2016 Culture and Tradition News Stories
Court rules in favor of ICWA law (Indianz) 12/27/16
President signs bill to return ancient skeleton to Native Americans (Argus Observer) 12/20/16
Opinion varies on Cherokee Nation gay marriage decision (The Times) 12/20/16
Northwest tribes prepare to rebury ancestor known as Ancient One (Indianz) 12/20/16
State says 2,300-year-old crab pot skull is Native American (The Daily World) 12/16/16
Could Standing Rock happen in Wyoming? (Wyoming Public Radio) 12/16/16
Congress just resolved a 20-year debate over Neolithic remains (The Hill) 12/12/16
Attorney General for Native American tribe Cherokee Nation passes law to officially recognize same-sex marriage (Inquisitr) 12/10/16
The Dakota Access Pipeline isn't just about the environment. It's about religion. (Washington Post) 12/5/16
Keeping native languages alive (IndyKids) 12/2/16
Disparaging trademark dispute heats up before Supreme Court (Above the Fold) 11/29/16
Court rules Native American Church not exempt from MJ laws (MJI News) 11/28/16
A Navajo chef looks to history in his homage to Native cuisine (Palm Beach Post) 11/28/16
Sioux anti-pipeline action sustained by Native American spirituality (Deseret News) 11/28/16
[OPINION] An Indian protest for everyone (New York Times) 11/26/16
Sault Tribe encouraged by State appeals court wolf hunt decision (Native News Online) 11/26/16
Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe finally reclaims ancestral remains (Indianz) 11/23/16
Does foraging threaten wildlands and Native culture? (Link) 11/23/16
Native Americans in L.A. almost saw their culture erased — now they're getting it back (LA Weekly) 11/21/16
The Navajo Nation and Urban Outfitters, Inc. announce a settlement agreement (The Navajo Nation) 11/17/16
Utah tribal leaders address the protection of Native American children (23rd Navajo Nation Council) 11/17/16
Navajo Nation settles dispute over sale of unauthorized 'Navajo' products (Indianz) 11/17/16
Sitka Tribe looks to manage Sitka National Historical Park (Juneau Empire) 11/16/16
Native tradition a vital part of advocate's strategy (Great Falls Tribune) 11/13/16
NATIVE Act, Tribal Tourism to Take Center Stage at RES New Mexico (Indian Country Today) 11/10/16
MLB commissioner, Cleveland Indians to discuss 'offensive' logo (Rolling Stone) 11/3/16
NATIVE Act aims to promote Native tourism (The Circle) 11/3/16
Will judge reconsider decision giving Visalia family custody of 3 American Indian girls? (The Fresno Bee) 11/3/16
President Barack Obama issues proclamation for Native American Heritage Month (Indianz) 11/1/16
Indian advocate appreciates MLB commish talking about Chief Wahoo (NY Daily News) 10/27/16
Senate hearing in ABQ on action to prevent theft, illegal possession, sale of tribal cultural items (Big News) 10/25/16
Indians should quit hedging, retire Chief Wahoo completely (Sporting News) 10/23/16
Major League Baseball issues a statement on Chief Wahoo (The Village Suntimes) 10/21/16
Udall leads Senate hearing on action to prevent theft, illegal possession, sale of tribal cultural items (Los Alamos Daily Post) 10/19/16
Chippewa tribes renew hunting of Minnesota moose (Star Tribune) 10/19/16
Federal agency shifts course as tribal ancestor in Nevada is slated for repatriation (Indianz) 10/19/16
Tribes seek greater protections for sacred and cultural property (Indianz) 10/18/16
The legal case for challenging Chief Wahoo (FanGraphs) 10/18/16
Cleveland Indians team name, Chief Wahoo logo targeted in Canadian lawsuit (Cleveland) 10/17/16
How the Miami Tribe got its language back (Public Radio International) 10/14/16
Case building to link ancient Kennewick Man to modern tribes (Tri-City Herald) 10/9/16
College agrees to stop displaying remains of Native American (Stamford Advocate) 10/8/16
BLM keeps thousands of Native American artifacts off-limits at San Bernardino County Museum (The Press Enterprise) 10/7/16
Library of Congress repatriating oldest Lakota audio recordings (KOTA) 10/7/16
House votes to return Kennewick Man to tribes (Columbia Basin Herald) 10/5/16
Justices take up trademark case that could affect Redskins (Record Searchlight) 10/5/16
Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day? Debate surges across US (Palm Beach Post) 10/3/16
Congress condemns trafficking of Native American objects (Arizona Public Media) 10/3/16
River fight boosts a Tribe's long-threatened culture (Truthout) 10/1/16
Native apps: How digital technology is helping to preserve fading Native American languages (Salon) 10/1/16
