News
NYTs on the Schimmel Sisters
Here.
An excerpt:
Although basketball has long been the most popular sport on Indian reservations, seldom has that esteem translated into great performance in the highest college and professional ranks. An N.C.A.A. study indicated that during the 2011-12 academic year, only 21 women and 4 men identified as American Indian/Alaska Native participated among the 10,151 basketball players at the Division I level.
The Schimmel sisters, who belong to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla in eastern Oregon, are not only participating, but also have become indispensable members of Louisville’s team. Shoni Schimmel, a 5-foot-10 junior guard, leads the Cardinals in scoring at 14.4 points a game and has seemingly unlimited range on her arcing 3-point shot. Jude Schimmel, a 5-5 sophomore, is the team’s steady sixth man.
PBS Frontline: Where Tribal Justice Works
Here.
An excerpt:
In 2011, a man in northeastern Oregon beat his girlfriend with a gun, using it like a club to strike her in front of their children.
Both were members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The federal government, which has jurisdiction over major crimes in Indian Country, declined to prosecute.
So the tribes stepped in. The man was convicted in their courts and sentenced to 790 days in federal prison.
But had the assault happened a week earlier, the case could never have gone to trial.
The Umatilla tribes had recently enacted new provisions from a federal law, the Tribal Law and Order Act, that allowed Native American courts to try their own people for felony crimes instead of relying on the federal authorities.
Without those provisions, once federal prosecutors declined the case, the woman would have had no other legal recourse.
Brent Leonhard, the general counsel for the Umatilla tribes, is proud of the conviction: “I personally was concerned that the victim at some point would end up dead,” he said.
“People here were pretty happy to see the person held accountable.”
NYTs: Hopis Try to Stop Paris Auction of Artifacts
Here.
An excerpt:
The Néret-Minet auction house in Paris says that its sale, on April 12, will be one of the largest auctions of Hopi artifacts ever, and it estimates that it will bring in $1 million. Many of the objects are more than 100 years old and carry estimates of $10,000 to $35,000. The auction house says that among the spirits represented are the Crow Mother, the Little Fire God and the Mud Head Clown.
“Sacred items like this should not have a commercial value,” said Leigh J. Kuwanwisiwma, director of the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office in Kykotsmovi, Ariz. “The bottom line is we believe they were taken illegally.”
Montana Federal Judge Cebull Retires over Racist Obama Email
Here. Via. News coverage. From the CA9:
In March 2012, U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, District of Montana, wrote to Ninth Circuit Chief Judge Kozinski and asked that an inquiry be conducted as to whether Judge Cebull’s transmittal of an email containing racially offensive content constituted misconduct under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act. 28 U.S.C. § 351 et seq.
Judge Cebull’s self-filed complaint and another were referred to a Special Committee which conducted a thorough and extensive investigation, interviewed numerous witnesses, considered voluminous documentation, including emails, and conducted an interview with Judge Cebull. The Special Committee’s Report was submitted to the Judicial Council in December 2012. On March 15, 2013 the Judicial Council issued an Order and Memorandum. Judicial Conduct Rule 20(f). Pursuant to Judicial Conduct Rules 22 and 24(a), the Order and Memorandum remains confidential during the appeal period.
At this time, Judge Cebull has submitted his retirement letter, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 371(a), effective May 3, 2013. The Council will have no further statement on this matter until Judge Cebull’s retirement is effective.
We posted about this last year here.
Lac Du Flambeau Declares State of Emergency — Synthetic and Illegal Drugs
Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Declares State of Emergency (2013 04 03 LDF Press Release LDF State of Emergency re Synthetic and Illegal Drugs FINAL).
Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin – The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Tribal Council declared a State of Emergency on March 29, 2013 as it relates to the threat of synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones and other illegal drugs affecting the Reservation and Tribal Members. Due to the rising popularity and proliferation of synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones and other illegal drugs within the Tribal Nation and surrounding community, the Tribal Council is taking decisive action against the new wave of drugs commonly referred to as K2, Spice, Potpourri, Bath Salts and Plant Food. The Tribal Council recognizes that Indian Country cannot remain idle when national reports and scientific information repeatedly publish that many first-time and repeat users are under the misconception that synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones are legal and/or safe when, in fact, they are not. Common side effects from a single use of synthetic cannabinoids include: hallucinations, panic attacks, anxiety, paranoia, agitation, extreme anger, seizure, tremors, kidney failure, liver failure, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, stroke, coma, and death. Due to the great irreparable harm and permanent effects that can result from using synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones and other illegal drugs, the Tribal Council is committing the necessary Tribal resources to rid the Reservation and the surrounding community of this catastrophic menace that will not only entail swift prosecution but will also include a Tribal campaign focused on prevention and a committed Tribal effort to provide extensive rehabilitation services. The Tribal Council remains firm that every Tribal department will partake in the war against synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones and other illegal drugs. As detailed in the Tribal Council Resolution, the Lac du Flambeau Tribe is dedicated to following extensive and comprehensive changes to return the Tribal Nation to the teachings of our ancestors:
- Restructuring the Tribal Code to criminalize synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones;
- Working with federal, local and state governments to ensure offenders are prosecuted;
- Treatment and rehabilitation for those who have become addicted to synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones;
- Revising the Tribal Housing Regulations and Policies to implement drug tests for tenants;
- Banishment, Disenrollment and/or Forfeiture of Per Capita payments for those caught using, selling and/or manufacturing synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones;
- Review of current and future grant funding specific to substance abuse prevention and intervention to specifically target this developing problem;
- Mobilize existing “community-based” task forces to participate in door to door distribution of prevention materials and begin community education; and,
- Introduction of an educational campaign in community schools and youth programs.
More News Coverage of Ward Churchill Case
Here.
Idaho Argonaut on the Navajo Nation Supreme Court’s Visit to Idaho Law School
Here.
Saginaw Chippewa and Nottawaseppi Huron Potawatomi Chairs Op/Ed on Lansing Casino
Here.
Sad News of Day: Chinua Achebe Dies
Here.
Turtle Talk 
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