Opinion: Minnesota map could lead to tribal member in office (March 1, 2012)

"The court-ordered redistricting plan issued last week could lay the foundation for the election of a Red Lake or Leech Lake band member to the Minnesota Legislature. The Supreme Court, given the redistricting chore after realizing the Legislature and the...

Ute Tribe leader returns to job after suspension without pay (March 1, 2012)

Richard Jenks Jr. said he will seek back pay after being suspended from the council of the Ute Tribe of Utah. Jenks was suspended on November 8, 2011, for 90 days. A tribal court judge ruled in his favor and...

Colville Tribes and state reach settlement for hunting rights (March 1, 2012)

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the state of Washington reached a settlement over hunting and jurisdiction. The tribe retains hunting and fishing rights on ceded land known as the North Half. Under the agreement, tribal members who...

Fond du Lac man to confront 'white pride' rally in Minnesota (March 1, 2012)

Ricky Defoe, a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, says he and other people will confront a "white pride" rally this Saturday in Duluth, Minnesota. Defoe, who serves as co-chair of the Duluth American Indian...

Opinion: Perspectives on coal mining and indigenous issues (March 1, 2012)

"Why is there such a big gap between what’s important to indigenous people and how mining companies are addressing their priorities? As a follow-up to the piece I wrote last week (see: Why the Future of Mining Depends on Social...

Alaska tribe to receive child welfare funds under agreement (March 1, 2012)

The Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska will receive about $50,000 in child welfare funds pending final resolution of a lawsuit in state court. The tribe successfully sued the state in order to gain recognition of...

Judge won't block construction of road above burial grounds (March 1, 2012)

A judge in California won't put a stop to a road construction project that tribes say will destroy their burial grounds. Vista Superior Court Judge Harry Elias said San Diego County hasn't broken any laws by building the two-mile road....

BIA agrees to mediate Chukchansi Tribe's leadership dispute (March 1, 2012)

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has agreed to mediate a leadership dispute within the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians in California. Two factions, one led by Morris Reid and the other by Reggie Lewis, clashed violently at tribal headquarters...

Tulalip Tribes eye $250M in economic development projects (March 1, 2012)

The Tulalip Tribes of Washington are considering $250 million in projects at the Quil Ceda Village, Chairman Mel Sheldon said. Cabela’s, a hunting, fishing and outdoor supplies store, is due to open in April at the village. Sheldon said the...

Steven Newcomb: Rick Santorum and his religious fanaticism (March 1, 2012)

"On Sunday, Feb. 26, presidential candidate and U.S. senator Rick Santorum (R-Penn) was asked by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos whether he stands by a statement he made in October of 2011, that he “almost threw up” after reading a speech by...

Eastern Pequots to continue lawsuit over federal recognition (March 1, 2012)

Members of the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut will be able to pursue a federal recognition lawsuit in federal court. James Benny Jones Jr., a tribal member who has served as the tribe's attorney, filed the lawsuit in January....

Expect more announcements for tribal trust fund settlements (March 1, 2012)

Since President Barack Obama took office in January 2009, three tribes have reached significant trust fund settlements. Indian Country can expect more announcements in the coming months, Interior Secretary Salazar said in Washington, D.C., today. Upwards of 50 to 60...

Salazar urges quick work for Cobell trust reform commission (March 1, 2012)

The National Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform met for the first time today and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar urged its members to work quickly. The commission was created by the $3.4 billion settlement to the Indian trust fund...

OMG: Getting in touch with your 'Native American' spirit guide (March 1, 2012)

"In Native American language a Totem is a symbol that can represent a tribe, family or an individual. Traditionally, each individual is assigned nine different animals through their life, with each animal appearing in your life when that lesson is...

Richard Gomez: Chumash Tribe needs more land for housing (March 1, 2012)

"We’ve been reaching out to residents, civic leaders and employers to discuss the need for more housing for families of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. As I and other tribal officers go out and talk about our plans,...

Lisa Billy, Chickasaw, sponsors 'personhood' bill in Oklahoma (March 1, 2012)

Rep. Lisa Billy (R), a member of the Chickasaw Nation, is sponsoring a bill which declares that "personhood" begins at conception. Billy appeared at a rally in Oklahoma City on Wednesday to garner support for the controversial measure. SB...

Native Sun News: Lakota patients complain about IHS service (March 1, 2012)

The following story was written and reported by Karin Eagle, Native Sun News Staff Writer. All content © Native Sun News. Fred Koebrick of the Indian Health Service. RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA –– Complaining about Indian Health Service is nothing...

Witness List: House hearing on Chippewa trust fund measure (March 1, 2012)

The House Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs holds a hearing this morning on H.R.1272, the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Judgment Fund Distribution Act. The hearing takes place at 11am in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building. The...

Viejas Band donates $2500 to treat dog with gunshot wounds (March 1, 2012)

The Viejas Band Kumeyaay Indians donated $2,500 to help care for a dog that was found with gunshot wounds. The dog was found on the reservation on February 20. It had been shot in the chest. “This shooting goes against...

Column: Kickapoo Tribe maintains a small presence in Arizona (March 1, 2012)

"Recently the "On this date in Arizona history" stated that "In 1908, representatives of the Kickapoo Indian tribe were in Douglas negotiating the purchase of 200,000 acres of land 50 miles southeast of Douglas for a permanent home for the...

Editorial: Plenty of blame to go around in Chukchansi dispute (March 1, 2012)

"It's difficult to find anyone in the Chukchansi tribal controversy who shouldn't share the blame for the dispute turning violent this week. Both factions in the leadership battle took calculated steps that made violence likely. Government officials from the Bureau...