The U.S. Supreme Court could reshape longstanding federal law on the adoption of Native American children, depending on how the justices rule in the case of a South Carolina family fighting for custody of their adopted daughter.

That law is at the center of the appeal by Matt and Melanie Capobianco, a Charleston-area couple who adopted a baby girl several years ago. But the girl's biological father — a member of the Cherokee Nation whom she had never met — later went to court seeking custody, arguing that the girl's mother gave her up without his consent.

Calling all AISES Family and Friends: WDYK?

"I'm a Tsimshian-Haida from Alaska and I've been opened by the spirit. I talk like that because this is the way I talk every day. I live it and I've been blessed to be able to make canoes."

Admittedly, it was a wee bit tough to get down to the nitty gritty of traditional canoe carving, because every question I asked Saaduuts, from "How do you turn a tree trunk into a canoe?" to "How long does the process take?" came with a long, spiritual tagline.

Full story at: http://mynorthwest.com/108/2176338/From-Log-to-Canoe-A-Seattle-Native-American-Carves-Traditional-Canoes

An environmental battle in Canada came to Lawrence Saturday afternoon as hundreds of Native Americans started a flash mob and demonstrated on behalf of the Idle No More movement at South Park on Massachusetts Street.

The movement promotes awareness about a Canadian bill that Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiskat First Nation and her people are fighting. Spence has been on a hunger strike since Dec. 11, drinking only water and fish broth, to bring attention to Bill C-45, which activists say infringes on land- and water-related treaties, and changes the approval process for leasing tribal land.

Redskins Name Change Discussion Necessary, Says D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray

Education Director for Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Appointed to State Board

http://www.noozhawk.com/noozhawk/article/011613_education_director_humash_indians_state_board/

By Hildy Medina for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

Nicolasa “Niki” Sandoval, Ph.D., education director for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, has been appointed to the California Board of Education.

Dr. Sandoval has led the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Education Department, a certified American Indian Education Center, since 2009.

“As a graduate of the public school system and a first-generation college graduate, I am committed to improving educational opportunities and outcomes for all California students,” Dr. Sandoval said. “I look forward to applying my academic foundations and professional experiences to the work of the State Board of Education.”

The 11-member State Board of Education is the policy body responsible for approving curriculum frameworks, textbooks, statewide assessments and standards for student performance. Dr. Sandoval was appointed to a three-year term, filling a position vacated by James Ramos, chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

“Niki’s passion and dedication to education is evident in the excellent work she does as director of the tribe’s education department,” said Vincent Armenta, chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “She really cares about our children and making sure they are given the educational opportunities needed to ensure a brighter future.”

The appointment follows Armenta’s and fellow tribal leaders’ tireless efforts to seek Dr. Sandoval’s well-deserved recognition.

In addition to her work as director of the tribe’s education department, she is also a lecturer and has been a project evaluator at UC Santa Barbara. Dr. Sandoval previously held various positions at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and Museum of Natural History. She earned her doctor of education degree from UCSB and a master of arts degree in museum studies from George Washington University.

Dr. Sandoval’s appointment is one of three that Gov. Jerry Brown announced earlier this week. The state Senate is expected to confirm Dr. Sandoval’s appointment within one year.

The Santa Ynez Reservation is located in Santa Barbara County and was established and officially recognized by the federal government on Dec. 27, 1901. The tribe is a self-governing tribal sovereign nation that follows the laws set forth in the tribe’s constitution, which is similar in text to the U.S. Constitution and the California Constitution.

Click here for more information on the tribe and its education department.

The tribe owns and operates the Chumash Casino Resort, Hotel Corque and Root 246 in the nearby town of Solvang and two gas stations in Santa Ynez.

— Hildy Medina represents the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

http://www.noozhawk.com/noozhawk/article/011613_education_director_humash_indians_state_board/

Americans Indians in NM hold 'Idle No More' rally

Posted at: 01/16/2013 8:20 AM 
By: The Associated Press

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - American Indian activists and their allies have held a rally in New Mexico in solidarity with Native American protesters in Canada.

Members of the "Idle No More" movement organized a demonstration Tuesday outside the New Mexico statehouse as a new legislative session began.

The Canadian-born movement began after Native Americans protested a Canadian proposal that they said would threaten their self-governance and control of traditional land bases.

After Native Americans held protests throughout Canada, the movement spread to the United States and parts of Latin America.

American Indians in New Mexico say the Idle No More protests allowed them to highlight similar issues like water rights and environmental concerns.

http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S2898265.shtml?cat=504