BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — On a bluff overlooking a sweep of Southern California beach, scientists in 1976 unearthed what were among the oldest skeletal remains ever found in the Western Hemisphere.

Researchers would come to herald the bones — dating back nearly 10,000 years — as a potential treasure trove for understanding the earliest human history of the continental United States. But a local tribal group called the Kumeyaay Nation claimed that the bones, representing at least two people, were their ancestors and demanded them back several years ago.

Read more here

Continue Reading

The community’s effort to keep the Sacramento Kings has received what is thought to be its single-largest pledge to date.

United Auburn Indian Community, the tribe that owns Thunder Valley Casino Resort near Lincoln, has committed to boost its spending with the Kings by about $650,000, to a total of $1 million, the tribe’s spokesman said Tuesday evening.

The tribe already spends about $350,000 a year with the National Basketball Association franchise, including $300,000 for a luxury suite it has had at the arena since Thunder Valley Casino opened in 2004. United Auburn Indian Community does limited advertising with the Kings, in the range of $50,000, said Doug Elmets, the tribe’s spokesman.

The $1 million pledge — which Elmets described as a “hard” commitment — is on top of the $7 million in “soft” commitments from the business that the mayor had previously announced.
Read more here

Continue Reading

It is great to hear that the property that housed DQ University will soon be back in service.  This time as a treatment center for Native youth.  They are currently working on rehabbing the property with an expected opening of 2014.  Let’s hope that educational classes will also return to the only Indian College in California.

To read more Click Here.

Continue Reading

Here is a couple articles on the longtime Cobell lawsuit.  It was recently was settled and the $3.4 billion settlement is a record for Native American claims against the government.  Notices are going out now to those who would be entitled to part of the settlement.  If you believe you are entitled and have not received notice be sure you file as soon as possible on the website www.IndianTrust.com or call 800-961-6109.  Settlement claims must be filed with 45 days of the Judge’s ruling which will be later this year.

Also the law firm that represented Eloise Cobell is seeking to double their law fees.  In retaliation, Representatives Young and Haskins have introduced legislation that would cap the legal fees for the case at $50 million.  Cobell’s lawyers had been seeking as much as $223 million.  Articles are below.

Montana, Wyoming Indians notified in Cobell settlement

By LORNA THACKERAY Of The Gazette Staff‌

A media campaign is under way to notify American Indians in Montana and Wyoming that they may be eligible for $1,000 or more from a settlement in the Cobell class action lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleged that the government mismanaged billions of dollars that individual Indians should have received in income from their trust lands.

“We have about 20,000 people in your area we need to reach,” said Tyler Tullis, an account assistant working with Desautel and Hege Communications of Washington, D.C.

Click here to read more.

Lawyers seek to double fees in Indian claims case

(AP) – 5 days ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawyers representing Native Americans helped win a record $3.4 billion settlement with the federal government.

Now they want a judge to double their fees.

Instead of being paid up to $99.9 million, as initially agreed, attorney Dennis Gingold says he other lawyers deserve at least $224 million for their work on the case since 1996.

Click here to read more.

Continue Reading

Lawsuit alleges solar projects would harm sacred Native American sites

Native American group and its allies sue to stop six solar facilities from being built in the Southern California desert, arguing that they would affect treasured geoglyphs, burial sites and relics.

Alfredo Acosta Figueroa of La Cuna de Aztlan stands next to a rock edged with an Aztec sun calendar in the desert outside of Blythe, Calif. The group has filed a lawsuit to block six large solar facilities planned in Southern California deserts. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Stepping gingerly across a small mesa of manganese-stained stones, Alfredo Acosta Figueroa explained how the giant image of the creator etched into the earth guides the souls of mothers and children west toward Old Woman Mountain.

The image of Cicimiti, more detectable from the sky than on foot, is just one of many geoglyphs, Native American burial sites and ancient relics that Figueroa says are threatened by solar projects being fast-tracked near Blythe and other remote expanses in the Southern California desert.

Click here for more.

Continue Reading

By MATTHEW DALY
Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The government said Thursday it will scale back costly roundups of wild horses that some critics contend are inhumane.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management will reduce the number of wild horses removed from the range by about one-quarter — to 7,600 per year. The agency also will expand the use of fertility controls and increase the number of animals adopted by individuals or groups. The bureau continues to oppose horse slaughter, which some in the West have advocated as a way to thin herds.

