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NIGC finally rules on Poarch Creek casino site (May 29, 2008)

After more than four years of consideration, the National Indian Gaming Commission has finally ruled on the legality of a casino being operated by an Alabama tribe. In a May 19 decision, NIGC Chairman Phil Hogen apologized to the Poarch...

Sen. Obama started Indian outreach early (May 29, 2008)

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Illinois) started his outreach to Indian Country early in his campaign, The Politico reports. Obama met with representatives of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians last June. Since then, he's met privately and publicly with tribal...

Black business leaders make peace in Alaska (May 29, 2008)

The head of the National Black Chamber of Commerce is telling lawmakers to "lay off" Alaska Native corporations, The Anchorage Daily News reports. Harry Alford was a leading critic of ANCs. He said they were overtaking the minority government contracting...

Study reports growth in Osage Nation's economy (May 29, 2008)

The Osage Nation of Oklahoma is seeing major growth in its economy, according to a tribal-commissioned study. The tribe has gone from 200 employees in 2002 to 1,500 this year. Business revenues are up and mineral production is increasing. "The...

Cherokee chief criticizes English-only proposals (May 29, 2008)

Cherokee Nation, Chief Chad Smith said he will continue to fight efforts to make English the official language in Oklahoma. Smith criticized state Rep. Randy Terrill, a Republican, for pushing the issue this year. He said the only goal was...

Early voting pushed on South Dakota reservations (May 29, 2008)

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-New York) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Illinois) are already trying to get Indian voters to the polls in South Dakota. The state's Democratic primary takes place on June 3. But both campaigns are encouraging reservation residents to...

Pine Ridge Republican supports Clinton over McCain (May 29, 2008)

Republican Bruce Whalen, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, says Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-New York) is a better candidate than Sen. Barack Obama (D-Illinois). Whalen, who has run for Congress, said Clinton and Sen. John...

New Mexico governor won't back Indian candidate (May 29, 2008)

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) won't be endorsing the only Indian candidate running for his old Congressional seat. Richardson appointed Benny Shendo, a member of Jemez Pueblo, as the state's first Indian Affairs secretary. Shendo left the job...

County sheriff hopes to improve tribal relations (May 29, 2008)

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department in California has announced two proposals to improve relations with tribes. The county plans to hire a tribal liaison and hire and train tribal members to police reservations. More than a dozen tribes are located...

Navajo Code Talker dies on Memorial Day (May 29, 2008)

Jerry C. Begay Sr., a Navajo Code Talker who served in World War II, died on Memorial Day. He was 83. Begay received the Purple Heart for his service. Later, he was awarded a Congressional Silver Medal of Honor for...

Column: Indian vote courted in presidential year (May 29, 2008)

"Barack Obama was adopted into the Crow Nation and given the name "One Who Helps People Throughout the Land." In the lead up to Tuesday's primaries in Montana and South Dakota, Hillary Rodham Clinton visited the Flathead Indian Reservation in...

California tribes spent $179K on GOP convention (May 29, 2008)

California tribes donated $179,000 to send state Republicans to the 2004 Republican National Convention, the Associated Press reports. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians donated $129,000 and the California Nations Indian Gaming Association donated $50,000. The donations were among...

Column: Clinton campaigns in the Badlands (May 29, 2008)

"What do you think inspired Hillary Clinton to get up Wednesday morning after five hours of sleep for an impromptu dash to look at four presidents’ heads carved on the side of a mountain? Maybe it was as her staff...

Tachi Yokut Tribe doubles size of reservation (May 29, 2008)

The Tachi Yokut Tribe of California has more than doubled the size of its reservation. The tribe paid $1.2 million for 1,160 acres around the Santa Rosa Rancheria. The Bureau of Indian Affairs finally agreed to acquire the land in...

New leader of Miss Choctaw construction firm (May 29, 2008)

Jeff Graham has been named president of IKBI, Inc., a general contracting firm owned by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Graham has worked for the company for 3.5 years as director of operations. He replaces Josh Gambling, who...

HUD cuts NAHASDA funding to pay for lawsuit (May 29, 2008)

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has cut $50 million in Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act funds in order to settle a court case. The $50 million is being paid to tribes that were part of a...

Ute Mountain Ute man sentenced for murder (May 29, 2008)

Roybal Whiteman, a 23-year-old member of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe of Colorado, was sentenced to more than 25 years in prison for two crimes against fellow tribal members. Whiteman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the shooting death of...

Opinion: Eastern Cherokees should vote on WalMart (May 29, 2008)

"Anytime Wal-Mart comes to a town, it’s a controversy. The town of Cherokee is no different, and the tribe’s officials would do well to seek public opinion prior to the store locating on the reservation. For those who oppose...