ending June 17
Outgoing Secretary of
Indian Affairs Kevin Gover.
Photo © DOI
Missed our stories? All the headlines for the week can be found here. Gover speaks out
As Kevin Gover reaches the end of his tour of duty as head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, he appeared once again on the nationally broadcast radio program Native America Calling this week. The event is probably the last time he will make on the show as BIA head man. But true to form, Gover spoke on a wide variety of issues facing Indian Country today: federal recognition, law enforcement, crime, blood quantum, and gaming. Most important were his comments on the future of all tribes in relation to the current controversy over the Pequot tribes of Connecticut. "Over time, more and more tribes will have their descendancy...challenged. Its a threat we're all going to have to deal with eventually," said Gover. As for the future of Kevin Gover, we don't know where he's headed but you can bet we'll hear from him soon. Get the Story:
Gover fields questions (The Talking Circle 6/14)
Gover in the Spotlight (The Talking Circle 6/12)
Violence in Indian Country (The Talking Circle 6/15) Peltier loses out
Once again, imprisoned activist Leonard Peltier lost out on his bid for parole. Currently serving two life sentences for the murders of two FBI agents during the turbulent times of Wounded Knee '75, Peltier was denied parole during a hearing in Leavenworth, Kansas. You can bet FBI agents across the country were happy with the decision as Peltier supporters hope and pray for a Presidential pardon. As Clinton's term draws to a close, no doubt efforts to seek clemency for Peltier will step up. Get the Story:
Peltier denied parole (The Talking Circle 6/13)
Peltier seeks parole (The Talking Circle 6/12) Pequots get bold
There's always something interesting happening in Connecticut involving Indian issues and this week was no exception. First, a Mashantucket Pequot tribal member who wondered why his tribe was offered the sale of an Indian newspaper if his tribe is not really Indian? One thing we know for sure is that The New London Day is not an Indian newspaper. An editorial this week urged Connecticut's Congressional delegation to launch an investigation into the 1983 Mashantucket Pequot Settlement Act. Apparently, they don't think Rep. Sam Gejdenson can do the job. He's also calling for an probe, even though he says Congress did nothing wrong. Finally, the Paucatuck Eastern Pequot tribe decided to write their own letter in response to the spam campaign of three Connecticut towns, who are eagerly awaiting the outcome of a ruling on the annexation of 165 acres to the Mashantucket reservation. Let's just hope the town of Kent, who will be holding their own tribal forum to discuss issues involving their Schaghticoke neighbors, doesn't follow their lead. But if they saw how much money they might get from gaming, they might want to ally with the tribe right now. Will the saga ever end? Get the Story:
Not Indian enough for Giago (The Talking Circle 6/12)
The Pequot Letters (The Talking Circle 6/12)
EDITORIAL: More Pequot action needed (The Talking Circle 6/13)
Pequot investigation urged (Tribal Law 6/15)
Paucatucks respond to towns' challenge (Tribal Law 6/14)
Towns optimistic about Pequot suit (Tribal Law 6/15)
Town to hold forum (The Talking Circle 6/16)
State: Towns deserve more casino money (Money Matters 6/15)
Foxwoods: $64 million in slots (Money Matters 6/16) State suits up
Tribal leaders have been witholding what they consider an illegal tax on their gaming operations and the state of New Mexico finally called them on it this week as Attorney General Patricia Madrid filed suit against the 12 gaming tribes in the state, hoping to shut them down or make them pay, whichever comes first. Its too early to predict an outcome, but according to many, a tough battle lies ahead for the state. The Department of Interior has long said the 16 percent sharing agreement might be illegal under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). Whatever the arguments, the tribes are ready and willing to fight all the way to the Supreme Court to protect their rights to economic development. Get the Story:
State sues tribes (Money Matters 6/14)
Tribes ready to fight (Tribal Law 6/15)
Lawsuit may affect non-Indian gaming (Tribal Law 6/16) more top stories
But wait, there's more! Get a recap of the other top stories of the week.