Indian Law Bulletins Updated 4/16/2025

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

One petition for certiorari was filed 1/17/2025:

• Cromwell v. United States (24-6364) (Hobbs Act)

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

• United States of America, et al. v. Ballard (McGirt v. Oklahoma; Intervention; Joinder)
• United States of America v. LaBelle (Aggravating Role Enhancement; Substantively Unreasonable Sentence)
• United States of America, et al. v. Iski (Criminal Jurisdiction; Indian Country; Intervention)
• United States of America, et al. v. Ballard (Criminal Jurisdiction; Indian Country; Intervention)
• Ute Indian Tribe of Uintah and Ouray Reservation v. United States Department of Interior, et al. (Trust Relationship; Land Restoration)

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

• S.1468 - A bill to amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide that Alexander Creek, Incorporated, is recognized as a Village Corporation under that Act, and for other purposes.
• H.R.2815 - To provide equitable treatment for the people of the Village Corporation established for the Native Village of Saxman, Alaska, and for other purposes.
• H.R.2827 - To provide for the equitable settlement of certain Indian land disputes regarding land in Illinois, and for other purposes.

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

• Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2025 Pacific Whiting Tribal Allocation and 2025 Incidental Set-Aside (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

• Feed it to the ocean: The federal approach to decommissioning in Alaska Native climate adaptation projects.
• Old habits die hard: How the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act perpetuates settler colonialism and denies Indigenous sovereignty.

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

This week, in brief:

• Tribes, North Dakota partner to update 30-year-old textbooks on Native history
• Federal funding freeze halts key infrastructure projects in tribal communities
• Alaska Tribes sue US Army Corps of Engineers over approval of controversial gold mining operation
• Will Native Tribes secure Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument?
• RFK Jr. wants to target chronic disease in US Tribes. A key program to do that was gutted

Indian Law Bulletins Updated 4/9/2025

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

One petition for certiorari was filed 9/26/2024:

• Kanam v. Burgum (24-1019) (Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994)

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

• United States v. Christy (Indian Country)
• Cayuga Nation v. New York State Gaming Commission, et al. (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA); Eleventh Amendment Immunity)
• Tsi Akim Maidu of Taylorsville Rancheria v. U.S. Dept. of the Interior (California Rancheria Termination Act; Federal Recognition)
• Indigenous Peoples of Coastal Bend v. United States Army Corps of Engineers (National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Clean Water Act (CWA); Administrative Procedure Act (APA))
• Zhinin v. Harry, et al. (Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA); Medical Clearance)
• Jones v. Redbird (Tribal Sovereign Immunity)
• Musick v. Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, et al. (Tribal Law Enforcement)
• Standing Rock Sioux Tribe v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, et al. (Administrative Procedure Act (APA); Issue Preclusion)
• Center for Biological Diversity v. United States Forest Service, et al. (National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); Tribal Consultation)
• Massapequa Union Free School District, et al. v. New York State Board of Regents, et al. (Dignity for All Students Act (DASA); Native American Mascots)
• Makah Indian Tribe v. Exxon Mobile Corp., et al., Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe v. Exxon Mobile Corp., et al. (Remand to State Court; State Law Claims Brought by Tribal Sovereign Entities)
• Courte Oreilles Lakes Association Inc., et al. v. Zawistowski (Clean Water Act (CWA); Standing; Irrigated Agriculture)

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

• Beck v. Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, et al. (Justiciability; Political Question Doctrine)
• Matos v. Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprise (Board of Review; Procedural Due Process)
• Charles v. Boyd (Civil Assault; Civil Actions Law)

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

• In the interest of G.L.W. (Indian Child Welfare Act)
• In re C.J.J.I. (Indian Child Welfare Act)

