Flying By sentenced

for embezzlement

Pierre, South Dakota (AP)

A former official from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation has been given a 33-month prison term for stealing money that came from the federal government as repayment for land that was flooded when Lake Oahe was built. Allen Flying By, 50, of Little Eagle, was convicted on several counts of embezzlement and theft involving money given to the tribe’s Running Antelope District, according to federal prosecutors. Flying By was the district representative. At least a half dozen other district officials were found guilty earlier for taking illegal payments for unauthorized travel, consulting fees, loans and other things, said U.S. Attorney Marty Jackley.

Crow Creek

receive money for toys

Crow Creek, South Dakota (AP)

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Minnesota recently awarded $203,496 in holiday season charitable contributions to 38 groups, including the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. The Crow Creek Tribe received $10,000 for a holiday toy program for 447 school-age children.

Spokane reach gaming deal with state, feds

Spokane, Washington (AP)

After years of operating casinos in defiance of the law, the Spokane Tribe has reached a tentative deal with federal and state regulators that could also pave the way for other tribes to expand gambling. The proposed compact calls for the Spokane Tribe to have greater freedom in offering games than other tribes in the state, and that will likely prompt some of those tribes to seek the same deal. Under the agreement announced Dec. 28, the tribe can operate up to five casinos, with a total of 4,700 video gambling machines. That is a number in harmony with other tribes in the state.

White Buffalo named “Watch over us”

Farmington, Pennsylvania (AP)

Natives of several tribes gathered during Christmas weekend for the naming ceremony of a rare white baby buffalo born during November at a private zoo. White buffalos are considered sacred by many tribes as omens of good fortune and peace. Kim “Many Weasels” Ord, wearing a white deerskin dress, said the animal born Nov. 12 was named Kenahkihinen, a Lenape word meaning “watch over us.” About 2,500 people, many of them American Indians, attended the Dec. 23 2 1/2-hour ceremony that included singing, prayers and a healing service.

Richardson sworn

in by Pueblo governor

Santa Fe, New Mexico (AP)

Gov. Bill Richardson was publicly sworn in for a second term by Gov. Joe Garcia of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, it was announced. The ceremony on Jan. 1 was held in the chamber of the House of Representatives in the state Capitol. It will be the first time a New Mexico governor has been sworn in by an American Indian governor, according to Richardson’s office. Garcia is president of the National Congress of American Indians and the incoming chairman of the All Indian Pueblo Council. The Democratic governor was elected in November to a second, four-year term. He is considering seeking the party’s presidential nomination in 2008 but has said no announcement would be made until January.

Cherokee Nation to

issue investment bonds

Tahlequah, Oklahoma (AP)

The Cherokee Nation has issued investment grade bonds to support construction of health care clinics in northeast Oklahoma. The tribe has received an investment grade bond rating and a stable financial outlook opinion from Fitch Ratings, a global rating agency that provides credit opinions. “The Cherokee Nation has developed a stable financial foundation,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “This rating from Fitch is another validation that the Cherokee Nation is a player in the state and regional economy, with the resources to make major investments to bring services to our communities.”

Federal court

sides with freedmen

Tahlequah, Oklahoma (AP)

A U.S. District Court denied a motion by the Cherokee Nation to dismiss a lawsuit filed by freedmen, who are descendants of slaves who were adopted into the tribe. Cherokee freedmen filed a lawsuit against the United States claiming U.S. officials breached their fiduciary duty by failing to endorse a treaty and the 13th Amendment, which outlawed slavery. They said this happened when they were denied the right to vote in the Cherokee Nation’s 2003 election for principal chief and an amendment to the Cherokee Constitution. Cherokee officials filed a motion to dismiss the suit, and that action was dismissed Dec. 19 in the District of Columbia. Jon Velie, an attorney for the freedmen, said the ruling also permits the freedmen to add the Cherokee Nation and Principal Chief Chad Smith to the lawsuit.

Man sentenced for poaching from Rosebud

Pierre, South Dakota (AP)

A Clear Lake man has been sentenced in U.S. District Court for transporting a deer that was illegally taken from the Rosebud Sioux Reservation. Karie Joe Walker, 24, who also lists a residence of Beech Grove, Ark., must pay a $500 fine and $1,000 restitution to the tribe. Walker had to forfeit a Winchester .270 caliber rifle with scope and bipod, which will also be turned over to the tribe. He was charged in July 2006 with transport of wildlife taken in violation of Indian law and pleaded guilty during December.

Judge considering Affiliated Tribes dispute

New Town, North Dakota (AP)

An associate tribal judge is considering former Three Affiliated Tribes chairman Tex Hall’s request for a new election. Judge Terry Pechota of Rapid City, S.D., heard arguments during December in the dispute. Hall alleges casino cash was used to buy votes in the chairman’s race. Marcus Wells, who defeated Hall in the November election, has denied any wrongdoing. Pechota is expected to make a decision soon. Hall appealed to the tribal court after the Tribal Election Board rejected his request.

Man sentenced

for sexual abuse

Bismarck, North Dakota (AP)

A New Town man has been sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison for sexually abusing a woman while she slept. Timothy White Body, 58, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse in September, U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley said. He said the crimes happened on the Fort Berthold Reservation on Feb. 6, 2006. White Body entered a residence and sexually abused the woman, Wrigley said. The victim awoke to find White Body on top of her. She chased White Body out of the home and contacted authorities, he said.

Galena woman charged with forgery, theft

Fairbanks, Alaska (AP)

A grand jury has indicted a Galena woman on multiple counts accusing her of forging checks and writing unauthorized checks from her employer, the Louden Tribal Council. Sandra L. Evans, 38, is accused of stealing more than $25,000, according to the 22-count indictment handed up during December. Evans is charged with 21 counts of first-degree forgery and one count of first-degree theft. The alleged crimes occurred between December 2005 and June 2006, according to Assistant District Attorney Jason Weiner. They were discovered through an audit, he said.