Tribes in Montana hail decision to receive Yellowstone bison (December 1, 2011)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has recommended the transfer of 68 bison from Yellowstone National Park to two tribes. The Fort Peck Tribes and the Fort Belknap Indian Community could receive the animals once the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission...

Sen. Tester: 'Security' bill poses a threat to tribal sovereignty (December 1, 2011)

The following is the opinion of Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana). Montana’s Indian Country is sacred ground for all of the Big Sky’s tribes. Tribal lands safeguard and preserve ceremonial sites from the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains. Each site...

Interior Department announces new tribal consultation policy (December 1, 2011)

Photo Tami A. Heilemann-Office of Communications/US Department of the Interior. The Interior Department released its new tribal consultation policy today. The effort began after President Barack Obama signed an executive order in 2009 that directed all federal agencies to...

NPR: A.J. Russell, Cherokee, leads first Native NASCAR team (December 1, 2011)

"But since November is Native American Heritage Month, we thought we'd make an extra effort to highlight the contributions of Native Americans and to close out this year's Native American Heritage Month, we want to tell you about A.J. Russell....

ICT interview with Sarah Deer about Tribal Law and Order Act (December 1, 2011)

"With the many decisions and laws that dictate criminal jurisdiction in Indian country, are things working properly? I don’t think the system works. I think most people who have been really honest about what’s going on [in Indian country] have...

USDA Blog: Consulting with Alaska Native tribal governments (December 1, 2011)

"They say nothing beats teamwork and that can certainly be said about a very forward-thinking and ambitious project being led by USDA-Rural Development in Alaska. USDA-RD Alaska State Director Jim Nordlund is leading the efforts to coordinate several federal agencies...

Don George: Native people united through common struggles (December 1, 2011)

"Every Native struggle, from Aamjiwnaang’s pollution battle, to protecting the manoomin (wild rice), to the Black Hills battle, affects every one of us. And it is our very duty as the grandchildren of our peoples to continue to fight for...

Tex Hall: President Obama should apologize to Native people (December 1, 2011)

"In December 2009, Senators Brownback, Inouye, Dorgan, Akaka, Harkin, Baucus, and Tester wrote to President Obama requesting that he host a White House Ceremony announcing the Apology to Native Peoples on behalf of the United States. Unfortunately, he has not...

Former Crow Creek Sioux chairman sentenced to three years (December 1, 2011)

Duane Big Eagle, the former chairman of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, was sentenced to three years in prison on bribery charges. Big Eagle, 62, asked for house arrest, community service and restitution. But the judge said...

White House Blog: Economic development for Indian Country (December 1, 2011)

"Tuesday night in Talequah, Oklahoma, SBA’s Deputy Administrator Marie Johns and I had the chance to talk with nearly 20 young Native American entrepreneurs. They had great ideas for building businesses, ranging from construction to IT, to defense contracting. As...

Attawapiskat First Nation put under third-party management (December 1, 2011)

The Canadian government placed the Attawapiskat First Nation in Ontario under third-party management, a move criticized by band leaders and opposition politicians. The First Nation declared a housing emergency a month ago, prompting media coverage of deplorable conditions on the...

Native Sun News: Crow Creek Sioux woman earns Bronze Star (December 1, 2011)

The following story was written and reported by Karin Eagle. All content © Native Sun News. Major Stephanie R. Griffith and Lt. Col. Frid Fridricksen in Afghanistan RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA -- Major Stephanie R. Griffith, USMC, an enrolled member...

Big Valley Rancheria gets outside help with general election (December 1, 2011)

The Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians in California enlisted a non-profit group to run its recent general election. The tribe hired Lake County Mediations to handle all aspects of the October 15 vote. Administrator Mickey Burke, however, said the...

MPR: Tribes concerned about high foster care placement rate (December 1, 2011)

"Each year about 1,500 American Indian children in Minnesota spend time in foster care or other out-of-home-care, often after allegations of neglect or substance abuse by a parent. In Minnesota, American Indian children are 14 times more likely to be...

Mexico urged to rescind mining rights at sacred Huichol site (December 1, 2011)

Mexican President Felipe Calderon is being urged to withdraw mining rights at a sacred Huichol site. First Majestic Silver Corp. acquired nearly 16,000 acres in southern Mexico. The area includes the Wirikuta Cultural and Ecological Reserve, which was set aside...

Tunica-Biloxi Tribe opens new cultural and education facility (December 1, 2011)

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana opened its Cultural and Educational Resources Center on Wednesday. The 40,000-square-foot facility houses a museum with the largest collection of European and Native American artifacts from the Colonial period, according to the tribe. There's also...

Prosecutor says Barona Band hindered murder investigation (December 1, 2011)

A prosecutor in California is accusing the Barona Band of Mission Indians of hindering a murder investigation. Stanley Virgil Lloyd Jr., 19, a tribal member, is accused of shooting and killing 17-year-old Christopher Carioscia in October 2010. During closing arguments,...