2019 Intergovernmental News Stories
U.S. House and Senate pass bills to compensate Spokane Tribe for losses from Grand Coulee Dam (Northwest Public Broadcasting) 12/17/19
More Indian Country bills advance on Capitol Hill amid impeachment drama (Indianz) 12/16/19
U.S. Supreme Court accepts new Oklahoma case about Indian reservations (The Oklahoman) 12/15/19 (See 2019-2020 Supreme Court McGirt v. Oklahoma)
Majority of U.S. states, 75 members of Congress and more than 30 organizations file amicus briefs in support of Native American families and children (Turtle Talk) 12/14/19
Chairman Hoeven convenes nomination hearing for Director of the Indian Health Service (Indian Country Today) 12/12/19
'It changed our lives': Banished women fight Ute tribal leaders in federal court (Wyoming Public Media) 12/11/19 (See Chegup v. Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation)
Senate bill could roll back tribal authority in domestic violence cases (Arizona Public Media) 12/10/19
New Mexico delegation praises passage of legislation to safeguard Native languages (U.S. Representative Deb Haaland) 12/10/19 (See 116th Congress S.256)
Utah Federal District Court dismisses case filed against Ute Indian Tribe by banished tribal members (Indian Country Today) 12/9/19 (See Chegup v. Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation)
Maine considers changes to Indian Claims Act (Public News Service) 12/6/19
Inslee appoints Raquel Montoya-Lewis as first Native American to sit on Washington Supreme Court (The Seattle Times) 12/4/19
Indian Child Welfare Act court hearing scheduled for January 2020 (Indianz) 12/4/19
GOP Navajo Nation member joints US Senate race in New Mexico (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 11/26/19
Senate VAWA bill 'undercuts tribal sovereignty' (Indian Country Today) 11/22/19
US Senate passes bill repealing discriminatory laws against Native Americans (Arizona Public Media) 11/20/19
Pima County considering new ourt for American Indian child welfare cases (Arizona Public Media) 11/19/19
Tribal Access to Homeless Assistance Act advances on Capitol Hill (Indianz) 11/18/19 (See 116th Congress H.R.4029)
Cherokees object to state's arbitration proposal on gaming contracts (Muscogee Phoenix) 11/14/19
Native American Child Protection Act up for first hearing (Indianz) 11/13/19 (See 116th Congress H.R.4957)
Trailblazing Pueblo woman leader delivers opening prayer in Congress (Indianz) 11/13/19
Still no sign of Supreme Court arguments in closely-watched Indian Country case (Indianz) 11/11/19
Native rights advocates quash pipeline Riot Boosting Act (Indianz) 11/7/19
Fifth Circuit to rehear Indian Child Welfare Act challenge (Indian Country Today) 11/7/19 (See Brackeen v. Bernhardt)
Attorney discusses impact of Murphy case on tribes (Tahlequah Daily Press) 11/7/19
Senate passes bill with funds for murdered and missing Indigenous women (Alaska Public Media) 11/4/19
The Ute Tribe secures passage of two resolutions at NCAI dealing with eagle feather protection & reparations (Native News Online) 11/3/19
Chairman Gallego and Ranking Member Cook introduce bipartisan bill to protect Native American children (Indian Country Today) 11/1/19 (See 116th Congress H.R.4957)
Tribes see slower season at nation's highest court but big cases remain unresolved (Indianz) 10/29/19
'This is our time': National Congress of American Indians elects new leadership (Indianz) 10/28/19
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls committee to meet in Moenkopi/Tuba City (Indian Country Today) 10/24/19
Indian Nations Law Update - October 2019 (The National Law Review) 10/24/19
Oglala, Cheyenne River Sioux leaders running for national leadership positions (Rapid City Journal) 10/22/19
RECAP: National Congress of American Indians opens annual convention #NCAIAnnual19 (Indianz) 10/22/19
Tricia Zunker's journey from school board to Congress (Indian Country Today) 10/16/19
Trump administration finally lands a leader for Indian housing programs (Indianz) 10/16/19
Senate hears testimony on roadblocks to tribal housing (Montana Public Radio) 10/16/19
