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Wednesday, May 14, 2008

During this week in 1992, the Fort McDowell Yavapi Nation asserted its sovereignty from the State of Arizona. Gaming compact talks between the tribe and state had broken down. Federal agents raided the tribe's casino, but tribal members blocked the road and kept agents from taking the slot machines. After a three week stand-off, Arizona's governor signed a gaming compact with the tribe.

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While we look to each day’s events for our news coverage, we are aware of the unique relationship between Native histories and current events in Indian Country. We know that these histories are often misunderstood, misrepresented and even ignored. To bring a broader perspective to contemporary Native issues, we began to include one brief historical fact at the top of each newscast. These items will include significant and compelling bits of Native history.

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Wednesday, May 14, 2008

During this week in 1992, the Fort McDowell Yavapi Nation asserted its sovereignty from the State of Arizona. Gaming compact talks between the tribe and state had broken down. Federal agents raided the tribe's casino, but tribal members blocked the road and kept agents from taking the slot machines. After a three week stand-off, Arizona's governor signed a gaming compact with the tribe.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

On this day in 2005, the First Chief Standing Bear Commemoration was held at the Nebraska State Capitol. In the late 1800's, the Ponca chief won citizenship rights for Native people. Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution to honor Standing Bear.

Monday, May 12, 2008

During this week in 1995, the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository opened to the public in Kodiak, Alaska. It preserves the prehistoric and historic cultural traditions of Alutiiq people and educates the public.

Friday, May 9, 2008

During this week in 1999, Alaska Natives and non-Natives took part in the first "We the People March" in support of the state's Indigenous people and to voice their concerns about subsistence issues. An estimated 3,000 people participated in the march.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

During this week in 1863, the Flandreau Santee Sioux people were forced to move from their traditional homeland in Minnesota. More than 1,000 people were taken to a reservation in a desolate part of South Dakota.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

On this day in 1885, Native rights advocate William Paul was born at Fort Simpson, British Columbia. Paul was the first Native attorney in Alaska and the first Native elected to the state Territorial House of Representatives.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

During this month in 2007, Virginia tribal leaders met Queen Elizabeth during the commemoration of Jamestown's 400th Anniversary. The queen mentioned Native Americans during her address at the State Capitol, but she didn't apologize for the impacts the English settlement had on Native people.

Monday, May 5, 2008

On this day in 1993, the Alaska Native Justice Center was established to serve the unmet needs of Alaska Natives in Alaska's justice systems.

Friday, May 2, 2008

On this day in 1927, the Alaska Legislature adopted the flag of the Territory. The flag, with eight gold stars on a field of blue, was created by Aleut student John "Benny" Benson.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

On this day in 1999, the Alaska Native Heritage Center opened its doors in Anchorage. The center shares the heritage of Alaska's eleven Native cultural groups.



Wednesday, April 30, 2008

During this week in 1888, the Fort Belknap Reservation was created. The reservation is homeland to the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes. It's the forth largest reservation in Montana.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

During this week in 2007, the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site in Colorado was dedicated. More than 100 years ago, U.S. soldiers slaughtered Cheyenne and Arapaho elders, women and children at the site.

Monday, April 28, 2008

On this day in 1882, the Mi'kmaq Membertou First Nation Reserve was established in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Friday, April 25, 2008

During this week in 1869, Seneca Chief, Ely Samuel Parker became the first Native American Commissioner of Indian Affairs. His attempts to bring justice to various tribes over land deals and treaties earned him many enemies, which ultimately led to his resignation.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

During this week in 1951, Mitchell Red Cloud, Junior posthumously received the Medal of Honor. The Ho-Chunk man served in the Korean War. He fired at the advancing enemy while his company secured its defense and evacuated the wounded. Red Cloud maintained his position until he was killed.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

During this week in 1926, Edward Pagano was born in southwestern Alaska. Pagano, an Unungan or Aleut man, entered the Army in 1944 and served in the Pacific Theater. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor device and the Purple Heart.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

On this day in 1945, Aleuts returned to Unalaska after being evacuated from their homes during World War II. The forced evacuations from the Aleutian Islands and the Pribilof Islands led to the deaths of many Aleuts. They were housed in inadequate and unsanitary conditions in former canneries in Southeast Alaska.

Monday, April 21, 2008

During this week in 1999, the Mi'kmaq Education Act was made into law in Canada. The purpose of the Act is to enable Mi'kmaq bands in Nova Scotia to exercise jurisdiction in relation to education.

Friday, April 18, 2008

On this day in 1985, the federal government increased the Cocopah Indian Reservation from nearly 2,000 to more than 6,000 acres. The reservation is located south of Yuma, Arizona and borders California and Mexico.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

During this week in 1990, the Pawnee, Wichita and Arikara tribes held a reburial ceremony for more than 100 ancestors in Kansas. The site was a tourist attraction, but was returned to the tribes under federal law.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

On this day in 1934, the Johnson-O’Malley Act was made into law to provide funds to states with Indian students attending public schools.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

During this week in 1878, the Sheldon Jackson School was founded in Sitka, Alaska. It was first established as an industrial and training school for Tlingit boys. Later it became a private four-year college.

Monday, April 14, 2008

During this week in 1974, Eskimos Inc. was established in Alaska. The company is owned by the Arctic Slope Regional Corp. It distributes fuel to Barrow residents and airlines. Eskimos Inc. also orders and delivers fuel to North Slope coastal villages which receive fuel by barge during the brief ice-free summer months.

Friday, April 11, 2008

During this week in 1944, some land on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, that was ceded to the U.S. nearly 40 years earlier, was returned to the Shoshone-Arapaho people.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

During this week in 1968, the Indian Civil Rights Act was passed by Congress to provide protections to federally recognized tribes including, religious freedom.

Wednesday, April 10, 2008

During this week in 1945, U.S. Army Private Mathew Hawzipta was killed in action during World War II. The Kiowa man from Oklahoma posthumously received a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts for his bravery. More than 60 years later, the awards were sent in the mail by the Army.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

On this day in 1944, Ernest Childers, a Creek from Oklahoma was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery in World War II. Although he suffered a broken foot during an assault, Childers single-handedly killed two snipers, silenced two machine gun strongholds and captured an enemy.

Monday, April 7, 2008

During this week in 1943, Byron Mallott was born in Alaska. He was a key leader in the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Mallott was also leader of the Alaska Federation of Natives and Sealaska Corporation.

Friday, April 4, 2008

During this week in 1975, a three-day national conference on Indian water rights took place in Washington, D.C. Representatives from nearly 200 tribes attended the meeting.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

During this week in 1867, the United States signed a treaty with Russia to purchase Alaska for 7.2 million dollars. Under the treaty, tribes became subject to U.S. laws and regulations.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

During this week in 1910, Congress passed an act that forever waived tuition for Native American students at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. Today, the four year college has American Indian Studies, Native student organizations and a Native American Center.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

On this day in 1621, the Wampanoag Tribe signed the first treaty between Native Americans and the pilgrims. The peace treaty stated either party would not injure or steal from one another, or engage in an unjust war. The fourth condition stated the Wampanoag would honor the treaty.