Native Americans

04/04/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released the following statement regarding the death of Vernon Wright, Chairman of the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians:

"Maria and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Vernon Wright, Chairman of the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians. Vernon was a great Native American leader who always stood up for the rights of his tribe.

During the recent Poomacha wildfire, Vernon's outstanding leadership helped to provide aide not only to his own tribe, but also members of tribes in the surrounding area who were affected by the devastating Southern California wildfires. Our thoughts and prayers are with Vernon's family and tribe as they mourn the loss of a dedicated public servant."

Source: California Governor

March 14, 2008 -- Under the leadership of Nevada Senator Harry Reid, the U.S. Senate passed a budget that strengthens our economy. "This is a good budget that focuses on issues important to Nevadans. It lowers taxes for Nevada's middle class and helps make health care, college tuition, and energy more affordable. It is a fiscally responsible, balanced budget that adheres to the pay-as-you-go budget rules that created the surpluses of the late 1990's and created millions of jobs.," said Reid after the Senate passed the federal budget.    » read more »

March 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement in response to budget amendment #4198, which will increase the amount allocated to Indian Health Services by $1 billion.    » read more »

More than 1000 homes were damaged during devastating flooding in Iroquois and Livingston Counties

March 7, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today praised the decision by President Bush to declare Iroquois and Livingston Counties federal disaster areas after devastating flooding in January.    » read more »

February 26, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today hailed the Senate's passage of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) Amendments of 2007 (S.1200). Obama is an original cosponsor of the legislation.    » read more »

February 12, 2008, WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary Indian Affairs Carl J. Artman, Seminole Tribe of Florida Vice-Chairman Richard Bowers and Mashantucket Pequot Vice-Chairman Kenneth Reels have signed a partnership agreement that will utilize the tribes’ purchasing power to promote Indian Country business development under DOI’s intertribal economic consortium initiative.    » read more »

February 08, 2008 -- Dakota City, Ne. - Today Frank LaMere, Nebraska superdelegate and chairman of the Democratic National Committee's Native American Caucus, endorsed Senator Barack Obama for President and released the following statement.

"We, as Native Americans, have always stood four square with the Democratic Party and they have always stood four square with us. We will continue to do so in 2008 as we elect a Democratic President to restore the national vision that has been blurred during the last eight years. I ask your help in this endeavor.    » read more »

February 4, 2008 -- The Department of the Interior’s Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) budget request for fiscal year 2009 is $181.6 million, a reduction of $7.7 million compared to FY 2008 enacted funding due to the completion of some trust reform efforts, elimination of the Indian Land Consolidation Program, and management efficiencies.    » read more »

1-30-08 -- Lincoln, Neb. - Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning today challenged a decision that allows gaming on land in Carter Lake. The land is held in trust by the federal government for the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska.

“Nebraskans have repeatedly said no to casino gambling in our state,” said Bruning. “The Ponca Tribe shouldn’t be able circumvent voters’ wishes.”    » read more »

Jan. 31 -- The Navajo County Board of Supervisors has declared a Flood Emergency Jan. 29. The declaration recognized the Navajo Nation State of Emergency Declaration and the White Mountain Apache Natural Disaster Declaration.

The Little Colorado River has receded from the flood stage levels reported Jan. 30 by at least a foot at 5 p.m.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs determined it was safe to allow traffic to cross the south bridge at the intersection of Route 71 and Route 2.    » read more »

1/29/2008 -- Phoenix, AZ - Former Chairman and President of the Navajo Nation, Peterson Zah, announced today that he will be supporting Senator Hillary Clinton for President.

"Senator Clinton is a leader who has the experience to turn this country around," said President Zah. "She has proposed an economic stimulus plan aimed to help the Navajo Nation and across America by taking steps to stop predatory lenders, provide tax relief for families and create new good paying jobs. She will work to strengthen all communities, including Native Americans - all of our voices will be heard."    » read more »

As Senate Debates Health Care Expansion For Native Americans

January 24, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) urged his colleagues to pass legislation to federally recognize six of Virginia’s Indian tribes, as the Senate considers a bill this week to modernize and improve health care services provided to Native American tribes.

“At a time when we are debating how to effectively promote Indian health care, it is important that we grant these six Virginia tribes access to essential federal health programs,” said Webb.    » read more »

Entered into the Senate Record on January 23, 2008

January 23, 2008 -- "Mr. President, the Senate is in the midst of an important debate to extend and improve health care to our nation’s federally recognized Indian tribes. I support the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and I commend all those, including the distinguished chairman, Senator Dorgan, for their work on it.    » read more »

January 22, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today released the following statement on the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) Amendments of 2007 (S.1200), which is currently before the Senate. Obama is an original cosponsor of the legislation.

“For more than fourteen years, Congress has failed to reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and comprehensively modernize Native American health care services. This is unfair and unacceptable.    » read more »

Helena, MT - 01/15/2008 - In the face of rising cleanup costs and an increase in mining claims in Montana, public officials, tribal leadership, sportsmen and ranchers today called on Senator Jon Tester and Senator Max Baucus, to reform the 135-year-old law that governs the mining of gold, uranium and other hardrock minerals on federal lands in Montana and other western states.    » read more »