March 19, 2025

Indian Law Bulletins Updated

U.S. Supreme Court Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/sct/2024-2025update.html

One petition for certiorari was filed 2/24/25:

  • Lexington Insurance Company v. Mueller (24-906) (Jurisdiction Over Nonmembers)

Federal Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/federal/2025.html

  • Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation v. Morse (Regulatory Jurisdiction; Amended Complaint; Futility)
  • United States, et al. v. Michigan, et al. (Great Lakes Fishing Decree; Unanimous Consent)
  • Erwine v. Churchill County, et al. (Tribal Sovereign Immunity; Tribal Employees)

State Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/state/2025.html

  • Matter of Macon J. (Indian Child Welfare Act)
  • Koi Nation of Northern California v. City of Clearlake (Cultural Resources/Property; Tribal Consultation)

U.S. Legislation - 119th Congress Bulletin
http://narf.org/nill/bulletins/legislation/119_uslegislation.html

  • S.1008 - Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025 / A bill to provide equitable treatment for the people of the Village Corporation established for the Native Village of Saxman, Alaska, and for other purposes.
  • S.1055 - A bill to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to modify the notification requirement for emergency contract health services for certain beneficiaries, and for other purposes.
  • S.1084 - A bill to authorize the relinquishment and in lieu selection of land and minerals in the State of North Dakota, to restore land and minerals to Indian Tribes within the State of North Dakota, and for other purposes.
  • H.R.2130 - To require the Bureau of Indian Affairs to process and complete all mortgage packages associated with residential and business mortgages on Indian land by certain deadlines, and for other purposes.
  • H.R.2236 - To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a demonstration project to allow Tribal entities to purchase agricultural commodities under the commodity supplemental food program, and for other purposes.

U.S. Regulatory Bulletin
http://narf.org/nill/bulletins/regulatory/2025.html

  • Notice of Receipt of the Makah Tribe's Permit Request for a Ceremonial and Subsistence Hunt of Eastern North Pacific Gray Whales (Commerce)

Law Review & Bar Journal Bulletin (contact us if you need help finding a copy of an article)
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/lawreviews/currentlr.html

  • E ola mau ka ʻōlelo Hawaii: Language revitalization, reparations, and the courts.
  • Indigenizing the right to a healthy environment.
  • Mugshots in Oklahoma: Stigmatizing Native American individuals and communities.
  • Our children/our future: Examining how Indigenous Peoples in the US assert self-determination and prioritze child wellbeing.
  • Protection or indifference: Why the Arizona v. Navajo Nation decision doesn't hold water.
  • TFPA, wildfire mitigation, and advocating for the dissemination of Indigenous knowledge.

News Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/news/currentnews.html

This week, in brief:

  • Haskell Indian Nations University student suing Trump administration speaks out, talks impacts of fed layoffs
  • Wisconsin Tribes urge support for bills, including tribal regalia in school ceremonies
  • Trump Administration rolls back executive order on tribal sovereignty and self-governance
  • Judge rules Minnesota can prosecute marijuana crimes on reservations even after legalization
  • Arizona delegation pushes largest tribal water rights settlement in US history

March 12, 2025

Indian Law Bulletins Updated 3/12/2025

U.S. Supreme Court Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/sct/2024-2025update.html

One petition for certiorari was filed 3/3/25:

  • South Point Energy Center v. Arizona Department of Revenue (24-952) (State and Local Taxation)

Federal Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/federal/2025.html

  • United States v. Michigan, et al. (Great Lakes Fisheries Management; Treaty Rights; Amicus Party)
  • North Metro Harness Initiative LLC v. Beattie, et al. (Tribal Gaming; Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO); Tribal Sovereign Immunity)
  • Association of Village Council Presidents, et al. v. National Marine Fisheries Service, et al. (Federal Management of Fisheries; Administrative Procedure Act (APA))
  • Canadian St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians, et al. v. New York, et al. (Motion to Intervene)
  • Vipond v. DeGroat, et al. (Tribal Court Jurisdiction; Exhaustion of Tribal Remedies)
  • United States, et al. v. State of Washington, et al. (Treaty Fishing Rights; Usual and Accustomed Fishing Places; Marine Waters)

State Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/state/2025.html

  • Marvin Keith Stitt v. The City of Tulsa (McGirt v. Oklahoma; Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta; Criminal Jurisdiction)
  • In re J.F. (Indian Child Welfare Act)

U.S. Legislation - 119th Congress Bulletin
http://narf.org/nill/bulletins/legislation/119_uslegislation.html

  • S.870 - A bill to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to enhance the longevity, dignity, empowerment, and respect of older individuals who are Native Americans, and for other purposes.
  • S.953 - A bill to provide for the settlement of the water rights claims of the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, and for other purposes.
  • 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.
  • H.R.2025 - To provide for the settlement of the water rights claims of the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, and for other purposes.

