January 28, 2021

Indian Law Bulletins Updated 1/27

Federal Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/federal/2021.html

  • Standing Rock Sioux Tribe v. United States Army Corps of Engineers (Dakota Access Pipeline)
  • United States v. Fowler (Jurisdiction)
  • Hardwick v. United States (Land Into Trust)
  • Chinook Indian Nation v. Zinke (Federal Recognition)

State Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/state/2021.html

  • Self v. Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria (Sovereign Immunity; Quiet Title Action)

U.S. Legislation - 117th Congress Bulletin
https://narf.org/nill/bulletins/legislation/117_uslegislation.html

  • H.R.437 - To amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to exclude certain payments to Alaska Native elders for determining eligibility for certain programs, and for other purposes.
  • H.R.439 - To direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a demonstration program to adapt the successful practices of providing foreign aid to underdeveloped economies to the provision of Federal economic development assistance to Native communities in similarly situated remote areas in the United States, and for other purposes.
  • H.R.440 - To amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide that Alexander Creek, Alaska, is and shall be recognized as an eligible Native village under that Act, and for other purposes.
  • H.R.441 - To provide for the conveyance of certain property to the Tanana Tribal Council located in Tanana, Alaska, and for other purposes.
  • H.R.443 - To convey land in Anchorage, Alaska, to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and for other purposes.
  • H.R.478 - To direct the Secretary of the Interior to take certain land located in Pinal County, Arizona, into trust for the benefit of the Gila River Indian Community, 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/2021.html

  • Regulation of electric utilities on Indian reservations: Tribal governments' oversight of renewable energy development and utility providers and authority to create tribal utilities.
  • From the Trail of Tears to Tam: How United States trademark law fails Native Americans.

News Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/news/currentnews.html
This week, in brief:

  • President Biden issues tribal consultation and nation-to-nation directive
  • Native American traditional knowledge played key role in Wisconsin's Climate Change Report
  • Indigenous students and faculty seek increased institutional support
  • Pascua Yaqui Tribe to build 50 new homes with record-setting Low Income Housing Tax Credit award
  • Biden, Harris and Congress: ‘Restore the Mashpee Wampanoag reservation to federal status’
  • Nez Perce Tribe granted administrative power of its water rights
  • Bears Ears is just the beginning
  • Where are all the Native American medical students?
  • Tule River Tribe receives $25,000 grant for clean energy project
  • Indigenous fashion is more than tradition
  • Five Native films you should be streaming in 2021

January 20, 2021

Indian Law Bulletins Updated 1/20/21

U.S. Supreme Court Bulletin
http://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/sct/2020-2021update.html
The Tribal Supreme Court Project posted a case update on 1/15/21.

Federal Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/federal/2021.html

  • Grondal v. United States (Sovereign Immunity)
  • Deerleader v. Crow (Habeas Corpus Relief)
  • United States v. Smith (Assimilative Crimes Act; Indian Country Crimes Act)

State Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/state/2021.html

  • Jesse S. v. Department of Child Safety, Pascua Yaqui Tribe (ICWA)

News Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/news/currentnews.html
This week, in brief:

  • Tribal leaders want to work with state on how to prosecute crime on reservations
  • Federal funding could provide a billion dollar boost to tribal broadband infrastructure
  • Indigenous nonprofit turns to caring for Native elders in Utah
  • California Native American tribes receive $2m to develop clean energy projects
  • Legislation focuses on tribal access to education resources
  • Feds begin transfer of national bison range to Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
  • Indigenous fishers on the Columbia River confront new challenges
  • Apache sue to protect religious freedom, save Oak Flat sacred area from destruction by foreign mining company
  • 'Indigikitchen': Cooking show connects people to their ancestral recipes

January 13, 2021

Indian Law Bulletins Updated 1/13/2021

U.S. Supreme Court Bulletin
http://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/sct/2020-2021update.html
Petitions for certiorari were granted in two cases on 1/8/21:

  • Mnuchin v. Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation (CARES Act)
  • Alaska Native Village Corporation Association v. Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation (CARES Act)
Petition for certiorari was denied in one case on 1/11/21:
  • FMC Corporation v. Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (Jurisdiction)

Federal Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/federal/2021.html

  • United States v. Earth (Major Crimes Act)
  • Pit River Tribe v. Bureau of Land Management (Administrative Procedure Act)
  • United States v. Osage Wind, LLC (Osage Minerals Estate)
  • Red Lake Band of Chippewa v. United States Army Corps of Engineers (National Environmental Policy Act; Clean Water Act)

Tribal Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/tribal/2021.html

  • Corona v. Fort Peck Tribes (ICWA)
  • Flynn v. Dupree (Civil Jurisdiction)

Law Review & Bar Journal Bulletin (contact us if you need help finding a copy of an article)
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/lawreviews/2021.html

  • Rehabilitative justice: The effectiveness of healing to wellness, opioid intervention, and drug courts.
  • The Indian Child Welfare Act's application to civil commitments of Indian children in state court proceeding.
  • Peyote crisis confronting modern Indigenous peoples: The declining peyote population and a demand for conservation.
  • Tribal power, worker power: Organizing unions in the context of Native sovereignty.

News Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/news/currentnews.html
This week, in brief:

  • Supreme Court to hear case on Native Corps’ eligibility for tribal funds
  • Continuation of uranium and Radiation Exposure Compensation Act advocacy sought by Navajo Nation Council after line item vetoes
  • United States Supreme Court decision confirms tribal jurisdiction over FMC Corporation
  • Northern Arizona University report finds Community Health Reps, who provide critical services to Native Americans, need more support
  • Four California tribes voice urgent concerns about the Humboldt child welfare system
  • How a farm in South King County may hold seeds of hope for homeless Native Americans
  • 'We're still growing': Tribal college in Palm Desert pushes forward virtually amid COVID-19
  • Yearlong celebration of Cherokee syllabary planned
  • Colorado Office of Film recognized for highlighting native voices