Two-word change to NAGPRA pending in Senate (October 1, 2004)

A Senate panel on Wednesday approved a two-word addition to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) designed to make it easier for tribes to reclaim ancient remains. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado), chairman of the Senate Indian...

Pueblo leader says lobbyists' high fees not worth it (October 1, 2004)

Sandia Pueblo Gov. Stuwart Paisano won't disclose how much his tribe gave to lobbyist Jack Abramoff and public relations consultant Michael Scanlon but told The Albuquerque Journal the high fees weren't worth it. Sandia signed contracts with Abramoff's law...

Schwarzenegger vetoes tribal tax-free bond bill (October 1, 2004)

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill that would have treated tribes on the same footing as other governments when it comes to tax-free bonds. Schwarzenegger called the bill "premature" and said other impacts, such as environmental, need to be...

Texas AG asked to investigate Abramoff, Scanlon (October 1, 2004)

Texas attorney general Greg Abbott is being asked to investigate the activities of two Washington lobbyists who took $4.2 million from the Tigua Tribe. Lobbyist Jack Abramoff and public relations consultant Michael Scanlon approached the tribe after the tribe's successful...

Crowd protests Agua Caliente Band's health care (October 1, 2004)

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians was the target of a protest on Thursday over the tribe's decision to impose a health-care premium on employees. A crowd of employees, union workers and clergy protested outside the tribe's casino in...

Kickapoo women get trespass charges dismissed (October 1, 2004)

Three Kickapoo women who occupied the tribe's headquarters during a Christmas-New Year's protest had trespass charges against them dismissed. Auchee Wahpepah, Valentina Jimenez and Glenda Deer were set to go to trial but a tribal judge threw out the charges....

Soboba Band holds re-election but not recall (October 1, 2004)

The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians held another election on Saturday but tribal officials said it wasn't a recall. Nevertheless, two council members who had been elected in March were ousted by voters. Rosemary Morillo and Scott Cozart will replace...

Morongo Band to close reservation roads (October 1, 2004)

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians of California plans to close the roads leading into the reservation. Chairman Maurice Lyons said outside traffic has caused problems on the reservation. Illegal dumping and drugs are two examples. The closure would not...

Pollster says Indian vote is critical in South Dakota (October 1, 2004)

Indian voters in South Dakota are likely to decide who wins the upcoming U.S. Senate race, a leading pollster says. John Zogby of Zogby International says the race between incumbent Tom Daschle (D) and challenger John Thune (R) is close....

Editorial: Reservation voting offices a good idea (October 1, 2004)

"Voting and counting on both Pine Ridge and the Rosebud reservations present problems because neither Shannon County nor Todd County (Rosebud) has a county seat. Services such as voting are handled elsewhere - in Fall River County for Shannon and...

Swedish museum returns remains to Aborigines (October 1, 2004)

A delegation of Australian Aborigines traveled to Sweden to accept the remains of tribal ancestors that were stolen from their graves. The remains of at least 15 Aborigines were smuggled out of Australia in the early 1900s by a Swedish...

Opinion: Cherokees learned bigotry from Baptists (October 1, 2004)

"Why is [same-sex marriage] such a hot-button issue for the Cherokees, as it would be for any other Native American tribe? When our son came out, one of the first places I went to ask questions was “the stomp grounds.”...

Rehberg can't make debate sponsored by tribe (October 1, 2004)

Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Montana) has canceled his appearance at debate being hosted by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The debate was to occur Monday but Rehberg said he can't make it because of an upcoming House vote. His staff...

Nisga'a Nation protests sale of old mining town (October 1, 2004)

The Nisga'a Nation of British Columbia says the sale of an old mining town can't go forward unless it is involved with negotiations. The community of Kitsault put the town up for sale for $7 million (Canadian). But Nisga'a Lisims...

Seneca-Cayuga Tribe eyes new mode of development (October 1, 2004)

The Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma says it will restart a ferry operation in Rochester on one condition: a casino. Tribal leaders are interested in the Fast Ferry. The vessel has been docked at the Port of Rochester after its operator...

Coeur d'Alene Tribe wants to know impact of dam (October 1, 2004)

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Idaho is seeking a study of the effects of a dam on the Spokane River. The tribe wants to know how much usable land was lost when the river was dammed up. Federal law requires...

Maine designates Penobscot Nation as drug importer (October 1, 2004)

The state of Maine has designated the Penobscot Nation as a drug importer in a unique partnership aimed at generating revenue for the tribe while providing low-cost prescription drugs to consumers. The state gave the tribe $400,000 to build a...

NMAI not the only place to enjoy Native art in DC (October 1, 2004)

The Washington Post has compiled a list of ongoing exhibitions of Native art and Native-related art in Washington, D.C., The National Museum of Women in the Arts is showing a collection of pottery by Pueblo women. The paper says the...

Report urges fight against childhood obesity (October 1, 2004)

The National Academy of Sciences released a report on Thursday recommending a nationwide campaign to fight the growing problem of childhood obesity, which contributes to diabetes and other health problems. Native American children are at high risk, the report said....

DeLay rebuked for trading influence on House floor (October 1, 2004)

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas), who said this week that Washington lobbyists who billed tribal clients $66 million should stop trading on his name, has been rebuked for trading influence on the House floor. According to a special ethics...