The agency’s director, Bob Abbey, said the new plan was intended to ensure that viable herds of wild horses and burros remain on the nation’s public lands for generations to come. To improve the health of both horses and Western lands, officials need the help of

private partners and must ensure that management decisions have a scientific foundation, Abbey said.

The changes do not include a proposal that Abbey and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar floated in late 2009 to move thousands of wild horses to preserves in the Midwest and East, where they would graze on land unthreatened by drought and wildfires. The government would have established large horse ranches open to the public for tours and educational visits. The preserves would have cost at least $92 million to buy and build. The plan ran into bipartisan opposition in Congress and among the public.

“It was very evident to us that the public did not like that idea and so we have dropped that from the strategy we are pursuing now,” Abbey told reporters in a conference call.

The new approach comes a week after the House approved an amendment to cut the agency’s budget by $2 million to protest the roundups. The program’s annual cost has tripled over the past decade to $66 million. Annual costs are expected to reach at least $85 million by 2012.

More than 38,000 wild horses and burros roam in Nevada, California, Wyoming and other Western states. An additional 40,000 animals are cared for in corrals and pastures in Kansas, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

The wild horse program was created by Congress in 1971. It’s intended to protect wild horse herds and the rangelands that support them. Under the program, thousands of horses are forced into holding pens, where many are vaccinated or neutered before being placed for adoption or sent to long-term corrals in the Midwest.

Animal rights advocates complain that the roundups — which sometimes include use of helicopters — are inhumane because some animals are traumatized, injured or killed.

Ranchers and other groups say the roundups are needed to protect fragile grazing lands that are used by cattle, Bighorn sheep and other wildlife.

Abbey said he knows the changes will not end controversy over the horse management program, but said they send an important message: “We will no longer kick the can down the road just because it is challenging.”

Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, called the latest plan encouraging, but said the Obama administration needs to do more to reduce the number of horses rounded up and removed from public lands.

The current plan “is not economically sustainable and it is bad policy,” Pacelle said.

Continue Reading

*** If you’re not getting this e-mail, write to the e-mail at the bottom and ask to be put on the listserve. ***

New Federal Funding Opportunities for Tribal Energy Projects and More

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Department of Transportation (DOT) have announced more than $228 million in current or upcoming funding opportunities for state, local, and tribal governments. These grants can be used to support climate and energy initiatives, including energy efficiency, regional planning, and community education. For full eligibility and application details, please visit the links provided below.

EPA Integrated Assessment of Transportation-Related Policies on Greenhouse Gases, Land Use Change, and Other Economy-Wide Impacts – $0.5 million

Application due: February 17, 2011
Eligible entities: States, local governments, territories, Indian tribes, and possessions of the United States

EPA requests proposals for Integrated Assessment of Transportation-Related Policies on Greenhouse Gases, Land Use Change, and Other Economy-Wide Impacts. Through this RFP, EPA seeks projects that advance comprehensive, integrated modeling and assessment of multiple greenhouse gases and air pollutants to further the public’s understanding of the interaction of the economic, energy, and environmental impacts of increased renewable fuel use in the U.S. transportation sector using a robust modeling framework. $500,000 is expected to be available; one award is anticipated. For more information, contact Sharyn Lie, or see the synopsis of this opportunity onGrants.gov.

EPA Reducing Children’s Environmental Exposures – $1.5 million

Application due: February 18, 2011
Eligible entities: States or state agencies, territories, city or township governments, county governments, the District of Columbia, federally recognized American Indian tribes, and other

EPA requests proposals for Building Capacity to Reduce Children’s Environmental Exposures in Child-Occupied Settings. This program seeks to address children’s environmental health in underserved communities by building capacity to reduce exposures in child-occupied settings. Targeted health hazards include, but are not limited to, lead, mercury, and arsenic; air pollutants, both indoor and ambient; radon; carbon monoxide; asbestos; and water pollution. $1.5 million is expected to be available; up to 20 awards are anticipated. For more information, contact Kathy Seikelor visit the EPA Web site.

EPA Source Reduction Assistance Grant Program – $1.17 million

Application due: February 24, 2011
Eligible entities: State and local governments, federally recognized tribes, and tribal consortia

EPA Regions (with the exception of Region 6) request proposals for the Source Reduction Assistance Grant Program, for projects that support pollution prevention and source reduction. Priority areas vary by EPA Region. Examples include developing/implementing green curricula; funding interns to conduct P2/source reduction projects; eliminating toxics by using more benign substitutes in schools, hospitals, or elsewhere; sustainable manufacturing; green chemistry; green economy/green jobs; and environmental justice. $1.17 million is expected to be available; 20 awards are anticipated. For more information, including EPA Regional priorities, visit the EPA Web site.

