Native American Report articles from November 2004

Native American Report archives from November 2004

Change is afoot.(Slants & Trends)(Native American advocates in senate)
November 1, 2004... CHANGE IS AFOOT--Indian Country is losing two good friends in Congress, with the retirement of Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) and the defeat of Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.). Daschle, who campaigned hard among Native Americans,...

Natives ready to flex muscle, work with the new Congress.
November 1, 2004... With Native Americans beginning to show their political muscle in new ways, the loss of two champions in the Senate is not expected to have a terribly negative effect on Indian matters, advocates say. "We're obviously losing two champions...

Voters decide ballot initiatives concerning gaming in states.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Results were mixed in votes on state ballot issues concerning tribal gambling measures, with casino expansion turned back in a few states and approved elsewhere. In California, voters rejected giving Indian tribes more extensive gambling...

Coushatta tribe files lawsuit against former lobbyist, PR consultant.(public relations)
November 1, 2004... The Coushatta tribe of Louisiana this month filed a $32 million lawsuit against its former lobbyist and public relations firm citing fraud and negligence. The tribe sued Jack Abramoff and public relations consultant Michael Scanlon on Nov....

Scanlon takes the fifth; more charges heard in Senate hearing on lobbying.(Michael Scanlon, public relations executive)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Public relations executive Michael Scanlon pled the Fifth Amendment, as expected, before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee Nov. 17, as new documents were released shedding light on the lobbying controversy swirling around two lobbyists for...

La. senator-elect fought casino, aided by group with gambling ties.(David Vitter)
November 1, 2004... Sen.-elect David Vitter (R-La.), a vocal critic of a failed plan to build an Indian Casino near Lake Charles, La., was helped by a group with an anti-gambling name that actually had ties to reservation casinos. The Committee Against...

Natives turn out in record numbers on election day.
November 1, 2004... While the numbers are still being tallied, it appears clear that Native Americans turned out, as hoped, in record numbers to vote on Election Day. "Nationwide, this most recent election was the highest involvement of Native voters ever....

Court case tests whether to return voting rights to ex-prisoners.
November 1, 2004... The Supreme Court's recent rejection of a Washington state voting rights case could lead to the return of voting rights for former Native American prisoners. At issue is whether the state violated the federal Voting Rights Act when it...

Tribes, child welfare advocates seek more funds from Congress.
November 1, 2004... While legislation to reauthorize federal law for child welfare services to Native Americans moved ahead in Congress this year, the overriding issue in Indian Country remains not authorizing legislation, but a chronic lack of funding, advocates...

Bush signs legislation on housing loans, probate.(George W. Bush)
November 1, 2004... Native Americans will have a better shot at homeownership under legislation signed last month by President Bush. The bill raises the federal guarantee under the Title VI Tribal Housing Loan Guarantee Program from 80 percent to 95 percent in...

Indian health care reauthorization put on Senate calendar for action.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act could see final action during the lame duck session of Congress that began this month. The legislation, S. 556/H.R. 2440, cleared the Senate Indian Affairs...

Lame duck Congress to tackle funding for FY05.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... A lame duck Congress headed back to Washington this month for a short session to wrap up funding for most of the federal government, including programs for Native Americans. As has become commonplace in recent years, the lawmakers in...

Faith-based.(Federal Register)(Department of Housing & Urban Development published rules for faith-based organizations in the indian home)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Faith-Based: HUD published a final rule removing barriers to participation by faith-based organizations in the Indian HOME, Indian Community Development Block Grant, Indian Housing Block Grant, Title VI Loan Guarantee Assistance and Section 184...

Environmental impact.(Federal Register)(Bureau of Indian Affairs to prepare an statement for casino development project's environmental impact)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Environmental impact: The Bureau of Indian Affairs announced plans to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a proposed trust acquisition and casino development project in Madera County, Calif., by the North Fork Rancheria of Mono...

