Colo. governor obtains legal opinion on casino (January 21, 2004)

Colorado Gov. Bill Owens has obtained a legal opinion that he says recognizes his authority to stop a proposed tribal casino, The Denver Rocky Mountain News reports. The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes say they have legal rights within the state....

Lara case called most important of generation (January 21, 2004)

Lawyers for an Indian man challenging dual tribal-federal prosecution and for the government will argue before the U.S. Supreme Court today. On Friday, they will discuss the case at the Oklahoma University College of Law. U.S. v. Lara tests the...

Goshute chairman enters plea in fraud, theft case (January 21, 2004)

Leon Bear, chairman of the Skull Valley Goshute Tribe of Utah, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges that he stole tribal and federal funds. Bear is accused of stealing more than $190,000 while pursuing a high-level nuclear waste facility...

Liquor debate stirs passions at Pine Ridge (January 21, 2004)

The Oglala Sioux Tribe's council heard emotional arguments against lifting a ban on liquor on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Residents who attended a meeting yesterday cited the destructive effects of alcohol. They said they opposed a proposal...

Tribes giving up revenues, exclusivity in compact (January 21, 2004)

Oklahoma tribes will give up their hold on electronic gaming machines and share revenues with the state as part of an agreement announced by Gov. Brad Henry (D) on Tuesday. The proposed compact, which requires legislative approval, bails out the...

Photo Exhibit: Native health at White Earth (January 21, 2004)

Margaret Smith, an 85-year-old woman who delivers food to diabetic elders on the White Earth Reservation in Minnesota is the subject of a Minneapolis Star Tribune photo column. Photographer Brian Peterson followed Smith as she made deliveries. Smith is a...

Juvenile allegedly pulled trigger in drive-bys (January 21, 2004)

Federal authorities in Minnesota say a 15-year-old boy was behind the trigger in a series of drive-bys that targeted law enforcement on the Red Lake Reservation, The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. The boy was driven around by Charles Hegstrom Jr.,...

Tribal leaders support keeping Piestewa Peak (January 21, 2004)

Tribal leaders in Arizona urged state lawmakers not to pass a bill aimed at restoring the original name of Piestewa Peak. The peak was renamed in honor of Lori Piestewa, the Hopi woman killed in action in Iraq. But some...

Inquiry recommended into death of Native man (January 21, 2004)

After conducting an investigation, British Columbia's Police Complaints Commissioner is recommending a public inquiry into the death of a Native man who was being held in police custody. A videotape released to Frank Paul's family shows police dragging him out...

White Mountain Apache judge upholds fire charges (January 21, 2004)

The lawyer for a non-Indian woman who started part of Arizona's largest fire in history will challenge a ruling affirming the White Mountain Apache Tribe's jurisdiction. A tribal judge refused to throw out civil charges against Valinda Jo Elliott. Her...

Tape catches police making racist comments (January 21, 2004)

A newly surfaced videotape captures two Ontario Provincial Police officers making racist comments about Natives during a controversial 1995 protest that ended with the death of a Native man. One officer makes a reference to a "great big fat ****...

Idaho tribe's tobacco tax goes to health, schools (January 21, 2004)

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Idaho are funneling a portion of tobacco tax revenues to health and education programs on the Fort Hall Reservation. The tribe began imposing its own tax in November. The money is funding a tobacco prevention program...

Non-Indians question Omaha Tribe's jurisdiction (January 21, 2004)

Officials in Thurston County, Nebraska, are wary of an agreement that will recognize the Omaha Tribe's law enforcement powers. The state and the tribe are working out an agreement that would allow the tribe to arrest non-Indians in the county....

Judge upholds county's arrest on tribal land (January 21, 2004)

Law enforcement in Placer County, California, have authority on land owned by the United Auburn Indian Community, a judge ruled. The county and the tribe have an agreement to share law enforcement duties. County police are allowed to arrest people...

Smithsonian head charged for tribal art collection (January 21, 2004)

Lawrence M. Small, the secretary of the Smithsonian Institute, has been charged by federal authorities with a misdemeanor violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, The Washington Post reports. The Post said Small's vast collection of Brazilian tribal art contained...

Bush focuses on war on terror in speech (January 21, 2004)

President Bush delivered the last State of the Union speech of his term on Tuesday. Bush used the address to highlight the war on terror. He said the hundreds of thousands of troops stationed in Iraq have made the world...

Gephardt drops bid, candidates focus on N.H. (January 21, 2004)

Rep. Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.) ended his bid for the White House on Tuesday after a poor showing in the Iowa caucuses while the remaining contenders shifted their sights on the January 27 New Hampshire primary. Sen. John F. Kerry (Mass.),...

Lumbee tribal administrator disputes termination (January 21, 2004)

The chairman of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina fired the tribal administrator after federal auditors turned up problems with the tribe's housing program. But Darlene Jacobs says she has done nothing wrong. Jacobs has filed a petition with the...

Billy Mills to present school's diversity lecture (January 21, 2004)

News from Emporia State University in Kansas. Native American Olympic Gold Medalist Billy Mills will present the March 10 Bonner and Bonner Diversity Series lecture at Emporia State University. His topic is "Global Unity through Global Diversity." "The vision of...

Native American Bank offers new mortgage program (January 21, 2004)

Denver, Colorado - The Native American Bank announced a new partnership with LenderLive Network and GreenPoint Mortgage. The creative partnership will offer a turnkey home mortgage program with Native American Bank and two of the industry’s most prominent leaders. The...

Indian business group joins minority coalition (January 21, 2004)

News from the National Indian Business Association. The National Indian Business Association has joined forces with the National Minority Compliance Board (NMCB) to monitor and report on the minority and Native American purchasing activities of major corporations and government. Pete...

Congressmen endorse Wesley Clark for President (January 21, 2004)

The following is an op-ed from Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-Mich.), the Democratic co-chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus, and Congressman Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.). We write to let you know why we believe so strongly that General Wesley...

Senate Democrats block approval of spending bill (January 21, 2004)

Senate Democrats temporarily delayed passage of the $328 billion omnibus appropriations bill on Tuesday. Three Republicans -- Olympia Snowe of Maine, Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado and John McCain of Arizona -- joined Democrats in preventing a final vote on...