Indian Affairs Committee to hold Oversight Hearing on homeownership in Indian Country (Indian Country Today) 10/15/19
Supreme Court opens new term with little new Indian law activity (Indianz) 10/9/19
Court holds the execution of Navajo man to hear claim of racial bias (Indian Country Today) 10/8/19
More Native American tribes join Buffalo Treaty (Bozeman Daily Chronicle) 10/7/19
'It's time to put a Navajo in Congress' (Indian Country Today) 10/7/19
Candi Brings Plenty joins ACLU as Indigenous Justice Organizer (Indian Country Today) 10/4/19
ACLU hires indigenous justice organizer for the Dakotas (The Bismarck Tribune) 10/3/19
A conversation with TY Law Prof. Judith Royster, a specialist on Federal Indian Law (Public Radio Tulsa) 10/2/19
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe asks Supreme Court to hear sovereignty case (Indianz) 10/1/19 (See 2019-2020 Supreme Court Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas v. State of Texas)
Navajo Nation welcomes key lawmaker to reservation for uranium mining forum (Indianz) 10/1/19
Cherokee Nation's historic delegate to Congress (Indianz) 9/30/19
Money for #MMIW task force in Arizona goes missing in bureaucracy (Indianz) 9/26/19
Wyoming tribes support bull to fund Indian programs in advance (Wyoming Public Media) 9/25/19
Tribal Coastal Resiliency Act inches forward on Capitol Hill (Indianz) 9/25/19 (See 116th Congress H.R.729)
Permanent display proposed for North Dakota tribal flags in state Capitol (The Bismarck Tribune) 9/23/19
6 Native leaders on what it would look like if the US kept its promises (Vox) 9/23/19
Yurok Chairman to testify at hearing on Yurok Lands Act (Indian Country Today) 9/19/19
A demand for action on the steps of the US Capitol (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 9/17/19
Indian Programs Advanced Appropriations Act up for first hearing on Capitol Hill (Indianz) 9/17/19 (See 116th Congress H.R.1128)
Standing Rock Tribe may intervene on Dakota Access pipeline plan, judge rules (Billings Gazette) 9/12/19
Tribes' lawsuit against president heard in Montana federal court (South Dakota Public Radio) 9/12/19 (More info via Turtle Talk)
State to Senecas: We're ready to fix the thruway (Amherst Times) 9/16/19
Seneca Nation hosts state senators, assemblymen on Allegany Territory (Olean Times Herald) 9/12/19
Ahead of VAWA anniversary, Haaland builds bipartisan momentum behind House BADGES Act to fight violence against Native women, address missing and murdered Indigenous women crisis (U.S. Representative Deb Haaland) 9/11/19 (See 116th Congress S.1853)
Attorneys for Navajo man file stay of execution (Navajo Times) 9/10/19
Delegate Charlaine Tso delivers Violence Against Women Act testimony (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 9/10/19
'A historic leap forward': ND tribes sign updated agreement with state over child welfare services (The Bismarck Tribune) 9/6/19
Taos Pueblo endorses Las Vegas native for Congress (Taos News) 9/3/19
Commentary: Appeals court affirms indigenous children belong to a political class, not racial (The Jamestown Sun) 9/2/19
Cherokee Nation picks former Obama adviser as first U.S. House delegate (PBS) 8/30/19
Attorney General's advisory subcomittee on Native American issues to convene in New Mexico (U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Montana) 8/27/19
Cherokee Nation picks rep. for Congress, promised by US government nearly 200 years ago (The Syracuse Post-Standard) 8/26/19
Cherokee Nation says it is owed a representative in Congress (National Public Radio) 8/26/19
Shoshone-Bannock meetings with Crow Tribe continue on treaty rights (Indian Country Today) 8/21/19
RECAP: Afternoon session of Frank LaMere Native American Presidential Forum (Indianz) 8/19/19
9th Circuit affirms tribal sovereignty in North Idaho encroachment ruling (Indian Country Today) 8/15/19 (See Coeur d'Alene Tribe v. Hawks)
U.S. Appeals Court: Tribes have right to review FCC-regulated development (The Daily Republic) 8/14/19 (See United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians v. FCC)