DOE Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency on Tribal Lands – $1.5 million

Application due: March 3, 2011
Eligible entities: Indian tribes, tribal energy resource development organizations, or tribal consortia

DOE requests proposals for First Steps Toward Developing Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency on Tribal Lands. Areas of interest include strategic planning, energy options analysis, energy organization development, and human capacity building related to sustainable energy efficiency implementation and/or renewable energy development. Up to $1.5 million is expected to be available; up to 20 awards are anticipated. For more information, contact Paige Smith or see the opportunity description and summary on the FedConnect Web site.

HUD Sustainable Communities Research Grants – $1.5 million

Application due: March 4, 2011 (due date extended)
Eligible entities: Nationally recognized and accredited institutions of higher education; nonprofit foundations, think tanks, research consortia or policy institutes, and for-profit organizations located in the United States.

HUD request proposals for the Transformation Initiative: Sustainable Communities Research Grant Program. Through this RFP, HUD is interested primarily in sponsoring cutting-edge research in affordable housing development and preservation, transportation-related issues, economic development and job creation, land use planning and urban design, green and sustainable energy practices, and a range of issues related to sustainability. Up to $1.5 million is expected to be available; individual awards will not exceed $500,000. For more information, see the synopsis of this opportunity on Grants.gov.

DOC Economic Development Administration Public Works, Economic Adjustment, and Global Climate Change Mitigation Programs Opportunity – Likely ~$25 million

Application due: Depends on funding cycle; next funding cycle is due March 10, 2011
Eligible entities: State and local governments, federally recognized tribes, nonprofits, private institutes of higher education

DOC’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) helps distressed communities establish a foundation for durable regional economies throughout the United States. EDA generally allocates funds for the Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund (GCCMIF) to support projects that foster economic competitiveness while enhancing environmental quality. EDA anticipates that these funds will be used to advance the green economy by supporting projects that create jobs and increase private capital investment in initiatives to limit the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels, enhance energy efficiency, curb greenhouse gas emissions, and protect natural systems. While the amount of funding available through this opportunity is dependent on FY2011 appropriations and is not yet known, EDA allocated $25 million for the GCCMIF in 2010. The average size of a GCCMIF investment was approximately $840,000. For more information, including regional contacts, see the synopsis of this funding opportunity on Grants.gov.

DOT Innovative Transit Workforce Development – $1 million

Application due: March 15, 2011
Eligible entities: Urban and rural transit agencies, state departments of transportation (DOTs) providing public transportation services, and Indian tribes

DOT’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requests proposals for the Innovative Transit Workforce Development Program. This RFP will support projects that demonstrate innovative workforce development practices and programs in public transportation. FTA will accept applications targeting one or more of the following activity areas: tracked pre-employment training/preparation, recruitment and hiring, incumbent worker training and retention, and succession planning/phased retirement. $1 million is expected to be available; individual awards will not exceed $500,000. For more information, contact Jarrett Stoltzfus or visit the FTA Web site.

DOE Energy Efficiency Development and Deployment in Indian Country – $4 million

Application due: March 16, 2011
Eligible entities: Indian tribes, tribal energy resource development organizations, or tribal consortia

DOE requests proposals for Energy Efficiency Development and Deployment in Indian Country. Areas of interest include: 1) feasibility studies to assess and determine the technical and economic feasibility of energy efficiency improvements to existing tribally owned buildings, and 2) installation of energy efficiency improvements at existing tribally owned buildings. Up to $4 million is expected to be available; up to 20 awards are anticipated. For more information, contact Kasey Koch or see the opportunity description and summary on the FedConnect Web site.

EPA FY11 Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grant – $4 million

Application due: March 18, 2011
Eligible entities: State and local governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, other

This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits proposals from eligible entities, including nonprofit organizations, to deliver environmental workforce development and job training programs focused on hazardous and solid waste management, assessment, and cleanup-associated activities. While Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grants focus on hazardous and solid waste remediation and health and safety, including required core training in HAZWOPER, applicants may design their own curriculums by choosing what types of supplemental environmental training they want to provide. Learn more on the EPA Web site.

