I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
The Obama administration today selected a Northern New Mexico water reclamation project as one of a handful of infrastructure public works endeavors to undergo an expedited permit process in the hopes it will lead to faster job growth.
Unofficial Navajo Nation election results give Navajo Nation Vice President Ben Shelly the presidency, with 52.7 percent of the vote. His challenger, New Mexico state Senator Lynda Lovejoy, swept the primaries with a strong first place showing, but couldn’t muster…
Two New Mexicans are vying for the top Navajo political position—current New Mexico State Senator Lynda Lovejoy, D-Crownpoint, and current Navajo Vice President Ben Shelley, who hails from Thoreau. If elected, Lovejoy would be the Nation’s first female president. Her campaign received a boost last week when Shelley—who was a tribal delegate before becoming Vice President—was caught up in charges brought by a special prosecutor against the majority of the tribal council.
Ben Shelly, a candidate for president of the Navajo nation, is facing fraud charges, the AP reports.
The Navajo Department of Justice has filed criminal complaints against Ben Shelly and his running mate Rex Lee Jim are among
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In her quest to be the next president of the country’s largest American Indian tribe, New Mexico State Senator Lynda Lovejoy grapples with a question no man has faced before: Doesn’t Navajo tradition say that women should not lead…
The University of New Mexico and the Native American Studies Indigenous Research Group is hosting a forum for the two candidates running for president of the Navajo Nation. Candidates Ben Shelly and Lynda Lovejoy will be in ballroom…
Officials in Gallup, New Mexico have signed an agreement with the Navajo Nation aimed at helping the two governments work together to address human rights in the city. The agreement is an initiative of the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission,…
The mood to elect a woman as head of state isn’t reserved for just New Mexico. In the Navajo Nation primary election yesterday, New Mexico State Senator Lynda Lovejoy left the crowded field of twelve contenders in the dust. If…
The Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission has published a report about race relations in towns bordering the reservation. The commission conducted 25 listening sessions over the course of a year, hearing from anyone who chose to speak about racism and discrimination. Of the 25 towns highlighted in the report, 12 are in New Mexico. The process was described as an opening of “forbidden doors” against candid discussions of racism and discrimination, which the commission says will thrive among mankind until it’s collectively acknowledged and eliminated.
A mining company has announced its next steps and timeframe for beginning uranium mining in New Mexico. Uranium Resources, Inc. (URI) hopes to begin production by 2013, subject to financing, uranium prices, and final permits…
Race relations will be on the agenda next week during the summer session of the Navajo Nation Council, and one topic of conversation will be a report that summarizes the testimony given by 158 Navajos at 25 public hearings held…
The Navajo Nation’s Supreme Court ruled today that President Joe Shirley Jr. cannot run for a third consecutive term as president. This ends Shirley’s bid to extend his time in office from eight years to 12.
Uranium mining in Churchrock advanced last week as an appeals court cleared the way for Hydro Resources to start in-situ leaching in Northwest New Mexico. But residents and environmentalists worry that the mining will contaminate water. Because of the ongoing issue of abandoned mines that haven’t been cleaned up and a legacy of illness caused by exposure in the mines, the Navajo Nation banned uranium mining of all types in 2005.
Seven teen suicides around the small towns of Thoreau and Prewitt in McKinley County have led state, federal, school and Navajo officials to join forces, the Albuquerque Journal reported over the weekend.
Agencies, especially those of the Navajo Nation,…
By now we know that New Mexico is lagging behind the nation in responding to the 2010 Census.
But if you’re really interested in how New Mexicans are responding, you can go to the 2010 Census’ interactive map…
New Mexico State Sen. Linda Lovejoy, D-Crownpoint, announced Tuesday that she is making her second bid for president of the Navajo Nation. Lovejoy was the first woman to ever make it through the Navajo primary election in 2006, facing off…
Senator Tom Udall is among the sponsors of federal legislation introduced yesterday that would expand restitution for Americans sickened from working in uranium mines or living near atomic weapons tests. The plan was hailed by Navajo Nation Council Delegate Phil Harrison, who represents two communities that hold uranium mining legacy sites, who told The Independent it would close gaps that exist in current legislation and provide for a much needed study of the workers, their families and community members.
Stimulus funds will be used to connect more than 30,000 households, businesses and institutions on the Navajo nation, Rep. Ben Ray Lujan and Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall announced today. The funding would provide 550 miles of fiber-optic cable…
Hydro Resources, Inc. can’t yet start mining for uranium in Church Rock until an appeals court decides whether or not 160 acres owned by HRI are subject to regulation by the EPA or the New Mexico Environment Department.
The Las Vegas-San Miguel Chamber of Commerce has come under increasing criticism over the last couple of weeks after the controversial firing of its marketing coordinator last month, the Las Vegas Optic reports. Councilman Andrew Feldman suggested the city…