Trump administration announces change to eagle policy in Indian Country (Indianz) 8/13/19
High court Murphy decision could have major impact on state, tribal authority (The Oklahoman) 8/13/19
Why won't the US acknowledge tribal rule in its dealth penalty decisions? (Medium) 8/13/19
Navajo Nation, Albuquerque sign deal to combat racism (ABC News) 8/11/19
Federal appeals court upholds landmark Native adoption law, reversing Texas court's decision (Anchorage Daily News) 8/10/19 (See Brackeen v. Bernhardt)
After California tribes cry foul, Assembly Member James Ramos kills a repatriation bill (Indian Country Today) 8/6/19
Joshua Adams: Politicians can't keep ignoring Native Americans (Indianz) 8/6/19
More 2020 presidential candidates line up for historic Native issues forum (Indianz) 8/6/19
5 Democratic presidential candidates confirmed for Sioux City forum on Native issues (Sioux City Journal) 8/4/19
E. Shoshone and Shoshone-Bannock Tribes meet to discuss off-reservation hunting (Wyoming Public Media) 7/31/19
RESPECT Act long overdue (Highlands News-Sun) 7/29/19 (See 115th Congress S.343)
Senate panel moves quickly on Trump nominee for National Indian Gaming Commission (Indianz) 7/29/19
Bill John Baker: Tribal governments ensure Oklahoma's success (Indianz) 7/25/19
How much Oklahoma? Governor demands a record share of tribal casino revenues (Indian Country Today) 7/25/19
State court terminates criminal cases against Tulalip Treaty fishermen (Indian Country Today) 7/23/19
Heinrich, Lujan lead bipartisan, bicameral legislation to protect Native American seeds and traditional food products (U.S. Representative Ben Ray Lujan) 7/23/19 (See 116th Congress H.R.3916)
Gila River Indian Community governor talks about MMIW to feds (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 7/23/19
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to hold business meeting and nomination hearing July 24 (Indian Country Today) 7/22/19
Rep. Andi Clifford talks Indigenous representation at town hall (Wyoming Public Media) 7/15/19
Indian Affairs Committee to hold business meeting to consider two Indian bills (Indian Country Today) 7/15/19 (See 116th Congress S.886, S.2071)
Senate passes bills on Indian economic development and self-governance (Native Sun News Today) 7/10/19 (See 116th Congress S.209, S.212)
Supreme Court keeps Indian Country in the dark in sovereignty case (Indianz) 7/10/19 (See Carpenter v. Murphy Supreme Court 2018-2019 term)
Rounds, Sinema, Lankford, O'Halleran, Cole, Johnson introduce bipartisan, bicameral bill to repeal antiquated, hostile laws directed toward Native Americans (U.S. Representative Tom Cole) 7/10/19 (See 116th Congress S.2071, H.R.3684 )
Cherokee citizen Tyler Fish hired to work on Indian issues at White House (Indianz) 7/10/19
House subcommittee adds legislative hearing on Indian bills to agenda (Indianz) 7/9/19 (See 116th Congress H.R.396, H.R.895, H.R.2031, H.R.2414)
House subcommittee schedules hearing on infrastructure in Indian Country (Indianz) 7/8/19
Another tribal provision submitted for inclusion in 'must pass' defense bill (Indianz) 7/8/19
Justice and race: Native Americans under-represented in western SD jury pools (Rapid City Journal) 7/7/19
House committee advances bill recognizing sovereign rights of tribes in Texas (Indianz) 6/21/19
Navajo Nation strategizes to ensure every Navajo citizen is countede (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 6/18/19
Supreme Court affirms sovereignty doctrine as wait continues in tribal case (Indianz) 6/18/19
Census, tribal leaders push for American Indian participation in 2020 Census (The Salt Lake Tribune) 6/15/19
Interior hold listening session with tribal partners on reclaiming Native communities (U.S. Department of the Interior) 6/13/19 (See 116th Congress S. 227, S. 288, S. 290, S. 982)
National Congress of American Indians enters 'new chapter' with new executive (Indianz) 6/12/19
Indian Child Welfare Act still under debate as Supreme Court rebuffs bid to void the act (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 6/11/19
