Tribal leaders press for budget consultation policy (April 15, 2004)

Expressing growing concern over the Bush administration's budget plans, tribal leaders this week called for the adoption of broad consultation policy aimed at ensuring trust and treaty obligations are being met. The Bureau of Indian Affairs tribal budget advisory council...

Police won't pursue charges for death of two boys (April 15, 2004)

Authorities in Montana are unable to confirm whether two 11-year-old boys who died of alcohol poisoning on the Flathead Reservation were supplied liquor by an adult. $P The sheriff's department has closed the investigation into the deaths of Justin Benoist...

Forum held over racial incident on UNM campus (April 15, 2004)

A reported 200 students, faculty members and Indian leaders attended a forum on Wednesday to address a racially-tinged incident on the University of New Mexico campus. $P UNM leaders came under fire for their response to the April 1 incident...

BIA safety officer testifies of 'atmosphere' of drinking (April 15, 2004)

The wrongful death lawsuit against the Bureau of Indian Affairs heard from a safety officer who described an "atmosphere" of drinking within the BIA. $P Alfred Abeita, the safety chief for the BIA's Navajo region, was a witness for the...

Indian Country Today writer files for public office (April 15, 2004)

David Melmer, a long-time writer for Indian Country Today, is seeking the Democratic nomination for the South Dakota Senate. $p Melmer is filing for the seat in District 30. He puts civil and human rights, education, reconciliation, the environment, alternative...

S.D. Indians testify of racism in voting rights trial (April 15, 2004)

A trial into Indian voting rights in South Dakota heard from five Indian witnesses who testified of racism they experienced. $p The suit accuses the state of packing the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations into one legislative district. The American...

Hearings held on federal land swap with Crow Tribe (April 15, 2004)

The National Park Service held public hearings on a proposed land swap with the Crow Tribe of Montana. $p The tribe will receive 340 acres of the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area to correct for an error the NPS made...

Obituary: Cypress, founder of Seminole museum (April 15, 2004)

Billy Larry Cypress, the executive director of the Seminole Tribe of Florida's museum, died on Monday after a long illness. He was 61. $P Cypress developed the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, which opened in 1997. He sought to educate tribal youth and...

Student pow-wow at NAU considered a success (April 15, 2004)

Students at Northern Arizona University held their third-annual pow-wow over the weekend. $p Organizers say the event is a recognition of Native students on campus. More than 1,000 Native Americans representing 35 tribes attend the school. $P The three-day pow-wow...

Obituary: Earth, Native American Church leader (April 15, 2004)

Jonathon Wayne Earth Sr., a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, died unexpectedly April 4. He was 50. $P Earth was instrumental in the Native American Church on the Winnebago Reservation. He served as president of the Winnebago chapter...

First Nations leaders to meet with United Nations (April 15, 2004)

First Nations leaders in Canada are meeting with United Nations officials to share their story. $p Piapot First Nation Chief Claude Friday says the UN needs to hear from tribes themselves. He says Canada is not being truthful in explaining...

Lummi Nation settles lawsuit over grave disturbance (April 15, 2004)

The Lummi Nation of Washington has settled a lawsuit with a firm that allowed tribal ancestors to be removed from a work site. $p Golder Associates agreed to pay the tribe $4.25 million, which includes the cost of reburial and...

Snoqualmie Tribe seeks federal study of sacred falls (April 15, 2004)

The Snoqualmie Tribe of Washington is asking the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to order a study of the sacred Snoqualmie Falls. $p The tribe opposes the presence of two power plants at the falls. The tribe hopes federal and state...

Apache tribe's forests garner well-managed rating (April 15, 2004)

The White Mountain Apache Tribe of Arizona has received a "well managed" rating for its forests. $P The third-party Scientific Certification Systems reviewed the tribe's management based on international standards. A team found the tribe engaged in sound practices, particularly...

Group accuses Lumbee Tribe of stealing heritage (April 15, 2004)

A group calling themselves the Siouan Indians says the Lumbee Tribe is stealing their heritage. $P The Lumbee Tribe claims descent from the historic Cheraw Tribe, a Siouan group. A woman of Siouan ancestry says that claim is wrong but...