NCAI leader ready to tell Indian Country's story (January 26, 2006)

The spotlight will shine on Joe Garcia next week as he makes his first major public appearance as the new president of the National Congress of American Indians. Garcia, the governor of Ohkay Owingeh, a New Mexico tribe formerly known...

Identity Theft: California Indians lose tribal rights (January 26, 2006)

The East Bay Expres published a lengthy story in this week's issue about California Indians who have been disenrolled from their tribes. California Indians for Justice says as many as 1,500 people have been removed from the rolls. They...

Eastern Cherokee man leaves top New Mexico post (January 26, 2006)

Billy Sparks, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the public voice of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), is leaving his high-profile job on February 1. Sparks said he was leaving to pursue his music...

Officer on leave after incident with Cheyenne woman (January 26, 2006)

A police officer in Billings, Montana, has been placed on leave after allegations that he used excessive force in arresting a woman from the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Officer Randy Minkoff acknowledges slapping Berdine Gladys Shoulderblade but says he did so...

South Dakota Indian HIV/AIDS cases steady, still high (January 26, 2006)

The number of HIV/AIDS cases among American Indians in South Dakota remained steady over the past six months but the rate is still among the highest in the state. According to the January 2006 surveillance report, American Indians represented 15...

Indian bills offered in South Dakota Legislature (January 26, 2006)

The South Dakota Legislature is considering a number of Indian-related bills this session. HB1233 would create a four-mile zone around Bear Butte where liquor licenses would not be issued. Sponsors introduced the bill in reaction to a bar that was...

Native voter turnout in Canada said to increase (January 26, 2006)

A campaign to increase voter turnout among Natives in Manitoba is being called a success although no hard data is available yet. The Southern Chiefs Organization posted billboards and posters and ran radio and newspaper ads to encourage Natives to...

Opinion: How about a little sympathy for Abramoff? (January 26, 2006)

"From George Clooney to Orthodox rabbis, the list of those who have scathingly denounced Jack Abramoff seems endless. Given the admission of guilt by this Orthodox Jew and former super-lobbyist for Indian gambling tribes, is it possible to discover any...

Ralph Reed losing support in wake of Abramoff (January 26, 2006)

Ralph Reed, the conservative Christian activist who is running for lieutenant governor of Georgia, is losing support among Republicans in a poll conducted after Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty. Reed's lead over state Sen. Casey Cagle, who has made Reed's...

Commentary: Swimmer still not telling the truth on trust (January 26, 2006)

"Why should the Indian people, Congress and the public believe Interior now? Interior deserves to have its point of view on Trust reform acknowledged by the media. The press has reported on it, but not to the exclusion of the...

California woman leads tribe with just five members (January 26, 2006)

A small tribe that is proposing to build a large casino in Amador County, California, consists of one woman and her four children. Rhonda L. Morningstar Pope was recognized as the legitimate leader of the Buena Vista Rancheria of...

Zinc mine is good business for Native corporation (January 26, 2006)

High zinc prices are making life good for NANA Regional Corp., an Alaska Native regional corporation that owns the world's largest zinc mine. Jobs and revenues are up at the Red Dog Mine thanks to the $1-a-pound price for...

Abramoff prosecutor tapped for federal judgeship (January 26, 2006)

Noel Hillman, the Department of Justice official in charge of the Jack Abramoff/Michael Scanlon case, was nominated for a federal judgeship by President Bush. Hillman is the chief of DOJ's public integrity section but he will be stepping down from...

New Delaware chairman makes recognition a priority (January 26, 2006)

The newly elected chairman of the Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma said restoring the tribe's federal recognition and federal funding will be his top priority. Jerry Douglas won the position, beating several candidates. He most recently served as assistant chief. The...

Opinion: Native lobbyists must change ways too (January 26, 2006)

"The Jack Abramoff scandal has netted a number of Washington-based lobbyists and appears likely to cost several U.S. congressmen their political lives. So far the mainstream press has not been overly critical of Indian casino operators who knowingly took part...

McCain testifies on lobbying reform proposals (January 26, 2006)

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held the first Senate hearing on lobbying reforms, with Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) calling for an end to the system of legislative earmarks. McCain, the chairman of the Senate Indian...

Rep. Ney to make re-election announcement (January 26, 2006)

Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio), the Republican lawmaker most closely linked to the Jack Abramoff scandal, is announcing today he will seek re-election. Ney is identified as "Representative #1" in court papers. He is alleged to have accepted campaign contributions,...

'Navajo' author Nasdijj exposed as fraud (January 26, 2006)

An author who rose to prominence after claiming to be Navajo and for writing stories about his alleged Navajo upbringing is actually a white man, LA Weekly reported this week. Based on interviews and other information, LA Weekly concluded...