Creek Nation pays $1.1M to city after taking control of business (May 23, 2012)

The Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma paid $1.1 million to the city of Jenks, Oklahoma, after taking possession of a business there. The tribe bought RiverWalk Crossing at a foreclosure auction last month. The $1.1 million was owed to the city...

Chickasaw Nation to build heritage center at park in Mississippi (May 23, 2012)

The Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma will help develop a heritage center at the Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi. The center will include replicas of historical Chickasaw living quarters and interpretive exhibits. It will be located at the site of the...

Seventeen people charged for Pine Ridge Reservation drug ring (May 23, 2012)

The U.S. Attorney in South Dakota announced indictments against 17 people for trafficking drugs on and near the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The Oglala Sioux Tribe and other agencies investigated the sale of methamphetamine, marijuana and cocaine on...

Investigation into death of teenage girl from the Navajo Nation (May 23, 2012)

Tribal and federal authorities are investigating the death of an 18-year-old member of the Navajo Nation. Shantelle Benally, 18, was found dead in her home near Shiprock, New Mexico. She had graduated from high school just two days earlier. "We...

Winnemem Wintu Tribe plans blockade of lake during ceremony (May 23, 2012)

The Winnemem Wintu Tribe of California plans to block part of Lake Shasta during a war dance this weekend. The non-recognized tribe asked the U.S. Forest Service to close a section of the lake for its coming-of-age rites. Prior ceremonies...

San Carlos Apache man gets 21 years for murdering his brother (May 23, 2012)

A member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe of Arizona was sentenced to 253 months in federal prison for murdering his younger brother. Derrick Paul McIntosh, 26, pleaded guilty to second degree murder. He admitted that he stabbed his 18-year-old...

Lummi Nation using HUD grant to expand housing development (May 23, 2012)

The Lummi Nation of Washington is using a $500,000 grant to start an expansion of a housing development. The tribe opened the Kwina Village Apartments in January 2011. The 72-unit complex was fully occupied within "a couple months," the tribe's...

Christina Castro: Indigenous women are learning to love the 'V' (May 23, 2012)

"Recently, I participated in a student organized benefit production of The Vagina Monologues at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Written by Eve Ensler, an American playwright, performer, feminist and activist, The Vagina Monologues recounts tender, funny, compelling and horrifying...

Native Sun News: Rapid City hospital put in unhealthy spotlight (May 23, 2012)

The following story was written and reported by Karin Eagle, Native Sun News Staff Writer. All content © Native Sun News. Dennis Banks, American Indian Movement co-founder, prepares to lead a protest march on Rapid City Regional Hospital May 21....

Students: Water rights settlement won't benefit Navajo people (May 23, 2012)

"This April hundreds of Navajo citizens gathered at chapter houses across the reservation to express their concern and opposition to the Navajo-Hopi Little Colorado River Settlement and its companion Senate Bill 2109. The passionate activism expressed at town hall meetings...

Blog: Tohono O'odham Nation tackles diabetes with tribal foods (May 23, 2012)

"The diabetes epidemic so prevalent in Native Americans can lead to further complications and health issues. One tribe, Tohono O'odham Nation, has the highest rates of diabetes in the nation, but they are tackling this problem head on. Part...

First Nations leaders press treaty concerns with Prince Charles (May 23, 2012)

First Nations leaders said they were encouraged by a visit with Prince Charles on Tuesday. Native leaders discussed their treaties with the British Crown. They asked for a meeting with Queen Elizabeth next year to address their concerns about Canada's...

New environmental study being drafted on Makah Tribe whaling (May 23, 2012)

The Obama administration is preparing a new environmental impact statement on a whale hunt for the Makah Tribe of Washington. The 1855 Treaty of Neah Bay guarantees the tribe's right to hunt whales. But the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals...

Tulalip Tribes vice chair shares personal story for VAWA debate (May 23, 2012)

Deborah Parker, the vice chair of the Tulalip Tribes, became a powerful voice for the Violence Against Women Act during a visit to the nation's capital.

Oregon board defends decision to ban use of Indian as mascots (May 23, 2012)

The Oregon Board of Education stands by its decision to ban the use of Indian as mascots, the group's chair said. Public schools will no longer be able to use mascots like the "Indians," "Chiefs" and "Braves." The "Warriors" can...

Poll shows a close Senate race despite flap over Indian identity (May 23, 2012)

Elizabeth Warren, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts remains locked in a tight race with Republican Scott Brown despite controversy about her claims of being Native American. According to a Democratic-commissioned poll, support for Warren and Brown is...

Probe continues into bomb threat at Eastern Shoshone meeting (May 23, 2012)

Members of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe of Wyoming who gathered for a general council meeting on May 12 were forced to evacuate due to a bomb threat. The FBI said no device was found. But the investigation into the threat...

Omaha Tribe attracts more than 900 for march against bullying (May 23, 2012)

The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska hosted March Against Bullying on Tuesday. More than 900 people participated, KTIV-TV reported. They included Lavery Sheridan, a recent high school graduate who said he was bullied as a kid. "I still remember it and...

DC Circuit ruling puts $3.4B settlement closer to Indian Country (May 23, 2012)

The D.C Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday backed the $3.4 billion settlement to the Cobell trust fund lawsuit, clearing the way for payments to go to Indian Country. Barring further appeals, payments could be in the hands of Indian...

DOJ failed to prosecute 65 percent of Indian Country rape cases (May 23, 2012)

The Department of Justice failed to prosecute 65 percent of rape cases on reservations in 2011, The New York Times reports. Arrests are made in just 13 percent of cases reported by American Indian, the paper said. In comparison, the...

Ask Elouise: DC Circuit affirms approval of trust fund settlement (May 23, 2012)

Dear Indian Country, Today, we are pleased to announce that the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit unanimously affirmed the district court’s order granting final approval of the Cobell settlement. As you know, following the U.S. District...