2018 Intergovernmental News Stories
Government shutdown in Montana will hit national parks, forests, tribes hardest (Missoulian) 12/21/18
Tulalip Tribes appeal a loss in federal sales-tax case (Herald Net) 12/21/18 (See The Tulalip Tribes and the Consolidated Borough of Quil Ceda Village v. The State of Washington )
Report on funding for Native Americans also urges federal recognition of Native Hawaiians (Hawaii News Now) 12/21/18
Winnebago Tribe wins round in lawsuit to defend its sovereignty (Indianz) 12/19/18 (See HCI Distribution, INC v. Peterson)
Navajo Nation President Begaye calls for timely replacement for Zinke (Native News Online) 12/18/18
Tribal Council ok's move to let chief expedite certain medical contracts (Tahlequah Daily Press) 12/18/18
Report into 'unprofessional behavior' at Bureau of Indian Affairs (Indianz) 12/18/18
Seneca Nation and New York State begin high-stakes arbitration process to resolve rev-share spat (Casino.org) 12/13/18
Bureau of Indian Affairs questions Cherokee Nation high court's ability to set law (The Express-Star) 12/12/18
Presidential Trump signs two more Indian Country bills into law (Indianz) 12/12/18 (See 115th Congress H.R.1074 and
H.R. 5317)
Federal judge rules for Cayuga Nation in tax foreclosure case (Olean Times Herald) 12/11/18 (See Cayuga Indian Nation of New York v. Seneca County, New York )
State gets win in tribe tax dispute (News Chief) 12/10/18 (See Seminole Tribe of Florida v. Biegalski)
Trump's tribal agenda - the warning lights are flashing (JD Supra) 12/6/18
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe still working with backer of derailed casino (Indianz) 12/4/18
Wisconsin Tribes fight tax on reservation land (Courthouse News Service) 12/3/18
Supreme Court schedules hearing in third Indian law case (Indianz) 12/3/18 (See
Herrera v. Wyoming)
Tribal officials discuss ramifications of Murphy case (Tahlequah Daily Press) 11/30/18 (See Carpenter v. Murphy)
CSKT and U.S. Attorney's office reach settlement (Lake County Leader) 11/30/18
U.S. Judge overturns New York man's conviction in tribal bond scheme (The New York Times) 11/21/18
Pueblo of Pojoaque still fighting for $10.1 million in seized revenues (Indianz) 11/19/18
Chumash, Luiseno tribes sue cardrooms for allgedly violating state law (Santa Maria Times) 11/19/18
Navajo Nation leadership meets with White House Officials to advocate for continuation of operations of Navajo Generating Station (Native News Online) 11/16/18
'Termination is here': Tribes rally against Trump administration (Indianz) 11/14/18
Blackfeet Nation receives grant to aid tribal, federal prosecutions (Department of Justice) 11/13/18
Witness list for Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing (Indianz) 11/13/18 (See 115th Congress S.2788, H.R.2606, H.R.4032)
Program gives Peninsula tribes accesss to national crime databases (Peninsula Daily News) 11/7/18
Court of Appeals to hold oral arguments in Cherokee Tribal Court (The One Feather) 11/5/18
4 Indigenous leaders on what Bolsonaro means for Brazil (Grist) 11/5/18
Leader of Yakama Nation denied entry into Supreme Court hearing (Indianz) 10/30/18 (Washington State Departmetn of Licensing v. Cougar Den)
Standing Rock citizens sue county over #NoDAPL road blockade (Indianz) 10/29/18
'At this point, we're suing': Tribes upset with handling of non-Indian gaming facilities (Indianz) 10/29/18
Are Indians still being taxed on tribal benefits (Indian Country Today) 10/24/18
Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs partnering with US Marine Corps in battle against unmanned aerial threats (Native News Online) 10/24/18
Tribal officials, Democrats push back on 9th Circuit judicial nominee (Indianz) 10/23/18
Navajo Nation opposes actions of National Park Service threatening sovereignty of Nation (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 10/23/18
