Review: 'Defeating Diabetes' is a helpful book for Indian Country (September 20, 2011)

"Beyond Native communities, we know diabetes is at epidemic rates among society. A book called "Defeating Diabetes: A No-Nonsense Approach to Type 2 Diabetes and the Diabesity Epidemic" by a registered dietitian Brenda Davis and medical physician Tom Banard is...

Montaukett Nation moving toward state recognition in New York (September 20, 2011)

The Montaukett Indian Nation is seeing support for state recognition in New York. Sen. Kenneth LaValle (R) and Assemblyman Fred Thiele (Independence) said they will push for recognition in 2012. A proposed bill would help undo a 1910 state court...

Opinion: Billy Frank talks treaties for dam removal celebration (September 20, 2011)

"The most touching moments of the celebration marking the beginning of the end of the Elwha dams were tribal. They were the smiling faces on the children of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe who danced, drummed and sang in brand...

IPR: Sault Tribe cites treaty rights in opposition to moose hunts (September 20, 2011)

"A special advisory council says Michigan's Upper Peninsula could handle a moose hunting season. The group presented its report to the state's Natural Resources Commission last week. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians is against a moose hunt....

Chumash Tribe starts website to support land-into-trust efforts (September 20, 2011)

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians in California has started a website to defend its land-into-trust efforts. The tribe recently purchased 1,400 acres but has run into controversy before even starting the land-into-trust process. A prior application is already...

California governor creates special advisor post on Indian issues (September 20, 2011)

California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed an executive order on Monday to establish the position of Governor’s Tribal Advisor. Brown signed the order at a meeting of the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Nations. It cites the "inherent" sovereignty of...

Turtle Talk: Supreme Court and Indian law cases for 2011 term (September 20, 2011)

"The “long conference” is next Monday, and so the 2011 Term is under way. Here are the cases that are on the radar, with an emphasis on the petitions on the agenda for Monday. Petitions Slated for the Long Conference:...

Driver charged in death of Ute Mountain Ute leader Ernest House (September 20, 2011)

A 20-year-old man has been charged with careless driving following the death of Ernest House Sr., a former chairman of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe of Colorado. House, 65, was killed on Saturday after his motorcycle was struck head-on by...

Mi'gmaq men from Canada to be extradited in 1988 murder case (September 20, 2011)

Two Mi'gmaq men from the Listuguj First Nation in Quebec face extradition to the U.S. to face murder charges. Matthew Barnaby and David Caplin grew up on the Restigouche Reserve. But Barnaby was living in Nashua, New Hampshire, at the...

BIA warns wind developers about Osage Nation mineral estate (September 20, 2011)

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is warning the developers of a wind farm of potential litigation by the Osage Nation of Oklahoma. The BIA wants to review all proposals and agreements for the 8,300-acre Wind Capital Group project. The agency...

George Tiger and Mike Flud advance in Muscogee chief election (September 20, 2011)

The Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma held a primary election on Saturday. According to unofficial results, George Tiger and Mike Flud were the top two vote-getters in the race for principal chief. They will advance to a November 5 runoff. Roger...

California Watch: Viejas Band garnishes wages for child support (September 20, 2011)

"For Christina Brown, a mother in Wildomar, the battle to get child support is over. As California Watch and KQED Public Radio reported last month, Brown was having little luck collecting the more than $4,000 per month in court-ordered child...

Federal judge to hear arguments in Cherokee Freedmen lawsuit (September 20, 2011)

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., will hear arguments this afternoon in a Cherokee Freedmen lawsuit. The Freedmen are the descendants of former slaves held within the Cherokee Nation. Their ancestors are listed on the Dawes Roll and they were...

NPR: Cherokee Nation facing scrutiny for removing the Freedmen (September 20, 2011)

"The Cherokee Nation recently decided to limit its membership to people who can prove they have Indian blood. This strips of their citizenship rights about 2,800 African-Americans who are descendants of slaves once owned by wealthy Cherokees. Those rights include...