Editorial: Let tribes control their own destinies (October 26, 2004)

"Float a proposal that would truly give tribes a bit more control over their own destinies and the special interests and bureaucrats that rule in Washington suddenly turn paternalistic, and begin treating tribes pretty much like they treat the rest...

Tribal rights recognized in domestic violence bill (October 26, 2004)

Tribes would gain jurisdiction over non-Indians and have the ability to increase punishments in domestic violence cases under a bill to be introduced in the coming month. Statistics show that nearly a third of all American Indian and Alaska Native...

Alaska Native woman makes bid for Legislature (October 26, 2004)

Carole Ann Newcomer is an Alaska Native single mother who is running for state office because she says politicians forget the little people. Newcomer is an Athabascan who works for Doyon Ltd. as a property manager. She is trying to...

Cherokee group approves use of 'warrior' mascot (October 26, 2004)

A group calling itself the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee Indians has approved the use of a Cherokee "warrior" as a mascot. "Mighty" is the name of the mascot for the White County High School in Georgia. The costume consists...

Viejas Band to become sole owner of bank (October 26, 2004)

The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians will become the sole owner of the Borrego Springs Bank, which specializes in services for tribes and individual Indians. The tribe's offer to buy out the minority shareholders was accepted by the bank's board....

Alaska Native executive returned to power (October 26, 2004)

An Alaska Native corporation executive who had been removed by secret ballot earlier this year has been returned to power by the shareholders. Sheri Buretta was elected chair of Chugach Alaska Corporation, the most profitable Native corporation. Under her leadership,...

Navajo woman hopes run for office signals change (October 26, 2004)

Glojean Todacheene, a member of the Navajo Nation, said she is running for public office to bring about change. Todacheene said she will bring new ideas to the San Juan County Clerk's office. She hopes to build relationships with the...

Russell Means endorses Ralph Nader for president (October 26, 2004)

Activist and actor Russell Means is endorsing independent candidate Ralph Nader for president, saying Democrat Sen. John Kerry and Republican President George W. Bush are essentially the same. "I do not believe in voting for evil," Means was quoted as...

McCaleb calls Chickasaws savvy, not deceptive (October 26, 2004)

Former assistant secretary Neal McCaleb admitted the Chickasaw Nation is gaming on land acquired for non-gaming purposes but that it's not "something to be ashamed of," News 9 of Oklahoma City reports. McCaleb, a tribal member who now works for...

Herseth, Diedrich won't back return of Black Hills (October 26, 2004)

Both candidates for U.S. House in South Dakota say the return of the Black Hills to the Sioux Nation is not possible. Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D) and Republican Larry Diedrich said the issue has become too complex over the years....

Tribes give to Free, Campbell, Kennedy, Daschle (October 26, 2004)

The top recipients of tribal and "gaming" donations in this election cycle were Kalyn Free, Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado), Sen. Tom Daschle (D-South Dakota) and Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-Rhode Island), The Providence Journal reports. The figures from the Center...

Three Oklahoma tribes big donors to campaigns (October 26, 2004)

Three of the largest Oklahoma tribes have made big donations to two questions on the November 2 ballot, The Daily Oklahoman reports. The Chickasaw Nation, the Cherokee Nation and the Choctaw Nation poured more than $1.5 million into State Question...

Mohegan Tribe creates workers comp system (October 26, 2004)

The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut has joined the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in creating its own workers compensation system for employees. The tribe acted after state attorney general Richard Blumenthal ruled that tribes cannot legally participate in the state's system....

Town wants say in tribe's natural gas terminal (October 26, 2004)

Residents in the town of Perry, Maine, say they should have input into the Passamaquoddy Tribe's plan to host a natural gas terminal on tribal land. Residents point to an agreement between the tribe and the town over 390 acres...

Two Oklahoma tribal leaders endorse Coburn (October 26, 2004)

The leaders of two Oklahoma tribes said they are personally endorsing Republican Tom Coburn for U.S. Senate against Democrat Rep. Brad Carson, a member of the Cherokee Nation. Jeff Houser, chairman of the Ft. Sill Apache Tribe, and Ken Chambers,...

Ron Allen: Why this Republican supports Kerry (October 26, 2004)

"I am an American Indian, I am a Republican and I'm supporting John Kerry for president. This was not an easy decision for me. However, after a great deal of deliberation, I believe this is the right decision for Indian...

Most New Mexico tribes back Kerry-Edwards (October 26, 2004)

Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry will make a campaign appearance in New Mexico today to thank tribal leaders in the state for their support. The Navajo Nation and the All Indian Pueblo Council, which represents the state's 19 Pueblos,...

Former executive pleads guilty to stealing from tribe (October 26, 2004)

A former executive for the Assiniboine and Gros Ventre tribes of Montana pleaded guilty to stealing more than $97,000 through an unauthorized debit card. Gregory Morris Powderface, 36, is a tribal member. He served in a number of positions within...

Reservation trailer parks ordered to test water (October 26, 2004)

The Environmental Protection Agency has ordered the owners of four trailer parks on the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Reservation in California to test the water supply to make sure it is safe, The Riverside Press-Enterprise reports. The Torres Martinez Desert...

Tribal judge allows amendment against convicts (October 26, 2004)

A judge for Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa has ruled that a proposed amendment barring convicts from holding office is valid but cannot be applied retroactively. Ron Peltier, a candidate for chairman, opposed the constitutional amendment. He was convicted of...

Rider waives NAGPRA, sacred site protections (October 26, 2004)

House Republicans have inserted a rider into an intelligence bill that would waive the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and the sacred site executive memorandum in connection with the construction of a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border....

Ralph Reed paid $4.1M to oppose tribes (October 26, 2004)

Conservative Christian activist Ralph Reed was paid $4.1 million in tribal funds to oppose tribes, Mother Jones reports. Ralph Reed, former director of the Christian Coalition, received the money in 2001 and 2002. He was paid through Washington lobbyist Jack...

Bush to seek $70B more for Iraq, Afghanistan (October 26, 2004)

The Bush administration will seek an additional $70 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, The Washington Post reports. The request will be in addition to the $25 billion already appropriated for fiscal year 2005. Altogether, the wars have...