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Cobell v. Norton Recap: Day 1 of Trial 1.5
What happened on the opening day of Trial 1.5 in the Cobell v....
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In The Hoop: Winners, Losers
Is it Friday already? That means it's time for the weekly list of the movers and shakers in Indian Country and beyond....
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Bush reform plans debated in trust fund trial
A former Department of Interior official gave the Bush administration's trust reform plans a "flunking grade" on Thursday and said they would not fulfill the federal government's obligations to Indian beneficiaries....
Judge to hold hearing on Everglades cleanup
A federal judge in Florida is holding an emergency hearing today on status of the $8 billion Everglades cleanup....
Parents: Santorum tripped over a chair
Senator Rick Santorum, the third-ranking Republican in the Senate, tripped over a chair after a heated meeting with parents of gay and lesbian children who were offended by his recent remarks comparing gays to criminals, The New York Times reports
Santorum met with the parents for 30 minutes, the parents said....
Democrats block federal appeals court nominee
Democrats successfully blocked the nomination of Priscilla Owen, a Texas state judge, to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals....
S.C. recognition bill includes gambling ban
A bill under consideration in the South Carolina Senate would authorize the state to recognize tribes....
Conn. casinos excluded from bill to ban smoking
Connecticut's two tribal casinos are exempt from a bill making its way through the state Legislature....
DOI responsible for former Vieques bombing range
The Department of Interior is now responsible for management of a former bombing range on the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico....
Mich. doesn't recognize off-reservation hunts
The state of Michigan doesn't recognize off-reservation tribal hunting and fishing rights, according to the state Department of Natural Resources....
Bison hazed back into Yellowstone National Park
The state of Montana hazed more than 280 bison back into Yellowstone National Park this week....
FCC to review impact of cell towers on Indian sites
The Federal Communications Commission announced a strategic plan to review the impact of cell towers on historic and sacred sites....
Smithsonian exhibit on ANWR modified
The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History denies bowing to political pressure over an exhibit featuring photos of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge....
Ariz. GOP still steamed over name change
Republican lawmakers in Arizona are seeking a criminal probe into the actions an aide to Governor Janet Napolitano (D) took in pressing for the renaming of Squaw Peak....
Faction accuses 'imposters' of promoting casino
Factions of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians of California are battling over a proposed casino....
Alaska villages impose plastic bag bans
At least 30 communities in Alaska, including Native villages, have banned plastic bags....
Legislation would buy out Tar Creek residents
Representative Brad Carson (D-Oklahoma) proposed legislation to buy out homeowners in the Tar Creek Superfund site....
N.Y. lawmakers consider taxing Indian business
A vote is scheduled today on a bill that would require Indian businesses to remit gas and cigarette tax, The Syracuse Post-Standard reports....
Squaw Peak highway changed in honor of Piestewa
The Arizona Transportation Board voted 5-2 on Thursday to immediately rename Squaw Peak Freeway in honor of Lori Piestewa, the Hopi woman killed in action in Iraq....
Tribal tax bill defeated again in Idaho
The Idaho House on Thursday voted 52-18 to kill a tribal cigarette tax....
Wyo. tribe welcomes decision on casino machine
The Northern Arapaho Tribe of Wyoming says a federal appeals court decision will help expand their gaming facility....
Goshute chairman says scrutiny hurting tribe
The chairman of the Skull Valley Goshute Tribe of Utah says the ongoing scrutiny over the tribe's activities is harmful....
SCIA leaders urged approval of gaming deal
The leaders of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs urged the Bush administration to approve a controversial compact between the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe and the state of Wisconsin, The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports....
Trial in Cobell trust fund case kicks off
Trial 1.5 in the Indian trust fund class action opened in federal court in Washington DC on Thursday....
Most Indian-sponsored bills in Mont. killed
The overwhelming majority, 81 percent, of bills sponsored by Indian lawmakers in Montana were killed this past legislative session, The Helena Independent Record reports....