Alaska's Congressional delegation supports new Native tourism bill (Juneau Empire) 9/27/16
Federal Court denies Navajo summary judgment on trademark infringement claim (Turtle Talk) 9/26/16
Thousands of Indian remains left in Bureaucratic limbo (PEER) 9/26/16 (Reclamation PDF)
New tourism law lets Native Hawaiians define how their culture is represented (KITV) 9/26/17
Tribes creating own foster program (Del Norte Triplicate) 9/24/16
Group to protest Goldwater Institute's Anti-ICWA suit in Phoenix (Indian Country Today) 9/22/16
Redskins, rock band form unusual alliance in trademark fight (Palm Beach Post) 9/21/16
Anne McKeig sworn in as Minnesota's first Native American Associate Supreme Court Justice (Twin Cities Pioneer Press) 9/16/16
California's highest court won't disrupt placement of Choctaw Nation girl (Indianz) 9/15/16
Remains of Kennewick Man are a step closer to being returned to the tribes (KAPP-TV) 9/15/16
Remains long held in museum to be returned to Michigan Native American tribe (M Live) 9/15/16
Important ICWA case out of Oklahoma on application and transfer to tribal court (Turtle Talk) 9/14/16
California Supreme Court denies review in In re Alexandria P. (Choctaw ICWA Case) (Turtle Talk) 9/14/16
Bill aimed at boosting cultural tourism goes to President Obama (Pacific Business News) 9/13/16
Neighbors say North Dakota pipeline protests disrupt lives and livelihoods (New York Times) 9/13/16
Dakota Pipeline Protests 'part cultural movement,' UM journalists report (Montana Public Radio) 9/8/16 (Montana Journalism Review)
North Dakota's chief archaeologist to inspect pipeline site
(Daily Herald) 9/8/16
Boon or burn? (News Review) 9/8/16
Foster Care: most tribes do not anticipate challenges with case goal changes, but HHS could further promote guardianship assistance (U.S. Government Accountability Office) 9/7/16 (Report PDF)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee advances Udall's resolution to protect Native American cultural items (Sen. Udall) 9/7/16
Cultural sites remain in debate along pipeline route (Bismarck Tribune) 9/7/16
Life in the Native American oil protest camps (BBC News) 9/2/16
One river, two canoes: peace and respect in Indian Child Welfare (Cato Unbound) 8/31/16
Working to change views of Native Americans (Native News Online) 8/31/16
State Court of Appeals allows non-native family to adopt Gila River child (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 8/30/16
Forest district to return human remains to Native American group (Daily Herald) 8/30/16
Narragansett tribe seeks unearthed relics (Jamestown Press) 8/25/16
The next Justice's impact on the Indian Child Welfare Act (Turtle Talk) 8/24/16
Cultural survey at heart of pipeline challenge (The Jamestown Sun) 8/24/16
Foster care disparities growing (Star Tribune) 8/21/16
In Minnesota, American Indian kids are in a foster care crisis [Pt. 1] (Star Tribune) 8/21/16
Heinrich: U.S. must help safeguard tribal patrimony (Daily Post) 8/21/16
Language assistance provisions enacted in western Alaska and the Arctic (KTOO) 8/19/16
Ohio man who bought Native American remains gets probation (Cherokee Phoenix) 8/19/16
Federal judge to issue order fixing '48-hour hearings' [ICWA cases] (Rapid City Journal) 8/17/16
Panel speaks about traumas in Native American communities [Dakota Access Pipeline] (Bismarck Tribune) 8/17/16
Mono County doctor pleads guilty to looting Native American artifacts from public lands (LA Times) 8/16/16
NPS approves grant for Con Foster collection (Record Eagle) 8/15/16
Gila River Indian Community weighs options after losing Indian Child Welfare Act case (Indianz) 8/15/16
Tougher proposals for protecting tribal items face criticism (Associated Press) 8/12/16
Tribes gather at Glacier to oppose grizzly delisting (NBC Montana) 8/12/16
To rest in peace: court rules Native American remains be returned to La Jolla burial site (La Jolla Light) 8/10/16
Chowanoke descendants reclaim ancestral land, envision cultural center (Indian Country Today) 8/10/16
Indian status is not racial: understanding ICWA as a matter of law and practice (Cato Unbound) 8/9/16
Bowie man sentenced for illegally removing artifacts from prehistoric Native American site (Douglas Dispatch) 8/5/16
To the town of Jim Thorpe: you won - now send athlete's remains home (Public Opinion) 8/5/16
Nominations sought for open position on NAGPRA review committee (Indianz) 8/2/16
Federal authorities file warrant for shield stolen from Acoma Pueblo (Indianz) 8/2/16
