McCain cites 'obligation' to non-Indian patrons of casinos (September 27, 2005)

As he attempts to strengthen the regulation of the $19 billion Indian gaming industry, Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) reiterated his support for tribal sovereignty last week. "I respect tribal sovereignty and have a clear record of support for tribal sovereignty...

Editorial: Interior's 'self-serving' claims on trust (September 27, 2005)

"Circumstances took new twists last week. The Interior Department said its own audits of accounts it manages for thousands of American Indians have found few errors and little evidence that anyone tampered with records. At the same time, federal officials...

California schools stand by Indian mascots (September 27, 2005)

Nationwide, hundreds of schools and universities have eliminated their Indian mascots but three in southern California say their nicknames are a source of pride. Some tribal leaders agree. Robert Smith, the chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians...

Brother of O'odham chair arrested for drugs (September 27, 2005)

The brother of Tohono O'odham Nation President Vivian Juan-Saunders was arrested by tribal police earlier this month after being found with 137 pounds of marijuana, The Arizona Daily Star reports. Nicholas C. Juan, 39, was pulled over by tribal police...

BIA seeks comments on Oneida Nation trust lands (September 27, 2005)

The Bureau of Indian Affairs on Monday opened a public comment period on the Oneida Nation's application to have 17,000 acres placed in trust. The BIA is seeking the input of local officials in two counties for their views. At...

Federal Register: Wind River Reservation drilling (September 27, 2005)

The Bureau of Indian Affairs, in cooperation with the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, the Northern Arapaho Tribe, the Bureau of Land Management and the Environmental Protection Agency, is preparing an environmental impact statement on proposed gas drilling on the Wind River...

Appeal filed in Narragansett Reservation raid (September 27, 2005)

A member of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island has filed a notice of appeal in the state's violent raid of the reservation on July 14, 2003. Adam Jennings' ankle was broken when state troopers raided the tribe's smoke shop....

Red Lake shooting prompts elders' talking circle (September 27, 2005)

A talking circle at the University of Minnesota brought 13 elders together to respond to the March 21, 2005, shootings on the Red Lake Reservation. An estimated 80 to 100 people attended the forum, entitled "A Time of Truth: Let...

Editorial: Extradition compacts with tribes needed (September 27, 2005)

"Pine Ridge tribal president Cecelia Fire Thunder wants an extradition agreement with the state, before she'll hand over two brothers facing charges related to a fight in Hot Springs. By all means. Let's work out that agreement. We should have...

Program to monitor Indian cases in Minnesota (September 27, 2005)

The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota has launched a program that will monitor court cases involving American Indians. The Greater Minnesota Racial Justice Project is trying to ensure Indians are treated fairly in the justice system. Statistics show that...

Morongo Band awards $30K in college scholarships (September 27, 2005)

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians presented $30,000 in scholarships to three Indian college students who are members of California tribes. Each student is receiving $10,000 from the Rodney T. Mathews, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund. The program, in its second...

Spirit Lake Nation said to cancel UND meeting (September 27, 2005)

The Spirit Lake Nation has called off a meeting with University of North Dakota President Charles Kupchella, school officials said. The tribe was set to meet with Kupchella to discuss the school's "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo. The issue...

Letter: UND president wants to trick tribes on 'Sioux' (September 27, 2005)

"UND President Charles Kupchella has scheduled a visit today to my home reservation, Spirit Lake, to get a resolution that supports the Fighting Sioux logo from the Spirit Lake tribal council. I understand that Kupchella is bringing two students, one...

Yellow Bird: Family opposes tribe's oil refinery (September 27, 2005)

"When I start driving across the state, I am sure that family, rolling prairie, birds and animals will put thoughts of current events out of my head. On a trip this weekend, however, I was drawn into a debate about...

Ex-White House official sought to close GovWorks (September 27, 2005)

A former White House official who was arrested as part of a probe into disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff tried to close a program that has helped tribal businesses secure federal contracts, Government Computer News reports. David Safavian, the former head...

Abramoff also boasted of ties to John Ashcroft (September 27, 2005)

Disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff boasted of his ties to former U.S. attorney general John Ashcroft, The New York Times reports. Abramoff's claims are now part of an investigation into the Bush administration's demotion of a federal prosecutor. Frederick A. Black...

Column: Abramoff scandal a sign of GOP corruption (September 27, 2005)

"Crony capitalism is the name of the Republican game. Their slogan is 'take care of your friends and leave the risks of the free market for the suckers.' That would be John Q. Public. From Halliburton's overcharging in Iraq to...

Tim Giago: Myths and misconceptions about Indians (September 27, 2005)

"In 1960 President John F. Kennedy said, 'The American Indian is the least understood and the most misunderstood of all Americans.' He wasn’t just 'whistling Dixie' on that observation because forty-five years have past since he uttered that comment in...