Sacred wampum returned to Onondaga Nation (February 2, 2005)

A string of sacred wampum beads given to the state of New York more than 200 years ago made its way back to the Onondaga Nation last Friday. The wampum had been posted for auction on eBay. Bids were going...

NIGC wants to ensure tribes receive 'fair share' (February 2, 2005)

The National Indian Gaming Commission plans to continue its review of tribal casino deals with non-Indian investors despite a call to show restraint by the former leaders of a key Senate committee. At a tribal conference last week, top NIGC...

Nevada tribe moving offices off the reservation (February 2, 2005)

The Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe of Nevada has begun to move most of its offices to a site off the reservation. The tribe purchased a building in Fallon for $700,000 last summer. The offices of the chairman, secretary, treasurer, council members,...

Column: Indian woman recounts early years (February 2, 2005)

"Her life was dictated by bugles, calling her for classes, work, lunch, supper, evening activities. "They were the very calls used by the buglers of the United States Cavalry when they chased our grandparents across the plains, mountains, swamps...

Bill seeks cleanup of mines near reservation (February 2, 2005)

An Indian lawmaker in Montana has reintroduced a bill that seeks the cleanup of abandoned gold mines near the Fort Belknap Reservation. State Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, a member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, wants to create a permanent state...

New Mexico tribes take issues to Legislature (February 2, 2005)

New Mexico tribes pressed state lawmakers on education, water rights and economic development during the Legislature's Indian Day. Several tribal leaders addressed a joint session of the House and Senate. They called for greater cooperation with the state. On the...

Indian lawmaker proposes human rights panel (February 2, 2005)

A North Dakota lawmaker who is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians introduced a bill to create a d human rights commission. State Sen. Dennis Bercier, a Democrat, said the panel would have the authority to...

Mohawk tribe signs land claim deal with Pataki (February 2, 2005)

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and New York Gov. George Pataki (R) on Tuesday signed what was called an "historic" settlement to the tribe's land claim. The deal paves the way for the tribe's casino in the Catskills. The tribe...

California tribe to use EPA grant to monitor water (February 2, 2005)

The Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians of California will use a $100,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to study drinking water on the reservation. The tribe wants to make sure the groundwater complies with federal standards. The tribe is concerned...

Tribal fisherman punished for violating treaty (February 2, 2005)

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has fined a tribal member who violated the 1836 Chippewa Treaty by harvesting fish out of season. Tommy Battice was fined $250 and ordered to forfeit $1,141.90 he received for the illegally harvested...

Hunting a source of conflict on Crow Reservation (February 2, 2005)

A recent incident between game officers of the Crow Tribe and non-Indian hunters has highlighting long-running tensions on the Montana reservation. The officers say they were just trying to do their job on November 5 when they asked to see...

Ex-Kickapoo chairman wants release pending trial (February 2, 2005)

The ex-chairman of the Kickapoo Tribe of Texas asked a federal judge on Monday to be released from jail pending his trial on corruption charges. Of the seven people charged with stealing more than $900,000 from the tribe, Raul Garza...

Final arguments in Aquash extradition hearing (February 2, 2005)

A judge in British Columbia is hearing final arguments in the extradition hearing for a man accused of murdering American Indian Movement activist Anna Mae Pictou Aquash. The judge has to decide whether to turn John Graham, a Canadian Native,...

Northwest tribes to discuss historic cemetery (February 2, 2005)

The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians will meet with the U.S. Army next week to discuss a historic cemetery where Native Americans and Native Hawaiians are buried. The cemetery is within the Fort Vancouver National Historic Reserve, part of the...

Gila River Tribe to move cowboy town near casino (February 2, 2005)

Officials with the Gila River Indian Community of Arizona have decided to relocate a famed Western town near its casino, rejecting an alternate site on the reservation. The tribe purchased the Rawhide Western Town for an undisclosed price. Currently located...

Speech featuring controversial professor canceled (February 2, 2005)

Citing security issues, Hamilton College in upstate New York canceled a speech featuring a controversial professor who is active on Indian issues. The college received death threats against Ward Churchill, a professor at the University of Colorado, and against other...

Obituary: Richard Harrison, Osage, NIH official (February 2, 2005)

Richard Harrison, a member of the Osage Nation of Oklahoma who overcame alcoholism to become an expert on substance abuse among Native Americans, died on January 19. He was 65. Harrison spent much of his career in the health field....

Democrats line up against Attorney General pick (February 2, 2005)

Senate Democrats plan to vote in heavy numbers against the confirmation of White House counsel Alberto R. Gonzales as the U.S. Attorney General. As many as 40 Democrats may vote against Gonzales, who would be the first Hispanic to hold...

State of Union to address budget, Social Security (February 2, 2005)

The federal budget and Social Security will be the key topics of President Bush's State of the Union address tonight. The budget, to be unveiled next Monday, is expected to be an especially tight one. According to The Washington Post,...