Seneca-Cayuga Tribe, state seek delay in lawsuit (November 18, 2004)

The Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma and the state of New York have agreed to seek a delay in the state's case against the tribe's bingo hall. The tribe and state say the case should be delayed because they reached a...

Bill to speed up Alaska Native land transfers (November 18, 2004)

The House on Wednesday joined the Senate in approving a bill aimed at speeding up the transfer of land to Alaska Natives and the state. The Alaska Land Transfer Acceleration Act affects about 90 million acres. Of that amount, 29...

Alaska state trooper charged with assaulting women (November 18, 2004)

An Alaska state trooper has been charged with 11 felonies for the rape, kidnap and assault of four women from Native villages in western Alaska. Daniel L. Scott, 44, was arrested and jailed in Anchorage. The 18-year veteran of the...

Construction at tribal burial site still in dispute (November 18, 2004)

The Federal Highway Administration is finalizing a decision on a burial site in Washington that the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe is trying to protect. The tribe has been overseeing an archeological dig at a graving yard that is part of...

South Dakota school wants more Indian students (November 18, 2004)

The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is hoping to attract more Indian students with the creation of multicultural committee. The committee is made of people from every division of the school. They will develop a policy to improve...

Mashantucket Tribe and town at odds over water (November 18, 2004)

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and a Connecticut town have been unable to come to a water services agreement after months of negotiations. The tribe and North Stonington are trying to decide who will provide water to a tribal property...

Sam Billison, Navajo Code Talker, passes on (November 18, 2004)

Samuel Billison, one of the most prominent Navajo Code Talkers, died on Wednesday of heart complications. He was around 78 or 79. Billison enlisted in the U.S. Marines at a young age and was recruited as a Code Talker. He...

High-priced lobbyist scam linked to lawmakers (November 18, 2004)

Public relations consultant Michael Scanlon refuses to answer questions at Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing. Photo © NSM. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado) talks with Albert Alvidrez and Carlos Hisa (r) of the Tigua Tribe of Texas after hearing....

Tigua Tribe tells of lobbying horror story (November 18, 2004)

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held its second hearing on Wednesday into the lobbying activities of two Washington insiders accused of bilking tribes of $66 million. The hearing focused on the Tigua Tribe of Texas. After being approached by lobbyist...

Judge allows another Whiteclay liquor license (November 18, 2004)

A judge in Nebraska has overturned the state's denial of a liquor license for a man who wants to open another beer establishment in Whiteclay. The Nebraska Liquor Control Commission denied Jason Schwarting a license due to concerns about his...

Yankton Sioux treaty document acquired by museum (November 18, 2004)

A copy of an 1858 treaty signed by the Yankton Sioux Nation and the U.S. has been acquired by the Minnesota Historical Society for $40,000. The copy is considered rare because only two or three were made. It is not...

AFN calls for $10K payment for every abuse victim (November 18, 2004)

The Assembly of First Nations offered a plan on Wednesday that would resolve all outstanding residential school abuse claims by 2010. AFN says each victim should receive a minimum cash payment of $10,000 (Canadian). Compensation will be increased depending on...

Canada's Supreme Court to issue key rulings (November 18, 2004)

Canada's Supreme Court will issue two key rulings today that will affect the trust relationship with First Nations. In one case, the Haida Nation of British Columbia opposed logging on traditional lands. The B.C. Court of Appeal ruled the government...

South Carolina site dates to 55,000 years ago (November 18, 2004)

Archaeologists in South Carolina say they have uncovered evidence that shows humans lived in North America at least 50,000 years ago, much earlier than the date accepted by other archaeologists. Dr. Albert C. Goodyear and his team found artifacts they...

Bush nominates another White House adviser (November 18, 2004)

President Bush on Wednesday nominated Margaret Spellings, a White House adviser, as Secretary of Education. Spellings, 46, came to the White House four years ago from Texas. She serves as chief adviser on domestic issues and is considered close to...

Turtle Mountain Band open for business opportunities (November 18, 2004)

The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota is hoping to attract more business to the reservation. Business owners from Detroit, Michigan, are spending two days on the reservation this week. On Wednesday, the Detroit group met with...

California tribe completes wetlands restoration (November 18, 2004)

The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians in California has restored a 2,000-acre wetlands that will be open to hunting and provide revenue for the tribe. Two years ago, the tribe began pumping treated wastewater onto the land. The effort paid...

Tribal water rights bill ready for Bush signature (November 18, 2004)

A bill to settle the water rights of two Arizona tribes is ready for President Bush's signature. The Tohono O'odham Nation near Tucson and the Gila River Indian Community near Phoenix will receive 47 percent of the Central Arizona Project...