BIA official warns of Congressional maneuvering (April 16, 2004)

A "super-charged political atmosphere" will contribute to attempts to change Indian gaming law and the federal recognition process, a top Bureau of Indian Affairs official said on Thursday. In a warning of sorts to Indian Country, principal deputy assistant secretary...

BIA employees saw signs of colleague's drinking (April 16, 2004)

Testimony and evidence in a wrongful death suit against the Bureau of Indian Affairs documents that employees saw signs of a colleague's drinking problem well before he was involved in a fatal accident. $p Testimony showed that Lloyd Larson once...

Indian Educator of the Year named in Montana (April 16, 2004)

A woman working to increase the number of Indian teachers was named the 2004 Indian Educator of the Year by the Montana Indian Education Association.. $P Reno Charette, a member of the Crow Tribe, is the director of the Big...

Indictment charges four with theft from Crow Tribe (April 16, 2004)

Four people were indicted in a scheme in which about $38,700 was allegedly funneled to pay the legal fees of former Crow Tribe chairman Clifford G. Birdinground. $P The indictment accuses the tribe's former finance director and three others of...

Oregon man renovating home finds Indian skull (April 16, 2004)

An Indian skull believed to date back 400 years will probably be turned over to Oregon tribes for reburial. $p The skull was discovered by a man who was remodeling his home. It was lodged between a ceiling and an...

Editorial: Special master needed in Cobell case (April 16, 2004)

The Sioux Falls Argus Leader calls on U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth to appoint a new special master for the Indian trust fund case. $p The paper laments the resignation of former special master Alan Balaran. "He said he was...

Editorial: What's good for tribes good for all of us (April 16, 2004)

"What the Indian tribes are doing is good for them and their revenue, but it’s also good for the rest of Oklahoma; we all benefit from the visitors the tribes draw in, and in case you haven’t noticed, their facilities...

Mankiller says tribes battling negative perceptions (April 16, 2004)

Wilma P. Mankiller, the first woman to be elected principal chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, spoke at Rogers State University on Thursday. $P Mankiller addressed some of the challenges facing tribes, comparing their social and economic status to...

No shortage of well-paying jobs on Tulalip Reservation (April 16, 2004)

After its traditional fishing economy collapsed, the Tulalip Tribes suffered from a 65 percent unemployment rate. $p Now tribal officials say there are plenty of jobs to go around. The tribe has generated them through numerous economic development projects, including...

Oklahoma tribe breaks ground on cultural center (April 16, 2004)

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation of Oklahoma broke ground on a $2.6 million history and cultural center. $p The 30,000-square-foot building will house important tribal documents and artifacts. The building will also serve as a meeting space and as offices for...

Ramapough Tribe complains of pollution at paint dump (April 16, 2004)

Members of the unrecognized Ramapough Tribe of New Jersey say waste left from a former paint sludge dump has caused illnesses and early death. $P The tribe says Ford Motor Company's $2.5 million cleanup of the old plant was incomplete....

N.D. tribal offices closed over suspicious letter (April 16, 2004)

A suspicious, foul-smelling letter addressed to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of North Dakota forced the closure of several tribal offices. $p Tests by the state didn't turn up any dangerous chemicals but the potential threat closed the main...

Editorial: Recognition about lobbyists not merits (April 16, 2004)

"Congressman [Chris] Shays is one of the few politicians courageous enough to raise questions about a process that assigns immense rights and wealth to groups of people often far more distinguished by their retention of good lawyers, campaign contributions to...

Nebraska tribes to step up recall effort in county (April 16, 2004)

The Omaha Tribe and the Winnebago Tribe will collect signatures to recall two elected officials in Thurston County, Nebraska. $P Native Americans are the majority in the county but tribal leaders say County Attorney Albert Maul and Sheriff Chuck Obermeyer...

Interior denies approval for drilling tied to Griles (April 16, 2004)

The Department of Interior denies its approval of a large drilling project in New Mexico is tied to Deputy Secretary J. Steven Griles. $P Griles was a lobbyist for Yates Petroleum and his former company, National Environmental Strategies, represented Yates,...

Letter: Rats guarding the cheese at Interior (April 16, 2004)

"God bless Alan L. Balaran for his courageous act in resigning as a court-appointed special master in the investigation of the government's mismanagement of oil royalties owed to Native Americans. In the past 10 to 15 years the General Accounting...

Chickasaw governor receives $300,000 salary (April 16, 2004)

The Chickasaw Nation Legislature recently voted to triple the salary of Gov. Bill Anoatubby. $P Anoatubby receives $300,000 a year, according to The Daily Oklahoman. His retirement fund was also boosted from 15 percent of his salary to 25 percent....

Lumbee Tribe to take over apartment complexes (April 16, 2004)

The Lumbee Tribe plans to assume management of three apartment complexes currently under the North Carolina Indian Housing Authority. The authority receives $750,000 to manage the complexes. The tribe wants to take over that budget. $p The executive director of...