Native Americans are getting a major new benefit from national parks (Fusion) 8/1/16
Heinrich welcomes DOJ request to retrieve stolen Acoma Pueblo shield (LA Daily Post) 7/28/16
Report: compliance with Indian Child Welfare Act spotty (Desert Sun) 7/28/16
CN hosts National Native American Veterans Memorial conversation (The Daily Progress) 7/27/16
US authorities seek warrant for tribal shield in Paris (ABC News) 7/26/16
Walker signs two bills into law [Indian Child Welfare Act] (Juneau Empire) 7/26/16
New law in Oklahoma goes against Indian Arts and Crafts Act (Indianz) 7/22/16
Training sessions planned for final Indian Child Welfare Act rule (Indianz) 7/22/16
California remains a battleground for Indian Child Welfare Act (Indianz) 7/21/16
Group wants Native American dances protected (Albuquerque Journal) 7/20/16
DOI releases schedule of trainings on new ICWA regs (PDF) 7/19/16
Heinrich announces growing bipartisan support for tribal artifacts bill (Santa Fe Hometown News) 7/19/16
Urban Outfitters can keep exploiting Navajo culture — for now (Global Citizen) 7/19/16
TRIBES: law not protecting Indian children, report finds (The Press Enterprise) 7/15/16
Ex-park official convicted in theft of bones
(Tri-Valley Dispatch) 7/9/16
Heinrich introduces bill to prohibit exporting sacred Native American items (Sen. Heinrich) 7/6/16
Tribes support bill in Senate to stop the export of cultural property (Indianz) 7/6/16
Theft of ancient bones a ‘debacle’ for National Park Service (Washington Post) 7/4/16
Lumbee Tribe, R.A. Jeffreys settle in beer ad lawsuit (The Robesonian) 7/1/16
Indigenous International Repatriation Conference set for September 26-27 (Native News Online) 6/30/16
A tool to trace indigenous cultural heritage (Santa Fe New Mexican) 6/25/16
Tribes hail shield's halted sale; collectors ask what's next (Durango Herald) 6/24/16
Navajo Nation supports cultural items bill (Farmington Daily Times) 6/24/16
9th Circuit rules Indian defendant can't blame 'historical trauma' (Indianz) 6/17/16
Alaska officials welcome new federal rule on adoption cases (Native Times) 6/16/16
NICWA, NARF release new summary of [ICWA] regs (Summary PDF) June 2016
Budweiser sued for allegedly using Native American tribe's logo to sell beer (MSN) 6/16/16
US court rejects idea of 'historical trauma' in Indian criminal case (Tucson) 6/16/16
Final rule for Indian Child Welfare Act takes effect December 12 (Indianz) 6/15/16
Texas tribe wins 10-year fight over its use of eagle feathers (Arca Max) 6/15/16
New federal rule could prevent litigation over Native children in state custody (Alaska Public Media) 6/13/16
Interior Secretary says changes to Indian Child Welfare Act 'close loopholes' (OPB) 6/10/16
Independent Sector highlights NARF in "Indian Voices" piece (Independent Sector) 6/8/16
John Echohawk of Native American Rights Fund receives top honor (Indianz) 6/8/16
BIA publishes final ICWA rule (Indian Country Today) 6/8/16 (See Turtle Talk materials -01, -02, -03) (See also Federal Register materials 80 FR 10146 & 80 FR 14880)
Navajo Nation wins another decision in trademark fashion dispute (Indianz) 6/3/16
A federal judge has cleared the way for the Navajo Nation to seek damages from Free People LLC., a subsidiary of Urban Outfitters (Daily Journal) 6/2/16
Interior Sec. Jewell denounces Paris auction of sacred Native items (Indian Country Today) 5/28/16
Feds drop lawsuit against Indian tribe's killing Bald Eagles (Field & Stream) 5/27/16
The sad history behind Michelle Obama's commencement speech in Santa Fe (TIME) 5/26/16
Cultural and intellectual property [Interview with NARF staff attorney Melody McCoy] (Native America Calling) 5/25/16
Paris auction house defends divisive sale of tribal items (Beaumont Enterprises) 5/26/16
NMAI tells press: stop Paris auction of sacred items and human remains (Indian Country Today) 5/24/16
Alaska Natives welcome removal of 'Eskimo' from federal laws (Indianz) 5/24/16
Navajo 'not famous enough,' judge dismisses 2 counts in lawsuit against Urban Outfitters (Daily Dot) 5/20/16
We're just a vote away from helping Alaska's foster children (Alaska Dispatch) 5/19/16
Army's promise to Carlisle Indians' kin creates hope, skepticism (Morning Call) 5/17/16
American Indian child 'welfare' law under fire (FOX News) 5/17/16
Judge denies Narragansett tribe's bid to suspend construction of cable for wind farm (Providence Journal) 5/16/16
Fish and Wildlife drops legal challenge to eagle killings (Native Times) 5/16/16
Landmark judgment returns bones to tribe (Indian Country Today) 5/15/16
