Bush administration opposes NAGPRA amendment (July 29, 2005)

Indianz.Com Listening Lounge, Senate Indian Affairs Committee oversight hearing on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, July 28, 2005. Note: All files in MP3 format. Intro - 2:13 - 392k Panel I - 14:09 -2.4MB Panel II...

Walls of Navajo high school get Native art makeover (July 29, 2005)

Seven students at the Red Mesa High School on the Navajo Nation spent part of their summer break giving the school a Native art makeover. The students decorated the walls of the school with Native art designs. Over 600 feet...

Appeals court stays Lamberth order on notices (July 29, 2005)

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday issued an administrative stay of a ruling that requires the Interior Department to notify Indian beneficiaries of failures in trust management. The stay was issued to give the appeals court more time...

Lakota family passes on Hoop Dance tradition (July 29, 2005)

For the past week, Dallas Chief Eagle and his 7-year-old daughter Delacina have been teaching the Lakota Hoop Dance to kids in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Chief Eagle said the dance teaches boys and girls how to cooperate. He...

Court orders BIA to review Wyandotte trust land (July 29, 2005)

A federal judge this week ordered the Bureau of Indian Affairs to review, once again, its decision to acquire out-of-state land for the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma. In an 11-page ruling [PDF], U.S. District Judge Julie A. Robinson said the...

Judge tosses suit over telescope at sacred site (July 29, 2005)

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit over a telescope project at the sacred Kitt Peak in Arizona. The Tohono O'odham Nation filed the case in March, seeking to halt work at the peak. Since then, the National Science Foundation...

Interior appropriations includes Blackfeet Nation jail (July 29, 2005)

The 2006 Interior appropriations bill set for final approval in Congress includes $3.8 million to replace a detention facility on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana. The facility was identified as one of the worst by the Interior Department's Inspector General....

Tribes meet with USDA to discuss food program (July 29, 2005)

Tribal leaders from across the country met with officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to discuss the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. Representatives from the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe said the federal government...

Southern Ute Tribe debuts business headquarters (July 29, 2005)

The Southern Ute Tribe of Colorado opened a new building to serve as headquarters for some of its businesses. The Growth Fund building is home to the Red Willow Production Co., a natural gas company, a real estate company and...

Red Lake survivor looking forward to school (July 29, 2005)

Steve Cobenais, one of the survivors of the March 21, 2005, shootings on the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota, is looking forward to returning to school in the fall. Cobenais, 15, lost an eye and suffered a severe brain...

Tribal lawyer said not to have license to practice (July 29, 2005)

An attorney who has represented tribes all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court hasn't had a license to practice law since 1993, a rival attorney claims. Robert “Bob” Pelcyger [Bio] took two cases to the Supreme Court on...

Pawlenty wants jurisdiction ruling overturned (July 29, 2005)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) ordered the state to appeal a court decision that restricts state jurisdiction in Indian Country. Pawlenty said the Minnesota Court of Appeals decision threatens public safety because it allows tribal members who live on reservations...

North Dakota Christian hospital adds sacred space (July 29, 2005)

The St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck, North Dakota, dedicated a $350,000 solarium and meditation room to provide a space for Indian and other ceremonies. The space was created in response to concerns by John Eagle Shield, a member of...

Native vets seek recognition for Korean service (July 29, 2005)

The First Nations Korea War Veterans Association held its first official annual gathering in Saskatchewan this week. Hundreds of Natives fought in the war but have not been recognized for their service. When they returned home, they were denied benefits...

Indian woman to re-enact role of Sacagawea (July 29, 2005)

A member of the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe of Montana will play the role of Sacagawea in a Lewis and Clark re-enactment tour this summer. Gloria Wells, 50, will travel with the Discovery Expedition from Montana to the Pacific Ocean....

Jodi Rave: The best fry bread in Indian Country? (July 29, 2005)

"Who makes the best fry bread? Navajos? Other Natives? It depends if you like it sweet and fluffy or round and flat. Most fry bread cooks I know aim for fluff. It's good for dipping in a bowl of corn...

Saginaw Chippewa Tribe breaks ground on center (July 29, 2005)

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan broke ground on a community center to serve tribal members and area residents. The 8,500-square-foot center will include medical examination rooms and a banquet room with seating for 200. It is seven times larger...

McCain revives 'Straight Talk' campaign fund (July 29, 2005)

Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), a failed 2000 presidential candidate, has revived his Straight Talk America political action committee. The PAC has not received any donations [FEC filing] but an adviser said McCain has been "inundated" with requests to campaign...

Votes scheduled on $286.5B transportation bill (July 29, 2005)

The House and Senate are scheduled to vote on a $286.5 billion highway transportation bill. The 1,600-page package is expected to be signed into law by President Bush despite previous assertions that it costs too much. The final bill strips...

House approves energy bill, Senate passage near (July 29, 2005)

The House voted 275-to-156 on Thursday to approve the energy bill. The Senate is expected to vote and approve it today. The 1,724-page package includes $14.5 billion in tax breaks over the next 10 years. It does not authorize drilling...