National Indian Law Library : January 2026

January 14, 2026

Two petitions for certiorari were denied 1/12/26:

Alaska v. United States (25-320) (fishing regulation under Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act)
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians v. Michigan (25-165) (treaty fishing rights)

S.3617 - A bill to approve the settlement of water rights claims of the Yavapai-Apache Nation in the State of Arizona, to authorize construction of a water project relating to those water rights claims, and for other purposes.

Denial of Presidential Permit for the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas (Presidential Memorandum)
Tribal Consultation on Proposed Modifications to the HIPAA Privacy Rule (HHS)

Abandoning the ward: Federal government has no affirmative duty to secure water for Navajo Nation — Arizona v. Navajo Nation, 599 U.S. 555 (2023).
From Winans to Wallahee: Treaties, the Washington State Supreme Court, and the pursuit of a more just rule of law.
Heritage collections and preservation conversation.
Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta’s constitutional mistakes.
Legal obstacles to seating a Cherokee delegate in Congress.
Tangible recommendations to execute California Assembly Bill 3099: A proactive approach to combatting the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis.
The truth About Midkiff justifies Kelo’s reversal: A response to progress and the taking of Indigenous land by Ezra Rosser.

This week, in brief:

Muscogee Nation wages its own legal battle against state officials over hunting, fishing rights
Western Apaches return to 9th Circuit to defend holy land
South Dakota Oglala Sioux Tribe demands the release of Lakota men detained by ICE
Montana's Chouteau County moves forward with new district favoring Tribes
EPA proposes limiting power of states and Tribes to block major projects over water concerns

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

January 7, 2026

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

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

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)

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.

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)

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.

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

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