Congress passes bill to remove 'Eskimo' and 'Aleut' from two laws (Indianz) 5/13/16
US Army to pay for repatriation of Indian children's remains (Washington Post) 5/12/16
Reinvigorating the Indian Arts and Crafts Act (Indian Country Today) 5/12/16
Completing the circle: A relative on the importance of bringing home the body of Native American child (Penn Live) 5/12/16
Bison are our new national mammal. Here's what you can and can't do with them (Washington Post) 5/10/16
It's official: America's first national mammal is the bison (Washington Post) 5/9/16
The ‘Ancient One,’ Kennewick Man, is Native American and will soon get a tribal burial (Inquistor) 5/2/16
Why Native American inmates can't wear their hair long in Alabama (The Atlantic) 5/2/16
Army open to returning remains of Rosebud Sioux (Stars and Stripes) 5/1/16
Corps determines Kennewick Man is Native American (The Modesto Bee) 4/27/16
President Obama orders more compliance with ICWA (Indianz) 4/25/16
Iowa commission told of lack of Native American foster homes (SF Gates) 4/23/16
Advocates call for more Native American foster homes in Sioux City (Sioux City Journal) 4/23/16
Grant program supports Native languages (Indianz) 4/22/16
Who "owns" your ancestors' remains? (Native News Online) 4/20/16
Native American Church resists pot enthusiasts (Courthouse News) 4/19/16
Colorado public schools should drop American Indian mascots ASAP, commission says (Fusion) 4/19/16 (copy of report)
Grappling with the complexity of NAGPRA (Indian Country Today) 4/12/16
Navajo Nation wins ruling for remains removed from reservation (Indianz) 4/7/16
Self-proclaimed 'Native' church loses decision on marijuana use (Indianz) 4/7/16
Appeals Court: Navajo Nation can seek return of remains (Tucson) 4/6/16
Leave ‘Braves’ behind (The Register-Guard) 4/2/16
Child's skull thought to be Native American (Chicago Tribune) 4/1/16
Tribe can seek potentially millions from Urban Outfitters (Sogotrade) 4/1/16
Indian children's law in Choctaw foster case praised by some, criticized by others (NBC) 3/27/16
NAJA calls for ethical, informed ICWA reporting (Indian Country Today) 3/25/16
Custody case of Native American girl appealed to high court (The Waltonian) 3/24/16
Breaking: California returns child to family in ICWA case (Indian Country Today) 3/22/16
What eagle feathers have to do with the HHS mandate and religious liberty [OPINION] (Daily Caller) 3/21/16
Article on the return of Native Peoples to the National Parks (Law Professors Blog Network) 3/20/16
Tribal law conference to explore American Indian sports mascots (Stone Hearth News) 3/7/16
Ancestral remains to return home to Chirikof Island (KTOO) 3/6/16
What a Native American fish hook's journey says about a little-known repatriation law (The Artery) 3/4/16
Historical agreement gives tribe control over foster cases (Juneau Empire) 3/3/16
Pearce introduces resolution to protect tribal artifacts (Noodls) 3/2/16
Kodiak ancestral remains to return home (Alaska Public Media) 3/2/16
Whatcom Museum returns sacred blanket to tribes of Alaska (Bellingham Herald) 3/2/16
National Museum of the American Indian showcases American Indian women's achievements during Women's History Month (Smithsonian) 3/1/16
CN has prosecuted cultural vandalism, not theft (Cherokee Phoenix) 2/23/16
Houska: Navajo Nation files brief against Washington NFL team (Indian Country Today) 2/22/16
All Nations Network, a cable outlet for native peoples, wants to launch in U.S. (Philly) 2/18/16
Was a wedding ceremony part of traditional Lakota culture? (Native Sun News) 2/17/16
Northern Arapaho Tribe seeking to repatriate remains of students (Indianz) 2/10/16
White Mountain Apache Tribe considers change to blood quantum (Indianz) 2/10/16
Urban Outfitters seeks to limit suit filed by Navajos (Albuquerque Journal) 2/8/16
Woman claims discrimination for not being American Indian (Washington Times) 2/5/16
Things to know about Navajo Nation, Urban Outfitters dispute (ABC News) 2/3/16
Kumeyaay Nation set to reclaim ancestors after long NAGPRA fight (Indianz) 2/2/16
Native American mascot ruling for schools amended (NR Today) 1/22/16
Oregon militia brings battle back to Malheur Reservation [EDITORIAL] (Indian Country Today) 1/17/16
Graduation eagle feather fight in federal court (Indian Country Today) 1/6/16
Oregon native tribe uneasy with armed standoff over land rights (Reuters) 1/6/16
Native Americans ask Oregon occupiers to remember the original 'owners' (+video) (The Christian Science Monitor) 1/6/16
It takes a tribe [Indian Child Welfare] (Moultrie News) 1/5/16
