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2017 Tribal Government News Stories

In opioid battle, Cherokee want their day in tribal court (The New York Times) 12/17/17

Judge Abby Abinanti is fighting for her tribe - and for a better justice system (The Nation) 11/30/17

Unions: Power plant contractors violating Navajo labor laws (McClatchy DC Bureau) 11/18/17

New precedent set for upholding Idaho tribal court decisions (The Seattle Times) 11/6/17 (See Coeur D'Alene Tribe v. Johnson)

Ponca Nation of Oklahoma to recognize the rights of nature to stop fracking (Native News Online) 11/1/17

Grand Canyon tram plan shot down by Navajo lawmakers (DW) 11/1/17

Crow government looks to reshape tribal justice system (Montana Standard) 10/31/17

Court orders Ak-Chin tribe to recognize marriages of same-sex couples (AZ Central.) 10/25/17 (See Pablo v. Ak-Chin Indian Community)

Navajo leaders to consider controversial Grand Canyon tram (Las Vegas Review-Journal) 10/25/17

Michigan appeals court classifies Sault Tribe government as 'local' in new decision (Indianz) 10/24/17 (See Paquin v. City of St. Ignace)

Native American to address key tribal issues at annual conference in Wisconsin (Sputnik News) 10/15/17

After vote to remove tribal president, Northern Cheyenne government at impasse (Billings Gazette) 10/13/17

Cronkite News: 'Tribal Justice' documentary highlights issues facing tribal courts (Indianz) 10/2/17

Tribal head who led Dakota Access pipeline fight voted out (Montana Standard) 9/28/17

Tribal court injunction prevents vote on constitutional amendments (The Bismarck Tribune) 9/25/17

Northwest tribes mull their own carbon-tax initiative (The Columbian) 9/17/17

Most Native American tribes opt out of federal death penalty (The Philadelphia Tribune) 8/22/17

Navajo sign law criminializing human trafficking (Indian Country Today) 8/9/17

Pascua Yaqui Tribe first to use VAWA to prosecute non-Indian (Indian Country Today) 6/9/17 (See 113th Congress S.47)

Senate bill provides parity: Tribal government regulation of UAS on tribal lands (JD Supra) 6/8/17 (See 115th Congress S.1272)

Thune introduces bill to give tribal leaders equal access to social security (Foregin Affairs NZ) 6/8/17 (See 115th Congress S.1309)

Navajo Nation introduces legislation to extend lease for 2,250 MW coal plant (Utility Dive) 5/30/17

New suspect in fake Indian tribe membership case due in court (KRGV) 5/25/17

Justice Department expands program to combat crime on tribal lands (WILX 10) 5/9/17

Flandreau tribe, state, clash in court (Argus Leader) 5/6/17

Nevada firm, executives agree to pay Montana tribe $2.5M (Flathead Beacon) 5/5/17

Should Native American tribes have their own criminal justice systems? (InsideSources) 4/25/17

Tribes can access federal info to help them fight crime on reservations under new plan (Billings Gazette) 4/18/17

Sessions expands program to combat crime on tribal lands (AP) 4/18/17

Supreme Court declines to hear yet another Indian Country case (Indianz) 4/17/17 (See Sun v. Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprise)

Aquinnah Wampanaog Tribe scores major win in sovereignty case (Indianz) 4/11/17 ( See Massachusetts v. Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah))

Southeast tribal court builds on its experience (Alaska Public Media) 3/31/17

Appeals Court may tackle `true lender' debate affecting fintechs, online lenders (Bloomberg BNA) 3/30/17 (See Smith v. Western Sky Financial, LLC)

Resort management firm says Chukchansi tribe owes it $21 million for helping reopen casino (The Fresno Bee) 3/21/17 (Turtle Talk material)

Osage Nation passes referendum to legalize same-sex marriage (Indianz) 3/21/17

Court rules for California tribe in suit over land access (AP) 3/14/17 (See Tavares v. Whitehouse)

Tribes will soon be able to process Native veterans VA eligibility (Indian Country Today) 3/11/17

Legal actions could have long-term impact on Nation (Tahlequa Daily Press) 2/23/17

Lawsuit claims Amber Alert could have saved Ashlynne Mike (Indian Country Today) 2/3/17

Standing Rock disavows camp on private land (The Bemidji Pioneer) 2/2/17

ICWA guide for tribal governments and leaders (Turtle Talk) 2/1/17 (PDF)

Navajo Nation legal opinions made available online for first time (Indianz) 1/31/17

Tribal Justice documentary much more than courtroom drama (Noozhawk) 1/20/17

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