Lobbyist scandal reaches to top levels of GOP (October 4, 2004)

"Throughout U.S. history, "every kind of charlatan and every type of crook has deceived and exploited America's native sons and daughters," says Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. "What sets this tale apart, what makes it truly extraordinary, is the extent and...

Alaska Natives criticize rural law enforcement (October 4, 2004)

Alaska Natives called for greater law enforcement services at a forum on rural justice issues. Speakers at the forum said the state hasn't hired enough officers for the village public safety officer program. They said Alaska State Troopers take too...

Chickasaw Nation starts work on cultural center (October 4, 2004)

The Chickasaw Nation broke ground last Thursday on a cultural center on land it received as part of a land swap with the federal government. The center will be located 110 acres next to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Plans...

Coushatta Tribe to sue lobbyists for $32M (October 4, 2004)

The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana plans to sue two Washington lobbyists to recover $32 million they received. Tribal leaders who hired and supported lobbyist Jack Abramoff and public relations consultant Mike Scanlon now say they are "repulsed" by the pair....

Wild horses sent to Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation (October 4, 2004)

Another herd of wild horses is being sent to the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. The International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros is sending 80 horses from northern Nevada to a ranch on the reservation....

Oglala Sioux Tribe takes over park visitor center (October 4, 2004)

The Oglala Sioux Tribe is managing a visitor center at Badlands National Park in South Dakota. The tribe took over the White River Visitor Center in the park's southern unit. The goal is to provide information to tourists from an...

California tribes to host large wind power plant (October 4, 2004)

Two California tribes have plans to host the largest wind power plant in Indian Country. The Campo Band and Ewiiaapaayp Band have partnered with Superior Renewable Energy, a Texas company. The plan is to build 38 large wind turbines on...

Washington tribes endorse Murray for Senate (October 4, 2004)

Thirteen Washington tribes have endorsed Sen. Patty Murray (D-Washington) for re-election. Murray is seeking her third term. She is running against Rep. George Nethercutt (R-Washington). The tribes endorsing Murray are: Quinault Indian Nation, Tulalip Tribes, Colville Confederated Tribes, Lummi Nation,...

Bill clarifies criminal jurisdiction on Pueblo land (October 4, 2004)

A bill making its way through Congress seeks to clarify criminal jurisdiction on Pueblo lands in New Mexico. The bill states that Pueblo tribes will have jurisdiction over "any offense" committed by a tribal member, a member of another federally...

McCain headed to top spot on Indian Affairs panel (October 4, 2004)

Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) is in line to head the Senate Indian Affairs Committee next year. McCain would replace current chairman Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado), who is retiring. McCain would lose his top spot on the Commerce, Science and...

Documents detail lobbyists' role in tribal elections (October 4, 2004)

Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff and political consultant Michael Scanlon ran the election campaigns for some candidates of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and sought lucrative contracts when the candidates won, according to documents released last week. Abramoff and...

Swimmer: Communication with account holders on hold (October 4, 2004)

Special Trustee Ross Swimmer urged the Interior Department not to contact any trust beneficiaries and suggested that royalty checks could not be sent to account holders in a September 30 memo. Observing that the department has been "blessed" with a...

Salon: Tom DeLay allowed tribes to be 'slickered' (October 4, 2004)

"Jack Abramoff, a member of DeLay's "kitchen cabinet," and DeLay's former press secretary Mike Scanlon billed their Indian clients twice as much as companies such as General Electric paid for outside lobbyists in the same time period. The tribes were...

Choctaw Tribe's lobbying documents kept secret (October 4, 2004)

Lobbying documents related to the Mississippi Band of Choctaws won't be made public under an agreement with the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, The Jackson Clarion-Ledger reports. The tribe is one of six clients that gave at least $66 million to...

Non-Indians want smoking ban for First Nations too (October 4, 2004)

Some non-Indian business owners in Manitoba say the province's ban on smoking should apply to First Nations. The ban, which went into effect on Friday, is one of the first in Canada. But it won't apply to First Nations because...

Editorial: Indian Country jails a national disgrace (October 4, 2004)

"A new report says jails on our Indian reservations are in deplorable shape and deplorably run, short-staffed and with lax procedures. The problems lead to escapes and deaths. "A national disgrace," said the report by Inspector General Earl Devaney of...

Opinion: We stole your land, sorry, get over it (October 4, 2004)

"In June, an oceanic battle took place. While scientists from the DFO and the Vancouver Aquarium tried to capture Luna, Mowachaht-Muchalaht members paddled their canoes out to stroke and scratch Luna's considerable belly, luring him away. The DFO backed off...

Yellow Bird: Riding the rails across the country (October 4, 2004)

"I took a big leap in my travel adventures when I journeyed to the East Coast. Amtrak carried me cross-country from Grand Forks to Washington. My assignment was to cover the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian...