April 8, 2026

Indian Law Bulletins Updated 4/8/2026

U.S. Supreme Court Bulletin

Two petitions for certiorari were denied:

  • Flying T Ranch, Inc. v. Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians (25-987) (Tribal sovereign immunity)
  • Stroble v. Oklahoma Tax Commission (25-382) (state taxation in Indian Country)

Federal Courts Bulletin

  • Frank's Landing Indian Community, et al. v. Enlow (civil jurisdiction; Tribal sovereign immunity)
  • Sepulveda v. Payer, et al. (Tribal law; custodial orders)
  • United States of America v. 20,855.90 Acres of Land, et al. (Tribal property - land into trust)
  • United States v. Goodlow (criminal jurisdiction - Major Crimes Act (MCA))
  • State of Montana, et al. v. Burgum, et al. (treaty rights - standing)
  • Harris, et al. v. W6LS, Inc., et al. (Tribal law; civil jurisdiction - arbitation)
  • Gastanaga v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Federal recognition; Freedom of Information Act (FOIA))
  • Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe v. United States, et al. (Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA))
  • Corrales v. United States of America, et al. (Federal recognition - Tribal leadership dispute)
  • Poemoceah v. Swenson (sovereign immunity - qualified immunity)
  • Yurok Tribe v. Dowd, et al. (hunting and fishing rights)
  • Farrer v. Cornpeach (civil jurisdiction; Tribal sovereign immunity)

Tribal Courts Bulletin

  • Carey v. Woodall (Tribal jurisdiction; jurisdiction over non-members; Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA))

U.S. Legislation - 119th Congress Bulletin

  • S.4276 - A bill to reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996.
  • H.R.7957 - Preserve the Traditional Cultural Place Chí’chil Biłdagoteel Historic District Act / To preserve the Traditional Cultural Place of Chi'chil Bildagoteel Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and for other purposes.
  • H.R.8092 - To reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996, and for other purposes.
  • H.R.8188 - To remove certain limitations with respect to road grading under Tribal transportation programs and study the impacts of such removal, and for other purposes.

U.S. Regulatory Bulletin

  • Reversal of Land Acquisition; Koi Nation of Northern California, Shiloh Site, Sonoma County, California (Interior)
  • Reducing Bureaucracy and Burden for Native American Programs (HHS)
  • Alaska Native Claims Selection (Interior)

Law Review & Bar Journal Bulletin

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

  • Beyond Tribal exhaustion: Restoring Tribal courts' civil jurisdiction over nonmembers.
  • "In my defense, I have none:" Taylor Swift, Indian law, and a re-examination of custom's inapplicability in the United States.
  • Taxing Indigenous cultural property.
  • The Tribal Energy Act: A necessary step toward the electrification of the Navajo Nation.
  • When you're just not "Indian" enough: The erosion of Tribal sovereignty in State v. Nobles and the case for deference to Tribes on questions of Indian status.
  • White-collar crime in Indian Country: Teaching and researching familiar issues in a unique context.

News Bulletin

This week, in brief:

  • The Buffalo’s return: new partnerships boost Indigenous-led conservation in Tribal lands
  • Opinion: Syracuse University men’s lacrosse’s ‘burn the boats’ glorifies Indigenous genocide
  • Tribes object as Trump administration moves to reopen Chaco Canyon to drilling
  • Tribal Nations urge appeals court to uphold ICWA in Arizona foster care case
  • Indian Peaks Band appeals federal approval of Utah water project

Announcements

  • The Native American Rights Fund is hiring a Director of Development, an Annual Giving and Digital Fundraising Manager, and a Law Fellow in the Boulder office and a Staff Attorney in the Alaska office. Learn more about the vacancies at our Career Center.