Tribes in Washington ask DOI to file lawsuit for water rights (January 11, 2012)

The Lummi Nation and the Nooksack Tribe have asked the Interior Department to file a lawsuit that will determine the extent of their water rights. The tribes have treaty rights on the Nooksack River. Quantification of their rights is necessary...

Shakopee Tribe aims for better relations over land-into-trust (January 11, 2012)

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is working to improve relations with local communities through the land-into-trust process. The tribe recently filed applications for about 150 acres in two cities. Officials in Prior Lake voted against challenging the request while officials...

Column: 'Custer's Last Stand' looks at Custer prior to battle (January 11, 2012)

"According to a new documentary on George Armstrong Custer, some of the seeds of the tragedy that occurred at the Battle of the Little Big Horn actually began eight years earlier. That’s when Custer took part in the Battle of...

Interview: Marc Yaffee, on tour with Pow Wow Comedy Jam (January 11, 2012)

"As an adopted child raised by a Mexican mother and a Jewish father, Marc Yaffee found out in his 20s that he’s of Navajo, Mexican and Irish descent. Now, he makes his living as a stand-up comedian who focuses...

Indian woman wins special election to Minnesota Legislature (January 11, 2012)

Susan Allen, an attorney of Lakota, Dakota and Anishinabe heritage, won special election to the Minnesota Legislature on Tuesday. Allen, a Democrat, will represent House District 61B. She defeated rival Nathan Blumenshine with 56 percent of the vote. Since 1933,...

Blackfeet Nation recognized for anti-drunk driving program (January 11, 2012)

The FBI honored the Blackfeet Nation of Montana for its anti-drunk driving program. The tribe's Pikanii Action Team received the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award. Officials said the effort has resulted in a significant drop in drunken driving violations on...

Native Sun News: Pine Ridge set to gain a federal credit union (January 11, 2012)

The following story was written and reported by Jesse Abernathy. All content © Native Sun News. Tawney Brunsch PINE RIDGE RESERVATION, SOUTH DAKOTA -- A proposed federal credit union is banking on the estimated 40,000-strong community of the Pine Ridge...

Editorial: Samson Cree Nation says 'no more' to gang crimes (January 11, 2012)

"No more. No more. If the community and the RCMP can continue to work together, the tragic death of five-year-old Ethan Yellowbird may make a lasting difference for justice and peace on the four reserves at Hobbema. Three Hobbema youths...

Walt Lamar: Protecting Indian children from dangers of drugs (January 11, 2012)

"Recent news stories about state child welfare agencies removing Native children from their families, highlights the need for tribal leaders to engage proactive solutions to keep our children safe and within the tribal community. The White Earth Nation of Minnesota...

Lengthy investigation led to charges for death of Native boy (January 11, 2012)

Authorities spent seven months and $500,000 on an investigation that resulted in charges against three juveniles for the death of five-year-old Ethan Yellowbird on the Samson Cree First Nation in Alberta. Ethan 's death last July shocked the nation....

South Dakota court allows lawsuit for abuse at Indian school (January 11, 2012)

Former students of the St. Joseph's Indian School on the Lower Brule Sioux Reservation can pursue a lawsuit over alleged abuse, the South Dakota Supreme Court ruled last month. Eight former students filed the lawsuit in June 2010. A copy...

Bill would address liquor problems in Whiteclay border town (January 11, 2012)

A bill in the Nebraska Legislature would help address liquor problems in the border town of Whiteclay. LB 829 allows local governments to request an alcohol impact zone in Whiteclay. That could help address public drunkenness, loitering, crime and other...

Indian voting rights an issue with shutdown of USPS facility (January 11, 2012)

Indian voting rights could be affected by the closure of a U.S. Postal Service facility in Tucson, Arizona. Closing the mail-processing plant will delay distribution of election ballots, according to the recorder in Pima County. The recorder says members of...

Column: University of Utah should eliminate 'Utes' nickname (January 11, 2012)

"When word recently drifted out that the University of Utah possibly was, or is, considering getting a new logo and a new nickname for its sports teams, traditionalists around here went berserk. Somehow, in that moment, the drum and feather...

Interview with Adam Beach on his new TV role in 'Arctic Air' (January 11, 2012)

"Adam Beach has plenty of things to be happy about these days. He got to work with Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig in last summer's blockbuster "Cowboys & Aliens." He enjoyed a stint as a popular guest star on "Combat...

WPR: Wyoming tribes face long fight in trust mismanagement (January 11, 2012)

"On Monday, the Federal Court of Appeals reinstated a claim filed by the Wind River Tribes against the federal government which accuses the Department of Interior of mismanaging mineral royalties for the two tribes. The Shoshone and Arapaho claims were...

Internet abuzz with sightings of Johnny Depp on reservation (January 11, 2012)

YouTube: Navajo Times Daily News Update for January 10, 2012 with reporter Alastair Lee Bitsoi Sorry, movie fans. Johnny Depp probably wasn't hanging out on the Navajo Nation over the weekend, although Facebook and The Navajo Times were inundated...

Mitt Romney easily wins New Hampshire's Republican primary (January 11, 2012)

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney easily won the Republican primary in New Hampshire on Tuesday. Romney won 39.4 percent of the vote. Congressman Ron Paul of Texas came in second with 22.8 percent while former Utah governor Jon Huntsman finished...