01 Jan 2010: Native News from PECHANGA.net

No deal / Tribe rejects compact plan (OKLAHOMA) -- The Muscogee (Creek) Nation missed a chance to come in from out of the cold Tuesday, and that's too bad. The tribal council rejected a measure that would have allowed the tribe's principal chief to sign a tobacco compact with the state.

Idaho Indians want governor to create executive post (IDAHO) -- Idaho Indian leaders want Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter to create a cabinet post dedicated to improving tribal relations, including resolving law enforcement disputes that erupt because no agreements — or trust — exist between tribal police and sheriffs in neighboring counties.

Lenape leaders take Jersey to court (NEW JERSEY) -- In February 2009 Milford, Pa., resident Ron Holloway filed a lawsuit against the State of New Jersey for the illegal seizure of lands, breaking treaties and attempted genocide.

ICT EDITORIAL: A continuing commitment to self-government (NEW YORK) -- Indigenous communities throughout the world are looking for greater political and cultural autonomy within their surrounding nation-states. The language and meaning of greater autonomy generally is similar everywhere

Broken connection / Report: Time to improve Indian Internet access (WASHINGTON, DC) -- Despite years of calls to close the digital divide, Internet access in Indian country is still a fuzzy, crackly mess.

Wadena County warrant was issued for former vice-presidential candidate LaDuke (MINNESOTA) -- Authorities in Wadena County this week issued a warrant for two-time vice presidential candidate and American Indian activist Winona LaDuke in relation to a traffic stop.

Pine Ridge residents running low on fuel and food (SOUTH DAKOTA) -- Lloyd Wilcox hauled groceries home on a sled Tuesday to a house without heat, days after a severe winter storm paralyzed the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and left an estimated 800 homes there without propane.

Tribe covering emergency propane costs (SOUTH DAKOTA) -- Fuel trucks were slowly delivering small amounts of propane Wednesday to homes of low-income families on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, even though the Oglala Sioux Tribe has already disbursed most of the $1.6 million in federal Low Income Energy Assistance Program funds it got this fiscal year.

Turmoil, but no riot / President's leave cloaked in secrecy, court releases Shirley (ARIZONA) -- When the Navajo Nation Council voted to place President Joe Shirley Jr. on leave in October, many tried to draw parallels to the last time this happened, exactly 10 years ago.

Year-end roundup: 5 Navajo Code Talkers die (ARIZONA) -- In a little over a month, between May 20 and June 22, the Navajo Nation lost four of its famous code talkers: John Brown, Willie Kescoli Begay, Thomas Claw and Matthew Martin.

Choctaws shut down water park for 2010 (MISSISSIPPI) -- The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians will shut down its popular Geyser Falls Water Theme Park for 2010 while renovations are under way.

Native torch protest follows Canada's lead (CANADA) -- How short the memory is of those Canadians (who are) disgusted that some Aboriginal people would want to protest the Olympic games in Vancouver and the torch run that symbolizes it for Human Rights violations within Canada. How could they do such a thing?

Caledonia couple settles lawsuit against police, government (ONTARIO) -- The Ontario government suddenly has settled out of court with the Caledonia, Ont., couple who were suing Queen's Park and the OPP for abandoning them to a lawless native occupation that began almost four years ago.

Tribes receive $32 million for public transportation (WASHINGTON, DC) -- One hundred transit projects in tribal communities are set to share $32 million in “Public Transportation on Indian Reservations” funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration, according to a Dec. 11 release from the department.

Coho salmon's return to Columbia exceeds expectations (WASHINGTON) -- Fisheries biologists are cheering a record return of coho salmon this year to the upper and middle Columbia River basin, where the fish were virtually wiped out 20 years ago.

Firm investigating artifacts at Ohio sites (OHIO) -- An Ohio Historical Society spokesman said an archaeological firm is investigating American Indian artifacts found at sites tabbed for a coke oven facility.

Coke plant preparation uncovers ancient artifacts near creek in southwest Ohio (OHIO) -- Native American artifacts believed to date back thousands of years have been recovered from the planned site of a new industrial plant in southwest Ohio.

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