29 Dec 2009: Native News from PECHANGA.net

'Scalped' is year's top series, & The Rez is history (PHILADELPHIA) -- It's likely that 2009 will be remembered as the year that comic readers' appetite for dark characters and even darker stories reached its apex.

Docs in fatal sweat lodge case show past problems (ARIZONA) -- Documents released in the investigation of a fatal sweat lodge ceremony show that people lost consciousness and others suffered broken bones at past events led by self-help guru James Arthur Ray, but Ray largely ignored the medical problems that arose.

Editorial: Fighting Sioux fight goes on (NORTH DAKOTA) -- The dismissal of a frivolous lawsuit now clears the way for the State Board of Higher Education to put a dignified and decisive end to the University of North Dakota’s “Fighting Sioux” nickname and logo.

No love lost between McCaskill and ANCs (WASHINGTON, DC) -- Through her words and actions in 2009, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., became one of the biggest opponents of programs that have strongly aided American Indian and Alaska Native businesses.

Indian education awaiting federal primetime (WAHINGTON, DC) -- If one area important to many Native Americans received less attention than it deserved in 2009, it was Indian education.

Brothertown member to Dorgan: ‘Structural violence’ underlies federal Indian policies (WASHINGTON, DC) -- A member of the Brothertown Indian Nation has written to the head of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs supporting his efforts to fix the federal recognition process and condemning the “structural violence” of federal Indian policies.

Tribal relations grow stronger with USDA (WASHINGTON, DC) -- Late in the year, Native Americans made headway in dealing with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on a couple of issues that have long been problematic, including a lawsuit focused on Indian farmer discrimination and a sacred site matter.

State eyes Native American residential school (SOUTH DAKOTA) -- South Dakota is applying for a federal grant to help it build a residential school designed to improve academic achievement among Native American students.

AIM slaying trial postponed for Thelma Rios (SOUTH DAKOTA) -- The trial of Thelma Rios and John Graham has been postponed from March 1 to July 6 in order to give defense attorneys more time to prepare.

Courts falling short on effort to keep natives out of jail (CANADA) -- All things being equal, Dennis Thibault didn't have a prayer of getting bail. The lanky, fast-talking street person had evaporated into the streets of downtown Toronto last July, after his arrest on cocaine-trafficking charges, and missed three consecutive court dates.

MARK TRAHANT: Beyond health care reform (WASHINGTON, DC) -- I started my exploration of health care reform in July. “The federal government accepts a double standard: Any discussion about rationing – or government care – is off the table unless you’re a member of an American Indian tribe or Alaskan Native community with a sort of pre-paid insurance program (many treaties, executive orders and laws were specific in making American Indian health care a United States’ obligation,” I wrote back then.

Behavioral Health Center To Open for Navajo Nation (NEW MEXICO) -- The Navajo Nation's first treatment center for people with behavioral health issues is set to open to patients this spring.

Acoma to build state’s first ‘green’ amphitheatre (NEW MEXICO) -- After ten years lobbying Congress, federal agencies, state agencies, the New Mexico Legislature, and the State of New Mexico the Pueblo of Acoma has a state-of-the art wastewater treatment plant operating on its reservation.

State rep looks into Shiprock Fair status (NEW MEXICO) -- State Rep. Ray Begaye, D-Shiprock, after conducting an internal review of the Shiprock Fair Board, claims the organization is a for-profit business.

American Indians designated a priority group due to higher risk of H1N1 death (WASHINGTON, DC) -- A letter issued by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Thomas Frieden M.D. has advised the states that American Indians and Alaska Natives may be more vulnerable to severe illness from H1N1 influenza and should receive vaccine on a priority basis.

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