Facebook Twitter Email
In The Hoop
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2002

Welcome to In The Hoop, Indianz.Com's occasional column about assorted Indian issues.

Feels So Good to be So Bad
The list every tribal leader wants to get on is not who will replace Montie Deer over at the National Indian Gaming Commission but the Education Facilities Replacement Construction Priority List, the Bureau of Indian Affairs' guide to the worst schools in its system.

Last updated during the Clinton administration, this Top 20 hitlist is due for an overhaul soon, seeing as how half of the schools have already received their funds. When it came to Isleta Pueblo of New Mexico, Secretary of Interior Gale Norton didn't know where the tribe stood, but she promised to get back to the Gov. Alvino Lucero.

The man in charge of the list -- Assistant Secretary Neal McCaleb -- had nothing to say when Norton made her pledge. He has announced his intent to update the list, but then again, he's announced his intent to take land into trust so we're not sure what this means.

Behind the Cleanliness
Isleta Elementary School got a makeover in advance of the Bush administration's visit yesterday: new flowers planted on the grounds, dirt swept off of the floors and even a very special lunch -- which one Interior employee who shall remain unnamed said looked "nutritious" yet had to feed off the scraps of a colleague -- was prepared.

You can't clean up all the warts, which is why In The Hoop always has its eyes out for what everyone else misses. Consider this memo taped on the inside of one classroom door.

Who knew that the BIA bought bicycles for good students? Oops, well used to.

But we are very pleased to know all the students survived the fire! Those buses can be dangerous.

Behind the Photo Op
Speaking of the students, In The Hoop asked 6th graders at Isleta who they thought the lady eating lunch in their cafeteria was. Kids say the darndest things and here are some of their responses to our query.

President of Monuments. President of Wildlife. Secretary of Parks. Queen of the Interior.

Queen?

We know some of you have your own special name for that lady. Some of them, however, can't be printed here.

A Very Special Shoutout
To all the students at Isleta Elementary, you were definitely the best part of the visit, even though everyone else ignored you. Thankfully your parents know Indianz.com doesn't work that way! We will be showcasing your antics in some upcoming features.

And even though you got left behind by most reporters, we will be looking for you on Fridays at the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet at the new Isleta casino.

In Your Hoop
What's your name for that special lady? Email In the Hoop and let us know.

Previous In The Hoops
May. 15 | May. 14 | May. 10 | May. 9 | May. 8 | May. 7 | May. 2 | Apr. 30 | Apr. 26 | Apr. 24 | Apr. 23 | Apr. 19 | Apr. 18 | Apr. 17 | Apr. 16 | Apr. 15 | Apr. 12 | Apr. 11 | Apr. 10 | Apr. 9 | Apr. 5 | Apr. 4 | Apr. 3 | Apr. 2 | Mar. 29 | Mar. 28 | Mar. 27 | Mar. 26 | Mar. 22 | Mar. 21 | Mar. 20 | Mar. 19 | Mar. 18 | Mar. 15 | Mar. 14 | Mar. 13 | Mar. 12 | Mar. 11 | Mar. 8 | Mar. 7 | Mar. 1 | Feb. 28 | Feb. 27 | Feb. 22 | Feb. 21 | Feb. 20 | Feb. 15 | Feb. 13 | Feb. 8 | Feb. 6 | Feb. 1 | Jan. 30 | Jan. 29 | Jan. 25 | Jan. 24 | Jan. 18 | Jan. 17 | Jan. 16 | Jan. 15 | Jan. 11 | Jan. 10 | Jan. 9 | Jan. 7