For 25 years, the Tribal Supreme Court Project (TSCP) has worked to strengthen Tribal sovereignty and improve outcomes for Tribal Nations in cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Established in 2001 by the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the project brings together Tribal leaders, attorneys, scholars and advocates to monitor and analyze federal Indian law cases, develop legal strategies and support Tribal Nations before the nation’s highest court.
This September, we will gather in Washington, DC, to celebrate the project’s 25th anniversary, reflect on its impact and look toward the future of Tribal sovereignty and justice.
Join us for two special events on September 17 and 18, 2026.
Thursday, September 17: 25th Anniversary Reception
6:00–9:00 p.m.
National Museum of the American Indian
Washington, DC
The anniversary celebration will begin Thursday evening with a reception at the National Museum of the American Indian.
The reception will bring together project supporters, partners, Tribal leaders, U.S. elected officials and leading experts in Indian law and Supreme Court practice to celebrate the history and achievements of the Tribal Supreme Court Project and reaffirm our collective commitment to defending Tribal sovereignty at the highest levels.
The evening will feature remarks from project partners and sponsors, an awards ceremony honoring Yuhaaviatam San Manuel Nation and Riyaz Kanji, Esq., a keynote address, and songs from the Zotigh Singers.
Guests will also have an opportunity to explore the museum during the reception. Throughout the evening, the TSCP 25th anniversary video series highlighting the project’s history, work and future will be shown around the reception hall.
Dress is semi-formal.
Tickets for the reception are very limited, and space is expected to fill quickly.
Register for the Reception
Friday, September 18: Colloquium on Indian Law Supreme Court Jurisprudence and Practice
8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Eaton DC Hotel
1201 K St. NW
Washington, DC
The anniversary celebration will continue Friday with a legal colloquium focused on Indian Law Supreme Court Jurisprudence and Practice.
The full-day program will bring together esteemed professors, judges and practitioners to examine the current state of Indian law jurisprudence, emerging legal issues and Supreme Court practice and strategy.
The tentative agenda includes panels featuring law professors, state and federal judges, and leading Supreme Court practitioners, as well as a keynote address from Dan Schweitzer, director and chief counsel of the National Association of Attorneys General’ Center for Supreme Court Advocacy.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Friday’s Program
8:00 a.m. — Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. — Welcome
Morgan Saunders, Attorney, Native American Rights Fund
8:40 a.m. — TSCP History Video
9:00 a.m. — Professors’ Panel
Moderated by Professor Dan Lewerenz, Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, University of North Dakota School of Law
Panelists include Professor Maggie Blackhawk, Professor Dylan Hedden-Nicely and Professor Derek Kauanoe.
10:30 a.m. — Judges’ Panel
Featuring judges from the Minnesota Supreme Court, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and Indigenous law scholars and practitioners.
12:00 p.m. — Lunch and Keynote
Dan Schweitzer, Director and Chief Counsel, National Association of Attorneys General, Center for Supreme Court Advocacy
1:30 p.m. — Practitioners’ Panel
Featuring leading attorneys with extensive Supreme Court and federal litigation experience.
2:45 p.m. — TSCP Future Video
3:15 p.m. — Closing
3:30 p.m. — Optional Reception
Register for the Colloquium
Space for the colloquium is limited. Attorneys, scholars, students, Tribal leaders and others interested in Indian law and Supreme Court practice are encouraged to register early.
Join Us in Celebrating 25 Years
The Tribal Supreme Court Project’s 25th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the people and partnerships that have shaped the project over the past quarter century — and to consider the work that lies ahead.
From September 17–18, join NARF, NCAI and members of the Indian law community in Washington, D.C., as we celebrate 25 years of advancing Tribal sovereignty and preparing for the next generation of Supreme Court advocacy.
Space for both events is limited. Register today to join us for this historic anniversary.
A special thank you to our sponsors:
