National Indian Law Library

May 14, 2025

Federal Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/federal/2025.html

Lower Brule Sioux Tribe v. United States Department of Interior, et al. (Self-Determination Contract)
Kadayso v. Mescalero Tribal Council, et al. (Appointment of Counsel; Habeas Petition; Banishment)
Apache Stronghold v. United States, et al. (Injunction Pending Appeal)

State Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/state/2025.html

In the Matter of: D.L.L. and J.T.L., Youths in Need of Care (Indian Child Welfare Act)

H.R.3255 - To reaffirm and clarify the Federal relationships of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians of Michigan as a federally recognized Indian tribe, and for other purposes.

Law Review & Bar Journal Bulletin (contact us if you need help finding a copy of an article)
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/lawreviews/currentlr.html

Modern day colonialism through Hawai'i's quiet title and partition laws.
An old world discovery for new world justice: The FSIA path to repatriate stolen Native American art.
There would be food forever: Leveraging the Culvert Case to fight toxic fish contamination in the Columbia River.
Tribal judicial power.

News Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/news/currentnews.html

This week, in brief:

EPA terminates $20 million Walker River Paiute Tribe water infrastructure grant
Actions by Wyoming and the feds could have opposing effects on Indigenous rock art
Federal judge pauses Oak Flat land swap until a SCOTUS decision
Consultation doesn’t always equal consent
NCAI releases landmark Minority & Missing Report highlighting disparities in missing persons cases

Federal Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/federal/2025.html

Webster v. Burgum (Racial Discrimination; Indian Preference)
Englebright, et al. v. Buhl, et al. (Tribal Sovereign Immunity; Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA))

S.1574 - A bill to amend the Stored Communications Act to include Tribal courts as courts of competent jurisdiction.
S.Res.200 - A resolution expressing support for the designation of May 5, 2025, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls."
H.Res.381 - Expressing support for the designation of May 5, 2025, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls."

U.S. Regulatory Bulletin
http://narf.org/nill/bulletins/regulatory/2025.html

Notice of Documented Petition for Federal Acknowledgment as an American Indian Tribe (Interior)
Land Acquisitions; Cherokee Nation, Bartlesville Site, City of Bartlesville, Unincorporated Washington County, Oklahoma (Interior)

Law Review & Bar Journal Bulletin (contact us if you need help finding a copy of an article)
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/lawreviews/currentlr.html

Advancing tribal co-management: Lessons learned from international comparisons.
It's about all relations: Indigenous feminist theory of relational freedom.
Land-back to move forward? The measurable relationship between land-back movements and economic outcomes in Indigenous communities within the U.S.
The potential intercontinental railway between Siberia and Alaska and its implications for Alaska Native corporations and federally recognized Tribes.
Rosalind's refund: The woman, the lawyers, and the time that created McClanahan v. Arizona.
Sexual assault in tribal appellate courts: Case studies of tribal jurisprudence.
Strategic litigation in pursuit of Indigenous justice.

News Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/news/currentnews.html

This week, in brief:

Under settlement, Montana Board of Public Ed vows to improve how state teaches Native American history and culture
How the feds abandoned reservations to burn
Oregon lawmakers celebrate 50 years of Native American legislative commission
Graduation regalia: more Native students get green light to wear tribal regalia this year
Key reports addressing violence against Indigenous women are gone from federal sites

One petition for certiorari was denied 4/28/2025:

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians v. Burgum (24-622) (Michigan Indian Land Claims Settlement Act)

Federal Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/federal/2025.html

Lozeau v. Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (Criminal Jurisdiction; Tribal Conviction; PL 280)
United States v. Bear Runner (Criminal Intent; Tribal Policy)
Muscogee (Creek) Nation v. Tulsa County, Oklahoma, et al. (Criminal Jurisdiction; Tribal Sovereignty; Temporary Restraining Order)
North Dakota v. United States (Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA); Special Use Permit)
Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, et al. v. Burgum, et al. (Land into Trust; Indian Gaming; Standing for Intervention)

State Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/state/2025.html

S.1508 - A bill to confer jurisdiction on the State of Utah with respect to civil causes of action arising on or within the Indian lands of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes, and for other purposes.
S.1513 - A bill to take certain Federal land in the State of Washington into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, and for other purposes.
S.1514 - A bill to take certain land in the State of Washington into trust for the benefit of the Quinault Indian Nation, and for other purposes.
H.R.3073 - To confer jurisdiction on the State of Utah with respect to civil causes of action arising on or within the Indian lands of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes, and for other purposes.

U.S. Regulatory Bulletin
http://narf.org/nill/bulletins/regulatory/2025.html

Proposed Information Collection Activity; Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Data Report, Tribal Assistance for Needy Families Annual Report, and Tribal Assistance for Needy Families Reasonable Cause/Corrective Action Documentation Process (HHS)

Law Review & Bar Journal Bulletin (contact us if you need help finding a copy of an article)
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/lawreviews/currentlr.html

The Indian Child Welfare Act survives for now.
"It doesn't rise to the level of crisis that other situations would." Indigenous self-determination and gendered violence in Alaska.
Lexington Insurance Co. v. Smith: Ninth Circuit denies rehearing en banc to consider whether nonmember physical presence on tribal lands is required for tribal adjudicatory jurisdiction.

News Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/news/currentnews.html

This week, in brief:

New Mexico judge orders remedial plan to improve public education for Native American students
Why the San Manuel tribe is going back to its original name
Arizona federal judge will consider Apache Stronghold’s petition to delay pending Oak Flat land swap
Colorado among growing number of states aiming to strengthen local ICWA laws that protect tribal children and families
Native American voters turned out big for Wisconsin Supreme Court election