National Indian Law Library : July 2026

July 8, 2026

Two petitions for certiorari were granted 6/29/26:

Republican National Committee v. Mi Familia Vota (25-1017) (National Voter Registration Act (NVRA))
Petersen v. Mi Familia Vota (25-1019) (National Voter Registration Act (NVRA))

One petition for certiorari was filed 6/26/26:

Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe of the Benton Paiute Reservation, et al. v. United States Department of the Interior, et al. (cultural resources; Tribal consultation)
Pechanga Band of Indians v. Kennedy, et al. (Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDA))
King v. Wilcox, et al. (Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA))

Viva G. v. Department of Family and Community Services (Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA))

Advocacy matters.
The authenticity thicket.
Case law on American Indians: September 2024-August 2025.
The federal trust responsibility and special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction: Restoring justice in Tribal Nations.
Reading between the treaties: Why the Supreme Court must honor the Indian canons of construction.
Stability at stake: The effects of overturning Chevron on Indian gaming.
Tribal Nations as lords of the fee: A common law argument for Tribal discretion in spending federal forfeiture funds.
Tripartite water cosovereignty.
Unleashing consultation: Tohono O’odham Nation v. Department of Interior and the case for reforming the National Historic Preservation Act.
U.S. v. Washington: Considering the continuing injunction of the Boldt decision.
When knowledge isn't free: Legal and ethical imperatives of protecting Indigenous intellectual property.
Wild and untamed: The problem of wild horses on federal and Indian lands.

This week, in brief:

White House report targets Smithsonian’s treatment of Native history, criticizes ‘stolen land’ narrative
California’s ban on Native American-themed mascots has been a conversation starter in schools
California returns stretch of coast to Indigenous Tribes. ‘This is beyond huge’
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation sues Kansas Lottery, alleges violations of Tribal sovereignty
White Earth Nation, feds sign funding agreement to co-manage wildlife refuge in NW Minnesota

The Indian Law Bulletins are taking a short break - we will be back in your inbox on Thursday, April 23.

July 1, 2026

One petition for certiorari was filed 6/9/26:

United States v. Lynn (criminal jurisdiction - Indian status)
NDN Collective, et al. v. Retsel Corporation, et al. (civil rights - discrimination; Section 1981)
Kozlowicz-Gardner v. Ute Tribal Council Members (Tribal sovereign immunity)
Fort Belknap Indian Community of the Fort Belknap Reservation of Montana v. United States of America, et al. (resource management; water rights; trust breach)
Nare v. Omaha Discovery Trust (civil rights - equal protection; Section 1981)

S.4890 - A bill to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to establish subaccounts in the Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion Fund, and for other purposes.
H.R.9416 - Ocmulgee Mounds National Park Redesignation Act / To redesignate the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as the "Ocmulgee Mounds National Park", and for other purposes.
H.R.9425 - Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act of 2026 / To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to ensure Tribal consultation and representation under the food distribution program on Indian reservations, and for other purposes.
S.Res.795 - A resolution commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Land without legacy: The case for market-based appraisals on Hawaiian home lands.
Titletown madness: Title insurance through the lens of Tribal jurisdiction and the lasting legacy of allotment.

This week, in brief:

Five Tribes sue over controversial IPOP gold mining project near Nome
Caddo Nation paves way for Tribal courts, opening up more land leases
What to know about the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s ruling on Menominee land buyback
Supreme Court rules mailed ballots postmarked by election day must be counted, a win for Native voters
Native American Tribes came together to secure their rights to Colorado River water. Four states are stalling the deal.