National Congress of American Indians suspends highest-ranking staffer (Indianz) 10/22/18
Justice Department expands tribal police help, calling it "Right thing to do" (NPR) 10/22/18
'We've never had justice': How the Supreme Court rigged land deals against Native people (Michigan Radio) 10/16/18
New face of Bureau of Indian Affairs returns to Alaska after making history (Indianz) 10/16/18
Alaska tribal courts see infusion of federal funds (KTOO Public Media) 10/13/18
Former tribal chairman disputes state cigarette tax (Red Lak Nation News) 10/8/18
Who's the law in this town? Yakama Nation sues Toppenish, Yakima County in battle over police jurisdiction (Yakima Herald) 10/5/18
State and county prevail in high-stakes Tulalip tax lawsuit (Herald Net) 10/5/18
Indian Affairs Committee passes bipartisan Cantwell, Murray legislation to repeal outdated 1834 ban on distilleries on Tribal land (U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell) 10/3/18 (See 115th Congress H.R.5317)
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation sees setback in case against Trump administration (Indianz) 10/2/18
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs schedules meeting and hearing (Indianz) 10/1/18 (See 115th Congress S.664, H.R.5317)
Zinke, MGM prevail over tribes in casino lawsuit (Politico) 10/1/18
Supreme Court opens new term with major Indian law cases on docket (Indianz) 10/1/18 (See County of Amador v. Department of the Interior; Fort Peck Housing Authority v. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation v. United States; Makah Indian Tribe v. Quileute Indian Tribe; Carpenter v. Murphy; Poarch Band of Creek Indians v. Wilkes; Citizen Potwatomi Nation v. Oklahoma)
U.S. Supreme Court will hear case between Yakama tribal member and state Department of Licensing on gas tax (Yakima Herald) 9/29/18 (See
Washington State Department of Licensing v. Cougar Den)
Tribal hunting rights case before U.S. Supreme Court (Indianz) 9/25/18 (See Herrera v. Wyoming)
University of Illinois Senate backs Tribe's stance on Chief (NBC Chicago) 9/25/18
National Congress of American Indians under #MeToo fire (Indianz) 9/25/18
Supreme Court takes up Indian law petitions amid major controversy (Indianz) 9/24/18 (See Citizen Potawatomi Nation v. Oklahoma; County of Amador v. Department of the Interior; Fort Peck Housing Authority v. Department of Housing and Urban Development ;
Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation v. United States; Makah Indian Tribe v. Quileute Indian Tribe; Poarch Band of Creek Indians v. Wilkes)
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs set to advance three bills (Indianz) 9/24/18 (See 115th Congress S.465, S.2154, S.2599)
Tribal members settle abuse cases against Mormon Church (Flathead Beacon) 9/24/18
'Lack of understanding of tribes': Brett Kavanaugh deemed unfriendly to Indian Country (Indianz) 9/19/18
Native American tribe, sheriff's office sign cross-deputization agreement (KFOR) 9/19/18
BIA threatens sanctions against tribes (Gillette News Record) 9/19/18
MOU set to give boost to American Indian tourism (Native News Online) 9/19/18
"Restoring law, order & hope": Policing agreement reached between Mille Lacs Tribe, County (CBS Minnesota) 9/19/18
Border wall called threat to tribal sovereignty in new report (Indianz) 9/17/18
Comanche Nation heads to court to battle Chickasaw Nation casino (Indianz) 9/18/18
Tribes, others weigh in on Crow man's poaching case before Supreme Court (Ravalli Republic) 9/15/18
Tribal leaders and Congressional members convene for Tribal Unity Impact Days (Indianz) 9/13/18
President Begaye briefs new Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Sweeney on Navajo priorities (The Navajo Nation) 9/13/18
Navajo candidates endorse Lujan Grisham for New Mexico governor (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 9/11/18
Another Indian bill makes its way to President Trump's desk (Indianz) 9/11/18 (See 115th Congress H.R.6124)
Trump administration takes Indian Country back to termination era (Indianz) 9/10/18
Richard Peterson: Brettt Kavanaugh threatens tribal sovereignty (Indianz) 9/10/18 (See Strugeon v. Frost)
Lisa Murkowski's biggest reason to oppose Brett Kavanaugh may not be abortion rights (Huffington Post) 9/8/10
Chairman of Crow Tribe ordered arrested in disupte with judicial branch (Indianz) 9/7/18
"I love Indian Country": John McCain's long history in Indian policy (Indianz) 9/7/18
Hirono calls Supreme Court nominee's views on Hawaiians 'offensive' (Hawaii News Now) 9/6/18
An 'expert' in Indian issues tapped to replace John McCain in Senate (Indianz) 9/5/18
Brett Kavanaugh no friend of special rights for Native Hawaiians (Honolulu Civil Beat) 9/5/18
Police bill paves way for tribal police accreditation (Native News Online) 9/3/18
The nomination of Brett Kavanaugh: A memorandum for tribal leaders (NARF) 8/30/18
Murkowski hosts first-ever Indian Affairs field hearing in Savoonga (U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski) 8/27/18
Ponca Tribe of Nebraska planning casino despite lawsuit (Star Herald) 8/27/18
Mark Trahant: John McCain and his legacy in Indian Country (Indianz) 8/27/18
Indian Country awaits busy season at Supreme Court amid big change (Indianz) 8/15/18 (See Royal v. Murphy; Washington State Department of Licensing v. Cougar Den; Herrera v. Wyoming)
Mashpee Wampanoag official: Reservation land needed to help save language (Cape Cod Times) 8/22/18
Bay Mills Indian Community awaits decision on disputed casino (Indianz) 8/22/18
Dakota Access Pipeline protester reaches plea deal in riot case (U.S. News) 8/21/18
Lawsuit challenges tribe-town pact (Cape Cod Times) 8/20/18
A return to frontier justice? Red Fawn Fallis locked up for #NoDAPL incident (Indianz) 8/20/18
New Bureau of Indian Affairs leader takes action on gaming (Indianz) 8/16/18
Tara Sweeney quietly takes helm at Bureau of Indian Affairs (Indianz) 8/16/18
Sen. Udall requests Kavanaugh records on American Indian issues (Native News Online) 8/15/18
Native American Agriculture Fund begins work with $266 million fund (Indianz) 8/15/18
Washington Tribes call on FCC to prioritize Native needs in consideration of licenses change (KNKX) 8/14/18
Rep. Tom O'Halleran sits down with the Navajo-Hopi Observer to talk Native issues
(Navajo-Hopi Observer) 8/14/18
U.S. Army looking for families of children buried at boarding school (Indianz) 8/13/18
Native American farm fund to start disbursing millions (Herald Net) 8/12/18
Federal gaming agency takes action on once controversial regulations (Indianz) 8/10/18
Navajo Hopi Land Commission members call on the Office of the President to prioritize rehabilitation efforts for relocatees (Office of the Speaker of the23rd Navajo Nation Council) 8/9/18
President Trump's nominee loves beating tribal interests in court (Indianz) 8/9/18
The next Supreme Court pick could shape Indian law for decades (High Country News) 8/8/18
Can States tax gas stations on Tribal lands? (Governing) 8/18
Attorney General Hunter supports Chickasaw, Choctaw lawsuits against opioid manufacturers (Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter) 8/3/18
Story spreads of Tohono O'odham brother's arrest, deportation after using tribal border gate (AZ Central.) 8/2/18
Murkowski's interior bill passes Senate, major milestone (U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski) 8/1/18 (See 115th Congress H.R.6147)
'No one is above the law': Bill aims to strengthen federal repatriation law (Indianz) 7/31/18 (See 115th Congress H.R.6647)
Big Sandy Ranchera Enterprises challenging California tobacco laws (Legal NewsLine) 7/30/18
Fears in Oklahoma over ruling in tribal sovereignty case (Oklahoma's News 4) 7/29/18
St. Croix Chippewa Tribe wins agreement over hemp and state jurisdiction (Indianz) 7/27/18
