Opinion: Thanksgiving a lie, just like Santa Claus (November 21, 2006)

"Thanksgiving is a lie. Just like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. There's no more truth to the Hallmark moment of Pilgrims and Native Americans sharing a feast of squash, corn and turkey than there is to Betsy Ross...

Opinion: Racism still prevalent in world of sports (November 21, 2006)

"The use of Native American mascots and imagery should be banned from America’s sporting traditions. Although many teams have changed their mascots to become more politically correct, many still use these racist slogans and symbols to represent their teams. Of...

LA Times series on Navajo Nation uranium mining (November 21, 2006)

The Los Angeles Times continues its series on the devastating effects of uranium mining on the Navajo Nation. Today's installment deals with the failure of cleanup efforts. More than 1,000 abandoned mines dot the tri-state reservation but little has...

Dean at Haskell named Poet Laureate of Kansas (November 21, 2006)

A dean at Haskell Indian Nations University will assume the title of Kansas Poet Laureate next July. Denise Low, the interim dean of the College of Humanities and Arts, hopes to use the post to draw attention to poets...

Oklahoma celebrates Native American Heritage (November 21, 2006)

The state of Oklahoma celebrated Native American Heritage Month during a ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda on Monday. Rep. Shane Jett (R), one of the 21 Native Americans serving in the Legislature, reminded attendees that Oklahoma's history did not start...

Chickasaw Nation to sell bonds for $130M hospital (November 21, 2006)

The Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma plans to sell bonds to finance the construction of a $130 million hospital. The tribal council voted 10-2 to approve the bond measure, which will cover $90 million. The remaining $40 million will come from...

Navajo man wants to serve tribe and New Mexico (November 21, 2006)

A newly elected member of the Navajo Nation Council says he should be able to keep his job and serve in the New Mexico State Legislature. Leonard Tsosie has served four terms in the State Senate. On November 7, he...

Havasupai Tribe presses suit over misuse of blood (November 21, 2006)

The Havasupai Tribe of Arizona has been working nationwide to garner support for a lawsuit against Arizona State University. The tribe submitted more than 400 blood samples to ASU for diabetes research. They later found out that the blood was...

Mohegan Tribe in London for unveiling of memorial (November 21, 2006)

Leaders of the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut are in London for the unveiling of a memorial to Chief Mahomet Weyonomon on Wednesday. Queen Elizabeth II will unveil the statue to honor Mahomet, who was the great grandson of Uncas, the...

Chumash Tribe announces purchase of hotel (November 21, 2006)

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians of California announced the purchase of a hotel but has no plans to have the site placed in trust. The tribe expects to close the deal in January 2007. After that, the...

Oneida Nation works on jurisdiction agreement (November 21, 2006)

The Oneida Nation has submitted a proposal to share jurisdiction on health and safety issues with Oneida County, New York. The tribe and the county have been at odds over inspection of business on tribal-owned land. The county claims it...

Oglala Sioux president calls for another election (November 21, 2006)

The outgoing president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota wants a new election where he is on the ballot. Alex White Plume was taken off the ballot days before the November 7 election. He had an old conviction...

Men want Sitting Bull gravesite on National Register (November 21, 2006)

Two South Dakota men are hoping to have Sitting Bull's gravesite placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Rhett Albers and Bryan Defender bought the 40-acre site in Mobridge in 2005. They have been working to restore the land...

Gus Palmer, Kiowa veteran and leader, dies at 87 (November 21, 2006)

Gus Palmer Sr., a former chairman of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma and a decorated World War II veteran, died on Saturday. He was 87. Palmer revived the Kiowa Black Leggings Warrior Society in 1958. The society is open...

Ho-Chunk Nation president removed from office (November 21, 2006)

The president of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin was removed from office on November 11. The general council ousted George Lewis after questions were raised about a marketing contract he signed in October 2005. The vote was nearly unanimous, with...

NCAI backs House Committee on Indian Affairs (November 21, 2006)

The National Congress of American Indians is backing a proposal to create a House Committee on Indian Affairs. NCAI President Joe Garcia said the committee would ensure Indian issues get a fair hearing. ''Far too often tribal concerns are pitted...

Nahua midwives an important tradition in Mexico (November 21, 2006)

In rural areas of Mexico where Spanish is rarely spoken, Nahua midwives are preserving culture and saving lives. The midwives carry on a tradition that dates to pre-Colonial times. They are highly respected in Nahua communities, where they take care...

Democrats plan rollout of ethics reform bill (November 21, 2006)

The Democrats will roll out a major ethics reform bill in the 110th Congress in 2007. But rather than consider one big package, Democrats will introduce each reform as an amendment. The goal is to give every issue a full...