Assistant Secretary Larry Echo Hawk statement on the passing of Elouise Cobell (October 17, 2011)

The following is a statement from Assistant Secretary Larry Echo Hawk, the leader of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Indian Country, as well as the entire nation, has lost a champion of human rights. Elouise Cobell battled to make our...

Sen. Johnson statement on the passing of Elouise Cobell (October 17, 2011)

The following is a statement from Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota). Elouise Cobell never stopped fighting for the rights of Native Americans, no matter the roadblocks or red tape that was put in her path. When I met with her...

Chickasaw man on track to serve as Oklahoma House speaker (October 17, 2011)

T.W. Shannon, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, is slated to become the next speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Shannon was elected speaker designate by his fellow Republicans, The Oklahoman reported. He is due to take control...

Murder charge laid over 2010 death of Cynthia Frances Maas (October 17, 2011)

A non-Native man has been charged with first-degree murder for the 2010 death of Cynthia Frances Maas.

Mark Trahant: Budget cuts repeating tragic history for tribes (October 17, 2011)

Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Xavier Becerra (D0California) meeting at the Tribal Unity Impact Week. Becerra is a member of the “Super Committee.” Photo via Senate Indian Affairs Twitter feed. Tribal leaders...

Nature: Puerto Ricans carrying DNA from their Taino ancestors (October 17, 2011)

"The Taínos were the first Native Americans to meet European explorers in the Caribbean — and they soon fell victim to the diseases and violence brought by the outsiders. Today, the genomes of most if not all descendents of Taínos...

Sen. Baucus statement on the passing of Elouise Cobell (October 17, 2011)

The following is a statement from Sen. Max Baucus (D-Montana). Eloise Cobell was a warrior for justice, a voice for the voiceless, and a dear friend. Our state and our country are better for having known her. Mel's and my...

Rep. Markey statement on the passing of Elouise Cobell (October 17, 2011)

The following is a statement from Rep. Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts), the ranking member on the House Natural Resources Committee. In Indian Country, Elouise Cobell is synonymous with justice, and for the last two decades her life was dedicated to that...

NAIHC statement on the passing of Elouise Cobell (October 17, 2011)

The following is a statement from Cheryl Causley, the chairwoman of the National American Indian Housing Council. On behalf of NAIHC, I extend my condolences to the Blackfeet Nation and the family of renowned Indian Country advocate Ms. Elouise Cobell...

MSU News: Holding non-Indians accountable on reservations (October 17, 2011)

"Domestic violence against Native American women and pollution of American Indian land - mostly at the hands of non-Native Americans - are just two of many issues that could destroy the American Indian way of life, according to a Michigan...

Senate Indian Affairs Committee upcoming hearings, events (October 17, 2011)

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee has a business meeting, a listening session and two hearings on its schedule. This Thursday, the committee holds a business meeting to consider S.1262, the Native Culture, Language, and Access for Success in Schools Act,...

Analysis: Alaska Native corporations confront some big issues (October 17, 2011)

"Alaska Native corporations have become financial powerhouses in Alaska. In 2010, eight of the 10 top corporations in Alaska, in terms of gross revenues, were owned by Alaska Natives and four of these grossed more than $1 billion, according to...

Column: Water tank an eyesore at Chaco Culture National Park (October 17, 2011)

"Among the mysteries hidden in the rock towers of Chaco Canyon: Who were the Native American people who settled here centuries ago? How did they develop such sophisticated science and engineering skills? Why did they suddenly leave? And now...

Sen. Begich: Celebrate Alaska Federation of Natives meeting (October 17, 2011)

"After the season's first frost but before the first heavy snowfall, the event that brings Alaskans from communities in our state's farthest corners to the heart of downtown Anchorage is the Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention. While news stories...

Erich Longie: Victory fleeting for both sides of 'Fighting Sioux' (October 17, 2011)

"A lot of attention has been given to the letters written to the Big Sky Conference by my fellow tribal members and their Committee for Understanding and Respect. What got much less attention were the results of the tribal election...

Secretary Salazar statement on the passing of Elouise Cobell (October 17, 2011)

The following is a statement from Ken Salazar, the Secretary of the Department of the Interior. I am deeply saddened by the loss of Elouise Cobell, who dedicated her life to the betterment of Indian people. She sought justice to...

Sen. Harry Reid statement on the passing of Elouise Cobell (October 17, 2011)

The following is a statement from Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada). I’m saddened to hear of the passing of Elouise Cobell, a true champion for justice who improved the lives of American Indians across the country, including thousands in Nevada. Elouise...

Sen. Tester statement on the passing of Elouise Cobell (October 17, 2011)

The following is a statement from Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana). Elouise Cobell was a star -- truly a guiding light that will always lead the way for all Americans who fight for justice and fairness. Elouise’s tireless leadership set this...

