Wyandotte casino decision being appealed

Kansas City, Kansas (AP)

A federal judge’s ruling that appeared to allow a tribal casino to reopen in downtown Kansas City, Kan., is heading back to court. The Justice Department said during September it will appeal U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson’s decision during August that the National Indian Gaming Commission erred when it determined the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma had no legal right to operate the tiny casino in trailers attached to an old Masonic lodge. State authorities shut down the Casino in 2004 following the commission’s decision, carting off more than 150 gambling machines and $500,000 in cash. Robinson in May ruled that the 2004 casino raid, which was led by Kline’s office, was illegal.

Standing Rock get grant for suicide prevention

Bismarck, North Dakota (AP)

The Standing Rock Sioux are getting a $400,000 federal grant for efforts to reduce the suicide rate on the reservation. The money from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be used by a tribal program that has four mental health outreach workers, said Sens. Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan and Rep. Earl Pomeroy. Dorgan said American Indian children in parts of the Great Plains are 10 times more likely to commit suicide than their non-Indian peers.

Three Affiliated Tribes Chair advances in election

New Town, North Dakota (AP)

Three Affiliated Tribes chairman Tex Hall was among the top vote-getters in the tribes’ primary election on the Fort Berthold Reservation. Hall, who is seeking an unprecedented third term, received 485 votes. Marcus Wells Jr., the tribal vice chairman, had 607 votes. They will advance to the Nov. 7 general election.

Yakama tribal

jail may soon reopen

Toppenish, Washington (AP)

The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded a $450,000 federal grant to the Yakama Nation to get its tribal jail into federal compliance and reopened. The Bureau of Indian Affairs closed the jail in January 2005, citing safety reasons, including an inoperable fire prevention system, worn benches and stools, and broken light fixtures. The tribe made repairs to the jail and replaced surveillance cameras, toilets and other fixtures in hopes of reopening the 50-bed facility.

Interior declines to recognize Michigan tribe

Washington, D.C. (AP)

The Department of Interior declined to give federal status to a Michigan Chippewa band, saying the evidence does not show that its members form a distinct community. The Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Inc., located near Brutus, Mich., have sought federal recognition since 1995. Interior officials said more than half of the Burt Lake members participate only rarely in social events with other band members.

Laguna Pueblo

gets funds for broadband

Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico (AP)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Laguna Pueblo $3.3 million in rural development funds to bring wireless broadband to the area. The funding will be used to develop broadband systems for the Pueblo and the nearby villages of Mesita, Encinal, Paraje, Paguate and Seama. Some of the money also will be used to renovate community centers in the villages.

Two South Dakota tribal

colleges get USDA funds

Sioux Falls, South Dakota (AP)

More than $600,000 in federal financial help has been earmarked for two tribal colleges in South Dakota, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA is providing the funds through its Rural Development Tribal College Initiative Grant program, aimed at developing essential facilities. Oglala Lakota College will get $100,000 dollars for building repairs and installation of a water line and another $225,000 dollars to purchase equipment and supplies. Sisseton Wahpeton College will get $300,000 for heating, ventilation and air conditioning improvements.

Witnesses say men found electrocuted had permission

Belcourt, North Dakota (AP)

A BIA investigator says witnesses have told him that two men found electrocuted at a condemned housing project here had permission to go there. David Craig Martin, 29, and Michael Todd Vallie, 38, both of Belcourt, were pronounced dead at the scene during late August. Keith Harviell, a BIA criminal investigator, said he had been told the men “were allowed to go in there and move lumber and stuff” and apparently decided to get some wiring.

Beating of Navajo man to be prosecuted as hate crime

Farmington, New Mexico (AP)

The beating of a Navajo man will be prosecuted as a hate crime, Chief Deputy District Attorney Dustin O’Brien says. The motions to prosecute three men under the state Hate Crimes Act were filed during September, O’Brien said. John Winer, 18, and Freddie Brooks, 20, were arraigned Aug. 21 in state district court. Winer pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and assault with intent to commit a violent felony. Brooks pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, robbery, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, conspiracy to commit robbery, aggravated assault and battery. The charges against the three men stem from the June 4 beating of William Blackie, 46, in Farmington. He told police his attackers hit him on the back of the head and yelled racial slurs. Police reports show Blackie had a 2-inch cut on his head, shoe impressions on his shirt consistent with being stomped and kicked and swelling on his back consistent with being struck by something like a tire iron.

Easternn Cherokee police chief departs during changes

Cherokee, North Carolina (AP)

The police chief for the Eastern Band of Cherokee resigned after an investigation into low morale in his department, the tribe said in a statement. Eric Pritchett’s resignation was effective Sept. 18 and comes after “changes in the administrative structure of the police department related to morale issues,” the statement said. Pritchett and Capt. Rick Queen were suspended during August for 30 days while the investigation took place.

Santa Fe hospital ends delivery of baby services

Santa Fe, New Mexico (AP)

The Santa Fe Indian Hospital is ending services for women in labor and for delivering their babies. The hospital, which has been under budget constraints, decided to cut services in areas that do not serve many patients, said Jim Lyon, the hospital’s chief executive officer. Lyon said the hospital’s 198 baby deliveries last year is low compared to bigger hospitals in the area and also is costly. Expectant mothers are being referred to area hospitals for delivery and labor services, he said.

Ex-tribal judge found guilty in identity fraud

Pierre, South Dakota (AP)

A federal jury in Pierre has found a former chief judge of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe guilty of health care fraud. Sasaeoleisah Bluespruce claimed to be three-quarters American Indian by birth. She also falsely claimed membership with various tribes in order to obtain free health-care benefits from Indian Health Services. Prosecutors said Bluespruce never was a member of any tribe. Sentencing for the fraud conviction will come later.

Two from Red Lake held in beating death, burial

Minneapolis, Minnesota (AP)

Two Red Lake Chippewa members are being held on murder charges after they allegedly beat another man to the point of unconsciousness, left him outside overnight, then buried the body when they realized he was dead the next morning. Robin Greg Kelly, 19, and Todd Jourdain, 28, both face charges of second degree murder in the August killing of 20-year-old Travis John Feather, also a member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court. According to the complaint, the three were drinking at Jourdain’s house in the Little Rock section of the reservation on Aug. 28 when they started fighting. Kelly told police he and Jourdain began punching and kicking Feather. Feather was bleeding from the mouth and appeared unconscious, the complaint said, and Jourdain and Kelly left him on the ground outside while they went back into the house to sleep. Kelly and Jourdain woke up the next morning and found Feather dead. They got shovels from another house, then dragged Feather into the brush and buried him, the complaint said.