News

New Domestic Violence Stats on Native Victimization from Washington State

Ann Tweedy

Here: Native Victims issue brief 06-2012 FINAL_1

BLT: Mass. Governor Hires Firm to Lobby on Behalf of Mashpee Wampanoag Casino

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here.

We posted the compact at issue here.

ICT: Republican Senators Rebuke Interior on Jobs Report

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here.

HEARTH Act Passes Sentate; Goes to President for Signature

Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

Press release from Rep. Heinrich’s office:

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 17, 2012) – Legislation sponsored by U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich (NM-1) to remove barriers between Native American families and homeownership cleared the Senate today by a unanimous vote.  The bill, the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership (HEARTH) Act (H.R. 205), would allow tribes to exercise greater control over their lands and eliminate bureaucratic delays that stand in the way of homeownership and economic development in tribal communities.

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Navy to Compensate Hood Canal Tribes for Treaty Fishing Damage: $9 Million

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here.

Toronto Star: Native Youth Encouraged to Consider Law Degree

Kate Fort

Here.

The program is part of a growing bid by universities and colleges to reach out to aboriginal youth, who have among the lowest participation rates in higher education. The program was financed by the U of T law faculty and York’s Osgoode Hall as well as grants from the Law Foundation of Ontario and the Law School Admission Council.

But outreach can work, said U of T law dean Mayo Moran. “Aboriginal youth are hungry for opportunities to learn about the law and post-secondary options; we received double the number of applicants for available spaces.”

Osgoode Dean Lorne Sossin said he hoped that letting students meet aboriginal lawyers and students and even Ontario Court of Appeal Judge Harry LaForme can help students picture themselves in law.

LaForme, a member of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, didn’t sugar-coat their prospects; he admitted it was lonely being an aboriginal judge but noted that being part of an oppressed minority has made him sensitive to injustice facing others — and helped him craft the landmark ruling in 2002 that legalized same-sex marriage.

Thanks to J.B.P. for sending this to us.

NYTs Article on the Earliest Americans

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the article on new DNA evidence about the earliest Americans.

 

ICT on Congressional Questions re: Interior Indian Country Jobs Report

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here.

First US Oil Refinery in 40 Years Approved (at Fort Berthold Reservation)

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the news coverage (from an enviroment-friendly organization).

Here are the administrative materials on the permit approval (PDF).

LTBB Tribal Council Votes Down Same-Sex Marriage Amendment, but Debate Continues

Adrea Korthase1 Comment

An excerpt from the Petoskey News:

The motion to approve the amendment failed on a 4-5 vote, but a second vote — passing 5-4 — put the entire tribal marriage statute that defines marriage as between a man and a woman up for legislative review.

The amendment would have made the tribe the first in Michigan to allow same-sex couples to wed. Only two tribes in the nation have adopted a similar marriage definition.

The decision would also have skirted a 2004 ballot proposal by Michigan voters that banned gay marriage for the entire state population, because the federal government recognizes tribes’ rights to govern themselves as a domestic nation.

Despite the failed vote, the issue is unlikely to be dropped.

Previous post on the topic is here. Miigwetch to C.D.