Ms. Blog: Some things you need to know about Native women (February 7, 2012)

"It’s no exaggeration to say that American Indian women are missing from most media coverage, history books and classroom discussions. But at least journalism students, instructors and state educators in Nebraska are doing something to help end America’s ignorance of...

Opinion: IHS includes natural health discipline in loan program (February 7, 2012)

"A bit of integrative medicine history was made in January 2012 when the U.S. Indian Health Service (IHS) quietly announced that licensed naturopathic doctors, acupuncturists and chiropractors would be included in 2012 in the IHS' student loan repayment programs. The...

Jeromy Sullivan: Protect Port Gamble from overdevelopment (February 7, 2012)

"I want to take a moment to respond to The Sun's Feb. 2 Our View editorial, "Growing Pains for Port Gamble," which addressed efforts by Olympic Property Group to seek county approval for a dock large enough to support tour...

Opinion: False allegations against San Manuel Band chairman (February 7, 2012)

"In January 2007, I was chosen to initiate the Sheriff's Specialized Enforcement Division. One of the many responsibilities of this unit included investigations of local gangs. Arms of this unit co-joined with members of the San Bernardino Police Department and...

Rep. Markey calls for hearing on Alaska Native corporations (February 7, 2012)

Rep. Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts) is calling on the House Natural Resources Committee to hold a hearing on Alaska Native corporations. Markey, the top Democrat on the committee, said the Government Accountability Office is urging reforms in the way Alaska Native...

Redding Rancheria starts construction on new health facility (February 7, 2012)

The Redding Rancheria of California started work on a new tribal health facility. The tribe purchased the former Redding Physicians Center last year for $2.6 million. The tribe is spending $3 million to remodel the building. The center replaces the...

House approves bill to move Quileute Tribe to safer grounds (February 7, 2012)

The House voted 381-7 on Monday to approve H.R.1162, a bill that allows the Quileute Tribe of Washington to move out of a tsunami zone. The bill transfers 785 acres within Olympic National Park to the tribe. The land will...

Mississippi Choctaws receive $2.5M in transportation grants (February 7, 2012)

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has received more than $2.5 million in transportation grants. The tribe received $2 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, plus another $192,000 grant. The money will be used to build a transit...

Gila River Indian Community considers reservation highway (February 7, 2012)

Members of the Gila River Indian Community of Arizona are voting today to decide whether they want a state highway through the reservation. Tribal members are considering three options: to support the current route for the highway, to support a...

British Columbia chooses reserve as site of detention facility (February 7, 2012)

The British Columbia government selected the Osoyoos Indian Band as its partner for a new detention facility. The province will build the 360-cell center on land owned by the band. The project is expected to generate 500 jobs, including 240...

Larry Echo Hawk: How being a Mormon helped me succeed (February 7, 2012)

"I had not been a good student through junior high and high school. I struggled because my mind was not focused on school. I loved sports but not academics. The Book of Mormon was the first large book that I...

Mohawk man charged for digging up ground at Superfund site (February 7, 2012)

A Mohawk man was indicted on felony and misdemeanor charges for removing soil from a Superfund site near the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation in New York. Larry Thompson, whose Mohawk name is Kanietakeron, owns property adjacent to the General Motors...

Leader of Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation faces removal (February 7, 2012)

The leader of the Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation in the Yukon faces removal from his job. Band members became upset when Chief Eddie Skookum was arrested on domestic violence and drunken driving charges in Alaska. They also say he...

DC Circuit set to hear first of challenges to Cobell settlement (February 7, 2012)

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals is set to hear an objection to the Indian trust fund lawsuit next Thursday, February 16. The appeal was filed by Kimberly Craven, an outspoken critic of the settlement. She has not opted out...

New Mexico Secretary of Indian Affairs hasn't been confirmed (February 7, 2012)

Lawmakers still haven't confirmed Arthur Allison, a member of the Navajo Nation, as New Mexico's Secretary of Indian Affairs, 11 months after being named to the job. Allison, 64, has faced controversy over a gas station and convenience store he...

Julia Good Fox: A unified political platform for Indian Country (February 7, 2012)

"Is a unified platform a political necessity for Indian Country? Yes, of course it is. Last week, National Congress of American Indians President, Jefferson Keel (Chickasaw), delivered the NCAI’s 2012 State of Indian Nations. Entitled, “A Vision for ‘Our America,’”...

Steve Russell: Talking Mitt Romney with cousin Ray Sixkiller (February 7, 2012)

"“We ain’t even two months into the election year, and the thing is already going to the dogs.” Cousin Ray Sixkiller had been laying off politics since the Cherokee elections but I could sense that the wind was about to...

Pueblo man charged in connection with woman's brutal death (February 7, 2012)

A man from Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico has been charged in connection with the death of a woman from the Navajo Nation. Gavin Yepa, 26, was indicted on a charge of sexual assault resulting in death. If convicted, he...

Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation files federal recognition lawsuit (February 7, 2012)

The Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut is suing the Bureau of Indian Affairs in hopes of gaining federal recognition. The Bush administration agreed to recognize the tribe but changed its position after challenges from opponents in Connecticut. A lawsuit...

Opinion: Jack Abramoff still trying to say sorry for his crimes (February 7, 2012)

"Fallen super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff is out of prison now but still doing penance. On Monday afternoon, he performed the Washington equivalent of donning a hair shirt: He appeared before the liberal advocacy group Public Citizen to field questions from reporters...