Diverse views aired at Indian gaming discussion (November 19, 2004)

"Indian Casino Gaming: Friend or Foe to the Community?" was the title of a panel presented by the Library of Congress on Thursday but debate appeared to tip more towards the friend side of the question. That doesn't happen too...

Campbell threatens to derail omnibus over rider (November 19, 2004)

Retiring Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado) is threatening to derail the massive omnibus appropriations bill if it contains a rider allowing a tribal casino in Colorado. Campbell and others from Colorado say they have heard of a possible rider benefiting...

Pueblo man sentenced for mudering mother (November 19, 2004)

A man from Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico was sentenced to 6 1/2 years for murdering his 71-year-old mother. Louis P. Romero admitted to killing his mother, Maria Sophia Romero, with an ax and burning her body in a stove....

Congress extends housing loans for Native vets (November 19, 2004)

A measure that will extend a home loan program for Native veterans has been cleared by both chambers of Congress. H.R.5153, the Native American Veterans Home Loan Act of 2004, was sponsored by Stephanie Herseth (D-South Dakota). It will extend...

Canada's Supreme Court sides with First Nations (November 19, 2004)

Governments have a legal obligation to consult with First Nations about the use of traditional territory even if aboriginal title hasn't been proven, Canada's Supreme Court ruled on Thursday. The court issued two decisions involving First Nations from British Columbia....

Gila River woman last of traditional potters (November 19, 2004)

Dorothea Sunn-Avery, a member of the Gila River Indian Community, is one of the last traditional potters of the Maricopa, or Pee Posh, people. Sunn-Avery learned how to make pottery from her grandmother. But she didn't start making pots until...

Air Force base honors Indian military tradition (November 19, 2004)

Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota held a ceremony on Thursday to recognize the achievements of Indians in the military. The base has 18 Indian airmen. Nationally, Indians are 11 percent of the country's military force, the base commander...

South Dakota tribe's college on shaky ground (November 19, 2004)

The university owned by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota is having more financial problems. Si Tanka University was unable to make its payroll and is in foreclosure litigation over $6.6 million in loans. The school is also...

Diedrich seeks nomination as Agriculture Secretary (November 19, 2004)

South Dakota Republican Larry Diedrich didn't win the U.S. House election on November 2 but he could be headed to Washington, D.C., anyway. Diedrich has put himself in the running as Secretary of Agriculture or another top agriculture post. He...

Fight over Montana tribal riverbed continues (November 19, 2004)

Outgoing Montana Gov. Judy Martz (R) says she will defend her decision to drag the state into a lawsuit disputing the Northern Cheyenne Tribe's ownership of a riverbed. Martz joined the suit over the objections of other state officials. Democrat...

Effort seeks to reduce smoking among Natives (November 19, 2004)

An anti-smoking campaign in California is seeking to reduce high rates of smoking among Natives in the state. According to a 2001 survey, 30 percent of California Natives use tobacco. That was the highest rate among all ethnic and racial...

Former Ney chief of staff worked with Abramoff (November 19, 2004)

A former staffer for Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio), a player in a $4.2 million scheme to help the Tigua Tribe of Texas reopen its casino, worked with lobbyist Jack Abramoff, The Cleveland Plain-Dealer reports. Ney claims he was misled by...

Bill for North Dakota tribe's clinic sent to Bush (November 19, 2004)

A bill to fulfill a 50-year-old promise to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of North Dakota has been sent to President Bush for his signature. S.1146, the Three Affiliated Tribes Health Facility Compensation Act, authorizes the construction of a...

IHS selects director for Oklahoma City area (November 19, 2004)

John Daugherty Jr., a member of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, has been selected as the director for the Oklahoma City Area of the Indian Health Service. IHS director Dr. Charles Grim announced the appointment after a selection process...

Cayuga Nation settles land claim with New York (November 19, 2004)

The Cayuga Nation of New York and Gov. George Pataki (R) announced a settlement to the tribe's land claim that will allow a casino in the Catskills. The deal means both tribal plaintiffs in the 64,000-acre land claim have settled....

Bill could help settle water rights in North Dakota (November 19, 2004)

The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians is promoting a bill that could help settle water rights of tribes in North Dakota. The bill is still being drafted but would give the state Water Commission the authority to negotiate water...

Fossil called common ancestor of apes and humans (November 19, 2004)

Research published in today's issue of the journal Science reports of a fossil in Spain that paleontologists believe may be the last common ancestor of great apes and humans. The nearly complete set of remains were hailed as a major...

Tribal water rights bill has benefits for cities (November 19, 2004)

A bill to settle the water rights of two Arizona tribe also benefits other fast-growing communities in the greater Phoenix area. Phoenix and other cities are already making plans to use their additional allocation from the Central Arizona Project. The...

Specter backed as chairman of Judiciary panel (November 19, 2004)

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania) was backed as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday after he drafted a statement promising to use a "litmus test" to block anti-abortion court nominees. Republicans still need to vote on his position in...