Panel approves Native Hawaiian, NAGPRA changes (March 10, 2005)

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee on Wednesday approved the Native Hawaiian recognition act and a technical corrections bill that makes it easier for tribes reclaim ancient remains. S.147, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, was approved by a voice vote...

Citizen Potawatomi chairman accuses rival in court (March 10, 2005)

The chairman of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation is once again accusing a political opponent of defamation. John "Rocky" Barrett filed a criminal defamation of character complaint against Robert Leon Bruno. Barrett is seeking re-election as chairman and Bruno is challenging...

Cherokee anthropologist disputes work for BIA (March 10, 2005)

A retired anthropologist and member of the Cherokee Nation who did work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs now says he made a mistake. Back in 1984, Lathel F. Duffield helped the BIA make a determination that the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe...

Paiute activist takes place at National Statuary Hall (March 10, 2005)

• Winnemucca: Past to Present • Winnemucca Biography • Winnemucca Quotes A bronze likeness of Sarah Winnemucca, a Paiute woman from Nevada, was dedicated at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday more than 100 years after the activist, educator and renowned...

McCain weighs GAO probe of Indian trust debacle (March 10, 2005)

Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) raised the possibility of a broad investigation of the Indian trust after tribal leaders on Wednesday complained about the Bush administration's reform efforts. At an oversight hearing, McCain reiterated his view that trust reform, while a...

Opinion: Little has changed in fight against Indians (March 10, 2005)

"With false promises of land and wealth, aggressive use of military and civil power, and by setting tribes against one another, federal and state policies became a troika of lies, intimidation and divide-and-conquer. George Custer and the Seventh Cavalry implemented...

Opinion: Time to reconsider status of Indians (March 10, 2005)

"Washington should more fundamentally reconsider the status of American Indians. There's much to regret in America's treatment of the continent's original inhabitants. But that's still not a good reason to create artificial enclaves with special privileges not possessed by the...

South Dakota tribe runs out of money for Head Start (March 10, 2005)

The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of South Dakota was forced to shut down two Head Start programs this week due to a lack of funds. The closure is considered temporary, as officials are seeking more funds for food, transportation and...

Wisconsin lawmaker may join anti-mascot effort (March 10, 2005)

A Wisconsin lawmaker is considering legislation to stop the use of Indian mascots after a key tribal leader called for their removal. State Rep. Jennifer Shilling, a Democrat, said she became interested after hearing Raymond DePerry, the chairman of the...

Brazil considers drilling on aboriginal lands (March 10, 2005)

The government of Brazil is considering a plan to open more aboriginal lands to mining despite growing concerns of illegal development, MineWeb reports. Brazilian tribes currently have little say over the use of valuable natural resources on their reservations. An...

California school considered Churchil best for job (March 10, 2005)

A committee at California State University, Northridge, considered controversial professor Ward Churchill the best candidates for the school's new Indian studies program, a former official said. In 1991, the school flew Churchill out to California and interviewed him, said Warren...

New efforts in fight against nuclear waste dump (March 10, 2005)

Members of the Skull Valley Goshute Tribe and Utah's two senators are stepping up their fight against a proposed nuclear waste dump on the reservation. Tribal members filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Interior Department...

Elem Tribe seeks protection of ceremonial grounds (March 10, 2005)

The Elem Tribe of California wants to ensure the protection of an island long used for traditional ceremonies, tribal administrator Jim Brown said. The tribe is concerned about development on Rattlesnake Island. A landowner is planning vacation homes there, prompting...

Woman aims for authenticity with children's play (March 10, 2005)

An Oregon woman hopes her new children's play will accurately represent tribal culture. Pruella Centers based "Coyote Steals Fire" on stories she heard from her Apache grandfather. The play includes dancing, drumming and songs by the Red Hawks, a Seminole/Creek/Lakota...

Senate committee deadlocks on 'Clear Skies' bill (March 10, 2005)

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee deadlocked 9-9 on Wednesday on a bill to implement President Bush's "Clear Skies" initiative. The Bush administration said the proposal would reduce power-plant emissions by 70 percent. But Democrats and environmental groups said...

House, Senate differ on ANWR energy legislation (March 10, 2005)

Republicans in the House and Senate are trying different ways to authorize development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. House Republicans will include an ANWR provision in a broad energy bill. Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California), chairman of the House Resources...

California tribe might burn recordings of ceremonies (March 10, 2005)

The Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians is considering burning audio and video recordings of a ceremony that was taped by a Native artist, a lawyer for the tribe said. The tribe and Lorenzo Baca, who is Pueblo and Apache, settled...

Norton to testify before Senate Appropriations (March 10, 2005)

Secretary Gale Norton will testify about the Interior Department's fiscal year 2006 budget proposal before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee today. The Bush administration has requested a total of $10.8 billion for Interior, a figure that includes a $110 million reduction...

Appeals court rejects tribe's treaty rights claim (March 10, 2005)

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reaffirmed its dismissal of the Skokomish Tribe's $6 billion treaty rights claim on Wednesday but transferred portions of the case to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. A divided panel of 11 judges split...

Congressmen blame Abramoff for mixup on trips (March 10, 2005)

Two Republican Congressmen who went on overseas junkets with Jack Abramoff say they were misled by the disgraced lobbyist. Reps. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) and Tom Feeney (R-Florida) filed disclosure forms with the House indicating that the National Center for Public...

Anderson 'Famous' again in new role at company (March 10, 2005)

Former assistant secretary Dave Anderson is stepping back into the private sector with a new role at the restaurant chain he founded more than 10 years ago. Anderson will serve as chairman emeritus of the Famous Dave's of America Inc....

IAIA to celebrate legacy of maverick Fritz Scholder (March 10, 2005)

News from the Institute of American Indian Arts in New Mexico. When artist Fritz Scholder, Luiseno, passed away on February 10, the art world lost an individual widely considered to be the greatest living Native American artist. But to members...