Indian Law Bulletins Updated 1/7/2026

U.S. Supreme Court Bulletin

One petition for certiorari was filed 12/18/25:

• Flintco LLC v. Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (25-764) (contracts; Federal Arbitration Act (FAA))

Federal Courts Bulletin

• Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arika Nation v. U.S. Department of the Interior, et al. (Tribal property; water rights)
• Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation v. United States (Indian Tucker Act; trust breach; water rights)
• Williams v. Lybrand, et al. (Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA); Tribal sovereign immunity)
• United States of America, et al. v. Abousleman, et al. (water rights)
• Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership, et al.v. Whitmer, et al. (Pipeline Safety Act; resource management)
• Legend Lake Property Owners Association Inc. v. Menominee County, et al. (Section 1983; Tribal property; taxation)

State Courts Bulletin

• In re K.G. (Indian Child Welfare Act)
• Interest of J.C. (Indian Chld Welfare Act)

U.S. Legislation - 119th Congress Bulletin

• S.3573 - A bill to amend the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act to modify a provision relating to the extension of certain dates for the completion of the Regional Water System, and for other purposes.
• H.R.6917 - To take certain land into trust for the benefit of the Las Vegas Tribe of Paiute Indians.

Passed legislation:

• H.R.165 - Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act / To direct the Secretary of the Interior to complete all actions necessary for certain land to be held in restricted fee status by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and for other purposes became Public Law No: 119-61 on 12/19/2025.
• H.R.410 - Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act of 2025 / To extend the Alaska Native Vietnam era veterans land allotment program, and for other purposes became Public Law No: 119-63 on 12/26/2025.
• H.R.504 - Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act / To amend the Miccosukee Reserved Area Act to authorize the expansion of the Miccosukee Reserved Area and to carry out activities to protect structures within the Osceola Camp from flooding, and for other purposes vetoed by President on 12/29/2025.

U.S. Regulatory Bulletin

• Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (TIAC) Membership Announcement (HUD)
• Approval of Clean Air Act General Permit Requests for Coverage for New Minor Source Gasoline Dispensing Facilities in Indian Country Within California (EPA)
• Receipt of Request for Authorization To Re-Petition for Federal Acknowledgment as an American Indian Tribe (Interior)
• Receipt of Request for Authorization To Re-Petition for Federal Acknowledgment as an American Indian Tribe (Interior)
• Strengthening the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program; Extension of Compliance Date (HUD)

Law Review & Bar Journal Bulletin

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• Best practices for employers on Tribal land.
• Facilitating the return of human remains: Museum policy case studies across the United States and United Kingdom.
• Indian Country supervision.
• Investment v. cultural diversity: Reconciling the protection of foreign investments with heritage preservation and Indigenous rights.
• Tribal civil procedure: An unexplored path to sovereignty and economic development.

News Bulletin

This week, in brief:

• Dakota Access pipeline should continue operating, US Army Corps of Engineers says
• Federal judge blocks Michigan Governor Whitmer from shutting down submerged Great Lakes pipeline
• Lumbee Tribe becomes 575th federally recognized Tribe
• Oklahoma AG's opinion orders wildlife officials to stop ticketing Tribal citizens on reservations
• Trump veto stalls effort to expand Miccosukee Tribal lands

Announcements

• The Native American Rights Fund is hiring a Staff Attorney in the Alaska office. Learn more about the vacancy on our website.

Indian Law Bulletins Updated 12/17/2025

Federal Courts Bulletin

• LaBatte v. Gangle, et al. (Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction; Sovereign Authority Over Members and Territories)
• McGowan v. Tix, et al. (Tribal Court Jurisdiction; Nonmember Consensual Relationship)
• Perez v. City of San Antonio (Religious Freedom; Injunction Pending Appeal)
• United States v. Bullhead (Tribal Police; Uncounseled Statement; Tribal Court Advocate)
• Bridges, et al. v. Raines, et al. (Tribal Lending; Tribal Law)

State Courts Bulletin

• Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians v. North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA))

U.S. Legislation - 119th Congress Bulletin

• S.3475 - A bill to authorize, ratify, and confirm the Agreement of Settlement and Compromise to Resolve the Akwesasne Mohawk Land Claim in the State of New York, and for other purposes.
• S.3478 - A bill to assist Tribal governments in the management of buffalo and buffalo habitat and the reestablishment of buffalo on Indian land.

U.S. Regulatory Bulletin

• Tribal General Welfare Benefits (IRS)
• Entities Wholly Owned by Indian Tribal Governments (IRS)

Law Review & Bar Journal Bulletin

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• Risk assessment and recidivism among Indigenous and non-Indigenous Persons: A meta-analysis.

News Bulletin

This week, in brief:

• A top Trump official has financial ties to controversial Nevada lithium project
• Tribe considering proposal to make all members 100% Crow blood quantum
• Federal court dismisses challenge to NY Indigenous mascot ban
• Woman sues state over alleged sexual abuse while in foster care
• Tribal ID refused at North Dakota liquor store raises questions about state law

Announcements

• The Native American Rights Fund is hiring a Staff Attorney in the Alaska office. Learn more about the vacancy on our website.

Indian Law Bulletins Updated 12/10/2025

Federal Courts Bulletin

• Jones, et al. v. Turning Stone Enterprises LLC, et al. (Tribal Sovereign Immunity; Employee Benefits)
• Portnoy v. Meza, et al. (Tribal Officers; Under Color of Tribal Law)

State Courts Bulletin

• Interest of A.D.-B. (Indian Child Welfare Act)

U.S. Legislation - 119th Congress Bulletin

• S.3358 - A bill to assist Indian Tribes in protecting Native American seeds, and for other purposes.
• S.3375 - A bill to amend the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Culture and Art Development Act to modify the program for Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native culture and arts development, and for other purposes.
• S.3383 - Unlocking Native Lands and Opportunities for Commerce and Key Economic Developments Act of 2025 / A bill to amend the Act of August 9, 1955, to make improvements to that Act, and for other purposes.
• H.R.6391 - To repeal section 3003 of Public Law 113-291, and for other purposes.
• H.R.6415 - To assist Indian Tribes in protecting Native American seeds.

Law Review & Bar Journal Bulletin

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• More than Morrill: The intertwined history of Indian land dispossession, Arizona statehood, and university enrichment.
• The slow genocide of Indigenous Nations and Peoples: Hiding in plain sight.
• Trust and treaty obligations for radio astronomy on Native Nations.

News Bulletin

This week, in brief:

• Final defense legislation grants federal recognition to Lumbee Tribe
• Klamath Tribes seek to reverse judge’s removal in water rights case
• Legislation will protect wildlife, Indigenous sites, water resources at Oak Flat
• “Our sovereignty is not optional”: Tulalip responds to ICE actions
• Proposed new WOTUS definitions and impacts on Tribes

Announcements

• The Native American Rights Fund is hiring a Staff Attorney in the Alaska office. Learn more about the vacancy on our website.