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Court tackles trust accounting and reform plans
The next phase of the long-running Indian trust fund case gets underway in a federal court today to address the Bush administration's accounting and reform plans....
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Mont. court recognizes tribe through common law
Despite not being recognized by the federal government, the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe possesses attributes of tribal sovereignty, the Montana Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday....
NIGC says Meskwaki Tribe in violation of IGRA
The National Indian Gaming Commission plans to fine the Meskwaki Tribe of Iowa $20,000 a day unless control of the tribe's casino is returned to the elected council, according to news reports....
Babbitt law firm hired for Calif. casino study
The city of Richmond will pay $100,000 to the law firm of Latham and Watkins to study a casino proposed by the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians....
Wis. GOP blames governor for tribal casino shortfall
Wisconsin Republicans criticized Governor Jim Doyle (D) for not fulfilling pledges on new tribal casino compacts at the same they are fighting in court to void the deals....
States trying to use tribes as 'piggy bank'
After years of often being at odds with Indian gaming, states across the nation are looking for ways to expand it in light of holes in their budgets....
Audit finds rampant problems at First Nation casino
A review of the Dakota Tipi First Nation's casino by Manitoba's auditor general has found numerous problems....
Kan. tribes tout benefits of proposed casino
Two Kansas tribes have completed a study of a proposed $170 million casino that they say will create jobs, attract tourists and contribute money to the state....
Fla. governor expected to sign new Everglades bill
Florida Governor Jeb Bush (R) is expected to sign into law a bill that delays cleanup of the Everglades amid criticism that it puts the $8 billion project in jeopardy....
Indians finally take a stand in U.S. Capitol
The National Statuary Hall in the US Capitol will be getting some Indian additions....
Yellow Bird: Black Hills hurt by urban sprawl
"It's unfortunate that Black Hills communities lavish so much attention on shops such as the tourist places selling T-shirts and so on....
Native woman testifies in death of RCMP officer
A Native woman testified in the trial of two people charged with murdering a Native RCMP officer in Manitoba, Canada....
Ellis Island holds ceremony for Lenape remains
The remains of Lenape ancestors accidentally unearthed at Ellis Island in New York 17 years ago are being reburied in a ceremony today....
Alaska Natives sue over voting plan
Two Alaska Natives are suing to force Department of Justice review of a voting plan in the city of Anchorage....
STD problems on reservation worry health officials
Navajo Nation health officials are seeking a partnership with bordertown bar and alcohol establishments in order to combat what is said to be a growing sexually transmitted disease problem....
Navajo Nation jail facility closed for violations
The Indian Health Service shut down a detention center on the Navajo Reservation due to health violations, The Farmington Daily Times reports....
Sask. police officers may have knowledge of death
Two police officers may have knowledge of the death of an Aboriginal youth in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan....
Renzi: Piestewa fought to save lives of others
Arizona Congressman Rick Renzi (R) offered more details about the actions of Lori Piestewa, the Hopi woman killed in action in Iraq....
N.Y. bill seeks to tax Cayuga Nation business
A New York state lawmaker has introduced a bill to tax a business owned by the Cayuga Nation....
Ralph Perdue, Athabaskan leader, dies
Ralph Perdue, a founder of the Fairbanks Native Association, died Tuesday in Fairbanks, Alaska, at the age of 73....
Indian group urges boycott in 'racist' city
A group formed in the wake of the fatal police shooting of a Lakota man in Rapid City, South Dakota, is urging a boycott of three businesses....
Little Shell case could help federal recognition
A Little Shell Chippewa tribal member on the losing side of a Montana Supreme Court decision said the case could help the tribe's bid for federal recognition....
Letter: End the reservation system now!
Creating more opportunities for reservation Indians will not occur until the US Congress does away with the reservation system ("A brighter path," Editorial, Monday).
But the reservation system will not end if people who could bring about change, such as Sen....