President Obama statement on the passing of Elouise Cobell (October 17, 2011)

Michelle and I were saddened to hear about the passing of Elouise Cobell yesterday. Elouise spoke out when she saw that the Interior Department had failed to account for billions of dollars that they were supposed to collect on behalf...

Marc Simmons: Navajos weren't eager to accept Christian faith (October 17, 2011)

"Beginning in the mid 1740s, Spaniards launched their first serious attempt to convert the "heathen" Navajos to Christianity. At that time, the Indians made their living by farming and raiding. Back in 1630, Fray Alonso de Benavides, head of the...

Navajo Nation sent trademark letter to Urban Outfitters in June (October 17, 2011)

News coverage of the "Navajo" themed fashions at Urban Outfitters ramped up in the last week but it turns out the company knew months ago that its products were troublesome. The Navajo Nation sent a cease and desist letter to...

Federal Eye: Court orders Abramoff book profits to go to tribes (October 17, 2011)

"Disgraced ex-lobbyist Jack Abramoff might hope his upcoming book sells well, but he won’t see all of the profits from it. A federal court has garnished money earned from “Capitol Punishment: The Hard Truth About Washington Corruption From America’s Most...

Supreme Court declines to accept Oneida Nation land claim (October 17, 2011)

The U.S. Supreme Court won't hear the long-running Oneida Nation land claim. In an order list released this morning, the justices announced their decision to deny petitions in Oneida Nation v. Oneida County and US v. New York. However, Justice...

Omaha man aims to inspire youth with reservation boxing club (October 17, 2011)

Dwight Howe, a member of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, has opened a new boxing club on the reservation. Howe learned to box from the late Harold Bigfire, who was a member of the Winnebago Tribe. He wants to pass...

Delvin Cree: No freedom of the press for Turtle Mountain Band (October 17, 2011)

"A recent vendetta against me for writing an article to newspapers in September has forced me to resign my position as the Turtle Mountain Reservation oil and gas specialist. A recent "special" meeting request prepared by the tribe's vice chairman...

Letter: Acting Cherokee Nation chief defies tribe on Freedmen (October 17, 2011)

"Acting Chief Elect Joe Crittenden should respectfully submit his resignation. How many more times will the Cherokee people put up with having their sovereign rights disregarded, disrespected and denied when it comes to the issue of citizenship? Joe Crittenden and...

Levi Rickert: Shame on America for condition on reservation (October 17, 2011)

"Since ABC's "20/20" last night aired the stark and shocking third-world living conditions afforded to the Lakota living on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, they are no longer hidden to viewers who watched the program. After watching the program, I...

Wambli Sina Win: Honor our tribal holy men and holy women (October 17, 2011)

Holy men of yesterday were so much a part of the Lakota society that everyone knew who they were. As leaders, they were in the center of Lakota life and they were simply accepted. They were known as healers, protectors,...

Duane Champagne: Self-determination and the environment (October 17, 2011)

"In the early 1970s the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created by the Nixon administration and implemented the president’s plan of New Federalism, which stressed cooperation among federal and state agencies, and more access to local communities for voice and...

Julia Good Fox: DIY responses to global economic recession (October 17, 2011)

"Since 2009, the relationship between a sustainable economy, the rights of workers, and the purpose of democracy has been highlighted on the international stage. Throughout Germany, Greece, Austria, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, France, and England, there have been protests—and riots—that draw...

Cedric Sunray: Cherokee Nation joins the disenrollment club (October 17, 2011)

"A few weeks ago, I read the following paragraph in an NPR article about the Cherokee Freedmen: “This is not a club; you can’t just claim to be Cherokee and show up and be included,” says Cara Cowan Watts, a...

Tim Giago: Many people trying to make it right at Pine Ridge (October 17, 2011)

Notes from Indian Country By Tim Giago (Nanwica Kciji) © 2011 Unity South Dakota NBC made a visit to the Pine Ridge Reservation in November of 1989. The result was a horrible newscast titled, “Tragedy at Pine Ridge.” The tragedy...

Turtle Talk: Land-into-trust debate ignores elephant in room (October 17, 2011)

"Last week’s hearing on the ongoing question of whether Congress will “fix” the Supreme Court’s Carcieri decision was a different take than earlier hearings, but still completely ignores the elephant in the room. The first hearings were naked pleas to...

Elouise Cobell, lead plaintiff in Indian trust fund lawsuit, dies at 65 (October 17, 2011)

Elouise Cobell, an enrolled member of Montana's Blackfeet Tribe who led a 16-year landmark legal fight to get the federal government to pay an estimated 500,000 Native Americans for mismanaging their trust accounts, died on Sunday night in at Benefis...