Tribal-state compact.(Federal Register)(Washington's Tribal-State Gaming Compact amendment)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Tribal-state compact: BIA has approved an amendment, effective Oct. 14, to a Class III Tribal-State Gaming Compact between the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and the state of Washington. See the Oct. 14 Federal Register, p. 61036. Contact: George...

Reservation roads.(Federal Register)(Indian Reservation Roads Program amendment)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Reservation Roads: BIA announced a change in the effective date, from Oct. 1 to Nov. 13, for the final rule published July 19 governing the Indian Reservation Roads Program, which addresses tribal transportation needs. See the Oct. 14 Federal...

Health scholarships.(Federal Register)(Indian Health Service)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Health Scholarships: The Indian Health Services has released the list of Indian Health Scholarship recipients for fiscal year 2004. The names, along with their tribal affiliations are in the Oct. 18 Federal Register, p. 61394.

Education department plans first national study of Indian Education.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The first-ever national study of Indian education is planned for 2005, the federal Office of Indian Education has announced. The study will focus on fourth- and eighth-graders in an effort to determine their academic achievement and...

Medicare drug cards available to Indian health participants.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Native American Medicare beneficiaries who use Indian health program pharmacies can now take advantage of two specially endorsed Medicare-approved drug discount cards and a $600 credit tailored for their needs, according to the Center for...

Kansas.(Around Indian Country)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The Mid-American All-Indian Center in Kansas will stay open despite a host of problems that include having its nonprofit status revoked after failing to file the proper paperwork. The center opened about 24 years ago and has been plagued with...

Maine.(Around Indian Country)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Maine's Penobscot and Passamaquoddy tribes walked out of the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission meeting earlier this month to protest the state defeating their chance of obtaining a lucrative casino deal. This leaves an uncertain future...

Montana.(Around Indian Country)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Montana officials admit that Native American education in the state "isn't good." A meeting held in October brought together more than 200 teachers, tribal members and education experts to develop possible solutions at the first-ever Indian...

Economic growth.(Funding Opportunities)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Economic Growth: The Department of Housing and Urban Development has grants for Indian tribes and Alaska Native Villages to promote economic growth. Projects can promote home ownership and businesses with five or fewer employees. Total funding...

CDIF applications.(Funding Opportunities)
November 1, 2004... CDIF Applications: Applications are due Feb. 24 for fiscal year 2005 funding under the Financial Assistance Component, including Native Initiatives Funding Programs, of the Community Development Financial Institutions Program. The fund plans to...

College study.(New England Board of Higher Education)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... College Study: With a $32,000 federal grant, the New England Board of Higher Education is looking into establishing a college to serve Eastern tribes. The United South and Eastern Tribes, which represent more than 20 tribes along the Eastern...

Top native businesses.(Red Man Pipe and Supply Co.)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Top Native Businesses: Red Man Pipe and Supply Co., a $540 million company based in Tulsa, Okla., has come out first in a newly published list of the top 100 Native American-owned businesses. This was the 5th annual listing by...

Scholarship program.
November 1, 2004... Scholarship Program: The Gates Millennium Scholars program has been announced for Native Americans and other minorities entering college in fall 2005. Applicants must be citizens, qualify for Pell Grants, have at least a 3.3 grade point average...

Healthy start.(Health and Human Services Department to finance Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairman's Health Board )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Healthy Start: The Health and Human Services Department announced it would award $450,000 to the Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairman's Health Board for a three-year Healthy Start project focusing on improving infant health and reducing risk factors...

Interior awards.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Interior Awards: Interior Secretary Gale Norton this fall presented Living Legacy Awards to three leaders in the Native American community: Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.); Richard West, director of the National Museum of the American...

New headquarters.(National Congress of American Indians)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... New Headquarters: The National Congress of American Indians plans to build a new headquarters building in Washington, D.C. With an estimated price tag of $11 million to $13 million, the building would include a library, records archive and...