Mashantucket Pequot group strives for tribal unity (March 19, 2004)

A member of the Mashantucket Tribal Nation of Connecticut has formed a group aimed at keeping tribal members united. Steven Daggett, a tribal employee, says "We The People' isn't about business or politics. He wants the group to reduce...

Jesuit superior apologizes for testimony in abuse suit (March 19, 2004)

A retired Jesuit superior sent an apology letter to an Alaska Native organization for testimony he gave in a priest abuse case. In a deposition, the Rev. William Loyens, a cultural anthropologist, said Athabascan and Yupi'k cultures were "fairly loose"...

Native children living in poor, single-parent homes (March 19, 2004)

American Indian and Alaska Native children in single-parent homes are more likely to live in poverty than any other racial or ethnic group, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released this week. Of Native American children in mother-only homes, 50...

Friends, family shocked by INS agent's suicide (March 19, 2004)

Friends and family of an INS special agent say they are baffled by Thomas DeRouchey's suicide. DeRouchey, 45, was a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. He was serving as the agent temporarily in charge of...

Thousands expected for 30th Denver March Powwow (March 19, 2004)

Thousands are expected to attend the 30th annual Denver March Powwow, which kicks off today Organizers have registered more than 1,000 dancers and 60 drum groups. The three-day event is one of the largest powwows in the country. The powwow...

Hundreds pay tribute to Crow elder statesman (March 19, 2004)

A memorial service was held on Thursday in honor of Benjamin Pease Jr., a Crow elder and historian. Pease died on Monday at the age of 81. Pease was remembered as ambassador for tribal culture, education and dignity for all...

Seneca-Cayuga Tribe seeks deal to end land claim (March 19, 2004)

The Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma is offering New York a settlement to its land claim. Tribal leaders say they will settle their portion of a $247.9 million judgment for a casino without slot machines. The offer was made to New...

Tribes file civil rights complaint against Neb. county (March 19, 2004)

The Winnebago Tribe and the Omaha Tribe have filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging discriminatory hiring practices by Thurston County, Nebraska. The tribes say the county does not advertise open positions and neglects Native applicants...

Osage artist plans 17-story statue of Indian (March 19, 2004)

An Osage artist is talking about plans to create a 17-story statue of an Indian warrior in Oklahoma. Shan Gray presented his idea to the city councils of Oklahoma City and Tulsa. He said "The American" will cost $26 million...

Man. police seek help in locating missing teen (March 19, 2004)

Police in Winnipeg, Manitoba, are seeking help in locating a 16-year-old Native girl who has been missing for a month. Sunshine Wood moved from the isolated God's River First Nation to attend high school in Winnipeg. She was last seen...

B.C. inquiry rejected into death of Native man (March 19, 2004)

British Columbia's top law enforcement minister has rejected a recommendation to hold a public inquiry into the 1998 death of a Native man. Solicitor General Rich Coleman said there was no new information to warrant an inquiry into Frank Paul's...

Narragansett tribal member ends hunger strike (March 19, 2004)

A member of the Narragansett Tribe has ended her hunger strike after four days in response to concerns for her health. Bella Noka, a council member, started her strike on Monday to protest treatment of the tribe. She accuses state...

Police officer can't recall night teen went missing (March 19, 2004)

The second of two Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, police officers once suspected in the death of a Native teenager testified in a judicial inquiry on Thursday. Const. Brad Senger said he doesn't remember looking for Neil Stonechild the night the 17-year-old teen...

Hopi Tribe to protest against snowmaking plan (March 19, 2004)

A Hopi tribal office is organizing a protest march against a decision to allow snowmaking in the sacred San Francisco Peaks in Arizona. The 8-mile walk will take place on March 25, the same day the U.S. Forest Service will...

Students support keeping Chief Illiniwek mascot (March 19, 2004)

A non-binding vote among students at University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign showed that 69 percent support keeping the controversial mascot. More than 13,000 students voted in the poll, held by the Illinois Student Government. Nearly a third, 31 percent, voted against...

Neal McCaleb criticizes Tex Hall and Judge Lamberth (March 19, 2004)

Former assistant secretary Neal McCaleb was critical of National Congress of American Indians President Tex Hall and U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth in an interview with The Native American Times. McCaleb said Hall is wrong to question the Bush administration's...

Chippewa Cree members want audit of tribal finances (March 19, 2004)

Members of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Montana are circulating a petition calling for an audit into the tribe's finances. Chippewa Cree Grassroots People claims there is widespread mismanagement. The group wants an audit of all tribal programs, including the...

Lumbee Tribe revising housing contractor policy (March 19, 2004)

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina will follow a higher standard when hiring contractors in hopes of preventing housing problems. The tribe was following state law, which does not require contractors to be licensed for projects under $30,000. But after...

Anderson won't comment on BIA student's death (March 19, 2004)

Bureau of Indian Affairs head Dave Anderson visited the Chemawa Indian School in Oregon on Thursday but deferred questions about the recent death of a 16-year-old student there. The FBI is investigating Cindy Gilbert Sohappy's death on December 6. She...

Scalia won't step down from Cheney energy case (March 19, 2004)

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on Thursday rejected a motion to recuse himself from Vice President Dick Cheney's energy task force case. Scalia went on a duck-hunting trip with Dick Cheney, who ran the task force. But he said their...