Wednesday, July 1, 2009

During this week in 2008, the Grand Council Assembly of the Anishinabek Nation in Canada voted to eliminate the word "Aboriginal" from business documents. Many chiefs said the term is offensive and it was never part of Native languages. They also hoped the change would help improve relationships with the Canadian government.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

During this week in 1906, Mesa Verde was designated as a National Park. Located in southwestern Colorado, the ancient village was once home to pueblo people and is the largest cliff dwelling in North America.

Monday, June 29, 2009

During this week in 2008, 90.1 FM KILI Radio, also known as the "Voice of the Lakota People" located on the Pine Ridge Reservation in Porcupine, South Dakota, made moves to go green. A single wind turbine installation was dedicated as a move to entirely power the station through renewable energy .

Friday, June 26, 2009

During this week in 1972, the Indian Education Act was passed by Congress to fund educational services for Native Americans.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

On this day in 2008, Joe Medicine Crow received the Bronze Star and French Legion of Honor. The Crow tribal member was honored for his service during World War II. A ceremony was held in Montana for the then-94-year-old, the tribe's oldest living veteran.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

During this week in 2003, the Indian Memorial at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana was dedicated. It recognizes Native people who fought in the 1876 battle with the U.S. Army at the site.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

During this month in 2007, Oklahoma tribal leaders watched President Bush sign a bill in Washington, D.C. to reauthorize the Native American Home Ownership Opportunity Act. It encouraged homeownership among Native people by guaranteeing mortgages.

Monday, June 22, 2009

On this day in 2006, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs released its final report on disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The nearly 400 pages named six tribes involved in the Indian lobbying scandal. Abramoff and his associates bilked the tribes out of millions of dollars. The committee held five hearings on the matter and gave a number of recommendations for the court and tribes. Abramoff is currently in prison serving a sentence for his involvement.

Friday, June 19, 2009

On this day in 2008, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes agreed to co-manage a Montana bison range with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Tribal leaders and federal officials signed the National Bison Range agreement in Washington, D.C. The more than 18,000 acre national wildlife refuge is entirely within the borders of the Flathead Reservation. Its management was disputed for years.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

On this day in 1953, Robert "Bobby" Kvasnikoff was born. The Alaska Native leader learned he had AIDS in the 1990's. He chose to make his diagnosis public and became an advocate for safe sex. Kvasnikoff, who died in 1997, was also known as lead guitarist and singer for the English Bay Band.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

During this week in 2008, a 26-foot Tlingit canoe was launched into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. The Raven Canoe was a gift from Tlingit people of Southeast Alaska to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. It's on display in the museum's ocean hall.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

On this day in 1938, boundaries of the Port Gamble S'Klallam Reservation were established in Washington State. The more than 13-hundred acres receive about 20 inches of rain per year due to its location in the Olympic Mountain rain shadow.

Monday, June 15, 2009

On this day in 1995, the Alaska Federation of Natives Board of Directors passed a resolution in favor of opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration. The issue is a hot topic among Alaska Natives. Gwitch'in Athabascans strongly oppose it and advocate for preservation over economic development.

Friday, June 12, 2009

During this week in 2008, the Southern Baptist Convention, with more than 16 million U.S. members, elected a Lumbee man as president. Dr. Johnny Hunt said his Lumbee roots may help the overwhelmingly white denomination reach more minorities.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

During this week in 1913, Walter Harper reached the summit of Denali, also known as Mt. McKinley in Alaska. The Athabascan man was the first person to reach the summit, the highest mountain peak in North America.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

On this day in 2008, the historic Indian trust case now named Cobell v. Salazar entered the remedies phase. The more than a decade old class action lawsuit is far from over, as plaintiffs continue to seek fair resolution for the federal government's admitted mismanagement of oil, gas and other royalties.

Monday, June 8, 2009

During this week 1977, the first ever Inuit Circumpolar Conference was held in Barrow, Alaska. Inuit people from Alaska, Canada and Greenland addressed their issues.

Friday, June 5, 2009

During this week 2007, the provincial inquiry into the 1995 police shooting death of Native protester Dudley George at a provincial park was released in Ontario, Canada. The inquiry was conducted for more than two years and found blame on the police and the Canadian government. Last week, the Ipperwash Provincial Park was formally transferred to Native control.

Thusday, June 4, 2009

During this week in 1986, the Northwest Arctic Borough was created. Located in Northwestern Alaska on the Chukchi Sea, there are 11 villages throughout the borough.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

On this day in 2008, Joba Chamberlain made his first Major League start at Yankee Stadium in New York. The Winnebago pitcher had a rough year in his personal life. He took a leave of absence to be with his sick father and was arrested for drunken driving. Yet, Chamberlain has done well on the baseball field. In his last start Monday, he pitched eight strong innings to lead the Yankees to a 5-2 win against the Cleveland Indians.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

On this day in 2008, funeral services for Paula Gunn Allen were held in California. The award-winning Native novelist, poet and scholar passed away after battling lung cancer. Her mixed heritage is credited for shaping her work in Native American literature and Native women's feminism.

Monday, June 1 , 2009

During this week in 1962, the Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall became a National Historic Landmark. The nationally designated site is located in Sitka. The Alaska Native Brotherhood organization was founded in 1912 to represent teh rights of Native people.

Friday, May 29, 2009