'We are a voice': Native Americans diving into local politics amid national momentum (The Bismarck Tribune) 6/10/19
More Native candidates are running for local office--and winning--in Washington state (Indian Country Today) 6/9/19
Who can adopt a Native American child? A Texas couple vs. 573 tribes (The New York Times) 6/5/19
What do 2020 candidates mean when they say 'reparations'? (The Atlantic) 6/5/19
Congressional panel focuses on 'Broken Promises' report on Indian Country (Indianz) 6/5/19
Native Sun News Today: Supreme Court decision impacts tribal sovereignty (Indianz) 6/3/19
Top Democrat hoping to craft gambling deal with tribes (Idaho Statesman) 5/31/19
Tribe, town make their pleas in federal court (Martha's Vineyard Times) 5/31/19
Tribal leaders in U.S. and abroad to gather in Norman (The Journal Record) 5/30/19
U.S. Supreme Court denies review of Arizona child welfare case (The Durango Herald) 5/30/19 (More info via Turtle Talk)
U.S. Supreme Court rejects Comanche casino case (The Oklahoman) 5/29/19 (More info via Turtle Talk)
State Supreme Court issues temporary restraining order against Shinnecock billboards (The Southampton Press) 5/28/19
Supreme Court enters final stretch with no new Indian law cases on docket (Indianz) 5/28/19 (More info via Turtle Talk)
Kodiak Tribes band together in effort to form Alaska's first official inter-tribal court system (Kodiak Daily Mirror) 5/24/19
Agreement reached to build border surveillance towers on Tohono O'odham land (Arizona Public Media) 5/22/19
Navajo Nation receives President Trump's support for disaster declaration (Indian Country Today) 5/22/19
Protections for Native women in limbo amid party divisions in Congress (Indianz) 5/22/19
Supreme Court rules in favor of Native American rights in Wyoming hunting case (National Public Radio) 5/20/19 (More information via Turtle Talk)
Supreme Court backs off-reservation treaty rights of Crow Tribe (Indianz) 5/20/19
Elizabeth Book-Lynn: How the 'rule of law' harms indigenous peoples (Indianz) 5/20/19
New Mexico tribal leaders meet for historic summit with Governor Lujan Grisham (Indian Country Today) 5/17/19
Court rejects Navajo Nation's lawsuit over police shooting (The Miami Herald) 5/17/19
House passes Mashpee Wampanoag land rights bill (The Boston Herald) 5/15/19 (See 116th Congress H.R. 312)
Navajo veterans urged to submit claims to recover Arizona income taxes (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 5/14/19
U.S. Bill calls for DOJ review of Indian Country probes (U.S. News) 5/14/19
Arizona tribe refuses Trump's wall, but agrees to let Border Patrol build virtual barrier (Los Angeles Times) 5/9/19
Appeals court appears skeptical of attack on tribal lending operation (Indianz) 5/8/19
'A Racial Slur': President Trump blamed for derailing passage of two pro-tribal bills (Indianz) 5/8/19 (See 116th Congress H.R. 312, H.R. 375)
End the feather ban: Government considers protecting Native American rights (Native News Online) 5/7/19
South Dakota governor won't test tribal ban from reservation (Fox Business) 5/7/19
Bills benefit tribal interests (NBC) 5/6/19
Witness list for Sentate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing on Trump budget (Indianz) 5/6/19
Navajo Nation Council commends President's May 5th MMIW proclamation (Indian Country Today) 5/6/19
Tester blasts interior on Badger-Two Medicine lease cancellations (Flathead Beacon) 5/3/19
Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives Awareness Day, 2019 (White House) 5/3/19
Oglala Sioux Tribe tells South Dakota Governor "you are not welcome" in dispute over right to protest Keystone Pipeline (The Root) 5/3/19
Senate Indian Affairs Committee issues report on self-governance by Indian tribes (Congress.Gov) 4/29/19
Southampton residents clash with Native Americans over huge monuments (New York Post) 5/1/19
Local student speaks at UN in support of indigenous rights (Miami News-Record) 4/29/19
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to hold legislative hearing on three bills (Indian Country Today) 4/29/19 (See 116th Congress S.279, S.790, S.832)
