We are living in historic times for Indian Country. As we are still celebrating the confirmation of Diane Humetewa, the first Native American woman who will serve as a Federal Judge, there is another opportunity for a historic ‘first’ at our fingertips. The United States Senate is scheduled to vote on Keith Harper’s Nomination to be the United States Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The U.S. Interior Department on Thursday announced proposed changes to the rules for granting federal recognition to American Indian tribes, revisions that could make it easier for some groups to achieve status that brings increased benefits as well as opportunities for commercial development.
A Chicago based production company, a Branded Media Digital Campaign with One Tree Forest Productions, is looking for a male descended from a native American line in South Dakota and who has become disconnected from his native roots for the lead role in a new documentary film.
Continue to Casting call for native american male, 20 to 40 years old →
Former Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. has been cleared of allegations that he acted unethically and illegally in dealing with two businesses on the reservation.
"I am the heir to the Powhatan Empire," said Crown Prince Emperor El Bey Bigbay. The Crown Prince - as he wishes to be called - is Trenton native William McRea.
"We don't know where he came from. We don't know anything about him," said Obie Batchelor, a Powhatan Renape member from Pennsauken, Camden County. "He just popped up out of the woodwork. You can't just pop up and claim yourself chief."
But the Crown Prince can't simply be written off as eccentric or prone to gibberish: He has managed to get control of the Powhatan Renape Nation's phone number and he's accepted artifacts on behalf of the tribe, posing for pictures with elderly women in a large headdress that no Powhatan ever wore.
Continue to Powhatan Renape Nation calls self proclaimed chief Prince Alarming →
October 12 is a federal holiday in the United States called Columbus Day, which celebrates the explorer, Christopher Columbus. When asked to describe him, most people say one of two things:
1. Christopher Columbus was a brave explorer, who despite terrible odds, sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and proved the world is round.
2. He was a courageous hero who discovered a new continent, called the New World in his time, which is known today as North America, Central America, and South America.
Both of these "facts" are still taught in many American schools. But, if you agreed with either of those statements, you would be wrong.
Continue to Columbus Day is a mistake for more than one reason →
