer excess bison from the park to the tribe...

Tiny Utah tribe divided over nuclear waste dump (May 12, 2004)

Nearly everyone in the 120-member Skull Valley Goshute Tribe of Utah is related. That probably explains why tensions run high whenever the issue of nuclear waste is brought up. $p Chairman Leon Bear, who is under federal indictment for stealing...

South Dakota tribe won't start own police department (May 12, 2004)

Citing funding issues, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota has dropped plans to start its own police department. $p The tribe sought Bureau of Indian Affairs funding for the new force. But the BIA would only provide money...

Wildlife park surprised by tribe's eviction order (May 12, 2004)

Employees at a wildlife park on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Reservation in Arizona say they are surprised by the tribe's eviction order. $p The Out of Africa Park was planning to move to a new location next year. Employees said...

Sales of Navajo rugs up 15 percent, experts say (May 12, 2004)

Sales of new Navajo rugs have increased 15 percent a year, according to The Los Angeles Times. $p A 4- by 6-foot new rug starts at a few thousand dollars. Old rugs dating to the 19th century can go for...

Minnesota man sentenced for party-related murders (May 12, 2004)

A Minneapolis man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the murders of two men at a party. $p Samuel J. Anderson, 30, was found guilty of second-degree felony murder for shooting to death two men who were denied...

High school considers dropping 'Mohawks' name (May 12, 2004)

A political newbie seeking the Republican party's nomination for governor of Montana is on the board of Mountain States Legal Foundation, a group that fought a tribal voting rights suit. $p Pat Davison, a businessman, also gave $1,000 to Mountain...

High school to consider dropping 'Mohawks' name (May 12, 2004)

Staff and students at a high school in Manitoba have until the year to decide whether to drop their "Mohawks" team name. $p The group United Against Racism says the name and Indian-head logo of Morden Collegiate is racist. Some...

Government employees obtained bogus degrees (May 12, 2004)

Dozens of government employees have obtained bogus academic degrees or enrolled in unaccredited schools, the General Accounting Office said on Tuesday. $P In testimony before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, the GAO said 463 employees have engaged in the "diploma...

Bush administration signs global tobacco treaty (May 12, 2004)

The Bush administration signed the global tobacco treaty on Monday that calls for changes in how tobacco is regulated but critics doubt the administration will seek its ratification. The treaty calls for a ban on tobacco advertising, more cessation programs...

Anti-Indian groups to hold press conference in DC (May 12, 2004)

Three anti-Indian groups, two old and one new, will hold a press conference today attacking the federal recognition and land-into-trust process. $p One Nation, United Property Owners and the Citizens Equal Rights Alliance are calling for a moratorium on all...

Hearings on reorganization, self-governance bill (May 12, 2004)

The House Resources Committee will hold a hearing on the reorganization of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and expansion of the Office of Special Trustee this morning. $p Principal deputy assistant secretary Aurene Martin and Special Trustee Ross Swimmer are...