News Roundup: It happened over the holiday (January 7, 2004)

Many people underwent serious withdrawal during the Christmas holiday. Not because they were waiting on the Bureau of Indian Affairs to send their royalty checks, but because Indianz.Com took its annual vacation. We got lots of email, a few phone...

Schwarzenegger seeks revenues from gaming tribes (January 7, 2004)

Declaring "respect" for tribal sovereignty, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Tuesday said he would appoint a negotiator to seek a greater share of Indian gaming revenues. During his first State of the State speech, the actor repeated a familiar...

Yellow Bird: 'DreamKeepers' breaks stereotypes (January 7, 2004)

"I don't like and rarely watch two-part films on television because it means I have to be in place in front of the TV the next evening. I also don't like most films about Native Americans. I am squeamish about...

Ex-BIA employee resentenced for drunk driving deaths (January 7, 2004)

A former Bureau of Indian Affairs employee was resentenced to 20 years in federal prison on Monday for causing the deaths of four people during a drunk driving accident in New Mexico. Lloyd Larson received the exact same sentence handed...

Indian vote eyed in race between Thune and Daschle (January 7, 2004)

Former Congressman John Thune (R) on Monday announced his campaign against Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) this year. Thune ran for Senate in 2002 but lost a close race to Tim Johnson, a Democrat. Indian voters carried Johnson to victory. Johnson...

Navajos call for more time to comment on water deal (January 7, 2004)

Navajo tribal members were critical of a proposed water settlement between the Navajo Nation, the state of New Mexico and the federal government, The Farmington Daily Times reported. At a meeting on Monday, tribal members demanded more time to comment...

For Shakopee Tribe, 2003 was a year of giving (January 7, 2004)

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of Minnesota made nearly $7.9 million in charitable donations to non-profit organizations and tribal governments in 2003. The tribe's annual Strengthening Communities report, received by chairman Stanley Crooks, documented the tribe's donations. "We recognize that...

Mashantucket Tribe swears in council members (January 7, 2004)

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut held a swearing in ceremony on Monday for council members. Chairman Michael Thomas, secretary Charlene Jones and councilor Rodney Butler took an oath of office. Thomas said the tribe should work with local...

Inquiry into death of Native teen resumes testimony (January 7, 2004)

The inquiry into the 1990 death of a Native teen in Saskatchewan, Canada, resumed this week. Neil Stonechild, 17, was found frozen to death on the outskirts of town in Saskatoon. Many in the Native community suspect police involvement. Testimony...

Oregonian: Alcohol, drugs and abuse destroy family (January 7, 2004)

"Dorothy Yahtin spotted the glow of the Simnasho Longhouse, cars still in the parking lot, and limped toward the light. The rugged hills of the Warm Springs Reservation, flecked with sage, stretched toward the dark horizon. Her hands were freezing...

Mich. tribe files suit over land on Norte Dame campus (January 7, 2004)

The Hannahville Indian Community of Michigan filed a lawsuit in federal court last month claiming ownership of land on the University of Notre Dame campus in Indiana. The tribe says it is the rightful owner of the property. The lawsuit...

E-mail leads to libel charges against tribal member (January 7, 2004)

A member of the Walker River Paiute Tribe of Nevada has been charged with criminal defamation in tribal court for an e-mail that criticized a tribal employee. Patty Hicks says the case is being pushed through because she led a...

Rincon Tribe throws out third of ballots in election (January 7, 2004)

A third of the votes cast in the recent election for the Rincon Tribe of California were thrown out, The North County Times reports. A total of 111 votes, out of 332, were not counted. According to the tribe's election...

Native films to be screened during Sundance festival (January 7, 2004)

The 2004 Sundance Film Festival has selected 16 films to screen as part of its Native Forum, designed to showcase the innovations of indigenous filmmaking from the U.S, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The 10th annual forum presents a mix...

Supreme Court to hear two Indian cases this month (January 7, 2004)

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in two Indian law cases this month. On January 14, the justices will consider South Florida Water Mgmt. v. Miccosukee Tribe, No. 02-626. The Miccosukee Tribe is trying to protect its homelands in...

Tex Hall to deliver State of Indian Nations address (January 7, 2004)

National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) President Tex Hall will deliver the second annual State of Indian Nations address on January 21. The speech is designed to give a picture of the challenges and opportunities facing American Indians and Alaska...

Bush to support legal rights for immigrant workers (January 7, 2004)

President Bush will ask Congress today to create a temporary worker program that would grant legal status to illegal immigrants who are employed in the United States. Undocumented workers and those who want to come to the U.S. and work...

Opinion: Redskins should drop 'offensive' name (January 7, 2004)

"The NFL has been caught up in some of the 'Age of Terrorism' hysteria, so what better public relations move than to re-name the Redskins the Washington Americans. It’s an easy way to get rid of a REALLY offensive name,...

Ariz. to place focus on Indian Country tourism (January 7, 2004)

The Arizona Office of Tourism is hiring a full-time tribal tourism development manager and is forming a tribal advisory council. With tourists spending about $12 billion a year in the state, the state wants to find out how to promote...