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

• S.1131 - Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act / A bill to establish the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve in the State of Georgia, and for other purposes.
• S.1181 - A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 1992 with respect to the Department of Energy Tribal loan guarantee program, and for other purposes.
• S.1301 - A bill to clarify the rights of Indians and Indian Tribes on Indian lands under the National Labor Relations Act.
• H.R.2345 - Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act / To establish the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve in the State of Georgia, and for other purposes.
• H.R.2388 - Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act / To take certain Federal land in the State of Washington into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, and for other purposes.
• H.R.2389 - Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act /To take certain land in the State of Washington into trust for the benefit of the Quinault Indian Nation, and for other purposes.
• H.R.2412 - Indigenous Diplomacy and Engagement Act / To establish an Office for Indigenous Affairs, and for other purposes.
• H.R.2639 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to make permanent certain telehealth flexibilities under the Medicare program for telehealth services furnished by Indian health programs.
• S.Res.142 - A resolution recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women in the United States.
• S.Res.156 - A resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
• H.Con.Res.24 - Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha I.

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

• Migratory Bird Subsistence Harvest in Alaska (Interior)
• Information Collection: Tribal Participation in the Advance Notification Program (Nuclear Regulatory Commission)
• Notice of Final Determination on Expansion of Formula Area for the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria (HUD)

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

• Flowing justice: Quantifying water rights in the wake of Arizona v. Navajo Nation — Navigating the legal oasis for Native American water sovereignty.
• Indigeneity, data genocide, and public health.
• Indigenous communities suffer multi-generational trauma ("susto") from the trafficking and slavery of Native women and children.
• The Ninth Circuit’s RFRA standard of “substantial burden” as applied to Native American sacred sites.
• Structural federal Indian law after Brackeen.

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

This week, in brief:

• Haskell, SIPI employees reinstated but ‘doesn't change the fact of what happened’
• Tribes, environmental groups appeal to Michigan Supreme Court to block Line 5 tunnel under Straits
• Federal judge dismisses Standing Rock’s latest lawsuit over Dakota Access Pipeline
• Tribes, long shut out from their own health data, fight for access and sovereignty
• New Mexico becomes 20th state to guarantee students’ right to wear regalia

Indian Law Bulletins Updated 3/26/2025

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

• Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority v. U.S. Department of the Interior, et al. (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; Lease Cancellation; Legal Error)
• Roemen, et al. v. United States, et al. (Federal Tort Claims Act; Tribal Office; 638 Contract)
• R.D. Offutt Farms Co. v. White Earth Division of Natural Resources, et al. (Tribal Water Regulation; Tribal Sovereign Immunity; Mootness)
• Kauth v. Manuel (Tribal Sovereign Immunity; Tribal Defendant)
• Village of Dot Lake v. United States Army Corps of Engineers, et al. (Administrative Procedure Act; Tribal Consulation Policy)
• Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians v. Garland, et al. (Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act (PACT Act); State Taxes)

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

• In re Pabami (Tribal Court Rule Violation; Broadcasting in Court)

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

• Mālama Kakanilua v. Board of Land and Natural Resources and Archaeological Services Hawaii LLC (Cultural Resources/Property)
• In re H.M. (Indian Child Welfare Act)

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

• H.R.2252 - 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.2302 - To take certain Federal land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, 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

• Between empire and state: Haudenosaunee sovereignty at the League of Nations.
• Courts of Indian Offenses, courts of Indian resistance.
• David Getches: A jurist at the service of the Indigenous cause.
• Disenrollment as citizenship revocation: Promoting tribal sovereignty by embracing international norms.
• A horse named “stream depletion theory”: The history and negotiation of the Upper Colorado River Basin Compact.
• The Indian Child Welfare Act, exclusive jurisdiction, and the implicit membership requirement in 25 U.S.C. § 1911(A).
• A tribal-state water compact? Exploring tribal and state sovereign authority, with congressional consent, to quantify tribal water claims.
• Water rights and regional equity: the Animas-La Plata Project and its implications for tribal sovereignty in Southwest Colorado.

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

This week, in brief:

• Tribal Nations in Michigan withdraw from Line 5 tunnel project discussions
• Billy Frank Jr. statue brings modern representation to U.S. Capitol
• How the Klamath dams came down
• New Mexico Governor signs bill protecting students’ right to wear regalia
• Tribal Nations back Swinomish in legal battle against BNSF Railway Co.