Panel tackles land claim, sovereignty issues (November 28, 2006)

The final panel in a yearlong series on the Onondaga Nation's land claim was held in Syracuse, New York, last night. Scott Lyons, a Syracuse University assistant professor, pointed out that the U.S. Constitution recognizes tribal sovereignty. He said sovereignty...

High court rejects state raid, land claim (November 28, 2006)

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear two Indian law cases on Monday, closing the doors on a contentious sovereignty case and another tribal land claim. In the first case, the justices rejected an appeal from the Narragansett Tribe of...

First Nations sign health plan worth $24M (November 28, 2006)

First Nations leaders in British Columbia signed a $24 million health plan with the province and the Canadian government on Monday. The First Nations Health Plan aims to increase life expectancy, reduce suicide among youth and reduce diabetes and infant...

Another 'nation' recognized within Canada (November 28, 2006)

The Canadian Parliament passed a motion that recognizes the Québécois as a "nation" within Canada. The Assembly of First Nations is worried the motion will have an effect on First Nations, whose rights are recognized by the Canadian Constitution. AFN...

Minnesota tribes host economic summit (November 28, 2006)

Three Minnesota tribes are hosting an economic development summit and trade show this week. The White Earth Band, the Leech Lake Band and the Red Lake Nation are hosting the summit. Speakers include "Famous" Dave Anderson, former Sen. Ben Nighthorse...

Tribes back Dorgan as chair of Indian Affairs panel (November 28, 2006)

Tribal and Indian leaders are welcoming Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota) as the new chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. Dorgan will take over the panel in the 110th Congress under Democratic control. He plans to make education,...

Rosebud Sioux brothers proud to serve in military (November 28, 2006)

Two brothers from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota say they are carrying on Lakota and family tradition by serving in the U.S. military. Colin Whitebird, 23, interrupted his college studies to enlist. He was injured August 31...

Navajos upset over BIA treatment of elder (November 28, 2006)

Members of the Navajo Nation are upset with the treatment of an elderly woman by Bureau of Indian Affairs rangers. Rena Babbitt Lane, 84, says she was assaulted by the three rangers on November 4. She says they are...

Red Lake brothers vanish without a trace (November 28, 2006)

Authorities are trying to figure out what happened to two brothers who disappeared on the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota. Tristan A. White, 4, and Avery Lee Stately, 2, were last seen playing in front of their home on...

Dartmouth apologizes for hosting UND 'Sioux' (November 28, 2006)

Dartmouth College in New Hampshire is drawing attention for apologizing for hosting a hockey tournament with the University of North Dakota "Fighting Sioux." Dartmouth athletic director Josie Harper called UND's nickname "offensive and wrong" and apologized for recent incidents...

Tohono O'odham plan more protests at border (November 28, 2006)

Members of the Tohono O'odham Nation are planning more protests at the U.S.-Mexico border to draw attention to a proposed waste dump near a sacred site. About 1,000 tribal members tied up traffic on the border on Sunday. They say...

Wyoming tribes assert jurisdiction over town (November 28, 2006)

The Eastern Shoshone Tribe and the Northern Arapaho Tribe are asserting jurisdiction over a town that they say is still part of the Wind River Reservation. A tribal judge recently said Riverton is Indian Country. The town is completely surrounded...

Oglala leaders object to another election (November 28, 2006)

Five newly-elected leaders of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota object to a call for a new election. The five council member say outgoing president Alex White Plume has no authority to order a new election. They want to...

Morongo Band to prosecute theft of boulder (November 28, 2006)

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians of California will prosecute the person or persons responsible for the theft of a boulder from the reservation. The boulder weighs 500 to 800 pounds and has been used by the tribe since the...

Another fire burns at Torres Martinez dump (November 28, 2006)

Another fire is flaring at an illegal dump on the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Reservation in southern California. The dump is on individual Indian land. The tribe and the federal government have had trouble asserting authority over the site,...

Mel Gibson attends Cabazon Band powwow (November 28, 2006)

Actor Mel Gibson attended the powwow held by the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians on Saturday evening. Gibson met with tribal leaders before the grand entry. His publicist said it was his "first-ever" powwow. Cabazon Chairman John James said...