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Indian energy title adopted without changes
A Senate panel approved a broad Indian energy package on Tuesday over concerns that it could undermine the federal government's trust responsibilities....
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Reorganization: Meet the 'new' BIA
Bush administration officials say the reorganization of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Office of Special Trustee won't be complete for a few more months....
Mapuche Tribe fights encroachments on land
Mapuche Indian leaders in Chile are fighting commercial tree development that has destroyed their water sources....
Colorado River Tribes sign compact with Ariz.
The Colorado River Indian Tribes reversed course and signed a gaming compact with the state of Arizona....
Trump still upset he's been dumped by tribe
Casino mogul Donald Trump is still complaining about being dumped by the Eastern Pequot Tribe of Connecticut....
U.S. seeks exemption clause in tobacco treaty
The United States said it won't sign a global tobacco treaty unless it is altered to allow the federal government to opt out of clauses deemed objectionable....
Senate confirms Sutton to federal appeals court
The Senate voted 51 to 42, largely along party lines, to confirm attorney Jeffrey Sutton to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals....
Apache tribe in N.M. holds annual pow-wow
The Mescalero Apache Nation of New Mexico holds its annual Southern Eagle Contest Pow-Wow Friday through Sunday....
N.M. high school kicks off Native American week
It's Native American Week at Kirtland Central High School in Kirtland, New Mexico....
Calif. tribe petitions for federal recognition
The Esselen Nation of California is asking the Bureau of Indian Affairs for federal recognition....
N.C. budget cut funds for Lumbee recognition
The North Carolina House and Senate have passed versions of the state budget that cut funds to help the Lumbee Tribe seek federal recognition....
Judge dismisses Conn. recognition lawsuit
Connecticut officials opposed to the recognition of the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation downplayed a federal judge's dismissal of a lawsuit against the Bureau of Indian Affairs....
Wis. governor expects $162M from tribal casinos
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle (D) expects to take in an extra $162 million, in the coming year, from 11 tribal casinos....
Minn. governor seeks end to nuclear plants
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty set out his energy policy on Tuesday and said the state should move toward renewable energy sources instead of relying on nuclear power....
A third of O'odham tribal members lack papers
About 8,400 members of the 25,000-member Tohono O'odham Nation lack documentation to prove their U.S....
Man sentenced to prison for stalking Miss S.D.
A state judge in South Dakota sentenced a man to one year in prison for stalking Miss South Dakota Vanessa Shortbull, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe....
Rosebud Sioux Tribe to dedicate wind turbine
The Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota is dedicating its wind turbine on Thursday....
For Cayuga Nation, a day a century in the making
The Cayuga Nation of New York took the first steps to reclaiming its homeland on Tuesday with the opening of a simple gas station....
Goshute meeting said to be 'usual shouting match'
The Skull Valley Goshute Tribe of Utah held its semi-annual meeting last Saturday with one dissident characterizing it as "the usual shouting match."
The tribe's leaders are being accused of corruption by dissidents, all of whom have filed lawsuits challenging the leaders....
Meskwaki leadership dispute continues
Factions of the Meskwaki Tribe of Iowa continue to disagree over who runs the tribe and its casino....
Mont. bill creates Indian veterans monument
The Montana Legislature approved a bill to create a monument to Indian veterans....
Brun of Red Lake wasn't your ordinary chairman
Friends, associates and tribal officials recalled Gerald "Butch" Brun, the Red Lake Nation chairman who died Saturday, as compassionate, humble and forward-thinking....
Ariz. board to vote on Squaw Peak Freeway
The Arizona State Transportation Board will meet Thursday to consider renaming Squaw Peak Freeway in honor of Lori Piestewa, the Hopi woman killed in action in Iraq....
Alleged Indian man deported from Canada
A man who claims he is Indian but lacks written documentation was deported to the United States from Canada....
