Blackfeet Nation woman is named new leader of tribal college (January 3, 2012)

Billie Jo Kipp has been named president of the Blackfeet Community College. Kipp is a member of the Blackfeet Nation. Although she didn't finish college on her first try, she eventually went on to earn her doctorate in clinical psychology....

San Manuel Band donates money for Torres Martinez project (January 3, 2012)

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has donated $200,000 to a fellow California tribe. The Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians will use the money to restore a historic tribal schoolhouse. The building will be turned into a museum. “Our...

Gila River Indian Community to vote on reservation highway (January 3, 2012)

Members of the Gila River Indian Community of Arizona will vote next month on a proposed highway route. The state of Arizona wants to extend the South Mountain Freeway. But the current route has generated controversy because it would displace...

Cherokee Nation man wins custody of daughter in ICWA case (January 3, 2012)

A Cherokee Nation man regained custody of his infant daughter after the tribe intervened. Dusten Brown didn't know his two-year-old daughter, Veronica, had been adopted by a couple in South Carolina. The tribe intervened under the Indian Child Welfare Act...

APRN: Alaska Natives push to reopen Clean Water settlement (January 3, 2012)

"The Clean Water Act settlement between Trident Seafoods and the Environmental Protection agency might not be quite settled. St. Paul’s tribe, Native corporation and fishing association are pushing the federal government to reconsider terms that they say could lead to...

BIA places Tejon Indian Tribe back on list of recognized tribes (January 3, 2012)

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has placed the Tejon Indian Tribe of California back on the list of federally recognized tribes. Assistant Secretary Larry Echo Hawk said the tribe was mistakenly left off the list. “Upon review of the facts...

Nomination of Arvo Mikkanen to federal bench is dead for now (January 3, 2012)

The nomination of Arvo Mikkanen, a member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, to the federal bench, has been returned to the White House. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) and Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) objected to the nomination last year. They...

NPR: Umatilla Tribes hold ceremony to welcome sacred foods (January 3, 2012)

"Around the world last night, revelers marked the start of the new year. But in the Northwest corner of the U.S., some Native American tribes began their celebrations early. On Dec. 20, just before the winter solstice, tribes in Eastern...

Wizipan Garriot: Are you a Lakota warrior or a Lakota weakling (January 3, 2012)

"We Lakota have survived for thousands of years, and will continue to survive for thousands more, but only if we stay close to what makes us Indian, to what makes us Lakota. It is in one sense the warrior attitude...

Houlton Band sends first representative to Maine Legislature (January 3, 2012)

The Houlton Band of Maliseets is sending its first representative to the Maine Legislature this year. David Slagger is begin sworn in on Wednesday. He will join the Maine House as a non-voting member. “As a native person, I want...

Review: Compelling stories in 'Don't Know Much About Indians' (January 3, 2012)

"Short stories and poems in the voice of the regular Joe Indian are a compelling representation of what it means to be a Native today. But don’t confuse this for a “deep” book, says Gyasi Ross, author of “Don’t Know...

Ruth Hopkins: Indian Country produced its own heroes in 2011 (January 3, 2012)

"Indian Country presented its own heroes in 2011. Debra White Plume, a Lakota grandmother, has become a prominent figure in the Environmental movement. She protests uranium mining on Tribal lands, and was arrested at the White House during protests against...

Steven Newcomb: New law a big threat to rights of all citizens (January 3, 2012)

"During my decades of research into the origins of federal Indian law and international law, I discovered that domination is the Latin language for “government.” I keep returning to this connection between “government” and “domination” as I reflect upon the...

Column: Waiting far too long for justice over Redskins mascot (January 3, 2012)

"Back in 1992, Washington reigned as Super Bowl champs with high hopes for two in a row under coach Joe Gibbs. That year, a Native American resident of the District, Suzan Harjo, became the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit seeking...

Turtle Talk: Top 10 most popular Indian law stories from 2011 (January 3, 2012)

"Here you go. Methodology, if it could be called that, is a mixture of how many times a post or series of posts was “hit” and a little common sense. That last part means we won’t count Ms. Canada’s outfit...