St. Croix tribe to receive $250,000 from Shakopee Tribe (Leader Register) 7/26/18
Democrats: We must build on the successes of self-determination (Indianz) 7/23/18
North Dakota files claim against federal government seeking $38M for pipeline protest costs (Billings Gazette) 7/20/18
South Dakota loses bid to force Fladreau Santee Sioux Tribe to pay tax (Argus Leader) 7/16/18
How a state court and a tribal court collaborate on the Kenai (Alaska Public Media) 7/11/18
Native American tribes clash with UC over bones of their ancestors (CAL Matters) 7/10/18
'Shake it up': Bureau of Indian Affairs undergoes change in the Trump era (Indianz) 7/10/18
Brett Kavanaugh, the new Supreme Court Associate Justice nominee, should be questioned about Native rights (Native News Online) 7/10/18
Funding package with increases for Indian Country slated for action (Indianz) 7/9/18 (See 115th Congress H.R.6147)
Country Superior, Yurok Tribal Courts partner for family wellness court (Times-Standard) 7/6/18
FCC stands by decision to raise broadband prices on American Indians (Ars Technica) 7/6/18
Alaskan Tara Sweeney confirmed by Senate to Interior Department post (Anchorage Daily News) 6/30/18
Turtle Talk: Justice Kennedy was terrible for Indian Country (Indianz) 6/29/18
Tribes defer to federal authorities after Oklahoma voters approve marijuana (Indianz) 6/28/18
Wild ride continues as Supreme Court agrees to hear another treaty case
(Indianz) 6/28/18 (See Herrera v. Wyoming)
Navajo Nation, BIA, NPS sign strategic agreement for stewardship of Canyon De Chelly (Native News Online) 6/27/18
Supreme Court delivers bad news to tribes as term draws to a close (Indianz) 6/25/18 (See Northern Arapaho Tribe, et al. v. Wyoming; Eastern Shoshone Tribe v. Wyoming, et al.; Washington State Department of Licensing v. Cougar Den; Harvey, et al., v. Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, et al.)
Las Vegas Paiutes, Henderson renew agreement on prisoners (Las Vegas Review-Journal) 6/25/18
Feds say Crow Tribe can't account for $14.5M in highway construction funds (Missoula Current) 6/25/18
Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation discusses promises made to relocatees (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 6/19/18
Heitkamp: Bipartisan Senate farm bill prioritizes Indian Country (U.S. Senate Heidi Heitkamp) 6/19/18 (See 115th Congress S.2489)
Tribal affairs agencies make progress, not enough to satisfy senators (Arizona Daily Sun) 6/15/18
Udall secures major funding for Indian Country in Interior Appropriations Bill (U.S. Senator Tom Udall) 6/14/18 (See 115th Congress H.R.3354)
Indian Nations Law Update- June 2018 (The National Law Review) 6/13/18
Congress must work with, not against, tribal communities in crafting Farm Bill (The Hill) 6/11/18
Indian law and injustice (High Country News) 6/11/18
An advocate for Indian Country in the Trump administration? (High Country News) 6/7/18
Supreme Court delays action for ninth time in Indian Country violence case (Indianz) 6/5/18 (See United States v. Bearcomesout)
Court of appeals upholds $11M judgement in 2013 casino bus crash (Dallas Business Journal) 6/1/18
Future SCOTUS ruling could affect jurisdictional issues (Tahlequah Daily Press)
5/30/18
Grandmother sues after Bureau of Indian Affairs took kids from reservation (Indianz) 5/30/18
Trump administration backs Crow hunter in tribal treaty rights case (Indianz) 5/24/18
Trump administration finally informs tribes about dramatic reorganization (Indianz) 5/23/18
Town, Mashpee tribe reach agreement on land in trust bill (Cape Cod Times) 5/23/18
House comittee set to advance Republican sponsored Indian bills (Indianz) 5/22/18 (See 115th Congress H.R.2606, H.R.3744, H.R.5874)
State Attorney General wants to give more criminal justice options to tribes (KTOO Public Media) 5/17/18
Trump administration goes against tribal interests in treaty case (Indianz) 5/16/18