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Judge upholds ongoing trust relationship
The federal judge overseeing the Indian trust fund on Monday dismissed the Bush administration's attempt to "dodge" a full historical accounting owed to Indian beneficiaries....
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DOI begins second transition period on Indian affairs
The Bush administration is moving forward with an ambitious plan to overhaul Indian affairs at the Department of Interior despite complaints from tribes and members of Congress....
Bill seeks to renegotiate gaming compacts
A bill has been introduced in the Minnesota Legislature to reopen compact negotiations with the state's tribes....
Family: Alleged Indian always wanted to be Indian
A man who claims to be Indian but lacks documentation is disputing evidence that Canadian officials are using to deport him....
Changes in water level to benefit tribal ranchers
Ranchers on the Rocky Boy's Reservation in Montana will benefit from changes in water management at the Bonneau Dam....
Tohono O'odham Nation to go to polls next month
The Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona will hold a general election May 24....
Minn. tribe schedules another vote on nuke deal
Members of the Prairie Island Indian Community will vote a second time on an agreement with a nuclear utility....
First Nations protest changes in federal policy `
The Canadian government will move ahead with legislation to overhaul the federal-tribal relationship despite protests from First Nations....
Mont. bill formalizes state-tribal relationship
The Montana Legislature passed a bill to formalize the state-tribal relationship....
Billy Mills scholarship will help Indian teachers
The Billy Mills Running Strong for American Indian Youth Scholarship Fund has been created at Kansas University for Indian students who want to become teachers....
Oneida group claims status as separate tribe
An attorney for the Marble Hill Oneidas of New York disputed a 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on the tribe's status as a separate tribe....
Wis. compact allows games at convenience stores
A new compact signed between the state of Wisconsin and the Ho-Chunk Nation allows the tribe to put casino games at two of its convenience stores....
More than 1,000 march in Navajo Nation rally
More than 1,000 marched in a rally on the Navajo Nation to support Native veterans and Native Americans in the military, The Farmington Daily Times reported....
Oneida Nation awaits ruling on tax status
The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals is set to decide whether local governments can tax land owned by the Oneida Nation of New York....
Cayuga Nation reacquires former reservation
The Cayuga Nation of New York has reacquired four acres of its former reservation, and plans to acquire 160 more acres, according to news reports....
Editorial: Don't negotiate state sovereignty
The state of California should not negotiate its campaign finance requirements on a tribe-by-tribe basis, The Sacramento Bee says in an editorial....
Miccosukee Tribe opposes new Everglades bill
An attorney for the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida criticized a bill passed by the Florida Senate that changes deadlines in the cleanup of the Everglades....
Editorial: Reservations offer little for residents
Everyone should do their part to improve economic conditions in Indian Country, The Arizona Republic says in an editorial....
Some tribes concerned about Indian energy bill
Some tribes are concerned about an Indian energy bill introduced by Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado), The Denver Post reports....
Identify the unnamed 'aide' to Sen. Campbell
Indian Country Today runs a story citing an unnamed "aide" to Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado), chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee....
Oral argument transcript posted in Inyo County case
The Supreme Court web site has posted a transcript of the oral argument session for Inyo County v....
BIA to add three names to police officer memorial
The Bureau of Indian Affairs will add three names to its memorial to fallen police officers....
Battle brews over rights to Eastern Pequot casino
Two developers are claiming the right to develop a casino for the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut....
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On tribal recognition, Martin treads familiar path
The acting head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs on Friday said she feels "sympathy" for tribes seeking federal recognition, having grown up on a reservation where her family's Indian identity was denied....
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The Week in Review
The Bush administration went before a federal appeals court this week to challenge Secretary of Interior Gale Norton's recent contempt citation for her handling of the Indian trust....
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N.D. tribe's bison herd found in good shape
An inspection of the bison herd owned by the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of North Dakota has found no mismanagement....
Tribal casinos around the country draw top talent
If you want to catch comic and "Tonight" show host Jay Leno, head to the nearest reservation....
