NIGC wants tribes to certify legality of casino sites (February 9, 2006)

The National Indian Gaming Commission is considering a new regulation aimed at ensuring the legality of tribal casino sites, chairman Phil Hogen said this week. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 requires that casinos be located on "Indian lands."...

Budget includes money for DOI Indian museums (February 9, 2006)

The Bush administration's fiscal year 2007 budget includes money for three Interior Department Indian museums. The Indian Arts and Crafts Board's budget will actually be increased under the proposal. The request is for $1.16 million, up from $1.14 million. The...

Native villages deal with new issue -- garbage (February 9, 2006)

Representatives of seven Yup'ik villages spoke at an all-Yup'ik workshop at the Anchorage Forum on the Environment on Wednesday. The villagers said one of their biggest problem they face is mounting piles of garbage. Lacking resources, the vilages have...

Northern Cheyenne Tribe meets with museum (February 9, 2006)

The Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana and the Western Heritage Center met for four hours on Wednesday to discuss an exhibit the tribe says was developed without its consent. Last December, the council passed a resolution denouncing the American...

Opinion: Shakopee Tribe wrong to attack county (February 9, 2006)

"As the five elected members of the Scott County Board, we feel compelled to express our profound disappointment with the manner in which the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) has chosen to address the issue of land trust in our...

Navajo Nation wants Bush to come to reservation (February 9, 2006)

The Navajo Nation has extended an invitation for President Bush to visit the reservation, Navajo Nation Vice President Frank Dayish Jr. said. Last Friday, Dayish attended a dinner with Bush. He said he spoke to him about education funding for...

NCAI's Garcia addresses New Mexico Legislature (February 9, 2006)

STATE OF INDIAN NATIONS • View Webcast: NCAI • Download MP3s: Address | Q&A • More: Text of Speech | FY07 Budget Request Joe Garcia, the new president of the National Congress of American Indians, addressed the New Mexico Legislature...

Yakama Nation debates future of basketball team (February 9, 2006)

Members of the Yakama Nation of Washington are expected to vote today on whether to retain ownership of a minor league basketball team. The tribal council bought the Yakama Sun Kings last June. The purchase sparked an outcry among tribal...

Tulalip Tribes come under attack at meeting (February 9, 2006)

The Tulalip Tribes came under attack by non-Indian residents of the Tulalip Reservation in Washington. The tribe held a meeting to discuss tidelands management policies. Non-Indian homeowners say the tribe has no right to impose its authority on them. The...

Schaghticoke tribal council member arrested (February 9, 2006)

A council member for the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation of Connecticut was arrested by state police after being found with a loaded gun on the reservation. Anthony P. Crone, 41, was charged with possession of a loaded firearm in his vehicle,...

Samish Nation leader steps down after 36 years (February 9, 2006)

After 36 years of serving the Samish Nation, Ken Hansen has stepped down as chairman of the Washington tribe after leading a bitter legal fight to regain its dignity. Due to what has been called a clerical error, the...

Dakota descendants gain momentum in trust fight (February 9, 2006)

More than 2,000 Dakota descendants are part of a trust fund lawsuit that has gained momentum in the courts. The Dakota, or Mdewakanton, filed a claim against the United States for breach of trust. The plaintiffs, a group that...

Chippewa Cree Tribe considers own energy company (February 9, 2006)

Leaders of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Montana are working on creating a tribal energy company. Attorney Dan Belcourt said the company would allow the tribe to earn more from its natural resources. Currently, the tribe only collects royalties from...

Little River Band appoints interim leader (February 9, 2006)

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in Michigan has a new leader. Patrick Wilson, an artist, was sworn in as ogema of the tribe on Wednesday. He will serve as interim leader until a new election is held in...

Lobbying reform no longer on fast track in Congress (February 9, 2006)

After Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty last month, lawmakers pledged to reform the way lobbying is done in Washington. But there is little agreement on how the effort should proceed amid resistance from some Republicans. House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois) proposed...

Panel debates tribes and election campaign act (February 9, 2006)

Senate Indian Affairs Committee Oversight hearing on Indian Tribes and the Federal Election Campaign Act, February 8, 2006. • Introduction - 3:43 - 872kb • Panel I - 23:18 - 5.3MB | Q&A - 31:03 - 7.1MB • Panel II...

Opinion: Making tribes play by the rules -- What rules? (February 9, 2006)

"In the wake of the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandals, some type of lobbying reform appears to be a given. Unfortunately, the issue seems likely to get tangled up in “campaign finance reform.” The issues should not be conflated. There are...

Menominee election being reviewed for fraud (February 9, 2006)

The recent Menominee Nation election is under investigation for alleged fraud. Four tribal members, including chairman Michael Chapman, are seeking to have the election declared invalid, The Shawano Leader reported. They allege absentee ballots were fraudulently obtained and cast. Joe...

Opinion: Interior punishes Indians for Cobell (February 9, 2006)

"Some old habits die hard. The Department of Interior just can't seem to help itself. First they lost billions of Indian trust funds and now because they refuse to settle or actually pay back what they lost, stole, and misused,...

Jodi Rave: Tribal political donations debated (February 9, 2006)

Senate Indian Affairs Committee Oversight hearing on Indian Tribes and the Federal Election Campaign Act, February 8, 2006. • Introduction - 3:43 - 872kb • Panel I - 23:18 - 5.3MB | Q&A - 31:03 - 7.1MB • Panel II...