U.S.G.A.'s long relationship with Shinnecock Indians frays ahead of U.S. Open (The New York Times) 5/16/18
Mark Trahant: Paulette Jordan cruises to victory on primary night (Indianz) 5/16/18
NJ town hauled into court by Ramapough Nation (Court House News Service) 5/15/18
Another Indian law case in limbo as high court turns to Trump again (Indianz) 5/14/18 (See Osage Wind v. United States)
Bureau of Indian Affairs nominee vows 'zero tolerance' for harassment (Indianz) 5/10/18
UN Permanent Forum spotlights Indigenous peoples' contributions to global goals (Rights and Resources) 5/9/18
Bureau of Indian Affairs nominee Tara Sweeney set for confirmation hearing (Indianz) 5/8/18
Dozens of Indian Country leaders present their budget priorities (Indianz) 5/7/18
Tribes want lawmakers to strip federal approval for casino (Republican American) 5/3/18
Court says NLRA applies to tribes (Gaming Today) 5/1/18 (See Pauma v. National Labor Relations Board)
The Tribes vs. Donald Trump (Outside) 5/1/18
Bureau of Indian Affairs in disarray with another mysterious departure (Indianz) 4/27/18
House panel in charge of Indian legislation goes through some changes again (Indianz) 4/25/18
Gila River Indian Community ranks third in top lobbying contracts in DC (Indianz) 4/24/18
Tribes welcome probe into Trump administration's handling of gaming agreements (Indianz) 4/23/18
Top Trump officials skipped out on tribal consultation session amid big changes
(Indianz) 4/23/18
An Indigenous-led strategy for conservation in IUCN (IUCN) 4/22/18
Navajo Nation opposes BIA reorganization, regional director reassignment (Farmington Daily Times) 4/20/18
Labor concerns trump tribal sovereignty in Congress (High Country News) 4/20/18 (See 115th Congress H.R.986)
Seminole Tribe agress to keep sharing gaming revenue, but lawmakers want new deal (The Buzz) 4/18/18
Native American Tribe on U.S.-Mexico border blocks Trump's National Guard troops from its lands (Splinter) 4/16/18
Chicksaw woman selected to clerk for US Supreme court Justice Neil Gorsuch (Native News Online) 4/15/18
Permanent forum on Indigenous issues to focus on land, resources rights, as seventeenth session convenes at headquarters, 16-27 April (United Nations) 4/13/18
Indian tribes and income taxes (Norton Rose Fulbright) 4/10/15 (See Perkins v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue)
Bureau of Indian Affairs teachers accepted illegal payments from tribe (Indianz) 4/10/18
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs gets back to work after 'work' break (Indianz) 4/9/18 (See 115th Congress S.1250 and S.2515)
Trump administration hit for keeping two tribes in Connecticut in the dark (Indianz) 4/6/18
Harassment pervades the Bureau of Indian Affairs (High Country News) 3/13/18
The National Congress of American Indians calls on Interior Secretary Zinke to publish gaming compact amendments (Native News Online) 4/5/18
Tribes object as Trump appointees 'streamline' interests of wireless industry (Indianz) 3/20/18
'Acting' Trump administration officials present Indian budget plans (Indianz) 3/20/18
Interior Secretary: Death penalty for drug dealers could involve tribal communities (Phoenix New Times) 3/20/18
Fate of Keepseagle settlement funds in hands of Supreme Court (Indianz) 3/19/19 (See Mandan v. Perdue and Tingle v. Perdue)
Tribe clashes with Zinke on need for Mexican border wall (The Hill) 3/19/18
Oglala Sioux tribe joins legal fight against opioid industry (The Bismarck Tribune) 3/19/18
New law compels state patrol to work with tribes to identify missing American Indian women (
Daily Sun News) 3/16/18
Bemidji Police add Ojibwe language to all city police cars (Native News Online) 3/13/18
Indian lawmaker welcomes tribal delegation to Nebraska Capitol (Indianz) 3/13/18
Utah tribes demand cabinet position, lawmaker breaks into tears over mistreatment of Natives (EnviroNews Utah) 3/12/18
