Democracy Now: Juana Majel-Dixon from NCAI discusses VAWA (March 8, 2013)

Juana Majel-Dixon, the first vice president of National Congress of American Indians, discusses S.47, a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act: JUANA MAJEL DIXON: Oh, my gosh, being in that room listening to her. I’ve known Diane...

Opinion: Treaties support tribes in Wisconsin mining debacle (March 8, 2013)

Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Chairman Mike Wiggins Jr. Photo © Associated Press Attorney Brian Pierson weighs in on the mining bill that just passed the Wisconsin Legislature over the objections of tribes: The Wisconsin Legislature has...

Fronteras: Hopi Tribe takes advantage of tougher sentencing (March 8, 2013)

Fronteras reports on efforts by the Hopi Tribe to increase the sentencing authority of its courts: Crime rates in Indian Country are more than twice the national average. But for decades antiquated criminal codes have limited what tribal courts could...

Klamath Tribes score big ruling in long fight over water rights (March 8, 2013)

The Oregon Water Resources Department has recognized the senior water rights of the Klamath Tribes. The findings and order of determination ensures that the tribes will be considered first when adjudicating rights in the Klamath River Basin. "Everybody is going...

Wisbar News: Possible brief in Supreme Court's ICWA dispute (March 8, 2013)

The State Bar of Wisconsin is being asked to file a brief in Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl, an Indian Child Welfare Act case that will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on April 16: Pursuant to State Bar...

Native Threads lands on shelves in Walmarts across country (March 8, 2013)

Clothing from Native Threads can now be found at Walmart locations across the country. The process normally takes years but company president Randy Bardwell, a member of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, worked quickly to get the items on...

Mille Lacs Band to announce purchase of hotels in Minnesota (March 8, 2013)

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians has scheduled a press conference on Monday to make a business announcement. The tribe is purchasing two large hotels in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. The Minneapolis Star Tribune identified them as the Crowne...

Hualapai Tribe recalls leaders from office in business dispute (March 8, 2013)

Members of the Hualapai Tribe of Arizona recalled two leaders who have been involved in a business dispute with a non-Indian developer. Charlie Vaughn and Candida Hunter were recalled in an election on Wednesday. Both were involved in the takeover...

Little Traverse leader to sign same-sex marriage bill into law (March 8, 2013)

Dexter McNamara, the chairman of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians in Michigan, will sign the tribe's same-sex marriage bill into law on March 15. The tribal council voted 5-4 on a measure that defines marriage as a...

Elsie Meeks: USDA official meets tribal leaders in South Dakota (March 8, 2013)

Elsie Meeks, the State Director of the Department of Agriculture's Rural Development in South Dakota, discusses a meeting with tribal leaders in South Dakota: Last week, Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan led a USDA delegation deep into the heart of Indian...

Oneida Nation praises school for eliminating Redskins mascot (March 8, 2013)

The Oneida Nation praised a public school in New York for retiring its "Redskins" mascot. Cooperstown Central School will stop using the name on June 30. Students pushed for the change, citing the offensive nature of "Redskins." "The students and...

Navajo woman leads challenge to Washington Redskins name (March 8, 2013)

Amanda Blackhorse, a young member of the Navajo Nation, is leading a new challenge against the Washington Redskins professional football team. Blackhorse is asking the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to cancel marks registered to the team. She said the...

Obama cites 'inherent' right of tribes at VAWA signing ceremony (March 8, 2013)

Tribes have an 'inherent' right to protect their people, President Barack Obama said as he signed the Violence Against Women Act into law.

Sally Jewell vows to make Indian Country a top priority at DOI (March 8, 2013)

Sally Jewell vowed to make Indian issues a top priority if she is confirmed as the next Secretary of the Interior Department. Jewell, the top executive at Recreational Equipment Inc., doesn't have much direct experience with tribes. But in...

Native Sun News: Pine Ridge girls team lands in basketball final (March 8, 2013)

The following story was written and reported by Joseph Budd, Native Sun News Correspondent. All content © Native Sun News. Santana White Dress (32) and two teammates are listening to Laura Big Crow from Pine Ridge during their Championship game....

Native Sun News: Oglala leader prods White House on education (March 8, 2013)

The following story was written and reported by Brandon Ecoffey, Native Sun News Staff Writer. All content © Native Sun News. Oglala Sioux Tribal President Bryan Brewer pushes language initiative and calls on White House to take action. Brewer demands...

Gyasi Ross: Good news and horrible news from Washington, DC (March 8, 2013)

Gyasi Ross sees good things and bad things coming from the Obama administration: INCREDIBLE NEWS: On Thursday, February 28th, 2013, the House of Representatives finally decided that Native women, LGBTQ women, and immigrant women were worthy of protections from rape,...

Julia Good Fox: Technology essential in Indian Country's future (March 8, 2013)

Julia Good Fox connects tribalism and technology: Right now, there is a young girl in each of our tribes who is working her way through the lesson plans at Code Academy. Or she has taking it upon herself to work...

White House Blog: Empowering tribes to protect Native women (March 8, 2013)

Jodi Gillette and Charlie Galbraith, officials from White House, explain the importance of S.47, a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, that was signed into law by President Barack Obama: Today, President Obama signed into law the Violence...