ending February 17
Key ring Presidents.
Vicente Fox, George W. Bush.
Photo © AP.
Missed our stories? All the headlines for the week can be found here. Trust fund battle continues
Its been five years since the billion dollar trust fund lawsuit against the federal government was filed but it looks like it might not end any time soon. The plaintiffs in the case, representing 300,000 Native Americans throughout the country, spent the week laying new charges of document destruction and employee intimidation against the Department of Interior. The court-appointed special master also stepped into the battle and decried what he called an attempt to undermine his authority. According to the plaintiffs, he also saved some precious documents from being sent to the Great Paper Shredder in the Sky. Its still unclear how Secretary Gale Norton will help resolve the matter, if at all. She promised to do what she could to fix the mismanaged system. Judging from the week's allegations, she may need a major miracle. Get the Story:
Norton's trust fund office to be investigated (2/13)
Intimidation alleged at Interior (2/14)
Ex-employee says harassment started at top (2/15) Who is Gale Norton?
Speaking of the new Secretary of Interior, just who is she? The question was presented to Indian Country nearly two months ago but no clear answer has emerged. Poised to be a savior to Western politicians fed up with her predecessor, Norton has yet to make any major decisions. But she has promised, repeatedly, to open up the Arctic and parts of the Rocky Mountains to oil and gas development, reach out to local decision-makers, and cooperate with lots of people. She may need to repeat those promises when her Department comes out with its new budget. Will tribal school funding survive the cuts? Tune in and find out. Get the Story:
Arctic drilling won't be easy battle (2/12)
Norton's commitment still untested (2/13)
Norton makes case for Arctic drilling (2/13)
Norton asked to rescind Sandia Pueblo ruling (2/14)
Norton targets Rockies for drilling (2/15)
Norton: Key positions won't yet be filled (2/16)
Norton warns of Interior budget cuts (2/16)
Tribal Schools on Priority List (2/16) more stories
There's still more to read in the recap of the top stories.