Chronology of American Indian History

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December 22

Cherokee court confirms legality of same-
sex marriage.
The Judicial Appeals Tribunal of the Cherokee Na-
tion rejects the tribal council’s attempt to dissolve
the marriage of tribe members Kathy Reynolds
and Dawn McKinley. Married in Oklahoma in
May 2004, the women were given a wedding
certificate by a tribal clerk. After the wedding,
the tribal council outlawed same-sex marriage
and sued for an injunction against the Reynolds
and McKinley union, citing that it would dam-
age the tribe’s reputation. The court finds against
the tribal council, explaining that its members had
failed to show that the marriage caused “a specific
particularized harm.” Because of the Cherokee’s
sovereignty, the decision holds open the possibility
that the federal government may have to recognize
Reynolds and McKinley’s marriage and provide
them with the appropriate federal tax and Social
Security benefits.

2006

January 3

Lobbyist Jack Abramoff admits defrauding
Indian tribes.
Sparking a national political scandal, leading Wash-
ington lobbyist Jack Abramoff (see entry SEPTEMBER
29, 2004) pleads guilty to three felonies, including
participating in a conspiracy to defraud his tribal cli-
ents. As part of his plea agreement, he agrees to repay
about $25 million to five tribes who hired him. Two
months earlier, Abramoff ’s partner, Michael Scanlon,
pleaded guilty to one conspiracy charge and prom-
ised to pay back $20 million to four tribes.
Some Indians criticize the defrauded tribes not
only for dealing with Abramoff, but also for paying
him to prevent other tribal groups from entering
the gaming industry. In one example, the Coushatta
Tribe of Louisiana paid Abramoff to use his influ-
ence to keep two Texas tribes from opening casinos

that might draw business away from their gaming

operation.

“This is a pretty big wake up

call to all of Indian Country to

not only think about what you

are getting for the huge retain-

ers you are being asked to fork

over each month to your D.C.

firms, but also to think about

whether we Indian tribes can

really make an effort to do the

jobs ourselves with Indian tal-

ent back home.”

—Tex Hall, chairman of the Man-

dan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation

and former head of the National

Congress of American Indians, on

the Abramoff scandal

January 11

Court opinion rejects Indians’ concerns over

Arizona ski resort.

In federal court, Judge Paul Rosenblatt rules that the

Arizona Snowbowl ski resort is permitted to make

artificial snow from treated wastewater. The decision

will allow the resort to stay open, thereby dismissing

complaints by several Indian tribes, including the

Navajo (Dineh), that the existence of the Snowbowl

interferes with their religious practices. The resort is

located on public land in the San Francisco Peaks

in an area sacred to these Indians. Joined by several

environmental groups, three tribes challenged the

Snowbowl, basing their case on the Native Ameri-

can Religious Freedom Act (see entry for AUGUST

11, 1978). After the ruling, the Indians’ attorney,

Howard Shanker, vowed to appeal, stating, “This is