Update: Murder Suspect Caught

     According to reports, Daniel Draper, the suspect in the murder of Linford Dick, was apprehended in Winnemucca, NV today at 5:10 p.m.
     More information can be found here.

Update: Homicide Victim Identified

     The Reno FBI has identified the the homicide victim as Linford Dick of Battle Mountain, NV.  The FBI is searching for murder suspect Daniel Draper.
     More information can be found here and here.

Murder at Battle Mountain Band

     According to police, there has been a possible homicide at the Battle Mountain Band Indian colony.

     Daniel James Draper, 47, is being sought in connection with the crime.  He may be driving a black, 2001 Ford Ranger pickup with possible Nevada license plate, NR8764.

     More information can be found here and here.

BIA Holds Meetings, Red Tape Strangles Claims

     The Bureau of Indian Affairs held meetings in Elko and Fallon to answer why the distribution of the claims had been halted and why final distribution is planned for 2012.  Quality assurance is the answer for delays.  The BIA has posted this Question and Answer sheet on the Western Shoshone Claims website.

BIA Mails Notices to Western Shoshone

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has begun the process of mailing individual Western Shoshone the notice that has been posted on the BIA Western Shoshone Claims website.  In the notice, the BIA informs individual Western Shoshone that the target date of December 31, 2011 for final per capita payment has been moved to a later date.  The new target date is June 5, 2012.

Te-Moak Tribe Sues Interior Over South Fork Band Dispute

According to the Reno Federal Court, the Te-Moak Tribe filed suit against the Department of Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs over South Fork Band recall dispute.  The Te-Moak Tribe sued the Department because of a court ruling that said the tribe could be sued in court.

BIA Delays Western Shoshone Distribution Until 2012

The Bureau of Indian Affairs Western Shoshone Claims website has posted a new update that begins "The target date for the final per capita payment for the Western Shoshone Judgment Fund has been changed from December 31, 2011 to June 5, 2012."

Indian Youth Suicide Crisis

     MONTANA - MSNBC.com has the report Indian youth suicide crisis baffles families, community that begins "Chelle Rose Follette fashioned a noose with her pajamas, tying one end to a closet rod and the other around her neck. When her mother entered the bedroom to put away laundry, she found the 13-year-old hanging."

Barrick's Cortez Hills Operations to Begin

     TE-MOAK TRIBE - Reuters has the article Barrick Gold's Nevada mine gets nod for full operations that begins "Barrick G0old Corp said U.S. land regulators approved the environmental assessment report for its low-cost Cortez Hills mine in Nevada, removing operational restrictions."

Re-introduction of Tribal Conveyance Bill

     TE-MOAK TRIBE - Yesterday, Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign introduced S. 617 (bill summary here), the Elko Motocross and Tribal Conveyance Act, a bill that would convey certain Federal land to Elko County, Nevada, and to take land into trust for the Te-moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians of Nevada.

Tribal Council Meeting Tonight

     TE-MOAK TRIBE - The Te-Moak Tribal Council has scheduled a special meeting tonight at 5:00 pm to discuss the South Fork Band special election.

Comments Vary On Claims

     TE-MOAK TRIBE - The comments section of the Elko Daily Free Press article Shoshone get claims money varies from "Dont mean to a "B", but now our jail will fill up and our police blotter wont be boring!! hahaha!!" to "WE native deserve this money."
     Also, an editorial titled Land Belongs to Western Shoshone is also receiving comments.

Nevada Senator Decides Not To Run in 2012

     NEVADA - Senator John Ensign announced that he would not seek re-election in 2012.  Ensign stated that he did not want to put his family through a re-election bid.  News articles can be found at Republican Sen. John Ensign of Nevada won't seek reelection and GOP Sen. Ensign says he won't seek re-election.

Te-Moak Housing Authority Develops Website

     TE-MOAK TRIBE - The Te-Moak Housing Authority has developed a website.

Western Shoshone Claims Distribution Begins

     TEMOAK TRIBE - After seven years from the passage of the Western Shoshone Claims Distribution Act of 2004 Public Law 108-270, the US Treasury has begun distributing claim funds to eligible Western Shoshones who are 65 years of age or older and Western Shoshone who submitted their applications before October 5, 2007.

More News for Monday

More news for January 3.