February 22, 2013

NILL added new content to 6 Indian Law Bulletins on 2/22

* U.S. Courts of Appeals Bulletin
Cases featured:
Maxwell v. County of San Diego (tribal sovereign immunity)

 * U.S. Federal Trial Courts Bulletin
Cases featured:
Navajo Nation v. U.S. Dept. Interior (human remains)

* News Bulletin
We feature an article in the "Sacred Sites" section relating to a sacred sites protection bill in California.

* Law Review & Bar Journal Indian Law Bulletin
We feature an article comparing the natural resource rights of the Native American Navajo Nation and West Africa's Niger Delta Nation.

* Regulatory Bulletin 
One of the items featured is a notice from the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families regarding tribal consultation to discuss ways to better meet the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native children and their families via the Head Start program.

* U.S. Legislation Bulletin
One new bill was added:
1) H.R.623 - Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Land Transfer Act

February 19, 2013

EPA Seeks Tribal Applicants for Green Building Codes Assistance

Green Building Codes logoThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking applications from federally recognized tribes that want to adopt green building codes. The requested assistance can be for building codes planning and visioning processes, assessment of existing building codes, or other work that addresses the applicant’s process in developing or adopting green building codes. Applications are due March 6, 2013. See additional information at the Tribal Green Building Workgroup web page and the Tribal Green Building Codes Development Guidance web page.

February 14, 2013

NILL added new content to all 8 Indian Law Bulletins on 2/14

* U.S. Supreme Court Bulletin
On 2/06/13, petition for certiorari was filed in Rude v. Cook Inlet Region, Inc (federal question jurisdiction, Alaska Native Claims and Settlement Act claims).

* U.S. Courts of Appeals Bulletin
Cases featured:
United States v. Tarnow (sexual abuse in Indian Country)

* State Courts Bulletin
Cases featured:
Cates v. Chiang (gaming compact, collection of revenue)

 * U.S. Federal Trial Courts Bulletin
Cases featured:
Brooks v. Roy (prisoner rights, substance abuse program)
Redding Rancheria v. Salazar (taking land into trust, Indian Gaming Regulatory Act)

* News Bulletin
We feature an article in the "Tribal Jurisdiction" section relating to the pending Violence Against Women Act legislation.

* Law Review & Bar Journal Indian Law Bulletin  
We feature an article dealing with State of Washington jurisdiction under P.L. 280 jurisdiction.

* Regulatory Bulletin
One of the items featured is a notice form the Environmental Protection Agency regarding a meeting to discuss and approve draft recommendations in response to the National Academy of Sciences' report on "Sustainability and the U.S. EPA."

* U.S. Legislation Bulletin
Three new bills were added:
1) S. 222 - A bill to amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to clarify that uncertified States and Indian tribes have the authority to use certain payments for certain noncoal reclamation projects and acid mine remediation programs.
2) H.R. 488 -To amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to clarify that uncertified States and Indian tribes have the authority to use certain payments for certain noncoal reclamation projects.
3) H.R. 507 - Pascua Yaqui Tribe Trust Land Act

February 8, 2013

NILL added new content to 6 Indian Law Bulletins on 2/08

* State Courts Bulletin
Cases featured:
Northern Cheyenne Tribe v. Roman Catholic Church (unjust enrichment)

* U.S. Federal Trial Courts Bulletin
Cases featured:
Rosser v. Rosser III (divorce, tribal jurisdiction)
Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action v. U.S. Dep't of the Navy (salmon protection)
Wolfchild v. United States (Indian Tribal Judgment Funds Use or Distribution Act ("Indian Judgment Distribution Act"))

* News Bulletin
We feature an article in the "Intergovernmental" section on the nomination of Sally Jewell to become Interior Secretary.

* Law Review & Bar Journal Indian Law Bulletin
We feature an article dealing with tribal sovereignty and international travel.

* Regulatory Bulletin
One of the items featured is a notice form the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) regarding its intent to establish an Adequate Yearly Progress Negotiated Rulemaking Committee.

* U.S. Legislation Bulletin
One law was enacted: Public Law 113-2 - Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013 (allows American Indian tribes to seek direct federal aid after natural disasters)

Two new bills were added:
1) H.R. 409 - Indian Trust Asset Reform Act
2) H.R. 11 & S. 47 - Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013

February 5, 2013

Feb 13, 2013 Webinar: Understanding "Adoptive Parents v. Baby Girl"

Date: Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Time: 11 a.m. Pacific / 2 p.m. Eastern
Presenter: Adrian Smith, JD, MSW, NICWA government affairs associate

The U.S. Supreme Court will soon hear the case Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl, a South Carolina adoption case involving the Indian Child Welfare Act. This high profile and emotionally charged case has garnered significant attention in the past year. Oral arguments are expected to occur in late April, and a decision announced shortly thereafter.

The National Indian Child Welfare Association will host a webinar for those interested in learning:
  • What are the background and facts of the case?
  • What are the questions before the U.S. Supreme Court?
  • What possible implications will this case have on Indian Country?
  • What is being done nationally in preparation for this hearing?
This free webinar is open to all. Register here.

February 4, 2013

Funding Opportunities for Healing to Wellness Courts



The Tribal Law and Policy Institute invites interested applicants to register for a webinar that will provide guidance and resources concerning current Justice Department funding opportunities.  The webinar will be held on February 20.  Learn more and register for the webinar at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/873525334.

Visit the NILL Tribal Law Gateway and type healing to wellness court in the search box to find examples of tribal law related to healing to wellness courts. Or visit our catalog to see related materials.

February 1, 2013

NILL added new content to 7 Indian Law Bulletins on 2/01

U.S. Courts of Appeals Bulletin
Cases featured:
Santana v. Muscogee (Creek) Nation, ex rel. River Spirit Casino (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, jurisdiction)
United States v. Zepeda (who is Indian, jurisdiction)
 
State Courts Bulletin
Cases featured:
Beaulieu v. Minnesota Dep't of Human Services (jurisdiction)
New Mexico v. Vandever (jurisdiction)
Waltrip v. Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino (worker's compensation)

U.S. Federal Trial Courts Bulletin
Cases featured:
Stand up for California! v. U.S. Dep't of the Interior (land into trust, Indian Reorganization Act)
Native American Council of Tribes v. Weber (prisoner tobacco use, Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act)
Seminole Nation of Oklahoma v. Salazar (Freedmen, beneficiaries of judgment fund)
Colombe v. Rosebud Sioux Tribe (jurisdiction)
Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation v. US Corps of Engineers (sacred sites)
The Navajo Nation v. Urban Outfitters, Inc. (trademarks)
 
News Bulletin
We feature an article in the "Voting" section on the barriers Native Americans around the country face when trying to vote.
 
Law Review & Bar Journal Indian Law Bulletin
We feature an article dealing with land and religion in Native American Supreme Court cases as well as an article by NARF attorneys on the attack on tribal jurisdiction and the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA).
 
Regulatory Bulletin
One of the items featured is a notice form the Secretarial Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform regarding a public meeting on 2/11 & 12 on management of probate and real estate services, management of natural resources held in trust, and trust reform.
 
 U.S. Legislation Bulletin
Three new bills were added:
1) Hawaiian Homeownership Opportunity Act of 2013.
2) A bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994
3) Hill Creek Cultural Preservation and Energy Development Act