Nunavik mom gives birth at high altitudes
Somewhere between Kangiqsujuaq and Kuujjuaq and more than a month early, Nunatsiaq Online reports, Louisa Pilurtuut brought into the world baby William.

First time mother Louisa Pilurtuut (Kangiqsujuaq) was surprised by labour pains last week and an Air Inuit Twin Otter medevac flight from Kuujjuaq arrived at the community to bring her to a hospital.

But baby didn’t wait and Pilurtuut gave birth on the plane. They were monitored at the hospital and later release.

Here’s the best part, Nunatsiaq reports:

And although he’s too young to know it, little William can look forward to free flights on Air Inuit for the rest of the life.

Air Inuit offers a free pass to infants born on its flights — although this offer hasn’t been extended often.

Cheyenne River tribal leader opposes $3.4 billion Cobell settlement
It was a big week for Elouise Cobell – as the lawsuit she’s fought 14 years to win finally garnered Senate approval (it now needs to pass the House and be signed by the president).

But Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Chairman Joseph Brings Plenty says the $3.4 billion agreed on in the settlement is not enough, the Rapid City Journal reports.

Based on the number of people who could get claims under the settlement, it just isn’t enough, he said. Brings Plenty (who is the outgoing chairman) rejects the financial argument that says “something is better than nothing,” the RCJ reported.

“It’s not really fair, as far as the settlement is concerned, if you calculate what they should be getting paid,” Brings Plenty said. “It’s dangling some funds in front of individuals who are living in a poverty-stricken area. Of course it’s going to be appealing.”

$3.6 million broadband project will benefit Hopi, Navajo communities
Indian Country Today reports that thanks to a loan/grant 61 miles of fiber-optics between the communities of Jeddito and Holbrook, Ariz., bettering the Internet access in the Hopi and Navajo communities.

The $3.6 million loan-grant for a broadband project is funded by federal stimulus dollars.

(Hopi Telecommunitcations Inc.) reports several entities will directly benefit from this fiber connection including the Hopi Cultural Center, the Hopi Health Care Center, Hopi Police and courts, area schools and tribal offices. HTI also plans to construct facilities and install equipment to provide broadband services to subscribers that are currently not being served around the communities of Jeddito and Spider Mound. Approximately 400 residences in the Jeddito and Spider Mound communities do not have access to telephone or broadband services.

Tags: air inuit, Cheyenne, Cheyenne River Sioux, cobell v., Cobell v. Salazar, elouise, Hopi, Hopi Nation, hopi telecommunications inc., Joseph Brings Plenty, kangiqsujuag, Navajo Nation, nunatsiaq, Nunavik