Goshute Tribe seeks to bar IRS enforcement (January 23, 2004)

The Skull Valley Goshute Tribe of Utah is asking a federal judge to stop the IRS from seeking information about a tribal enterprise. The IRS filed a request for an enforcement order against Starlike Properties, in which the Goshutes share...

Massive spending bill ready for Bush's signature (January 23, 2004)

The U.S. Senate approved a $328 billion spending package on Thursday that funds a number of Indian programs but also changes the way Alaska tribes receive federal dollars. Senators voted 65-28 in favor of the omnibus appropriations bill, a day...

Yavapai tribe moving forward with major developments (January 23, 2004)

The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation of Arizona has a lot of major projects on its plate. The tribe is breaking ground early next month on a $3.2 million RV park that includes a clubhouse, swimming pool and spa. The facility...

Lieberman running radio ads targeting Navajos (January 23, 2004)

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Lieberman, the senator from Connecticut, is reaching out to Navajo voters through radio ads. One ad is spoken in Navajo by Jack Jackson Sr., who recently retired from the state Senate. His son, Jack Jackson Jr.,...

Three Calif. tribes plan first credit union (January 23, 2004)

Three California tribes are proposed to open the state's first tribally-controlled credit union. The California Indian Credit Consortium consists of the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and the Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians. The...

Obituary: King Kuka, prominent Blackfeet artist (January 23, 2004)

Kingsley "King" Kuka, a member of the Blackfeet Nation of Montana whose artwork inspired a new generation of Indian artists, died on Monday. He was 57. Kuka was one of the first graduates of the Institute of American Indian Arts...

Judge dismisses suit over bad homes at Blackfeet (January 23, 2004)

A federal judge has dismissed a case seeking monetary damages and repairs for faulty homes on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana. U.S. District Judge Sam Haddon said the plaintiffs can't sue the Department of Housing and Urban Development under applicable...

Counseling, aid promised for Mohawk First Nation (January 23, 2004)

Government officials in Canada are promising aid to the Kanesatake Mohawk First Nation in Quebec, where protests over law enforcement led to the burning of the chief's home. Quebec has also created a task force to deal with organized crime...

Controversial First Nations legislation dropped (January 23, 2004)

The controversial First Nations Governance Act has been dropped by Canada's new government. First Nations leaders opposed the bill, which had been developed without their input. It would have imposed an overhaul of the federal-tribal relationship. New Indian Affairs Minister...

Lumbee court to hear dispute over employee's firing (January 23, 2004)

The Lumbee Supreme Court will hold a preliminary hearing to consider the tribal administrator's claim of wrongful termination. Darlene Jacobs was fired after the Department of Housing and Urban Development said it found potential violations of federal law. Jacobs says...

Former Navajo president appointed to Ariz. senate (January 23, 2004)

Former Navajo Nation President Albert Hale was appointed to the Arizona State Senate. Hale, an attorney who served as president from 1994-1998, will complete the term of retired Ariz. State Sen. Jack Jackson Sr. Jackson, a tribal member, retired for...

Vote to end liquor ban at Pine Ridge delayed (January 23, 2004)

A vote on a proposal to legalize alcohol on the Pine Ridge Reservation did not come on Thursday as expected. Council members were set to consider an ordinance to allow the tribe to collect taxes on the sale of alcohol....

Calif. tribe says water proposal won't help fish (January 23, 2004)

The Hoopa Valley Tribe released an analysis critical of a proposal to take water from the Trinity River in northern California. The tribe was promised significant flows by the Clinton administration. But that decision is being litigated in the court...

Oglala Sioux Tribe votes to sell farm operation (January 23, 2004)

The Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota will sell its farm and ranch. Tribal officials said it wasn't making any money. The farm started out in the 1950s as way for prisoners to work off their jail time. It eventually...

Norton approves development in Alaska reserve (January 23, 2004)

Nearly 9 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska will be open to oil exploration and drilling under a decision announced by Secretary of Interior Gale Norton on Thursday. Several Alaska Native corporations own surface and subsurface rights...

Caddo faction stages 'sit-in' at tribal headquarters (January 23, 2004)

Members of the Caddo Tribe of Oklahoma staged a "sit-in" at tribal headquarters on Wednesday night as rival factions disputed the nature of the protest. Chairwoman LaRue Parker made claims of violence, armed guards and threats. But others, including council...

Lamberth orders disclosure of computer reports (January 23, 2004)

The federal judge overseeing the Indian trust fund wants reports of the Department of Interior's computer systems made public. In an order dated January 21, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth told special master Alan Balaran to file the "all the...

Janklow gets 100 days for felony manslaughter (January 23, 2004)

Bill Janklow, former governor and former Congressman from South Dakota, was sentenced to 100 days in jail, three years probation and ordered to pay $11,000 in fines and fees for his felony manslaughter conviction. Janklow was ordered to report to...

Tim Johnson: A Voice in the Process (January 23, 2004)

The following is an op-ed from Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota). Democratic leaders from around the country have initiated the most significant effort ever to empower and organize Native Americans in the electoral process. We will continue our pursuit of...