Law Review & Bar Journal Bulletin (contact us if you need help finding a copy of an article)
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/lawreviews/currentlr.html

  • Actualizing Indigenous data sovereignty through tribal self-governance.
  • The amplified federal obligation: Why Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization amplifies the federal government’s obligation to provide comprehensive reproductive health care in Native American communities.
  • Benefit corporation - A tool for economic development and fostering sovereignty in tribal business structures.
  • How poor is poor enough? How jurisdictional differences in implementing the right to counsel affect indigent Native Americans.
  • Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta - Using sentencing inequities to address the Oliphant in the room.
  • A tribal court blueprint for the Choctaw Freedmen: Effect of Cherokee Nation v. Nash.
  • Tribal eminent domain: Sovereignty gaps and policy solutions.

News Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/news/currentnews.html

This week, in brief:

  • Tribes, Native American students file lawsuit over Bureau of Indian Education firings
  • The case for returning U.S. public lands to Indigenous People
  • Gov. Stitt's brother loses appeal of $250 speeding ticket in McGirt-related case
  • Native groups urge equal teatment for Tribal Nations in U.S. appellate courts
  • Senate committee advances ten bills to strengthen tribal water rights and infrastructure

March 5, 2025

Indian Law Bulletins Updated 3/5/2025

U.S. Supreme Court Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/sct/2024-2025update.html

One petition for certiorari was denied 3/3/25:

  • Bibeau v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue (24-804) (Federal Income Tax)

Federal Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/federal/2025.html

  • United States, et al. v. Osage Wind, LLC, et al. (Trespass; Damages; Stay Judgment Pending Appeal)
  • Parrotta v. Island Resort and Casino (Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA); Tribal Sovereign Immunity)

Tribal Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/tribal/2025.html

  • Johnson v. Lozeau (Child Custody; Ex Parte Interviews; Mediation)

State Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/state/2025.html

  • Pateras v. Armenta (Indian General Welfare Benefits; Child Support)

U.S. Legislation - 119th Congress Bulletin
http://narf.org/nill/bulletins/legislation/119_uslegislation.html

  • S.748 - A bill to reaffirm the applicability of the Indian Reorganization Act to the Lytton Rancheria of California, and for other purposes.
  • S.757 - A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to recognize Indian tribal governments for purposes of determining under the adoption credit whether a child has special needs.
  • S.761 - Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2025 / A bill to establish the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States, and for other purposes.
  • S.785 - A bill to extend the Alaska Native Vietnam era Veterans Land Allotment Program.
  • H.R.474 - Lumbee Fairness Act / To amend the Lumbee Act of 1956.
  • H.R.619 - Nor Rel Muk Wintu Nation Federal Recognition Act / To extend Federal recognition to the Nor Rel Muk Wintu Nation, and for other purposes.
  • H.R.1647 - To amend the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to implement the Climate Ready Tribes Initiative.
  • H.R.1723 - To clarify the rights of Indians and Indian Tribes on Indian lands under the National Labor Relations Act.

U.S. Regulatory Bulletin
http://narf.org/nill/bulletins/regulatory/2025.html

  • Notice of Intended Disinterment From Carlisle Barracks Post Cemetery (DoD)

Law Review & Bar Journal Bulletin (contact us if you need help finding a copy of an article)
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/lawreviews/currentlr.html

  • Barriers and opportunities in reporting impaired-driving data from Indian Country.
  • “Plants don’t have a culture to appropriate”: Accounting for accusations of cultural appropriation of peyote ceremonies.
  • Prescribed burns: The traditional cure for a modern problem.
  • Sovereign lands.
  • Tradition is a trap.
  • We know about the right to bear arms, but what about the rights of Bears Ears.

News Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/news/currentnews.html

This week, in brief:

  • What cuts to the federal government mean for Native American communities
  • University of California Native Americans demand action against scholars claiming Indigenous roots without proof
  • Colorado recognizes data sovereignty for Tribes
  • ‘Rights of nature’ laws take root in the West
  • Pushing for their say: Tribes supporting bill to create Indigenous-language compact schools