NARF Blog

Protecting Tribal waters in Alaska

With a wealth of unappropriated water, Alaska is uniquely situated to protect Tribal water resources and avoid over allocation mistakes made by states in the western United States. Because of the abundance of water, fights over the amount of allocated water in Alaska rarely occur.

Winnebago goes to appeals court to bring children home

The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to hold the U.S. Army accountable to its legal obligations under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) to repatriate Samuel’s and Edward’s remains from the Carlisle Cemetery to Winnebago.

Support for Bad River Band’s Line 5 challenge

Native American Rights Fund (NARF) applauds Bad River Band and green groups fighting to stop the new oil pipeline. NARF, which represents the Bay Mills Indian Community

Speaking out for incarcerated Native people and protecting Native culture

Native organizations provide critical context and information on Native prisoners’ rights and the preservation of Native religious practice. Forced haircuts by prison officials substantially burden religious practice.

Shoshone-Bannock protects treaty rights and homelands

UPDATE: On August 22, 2025, the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s summary judgment in favor of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort

Democracy Reform Summit: Removing Barriers to Native Political Participation

Join us on Friday, October 3, at Arizona State University’s Beus Center for Law and Society for a discussion about how to counter antidemocratic reforms and reenvision a democracy that amplifies Native voices.

Join Tribal Nations in opposing Line 5 tunnel

The Bay Mills Indian Community, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, and Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi filed notice on December 22, 2023, that they will appeal the Michigan Public Service Commission’s (MPSC) recent approval of a permit for Canadian oil giant Enbridge to build the Line 5 tunnel project beneath the Straits of Mackinac.

Water Knows No Boundaries

Law review article tackles the imperative that Tribal Nations develop their own legal mechanism to protect their water resources and rights.

Farewell to 2025 Summer Law Clerks

Thank you to our summer law clerks for your exceptional service this summer. Your hard work, dedication, and fresh perspectives have been invaluable to our team. The NARF Summer Law Clerk Program is vital to our mission, bringing in new talent and energy that drives our success in Indian Country. We appreciate all you’ve contributed and look forward to seeing the incredible impact you’ll continue to make in your legal careers and your communities.

60 Years of the Voting Rights Act — Native voters are still fighting to be heard

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA), a cornerstone of the civil rights movement that aimed to eradicate racial discrimination in

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