Indian Country's legislative priorities inch forward in divided Congress (Indianz) 4/29/19 (See 116th Congress H.R.91, H.R.317, H.R. 375, H.R.312, H.R.1146, S.790, S.832)
Two Tribes, Dunleavy at odds over tribal sovereignty (Alaska Public Media) 4/24/19
Mauna Kea conflict brought to United Nations Racial Discriminiation Committee (Big Island Video News) 4/22/19
Ramapough Lenape Nation sees some support from Trump administration (Indianz) 4/22/19
Seneca Nation seeks federal review after losing $256 million arbitration ruling (Indianz) 4/22/19
New Interior leader had 'absolutley nothing to do with' stalled tribal casino (Indianz) 4/17/19
U.S. Supreme Court rejects Allergan bid to shield drug patents from review (CNBC) 4/15/19
Indian Affairs hearing turns into Trump adiministration apology tour (Indianz) 4/11/19
Lisa J. Billy, Chicksaw, is first Secretary of Native American Affairs in Oklahoma (Indian Country Today) 4/11/19
United Nations Human Rights Committee questions the United States on civil and political rights (Indian Country Today) 4/11/19
Seneca Nation ordered to pay $255 million to New York state (Syracuse) 4/11/19
Rep. Haaland marks 100 days in office with House Floor speech (Native News Online) 4/10/19
Bill opens door for grants for Lumbee Tribe (The Robesonian) 4/10/19
New Mexico makes historic investment in tribal communities (Indian Country Today) 4/8/19
What difference does it make to have Native Americans in Congress? This. (Indian Country Today) 4/7/19
Rep. Haaland introduces bipartisan Progress for Indian Tribes Act (Native News Online) 4/4/19 (See 116th Congress H.R.2031)
Cherokee Nation not happy with ruling on 'Native American' art (Tahlequah Daily Press) 4/4/19 (See Peggy Fontenot v. Mike Hunter)
Consultation is not consent (Indian Country Today) 4/3/19
Oglala Sioux Chairman Bear Runner joins South Dakota legislators in calling for federal disaster declaration in South Dakota (Indian Country Today) 4/3/19
Family Wellness Court brings healing to tribal families (California Courts) 4/2/19
Witness list for hearing on tribal homelands and tribal consulation bills (Indianz) 4/2/19 (See 116th Congress H.R.375 and H.R.312)
Judge rules for pueblos in revenue dispute with state (Santa Fe New Mexican) 4/1/19 (See Pueblo of Isleta v. Michelle Lujan Grisham)
Sen. Udall will not seek re-election in 2020 (Native News Online) 3/25/19
Tribes fight to display tribal flag during sporting events (Daily Interlake) 3/21/19
North Dakota advocates for local BIA training facility to combat tribal officer shortage (The Bismarck Tribune) 3/20/19
Boulder officials and Native American leaders plot road forward (Colorado Daily) 3/19/19
Public road use won't open tribal business state tax liability (Court House News Service) 3/19/19 (See Washington State Department of Licensing v. Cougar Den)
Harold Frazier: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe won't allow flag in state capitol (Indianz) 3/18/19
New House Tribal Affairs Committee aims to advance state relationships (Alaska Public Radio) 3/18/19
Defying US Borders, Native Americans are asserting their territorial rights (The Nation) 2/22/19
Tribes push back on FDA decision to lift ban on genetically engineered salmon (Native News Online) 3/12/19
President Trump releases new budget with cuts for Indian Country programs (Indianz) 3/11/19
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs takes yet another look at 'high-risk' programs (Indianz) 3/11/19
Alaska Native women - front and center (Anchorage Press) 3/5/19
Federal Appeals Court Affirms Tribal Immunity from Bankruptcy Code (JDSupra) 3/1/19 (See In re Greektown Holdings, LLC)
National Congress of American Indians names new communications director (Indianz) 2/27/19
Hoeven convenes hearing on the Native American Programs Act and Adiminstration for Native Americans (U.S. Senate) 2/27/19
Democrats warn of 'termination of tribal nations' as Trump nominee lands spot on key court (Indianz) 2/26/19
