California woman fine with digging up graves (October 18, 2006)

A California woman designated as a "most-likely descendant" says she doesn't know much about her heritage and wasn't raised with "myths" about burial sites. Ramona Garibay says she is affiliated with the Ohlone, Miwok and Patwin tribes. That's good enough...

SUNY college creates Center for Native Peoples (October 18, 2006)

The State University of New York's College of Environmental Science and Forestry announced the creation of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment. The center will be headed by Dr. Robin Kimmerer, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation...

Town denies attack on tribe in trust land case (October 18, 2006)

After 16 years of litigation, a South Dakota town says its battle against the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe was not about sovereignty. The Oacoma Town Board fought the tribe's request to have 91 acres placed in trust. But the U.S....

Yellow Bird: Tribes need freedom of the press (October 18, 2006)

"Monday evening, a candidate for tribal chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes in New Town, N.D., said he supported a free press for the reservation. I will take him at his word. But history tells me two things: First, a...

Jodi Rave: UN to honor Chief Arvol Looking Horse (October 18, 2006)

"A spiritual leader from the Great Sioux Nation will be honored today at the United Nations headquarters in New York for his work in encouraging world peace. “Chief Arvol Looking Horse was chosen because he’s one of the great...

11-year-old girl set on fire on reserve in Manitoba (October 18, 2006)

A 12-year-old boy is facing criminal charges for his role in setting an 11-year-old girl on fire on the Chemawawin Cree Nation in Manitoba. The 12-year-old and two 11-year-old boys were playing with bug repellent spray and lighting themselves on...

Navajo women accuse Shirley staffer of racism (October 18, 2006)

A group of Navajo women organized a march in response to comments allegedly made by a staffer to Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. The Women Against Racism say staff assistant Clinton Jim made disparaging remarks about Navajos of...

Navajo Nation to extradite couple to New Mexico (October 18, 2006)

The Navajo Nation will extradite a couple wanted on child abuse charges in the state of New Mexico. Russell Wilson, 33, and Julie Wilson, 34, have been wanted since September 11. They are accused of sexually abusing minors and child...

Sycuan Band opens downtown San Diego hotel (October 18, 2006)

The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation reopened the doors to the famed U.S. Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego. The tribe bought the hotel in 2003 for $45 million. The tribe spent $52 million on renovations. The purchase was...

Death of Omaha toddler still under investigation (October 18, 2006)

The death of a 20-month-old member of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska is still under investigation, although final reports might be ready this week. Nathaniel Saunsoci-Mitchell died on September 22 in a foster home off the reservation. He was...

Book Review: The Native movement in Bolivia (October 18, 2006)

"It used to be referred to as Oblivia, a small landlocked country ruled by a typically corrupt elite. About three years ago, however, news from Bolivia started creeping toward the front pages of our press as large groups of...

BIA to sign agreement to remove Klamath dam (October 18, 2006)

The Bureau of Indian Affairs will sign an agreement on Thursday to remove the Chiloquin dam in the Klamath Basin in Oregon. The dam was built in 1918 as an irrigation project for the Klamath Tribes. The federal government terminated...

Report alleges misspending on Mohawk community (October 18, 2006)

Canada's public safety minister disclosed the existence of a report that alleges the government spent $34 million on law enforcement for the Kanesatake First Nation in Quebec. Minister Stockwell Day said criminal charges could be possible over $9 million in...

Ho-Chunk Inc teams with Wisconsin tribe (October 18, 2006)

Ho-Chunk Inc., the economic development corporation of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, is launching a new venture. HCI will work with Potawatomi Business Development Corp., the economic development arm of the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe of Wisconsin. They are creating...

Viejas Band to swear in first fire department (October 18, 2006)

The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians in southern California will swear in its first fire department. The tribe currently contracts with other fire departments for services. Prior to 1996, the tribe relied on volunteers. The Viejas Fire Department is staffed...

Studies tout health benefits of eating fish regularly (October 18, 2006)

Two new studies tout the benefits of eating fish regularly but one is more optimistic than the other. A study by Harvard School of Public Health found that the benefits of fish outweigh the risks associated with mercury and other...

Editorial: What's that smell? It's just Capitol Hill (October 18, 2006)

"As predicaments go for champions of family values, few can top the embarrassment suffered by Representative Curt Weldon when federal agents raided the home of his daughter, a Washington lobbyist, in search of evidence that the powerful lawmaker helped her...