articles-september 24

Indian Affairs minister tells skeptical native leaders better times are ahead

Wed Sep 22, 9:19 PM ET

GREG JOYCE

NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C. (CP) - Canada's latest Indian Affairs minister - the seventh in the past 15 years - got a rough reception Wednesday at a meeting of B.C. aboriginal leaders, despite his assertion that aboriginal people are high on the Liberal government's agenda.

Andy Scott told delegates to the First Nations Summit convention the government was committed to improving the lives of aboriginals across the country and reaching treaties in British Columbia, where few formal treaties were signed after the province entered Confederation.

"This government has raised the aboriginal agenda to an unprecedented level of importance," Scott said in a speech on the Squamish reserve.

The minister reminded the delegates that Prime Minister Paul Martin said he wants his term to be remembered for progress on four issues: health care, children, cities and aboriginals. full article

Thinking in Indian: National Geographic sounds alarm on global warming

Posted: September 24, 2004 - 12:09pm EST

Even for the editor of the prestigious National Geographic Magazine, it was an act of daring. No matter that a mammoth amount of scientific research clearly documents the reality of global warming and its impact on climate, National Geographic Editor Bill Allen knew he was risking something by publishing stories on a subject about which, he writes, "some readers get mad ... we’ll get letters ... some will even terminate their memberships."
Unquestionably one of the world’s largest and most respected research institutions, the National Geographic Society takes its scientific documentation seriously. National Geographic prides itself on the finely detailed vetting process it demands of every paragraph it publishes in its magazine. And when a fact is wrong they provide acknowledgment. full article

Navajos, Hopis close to settling longtime land dispute

The Arizona Republic
Sept. 24, 2004 12:00 AM

More than 700,000 acres of the western Navajo Reservation have been in limbo for nearly 40 years, caught up in a land dispute with the Hopi Tribe over access to religious sites.

Construction, including extension of water and electrical lines, has been banned in the area, leaving thousands of families, mostly Navajo, without running water, lights or modern appliances.

But now, through the efforts of tribal leaders, lawyers and negotiating teams on both sides, there is hope of a settlement. full article

Feds may stick Gallup for $350,000

By Bill Donovan
Special to the Times

WINDOW ROCK - Gallup city officials said Wednesday that a meeting on Tuesday with U.S. Department of Justice officials went well.

Gallup Mayor Bob Rosebrough said that by the time the meeting ended, city
officials had a better understanding of the allegations that have been under investigation by the civic rights section of the federal agency.

City officials still don't know, however, who has been making allegations
against the city alleging discrimination in hiring or employment but Rosebrough said federal officials have indicated that they will make more information known in the next few days at least about what departments are involved.

Documents provided to the Navajo Times show that federal officials are
looking at the city paying $350,000 to reimburse Native Americans who claim that they have been discrimination against, either by not being hired, not being promoted or being harassed by supervisors. full article

Attorney: Chippewa Cree activist's imprisonment is rights violation

By ERIC NEWHOUSE
Tribune Projects Editor

An Indian activist has been jailed in violation of his civil rights, his attorney charged Thursday.

Russell Standing Rock was arrested Wednesday in Havre and transferred to the Rocky Boy jail, where he's being held without bond, family friend Jodee LaMere said.

"This seems to be another situation in which they can do as they wish with no regard for due process," said Standing Rock's attorney, Ken Olson of Great Falls.

But Chief Judge Dwayne Gopher said the jailing resulted from a second criminal contempt of court charge filed against Standing Rock, a spokesman for the Chippewa Cree Grassroots People, an activist group that opposes several changes to the tribal constitution. full article

New Indian Museum in D.C. doesn't impress Navajos

The Associated Press
FARMINGTON, N.M. - Members of the Navajo Nation who traveled to Washington, D.C., for the opening of the new American Indian National Museum said they were disappointed.

"There was not even a place for our Navajo dignitaries to be seated," Navajo Council Delegate Evelyn Acothley said. "There was no information about the reserved seats for tribal leaders." President Joe Shirley Jr. "had to ask to be included."

Museum spokesman Thomas Sweeney said officials worked through the Navajo Nation Washington office to get invitations out to Navajo leaders. full article