Witness list for Senate hearing on Administration for Native Americans (Indianz) 2/26/29
Federal judge: Non-tribal police have authority over Yakamas in some cases on reservation (Yakima Herald) 2/26/19
Supreme Court's fuel tax ruling will be a big deal for WA tribes (Crosscut.) 2/25/19 (See Washington State Department of Licensing v. Cougar Den)
Grand jury examines whether former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke lied to federal investigators (Los Angeles Times) 2/23/19
National Congress of American Indians announces departure of executive director (Indianz) 2/19/19
Supreme Court on a case of treaty rights v. state taxation (High Country News) 2/19/19 (See Washington State Department of Licensing v. Cougar Den)
Presidents Day under Trump: Dishonoring Native peoples (Cultural Survival) 2/18/19
President of National Congress of American Indians issues apology (Indianz) 2/15/19
White House listening session turns messy as one tribe walks out in protest (Indianz) 2/14/19
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs focuses on Administration for Native Americans (Indians) 2/13/19
Native leaders deliver rebuke of Trump administration at State of Indian Nations (Indianz) 2/11/19
House subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States set for first hearing (Indianz) 2/11/19
Tribal leaders gather in nation's capital amid threat of another shutdown (Indianz) 2/11/19
Native Sun News Today: Bill in South Dakota requires tribal consulation (Indianz) 2/6/19
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs advances more legislation in troubled climate (Indianz) 2/6/19 (See 116th Congress)
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez to join Udall as honored guest for State of the Union (NPR) 2/5/19
Tribes invited to present funding priorities despite lack of budget from Trump (Indianz) 2/5/19
Native American caucus leadership established for 116th Congress (Native News Online) 1/30/19
Key Issues: Native American Issues (U.S. Government Accountability Office) 1/30/19
Utah judge denies challenge to Navajo's election candidacy (KUTV) 1/30/19
Navajo council members meet with New Mexico governor (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 1/29/19
Tribes seek practical border solutions that respect culture, religion, and family (Indian Country Today) 1/29/19
'We shouldn't have to fight': Tribes worried about the next shutdown (Indianz) 1/29/19
Kansas House panel studies bill establishing reciprocity in tribal, state courts (Wellington Daily News) 1/28/19
Sens. Moran, Daines introduce Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act (U.S. Senator Jerry Moran) 1/28/19 (See 116th Congress H.R. 779)
National Indian Gaming Commission names new regional director (Indianz) 1/24/19
Native American leader: 'A wall is not the answer' (NPR) 1/23/19
Lawsuit filed over tribal police pursuit (U.S. News) 1/17/19
Tribal leader asks Legislature for meth summit (West River Eagle) 1/16/19
Panel rules in favor of New York; Seneca must pay $200 million compact decision (Indian Country Today) 1/15/19
'Racist and disrespectufl tweet': Tribal leaders condemn President Trump (Indianz) 1/14/19
At U.S.-Mexico border, a tribal nation fights wall that would divide them (PBS) 1/13/19
On the Navajo Nation, 5,000 workers dependent on a federal paycheck (NPR) 1/12/19
United South and Eastern Tribes: 'This shutdown must end now' (Indianz) 1/10/19
Rosebud Sioux president pushes for Medicaid expansion, college tuition waivers in annual State of the Tribes (The Daily Republic) 1/10/19
Nevada board endorses Shoshone name 'Doso Doyabi' for mountain (Indianz) 1/10/19
Senate Committe on Indian Affairs retains bipartisan leadership (Indianz) 1/9/19
Supreme Court takes up another Indian law case with few on the horizon (Indianz) 1/8/19 (See Herrera v. Wyoming)
Meet Ruth Buffalo, the first Native American Democratic woman in North Dakota's statehouse (Newsweek) 1/6/19
Utah GOP candidate sues after Navajo wins county election (U.S. News) 1/4/19
Shutdown leaves food, medicine and pay in doubt in Indian Country (The New York Times) 1/1/19
