Judge won't dismiss Navajo Nation suit against Peabody (April 27, 2004)

A federal judge has again refused to let the world's largest coal company off the hook for its role in the Navajo Nation's billion-dollar trust asset mismanagement claim. The tribe is suing Peabody Energy and the federal government over a...

Racism still a sore subject 30 years after murders (April 27, 2004)

When The Farmington Daily Times decided to run a series on the 1974 murders of three Navajo men and the effect on race relations, the paper ran into opposition from locals. $p Many refused to be interviewed. Others didn't see...

Yellow Bird: Native people lost advocate in Elbers (April 27, 2004)

"They say when chiefs and great men die, the skies turn tumultuous and stormy. They say spirits come on high winds to honor and escort the person home. On Saturday, a warm morning, I went to Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation...

Woman looks for husband's grave at Pine Ridge (April 27, 2004)

An African-American man who joined the American Indian Movement in the 1970s is believed to have been buried somewhere on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. $p Ray Robinson went to the reservation during the siege at Wounded Knee....

BIA doesn't want judge to rule on Shinnecock Nation (April 27, 2004)

The Bureau of Indian Affairs doesn't seem to care about its federal recognition duties, a federal judge said on Monday. $p U.S. District Judge Thomas Platt said the federal government needs to stay involved in a case that will decide...

Group seeks to increase use of Native languages (April 27, 2004)

A group of educators in South Dakota hopes to revive the use of Nakota, Dakota and Lakota languages among youth and adults. $p Dottie LeBeau headed a language advocacy committee that made recommendations at last week's Native education summit. The...

Native students get tour of secretive laboratory (April 27, 2004)

Seven Native students from the University of Montana and tribal colleges in Montana were given a tour of a government laboratory that performs research on the world's most infectious diseases. $p The Rocky Mountain Laboratories, part of the National Institute...

South Dakota drum welcomes all to the circle (April 27, 2004)

The Eagle Spirit Drum Group of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is educating the public on the drum tradition. $p The group leads sessions at a local youth center. George Eagleman, head of the drum, says he wants to get others...

Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation building economy (April 27, 2004)

The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation of Arizona is eager to create a reservation economy. $p Although attempts to lure big-time sports stadiums have not paid off, the tribe has broken ground on a number of other projects. Moving beyond casinos,...

Beacons of hope for youth of Leech Lake Reservation (April 27, 2004)

After focusing on the struggles facing youth on the Leech Lake Reservation in Minnesota, The Minneapolis Star Tribune turns its "Lost Youth" series to efforts to end the cycle of substance abuse and violence. $p Many say a return to...

Tribes reluctantly take part in Lewis-Clark events (April 27, 2004)

For many tribes, the Lewis and Clark expedition signaled the end of their way of life. As the United States pushed to the west, they lost their homelands. Many were removed to Oklahoma. So it's not surprising that some tribes...

Appeals court orders release of water for tribe (April 27, 2004)

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday issued an order to restore flows to the Trinity River in northern California. $p The temporary order comes in litigation involving the Hoopa Valley Tribe. The tribe wants the court to uphold...

Choctaw group from Louisiana seeks recognition (April 27, 2004)

The Turtle Clan of Choctaw Indians is seeking recognition and a reservation from the state of Louisiana. $p The tribe claims 125 members. Chairman James Gill says the tribe has agreed not to seek gaming for 99 years if granted...

Tribes debate next step in Kennewick Man case (April 27, 2004)

Four Pacific Northwest tribes seeking to stop scientific study of the 9,000-year-old remains known as Kennewick Man might not appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. $P The Nez Perce, Yakama, Colville and Umatilla tribes lost a decision at federal court...

Nike partnership addresses Indian health issues (April 27, 2004)

Nike has a unique partnership with the Indian Health Service to address health and fitness among Native Americans. $p The company signed a memorandum of understanding with IHS at last year's National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) convention. Nike has...

Coquille Tribe building new dams and reservoirs (April 27, 2004)

After years of planning, the Coquille Tribe of Oregon has begun construction on a water project. $P The tribe is building two dams and two reservoirs. The purpose is to create a water source for the tribe's five cranberry bogs...

Alaska Native charter school to emphasize culture (April 27, 2004)

A group of Native and education leaders in Fairbanks, Alaska, is asking for approval to start a charter school that will focus on Alaska Native culture. $p If approved, the Effie Kokrine Charter School will open in the fall of...

Tribal members oppose site for cultural museum (April 27, 2004)

Members of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians are mobilizing against the tribe's proposed $38 million cultural museum. $p The tribe's museum board picked a site that tribal members say should be free from development. Anthony Andreas says the...