Court rulings on campaign donations in conflict
A California judge ruled that the state's campaign finance laws do not apply to tribal governments, a ruling that is conflict with another one on the subject....
Oneida Nation students raise money for Piestewa
Students at the Oneida Nation Elementary School in Wisconsin have started a penny drive to raise money for Lori Piestewa, the Hopi woman killed in action in Iraq....
Aboriginals protest lack of consultation
Aboriginals in Canada are protesting lawmakers' efforts to overhaul the federal-tribal relationship....
Opposition voiced to expansion of bingo hall
A provision in a new compact signed by the Ho-Chunk Nation and Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle (D) authorizes the expansion of the tribe's bingo hall in Madison to a full casino....
Alleged Indian faces deportation from Canada
Officials in Canada are planning to deport a man who claims he is Indian....
Exhibit documents Native Americans in prison
An exhibit at the Mid America All-Indian Center in Wichita, Kansas, documents historical imprisonment of Native Americans and the paintings of Leonard Peltier....
YMCA drops Indian 'guide' and 'princess' program
Some parents who participate in the YMCA's "Indian Guide" and Indian "princess" program are upset that the national organization is phasing them out....
Neb. school and Omaha Tribe come together
Omaha culture was a centerpiece of a gathering at the Lincoln Indian Center in Nebraska on Friday....
Congressman says Tar Creek report being held up
The White House is delaying a report on the Tar Creek Superfund site over concerns about the government's mismanagement of Indian royalties, Oklahoma Congressman Brad Carson (D) said....
Editorial: Native languages should be taught
Native American children should be taught their language and culture in school, The Farmington Daily Times says in an editorial....
Records set and met at Native Youth Olympics
The 2003 Native Youth Olympics were held in Anchorage, Alaska, last week....
Crow Tribe begins to enforce fish and game laws
The Crow Tribe of Montana has begun enforcing fish and game laws on the reservation....
BIA hydrologist to investigate mine near sacred lake
The Bureau of Indian Affairs has hired a hydrologist to investigate a proposed coal mine near a lake sacred to the Zuni Tribe of New Mexico....
Report: Search for Lakota soldier incomplete
A special investigation into the death of Alan Two Crow, a Lakota soldier found dead at West Point Military Academy in New York, turned up irregularities in the search, The Middletown Times Herald-Record reports....
Red Lake Nation chairman dies after short illness
Gerald "Butch" Brun, the chairman of the Red Lake Nation of Minnesota, died Saturday after a short illness....
AICF creates scholarship fund in Piestewa's honor
The American Indian College Fund has created a scholarship fund in honor of Lori Piestewa, the Hopi woman killed in action in Iraq....
Hopi Tribe holds ceremony in honor of Piestewa
The Hopi Tribe of Arizona held a ceremony on Friday for Lori Piestewa, the tribal member killed in action in Iraq....
Wis. governor signs seven new gaming compacts
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle (D) signed new gaming compacts with seven tribes on Friday....
BIA's Martin has few answers for Navajo Nation
Aurene Martin, the acting head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs spoke to the Navajo Nation council on Thursday....
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1 Tribes rush to respond to new coronavirus emergency created by Trump administration
2 'At this rate the entire tribe will be extinct': Zuni Pueblo sees COVID-19 cases double as first death is confirmed
3 Arne Vainio: 'A great sickness has been visited upon us as human beings'
4 Arne Vainio: Zoongide'iwin is the Ojibwe word for courage
5 Cayuga Nation's division leads to a 'human rights catastrophe'
2 'At this rate the entire tribe will be extinct': Zuni Pueblo sees COVID-19 cases double as first death is confirmed
3 Arne Vainio: 'A great sickness has been visited upon us as human beings'
4 Arne Vainio: Zoongide'iwin is the Ojibwe word for courage
5 Cayuga Nation's division leads to a 'human rights catastrophe'
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