Larry Echo Hawk, Idaho attorney general and former state legislator, discusses success factors in college and law school; early experiences as an Indian lawyer; first election campaign; and his views on tribal sovereignty, state-tribal relationship, gambling, and his dual responsibility to the general public and Native American issues. (SV)

Following hearings concerning inadequate telephone access on American Indian lands, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) committed to promoting a government-to-government relationship with federally recognized tribes and consulting with them prior to implementing regulatory actions, and created financial assistance programs for telephone…

Through unusual treaty provisions, the Nez Perce retained fishing and land use rights on 13 million "ceded" nonreservation acres. Nez Perce tribal government has developed a departmental organization that applies technical knowledge to the management of water resources, wildlife, fisheries, forestry, cultural resources, business…

Some American Indians view the opening of American Indian reservations to tourists as contributing to the desecration of sacred Indian lands, whereas others see it as a way for Indians to control their own economy and provide non-Indians a better appreciation of Indian cultures. (LP)

Profiles the career of Barbara Booher, previously first Native American woman to superintend Custer Battlefield National Park (Montana), and now American Indian liaison for the National Park Service. Describes her efforts to persuade Congress to change the park name to Little Bighorn National Monument. Discusses career opportunities for Native…

After years of hardship and despite owning only 12 percent of its own reservation, the Nez Perce tribe is successfully pursuing community development. Factors include energetic tribal government, good intratribal communications, integrated planning for economic development and forest resource management, and emphasis on cultural preservation and…

A nonprofit institute works to enhance tribal sovereignty and increase tribal capacity to protect the environment and manage both natural and human resources. Through internships, the institute aims to develop a cadre of scientific, environmental, legal, and other professionals knowledgeable about indigenous issues and cultural concerns. Tribes…

Historical and recent examples indicate that, in the areas of property ownership/use and tribal self-government, federal policy has frequently ignored complexities and abandoned Indians to learn from their experiences. Indian college students can substitute professional education for practical experience to ensure tribal survival and sensible land…

An Aleut community leader from the Pribilof Islands (Alaska) reflects on what he learned from the economic crisis that threatened the viability of his community during the 1980s. He suggests that the spiritual healing of the individual is central to the healing of the whole community, elimination of conflict, and fulfillment of any vision for the…