EPA FY 2011 Pollution Prevention Grant Program – $4.1 million

Application due: March 29, 2011
Eligible entities: States, state agencies, federally recognized tribes and intertribal consortia, others

EPA’s Pollution Prevention (P2) grant program supports state and tribal technical assistance programs to help businesses identify better environmental strategies and solutions for reducing or eliminating waste at the source. EPA Regions will award P2 grants and/or cooperative agreements to support state and tribal technical assistance programs that address the reduction or elimination of pollution by businesses across all environmental media: air, water, and land. Under this year’s competition, proposals must describe activities that address one or more of the national focus areas: greenhouse gas reduction, toxic and hazardous materials reduction, resource conservation, business efficiency, and P2 integration. To complement the five national focus areas identified above, each EPA Region has developed a set of priorities that highlight specific environmental issues, projects, and/or programs that are of significant interest to the Region. Applicants must address at least of the priorities from the EPA Region in which the project will take place. For more information, contact Michelle Amhaz at 202-564-8857 or see the synopsis of this opportunity onGrants.gov.

DOE Renewable Energy Development and Deployment in Indian Country – $4 million

Application due: March 31, 2011
Eligible entities: Indian tribes, tribal energy resource development organizations, or tribal consortia

DOE requests proposals for Renewable Energy Development and Deployment in Indian Country. Areas of interest include: 1) feasibility studies to determine the technical and economic viability of a future renewable project, 2) development (pre-construction) activities leading to the deployment of renewable energy projects, and 3) deployment (construction) of renewable energy projects for power production. Up to $4 million is expected to be available; up to 20 awards are anticipated. For more information, contact Kathryn Buckley or visit the opportunity description and summary on the FedConnect Web site.

DOE Weatherization Formula Grants – approximately $180 million

Application due: Varies by program year
Eligible entities: Agencies that administer the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

DOE requests proposals for the Weatherization Assistance Program Formula Grant. The purpose of WAP is to increase the energy efficiency of dwellings owned or occupied by low-income persons, reduce residential expenditures, and improve health and safety. Lead applicants must be agencies that administer the the Weatherization Assistance Program. Approximately $180 million is expected to be available; 50 awards are anticipated. Proposals due date varies by prime applicant’s program year. For more information, contact Meghaan Hampton or see the opportunity description and summary on the FedConnect Web site.

Information provided courtesty of the EPA’s State and Local Climate and Energy Program.

Regards,

DOE Tribal Energy Program
1617 Cole Boulevard
Golden, CO 80401
tribal@go.doe.gov

For more information on the Tribal Energy Program and our Guide to Tribal Energy Development, please visit our Web site.

Continue Reading

*** Yesterday he wanted to prevent the slaughter of buffalo coming from Yellowstone Park.  Today he is favor of killing wolves.  Which side of sacred animal protection does Brian Schweitzer stand on? ***

BILLINGS, Mont. — Defying federal authority over gray wolves, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer on Wednesday encouraged ranchers to kill wolves that prey on their livestock — even in areas where that is not currently allowed — and said the state would start shooting packs that hurt elk herds.

Schweitzer told the Associated Press he no longer would wait for federal officials to resolve the tangle of lawsuits over wolves, which has kept the animals on the endangered species list for a decade since recovery goals were first met.

Click Here to read more.

Continue Reading

The U.S. Department of Interior may use the image of a wild American bison for its logo, but the agency isn’t doing much to help the beast itself. Or so says Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, the man who on Tuesday afternoon saved hundreds of wild bison from imminent slaughter at the hands of federal agencies.

Schweitzer’s surprise executive order overruled the decision of a federal judge just one day earlier that had cleared the way for the National Park Service to execute hundreds of bison, or buffalo — half of which are believed to be carrying the disease brucellosis. They currently are being held in a quarantine pen just inside the northern perimeter of Yellowstone National Park.

Click Here to read more

Continue Reading

Entrepreneurship has been a hot buzzword for several years.  It’s definitely what the Federal Government has been focused on in rural development.  Will it work?  Here is a look at the plight that some plain-state Tribes are facing and how they’re trying to deal with it.

ZIEBACH COUNTY, S.D. — In the barren grasslands of Ziebach County, there’s almost nothing harder to find in winter than a job. This is America’s poorest county, where more than 60 percent of people live at or below the poverty line.

At a time when the weak economy is squeezing communities across the nation, recently released census figures show that nowhere are the numbers as bad as here — a county with 2,500 residents, most of them Cheyenne River Sioux Indians living on a reservation.

Click Here for the full article.

Continue Reading