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In The Hoop
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2001

Welcome to In The Hoop, Indianz.Com's occasional column about assorted Indian issues.

In The Hoop: The Scorecard
Is it Friday already? That means it's time for the weekly list of who were the movers and shakers in Indian Country and beyond.

The Winners
Anthrax - For forcing the House to close, the Senate to test thousands of staffers and Americans to clamor for Cipro amid growing fear. And for causing such a frenzy among members of the media you would think they all have contracted it. At least Native newsrooms have some sense.

White people - For being so important that the Census counted you twice. Congratulations! This should definitely help Indian Country.

Little Bighorn Warriors - For finally getting a memorial that honors your brave battle to defend your homeland. Too bad it's only a hundred years late.

The Department of Interior - The only good news you got this week was approval of funding for fiscal year 2002. Better savor it while you can.

The Losers
Secretary of Interior Gale Norton - For submitting what a court monitor has called an "untruthful, inaccurate and incomplete" report to a federal judge overseeing the trust fund lawsuit. Does this count as part of your effort to streamline trust reform?

Secretary Gale Norton - For submitting what your own agency has called erroneous testimony to a Senate panel debating drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Gwich'in Nation probably won't invite you back to Arctic Village now.

Secretary Gale Norton - For giving so much "authority" to Special Trustee Tom Slonaker that the Bureau of Indian Affairs won't listen to him. So much for that secretarial order.

Secretary Gale Norton - For letting Solicitor Bill Myers try and intimidate BIA managers into verifying a report no one else would bother certifying.

In The Middle
Special Trustee Tom Slonaker - For more than a year now, you've tried to fix trust reform, only to face obstacles by two administrations. When are you going to step down?

The Little Shell Chippewa - You've got the support of Montana Gov. Judy Martz for your federal recognition. Will it be enough to convince Assistant Terminator Neal McCaleb?

Oklahoma Indian Museum - Everyone wants to use federal funds to build you. Except prodigal son and former Transportation Secretary Neal McCaleb. Back to the drawing board!

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - Hopes are up with the revelation of misleading testimony sent to Congress. But we're pretty sure the Republicans have some tricks up their sleeve still.

In Your Hoop
Who are your winners and losers? Email In the Hoop and let us know!

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