U.S. Supreme Court Bulletin
One petition for certiorari was filed 9/24/26:
- King v. United States (26-5700) (Indian status)
Four petitions for certiorari were denied 10/5/26:
- N. R. v. Ellison (25-1287) (Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA); Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act)
- Wilton Rancheria v. Unite Here International Union (26-39) (Tribal law; Federal Arbitration Act)
- Winckler v. South Dakota (25-7600) (reservation diminishment; jurisdiction)
- Winnemucca Indian Colony v. United States (25-1170) (trust breach; resource management)
Federal Courts Bulletin
- Lario Oil and Gas Company v. United States (Tucker Act; Indian Mineral Leasing Act (IMLA))
- Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians v. United States Department of the Interior, et al. (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA); Administrative Procedure Act (APA))
State Courts Bulletin
- W.M.G. v. R.D.G. (Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA))
- In re J.M. (Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA))
U.S. Legislation - 119th Congress Bulletin
- S.5630 - A bill to amend the Mineral Leasing Act to ensure sufficient bonding and complete and timely reclamation of land and water disturbed by Federal and Indian oil and gas production, and for other purposes.
- S.5649 - A bill to make additional Federal public land available for selection under the Alaska Native Vietnam era veterans land allotment program, and for other purposes.
- H.R.10699 - Dropbox Access Act / To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require States to provide secured drop boxes for voted absentee ballots in an election for Federal office, and for other purposes.
- H.R.10721 - To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to ensure sufficient bonding and complete and timely reclamation of land and water disturbed by Federal and Indian oil and gas production, and for other purposes.
- H.R.10751 - To amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to remove restrictions on the provision of dental therapist services under the Community Health Aide Program, and for other purposes.
- H.R.10753 - To direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a program to reallocate vouchers, on a voluntary basis, under the Tribal HUD-VASH program, and for other purposes.
- S.Res.945 - A resolution designating November 7, 2026, as "National Bison Day".
Law Review & Bar Journal Bulletin
Contact us if you need help finding a copy of an article.
- Access to justice in Indian Country: Empowering pro se criminal defendants through holistic defense and resource creation.
- Access to justice in Indian Country: Strengthening the ecosystem of law in Native communities.
- Artificial intelligence, Tribal sovereignty, and the criminal justice system.
- Criminal incidence in Indian Country: Evidence from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
- Freedom of Tribal association.
- Increasing access to justice through the use of Indigenous restorative justice and trauma informed practices.
- Innovative sovereignty: California Tribes' use of the nonprofit corporation.
- Pretrial justice in Indian Country and bordertowns - including rural Tribal communities in the bail reform conversation.
- The Tribal wills at USD's Knudson School of Law: A study in mutuality, nimbleness, and persistence.
- A two-pronged approach to addressing unmet legal needs on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
- Under-enforcement of Tribal land use regulations.
News Bulletin
This week, in brief:
- Utah environmentalists sue feds over plan to pave canyon with Native art
- National Archives schedules virtual Tribal consultation meetings
- Supreme Court denies latest challenge to Indian Child Welfare Act
- NARF launches Native Vote Week to highlight Native voting rights ahead of 2026 election
- Native Tribes denied greater say in water decisions with Newsom veto
Announcements
- The Native American Rights Fund has partnered with ZRG Aspen Leadership Group in the search for a Chief Operating Officer. You may view the position prospectus or submit an application at Aspen Leadership Group's website.
