Some crimes, arrests increase among Native Americans (October 18, 2005)

The number of violent crimes and property crimes declined in 2004, the FBI reported on Monday, but certain incidents involving American Indians and Alaska Natives increased. Nationwide, violent crime -- including murder, robbery and aggravated assault -- fell by 1.2...

Thousands pouring into Fairbanks for AFN (October 18, 2005)

More than 3,000 people are expected in Fairbanks this week as the Alaska Federation of Natives holds its annual conference. This is the first time since 1988 that convention has been held in Fairbanks rather than Anchorage. Organizers hope more...

Yankton Sioux toddler's death blamed on gas spill (October 18, 2005)

A two-year-old boy from the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota died after a gasoline spill caused a flash fire, the state fire marshal said. Joseph Miller was playing with his sister in the basement of their home. Somehow, a...

Washington tribe forced to stop fishing due to oil spill (October 18, 2005)

The Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe of Washington has been forced to stop fishing and will delay a geoduck-clam harvest due to an oil spill. The spill occurred near the Hood Canal Bridge on Port Gamble Bay. The reservation is...

Art Reviews: Native artists showcase glass work (October 18, 2005)

The Seattle Times reviews two new exhibits that showcase the works of Native glass artists. "Fusing Traditions: Transformations in Glass by Native American Artists" is running at the Burke Museum and features several artists. "Curated by Roslyn Tunis and...

Tomahawk stolen from historic site in Washington (October 18, 2005)

The FBI is investigating the theft of a tomahawk from the Whitman Mission National Historic Site in southeastern Washington. The tomahawk was believed to have been used to kill Dr. Marcus Whitman, a 19th century missionary, on November 29,...

Objections from tribe delay construction project (October 18, 2005)

The city of Santa Fe is delaying a $54 million construction project due to objections from Tesuque Pueblo, whose ancestral home is located in the city. The city wants to tear down the old convention center and put up a...

U.S. Supreme Court won't hear big tobacco case (October 18, 2005)

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear the Bush administration's attempt to seek as much as $280 billion from big tobacco companies. Without comment, the justices let stand a lower court ruling that limited the amount of damages...

Pine Ridge president disputes latest complaint (October 18, 2005)

Cecilia Fire Thunder, the first woman president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, is waging a public campaign against a complaint that seeks her ouster. Fire Thunder will meet with reporters on Thursday, October 20, to discuss a...

Wyoming tribes weigh impact of coalbed drilling (October 18, 2005)

The Eastern Shoshone Tribe and the Northern Arapaho Tribe are weighing the impacts of coalbed methane development on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. Tribal leaders are worried about potential damage to the environment, the Associated Press reported. Coalbed drilling...

Tim Giago: Two friends make journey to spirit world (October 18, 2005)

"My world became a lot smaller this week. Two of my dear friends made that trip the Lakota people call 'The Journey to the Spirit World.' Several years ago a robust woman with a ready smile walked into my office,...

Judge sides with tribe, U.S. on Tongue River bed (October 18, 2005)

A federal magistrate is siding with the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and the federal government in a dispute over the Tongue River. U.S. Magistrate Richard Anderson is recommending that a lawsuit challenging the ownership of the riverbed be dismissed. That would...

Yellow Bird: An unusual remedy for arthritis sufferers (October 18, 2005)

"This weekend, I went home to White Shield, N.D., for a family get-together. After the gathering, the family sat around visiting. I, this wise woman from afar, suggest home remedies such as roots and herbs from time to time. On...

Mississippi Choctaws gave to DeLay's party fund (October 18, 2005)

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, a wealthy former client of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, gave money to Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) so he could throw parties at the 2000 Republican convention, USA Today reports. The amount of the donation...

Editorial: Abramoff scandal has Hollywood makings (October 18, 2005)

"The most recent installment in the continuing saga of Jack Abramoff sounds more like a Hollywood thriller than a real-life account of the stealthy operations of one of the capital's most powerful lobbyists as he maneuvered to kill an Internet...

Ohio Congressman a big focus of Abramoff probe (October 18, 2005)

Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) is under investigation by federal prosecutors for his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, The Washington Post reports. The investigation concerns Abramoff's purchase of a fleet of casino boats in Florida. Abramoff and Adam Kidan,...

Senate Indian Affairs schedules lobbying hearing (October 18, 2005)

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee has scheduled a fourth hearing into the tribal lobbying scandal that has enveloped Washington, D.C., for more than a year. The hearing will take place Wednesday, October 26. Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), the chairman of...

House Resources Committee to take up Makah bill (October 18, 2005)

The House Resources Committee will take up a measure to express support for the Makah Nation's whale hunt at a markup session on Wednesday, October 19. The title of the resolution is "Expressing the sense of the Congress upholding the...