Indian Law Bulletins Updated 6/10/2026

U.S. Supreme Court Bulletin

One petition for certiorari was denied 6/8/26:

• United States v. Hopson (25-1039) (Major Crimes Act (MCA))

Federal Courts Bulletin

• United States v. Smith (criminal jurisdiction - sentencing; Major Crimes Act (MCA))
• New Mexico Trappers Association, et al. v. Torrez, et al. (religious practices; hunting and fishing rights)
• Oregon-California Trails Association, et al. v. Hogan, et al. (National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA))
• Harris, et al. v. W6LS, Inc., et al. (Tribal law; civil jurisdiction - arbitation)
• Welsh, et al. v. Loudbear, et al. (Tribal sovereign immunity)
• Alegre, et al. v. United States of America, et al. (Tribal membership)
• United States, et al. v. Ballard (Indian Country; criminal jurisdiction)
• United States, et al. v. Iski (Indian Country; criminal jurisdiction)

Tribal Courts Bulletin

• Muscogee (Creek) Nation v. Thomas Leo Banks, Jr. (Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) - jury selection)

State Courts Bulletin

• Matias Sergio Quiroga v. State of Florida (subject matter jurisdiction)

U.S. Regulatory Bulletin

• Notice of Intended Disinterment From Carlisle Barracks Post Cemetery; Correction (DoD)
• Notice of Filing of Plats of Survey; Maine (Interior)

Law Review & Bar Journal Bulletin

Contact us if you need help finding a copy of an article.

• The fiscal politics of settler colonialism.
• Indian deference.
• Tribal comanagement at the state level: The Oregon experience.

News Bulletin

This week, in brief:

• U.S. House passes Albuquerque Indian School Act
• New BLM grazing rules eliminate Tribal buffalo from public lands
• A legal dispute over Lac du Flambeau Tribal fishing restrictions remains unresolved
• Oregon Governor Tina Kotek returns civil jurisdiction to Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
• A lawsuit challenges Hawaii homestead leases limited to those with 50% Hawaiian blood

Announcements

• The Native American Rights Fund is hiring an Election Protection Manager. Learn more at our Career Center.

Indian Law Bulletins Updated 6/3/2026

Federal Courts Bulletin

• United States v. Medicine Horse (criminal jurisdiction - sentencing)
• Rousseau v. Craven, et al. (Tribal jurisdiction; Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA))
• Rousseau v. Craven, et al. (Tribal jurisdiction; Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA))
• Pueblo of Jemez, et al. v. United States (resource management; Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA))
• Manzini v. Cypress, et al. (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA))
• Dauzat v. G P S Hospitality Partners IV L L C, et al. (Tribal jurisdiction)

Tribal Courts Bulletin

• In the matter of RW, CCW, SHW, RAW, and JW (Tribal law; Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA))
• Lexington Insurance Company v. Kewadin Casino (jurisdiction)
• Tulalip Tribes v. Jesus Rivera (jurisdiction over non-members)

State Courts Bulletin

• In the Matter of: L.C., X.P., and N.C., Youths in Need of Care. (Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA))
• People v. Caswell (jurisdiction; treaty rights)
• Jace B. v. Department of Family and Community Services (Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA))
• State v. Salazar (criminal jurisdiction; Major Crimes Act)
• State of Oklahoma ex rel. Stitt v. City of Tulsa (criminal jurisdiction)
• In re K.L. (Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA))

U.S. Legislation - 119th Congress Bulletin

• S.4458 - Caja del Rio Protection Act / A bill to establish the Caja del Rio Special Management Area and Caja del Rio National Conservation Area in the State of New Mexico, and for other purposes.
• S.4666 - A bill to require officers and employees of the Department of Homeland Security to receive training with respect to Indian tribes, and for other purposes.
• H.R.8616 - Caja del Rio Protection Act / A bill to establish the Caja del Rio Special Management Area and Caja del Rio National Conservation Area in the State of New Mexico, and for other purposes.

U.S. Regulatory Bulletin

• Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish (Commerce)
• Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish (Commerce)
• 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.

• Claiming hula: An analysis of Western and Indigenous perspectives of intellectual property rights.
• In Re Lelah-Puc-Ka-Chee: A case study on the Americanization of law in the Heartland, 1898-1908.
• Proactive solutions in implementing Tribal digital sovereignty.

News Bulletin

This week, in brief:

• Deb Haaland wins New Mexico Democratic primary for governor
• More than 50 Indigenous candidates in June 2 primary elections
• Arizona’s Tribal regalia toolkits aid Indigenous students, families and schools amid grad season
• Oklahoma Supreme Court nullifies Tulsa, Muscogee Nation settlement agreement
• Minnesota Tribal Nations continue steps toward energy independence

Announcements

• The Native American Rights Fund is hiring an Election Protection Manager, a Digital Engagement and Outreach Manager, and a Media Relations and Storytelling Manager. Learn more at our Career Center.

Indian Law Bulletins Updated 5/27/2026

Federal Courts Bulletin

• Narragansett Indian Tribe v. McMaster (cultural property; National Historic Preservation Act)
• Blue Lake Rancheria, et al. v. Kalshi Inc., et al. (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA); Commodity Exchange Act)
• Miner v. Benting, et al. (Tribal rights; 25 U.S.C. § 175)

U.S. Legislation - 119th Congress Bulletin

• S.4638 - A bill to remove administrative barriers to participation of Indian tribes in Federal child welfare programs, and increase Federal funding for tribal child welfare programs, and for other purposes.
• H.R.8954 - To amend the Indian Tribal Regulatory Reform and Business Development Act of 2000 to transfer certain administrative responsibilities to the Secretary of the Interior.

U.S. Regulatory Bulletin

• Indian Child Welfare Act; Designated Tribal Agents for Service of Notice (Interior)

Law Review & Bar Journal Bulletin

Contact us if you need help finding a copy of an article.

• Diversity regulations for clinical trials & the underrepresentation of Native American women.
• Loper Bright and the future of Indian gaming: Navigating IGRA's ambiguities.
• Making sense of the state's duty to negotiate in good faith under IGRA: The "permits such gaming" requirement and legitimate state interests in gaming compact negotiations.
• Pre-legislative Indigenous consultation.
• A right without a remedy: The court’s failure to quantify the Agua Caliente’s federal reserved water rights.
• Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and Native representation.
• A Sherbert colored lens: Apache Stronghold and the uphill battle for the recognition of a substantial burden for Indigenous plaintiffs.

News Bulletin

This week, in brief:

• A decade after Standing Rock protests, contentious segment of Dakota Access oil pipeline gets OK
• Federal funding proposal threatens North Dakota Tribal colleges
• Montana Tribe opposes ‘slap on the wrist’ fine for illegal mining that polluted water source
• Murkowski, Cortez Masto introduce bipartisan bill to strengthen Tribal child welfare programs
• Supreme Court ruling robs Native Americans of ‘silent partner’ in legislative redistricting

Announcements

• The Native American Rights Fund is hiring an Assistant Director of Communications, a Digital Engagement and Outreach Manager, and a Media Relations and Storytelling Manager. Learn more at our Career Center.