Updates from National Congress of American Indians DC meeting (February 27, 2015)

The status of leadership at the Indian Health Service, updates from members of Congress and a tribal court jurisdiction case were some highlights from this week's session.

Audio: House Appropriations Committee hearing on BIA budget (February 27, 2015)

The budget includes big increases for education, including construction of new Indian schools.

Senate Indian Affairs Committee to hold hearing on irrigation bill (February 27, 2015)

The Irrigation Rehabilitation and Renovation for Indian Tribal Governments and Their Economies Act authorizes $35 million a year from 2015 to 2036 for irrigation operations and maintenance.

BIA and DOJ seek to mediate Cayuga Nation leadership dispute (February 27, 2015)

Clint Halftown is recognized as the tribe's representative but rivals say they removed him from the position.

Cherokee Nation chief faces at least four challengers in election (February 27, 2015)

The election takes place June 27 and a run-off, if necessary, will be held July 25.

Opinion: Find common ground on Indian mascots in Connecticut (February 27, 2015)

As an historian, I know this history well and am often amazed at how many of our citizens don’t understand or acknowledge that this, along with the history of slavery, are some of the darkest moments in our nation’s past.

Administrator for Alaska tribe cuts her position out of the budget (February 27, 2015)

Even after making reductions, Bobbi Scherrer said the Petersburg Indian Association was still facing a shortfall.

Non-Indians guilty for hunting incidents on Montana reservation (February 27, 2015)

Six people accepted responsibility for violating a ban on hunting in two separate cases.

Man from Te-Moak Tribe pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter (February 27, 2015)

Joshua Dooley, 36, admitted that he shot and killed Jacob Tybo in December 2013.

Kevin Abourezk: Omaha language advocate passes on at age 58 (February 27, 2015)

Mark Awakuni-Swetland’s accomplishments were many and likely will have longstanding impact on the Omaha Tribe.

Mark Trahant: Beautiful trend emerges with power of Native vote (February 27, 2015)

The demographic shift that reflects Native voting power is only beginning.

Native Sun News: Rapid City leader calls for tax on alcohol sales (February 27, 2015)

Dialog has begun between Rapid City Common Council members and members of the Indian community that could lead to tax relief for property owners and relief from the aftermath of substance abuse.

Ivan Star: Lakota traditional history tells the true untold stories (February 27, 2015)

I’ve always held traditional oral history to be as valid as the written word.

Frank Hopper: Alaska Native Brotherhood was about resistance (February 27, 2015)

When you see it coming you can protect what’s most important and survive. You can resist.

Stanley Heller: Don't forget the Sand Creek Massacre in Colorado (February 27, 2015)

There has been an impressive amount of attention paid to the massacre around its 150th anniversary.

Gyasi Ross: Yawna Allen shares her Native and African ancestry (February 27, 2015)

Most of the pressure is to identify myself as being simply black and surprisingly, it has most often come from the black community in my personal experience.