Cherokee Nation shared $19 million in casino revenue with Oklahoma (Indianz) 3/6/18
FBI Director makes historic visit to Navajo Nation (KNAU) 3/5/18
Record number of Native American women to run in 2018 midterm polls (Raw Story) 3/1/18
10 Questions: Native American judge devotes legal career to restorative justice (ABA Journal) 3/1/18
Supreme Court holds Congress may retroactively take property into trust for Native American tribes (Jurist) 2/27/18 (See Patchak v. Zinke)
Navajo Nation joins opposition to controversial 'fugitives' bill in Congress (Indianz) 2/26/18 (See 115th Congress H.R.4864)
Winnebago Tribe opposes Dakota County immigration enforcement program (Sioux City Journal) 2/26/18
Tribes see continued challenges as more cases head to highest court (Indianz) 2/21/18 (See Public Service Company of New Mexico v. Barboan; Herrera v. Wyoming; Upper Skagit Indian Tribe v. Lundgren)
Osage Nation citizen wins election as Mayor in Oklahoma's largest city (Indianz) 2/20/18
Top Indian positions in Trump administration remain without leaders (Indianz) 2/20/18
Tribes call on Washington to respect Native American sovereignty (The Durango Herald) 2/19/18
Tribal leaders: Infrastructure bill should include Indian Country priorities (NPR) 2/17/18
Tribes looking for more support to pass controversial sovereignty bill (Indianz) 2/14/18 (See 115th Congress H.R.986)
State of the Tribes address: "We're not past tense references" (WUWM) 2/14/18
Warren addresses claims of Native American heritage (Boston Globe) 2/14/18
Tribal leaders call on Washington to respect Native sovereignty (Pinal Central) 2/13/18
National Congress of American Indians: State of Indian Affairs (Indianz) 2/12/18
Sen. Tom Udall delivers response to the State of Indian Nations (Indianz) 2/12/18
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to hold business meeting & oversight hearing (Native News Online) 2/12/18
A Federal Appeals Court has struck part of an Oklahoma law governing gaming compacts with tribes (NewsOK) 2/10/18
Choctaw citizen leads Native committee at Department of Justice (Indianz) 2/8/18
Northwest tribal conevention discusses important issues (Char-Koosta News) 2/8/18
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs sets schedule for a busy week (Indianz) 2/8/17
Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California reaches agreement for amended Tribal-State gaming compact with state of Nevada (News West 9) 2/8/18
Native Sun News Today: Tribal sovereignty threatened by new bill (Indianz) 2/5/18 (See 115th Congress H.R.4864)
Treaty allows tribe to kill bison in ceremonial hunt (The Spokesman-Review) 2/1/18
Native lawmakers carve out space for tribal voices at the statehouse (New Mexico In Depth) 2/1/18
State lawmakers to consider bills directly affecting Indian Country (Osage News) 1/31/18
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe slams GOP bill with 'racist undertones' (Indianz) 1/30/18 (See 115th Congress H.R.4864)
Bismarck conference aims to improve tribal government relations (The Dickinson Press) 1/30/18
Arizona tribal members fighting Trump's border wall appear on CBS News (AZ Central) 1/29/18
Indigenous rights in NAFTA are not a social agenda (The Star) 1/26/18
Bill in South Dakota affirms state's support for Treaty of Fort Laramie (Indianz) 1/26/18
Coeur d'Alene citizen Paulette Jordan makes historic run for governor (Indianz) 1/22/18
Trump administration paves way for contested road to Native village (Indianz) 1/22/18
Secretary Zinke refused to meet with National Park Service advisory board (Indianz) 1/17/18
Federal Appellate Court to consider applicability of CCTA to Indian Tribes (Tobacco Law Blog) 1/17/18 (See Ho-Chunk, Inc. V. Sessions)
Only one tribal leader invited to hearing on GOP bill to gut Bears Ears National Monument (Indianz) 1/8/18 (See 115th Congress H.R.4532)
British Columbia High Court sides with Native American tribe in cross-border dispute (KNKX) 1/2/18