More: 9th circuit
Law | National | Politics
Cronkite News: Former sheriff pardoned by Trump seeks to clear conviction (April 19, 2018)
A controversial former sheriff who targeted Native people and other minorities is trying to clear his record.
Business | Law | National | Politics
Tribal lenders worried about 'mixed signals' from Trump administration (April 12, 2018)
Tribal lenders cheered when the Trump administration started taking the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in a new direction but an appeal is generating some concerns.
Law | National | Politics
Nooksack Tribe scores as Trump administration recognizes council (March 12, 2018)
A year after being called out by the Trump administration, the Nooksack Tribe has won recognition of its leadership amid a long-running disenrollment dispute.
Environment | Law | National
Tribal elders prepare appeal in bulldozing of burial grounds in Oregon (March 5, 2018)
Three tribal elders are planning an appeal in order to hold the federal government accountable for bulldozing a sacred site in Oregon.
Law | National | Politics
Judge grants reprieve against disputed leaders of Nooksack Tribe (January 30, 2018)
A lawsuit targeting the disputed leaders of the Nooksack Tribe has been put on hold while the Trump administration reviews the results of a recent election.
Environment | Law | National
Supreme Court passes on climate change case that drew tribal interest (January 23, 2018)
The U.S. Supreme Court won't be hearing a climate change dispute that drew intense interest among Alaska Natives.
Law | Federal Recognition
Nisenan Tribe back to square one after losing federal recognition lawsuit (January 17, 2018)
The Nisenan Tribe, one of the many victims of the disastrous termination policy, is still fighting to regain federal recognition.
Education | Law | National
Treaty tribes stunned as Supreme Court agrees to hear salmon passage case (January 15, 2018)
The U.S. Supreme Court has delivered a new year surprise to Indian Country by agreeing to resolve a treaty rights dispute.
Law | National
Federal judge who questioned 'Indian blood' and tribal courts resigns due to sexual harassment (December 18, 2017)
A prominent federal judge who has questioned whether certain criminal laws should be based on 'Indian blood' and whether tribal courts are fair is resigning after being repeatedly accused of sexual harassment.
Environment | Law | National | Politics
Havasupai Tribe sees mixed victory in litigation to protect Grand Canyon from uranium (December 13, 2017)
The Havasupai Tribe and environmental groups saw a mixed victory as they seek to protect the Grand Canyon in Arizona from uranium mining.
Business | Law | National
Supreme Court shakes up docket by accepting sovereignty case at request of tribe (December 11, 2017)
The U.S. Supreme Court has been relatively uneventful so far for Indian Country but a little shakeup is on the way.
Environment | Law | National
Agua Caliente Band clears big hurdle in battle to protect groundwater in California (November 27, 2017)
In a big win for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the nation's highest court has rejected a challenge to the tribe's historic water rights ruling.
Business | Law | National | Politics
Agency that targets tribal lenders faces leadership test as rivals claim control (November 27, 2017)
A leadership struggle is emerging at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the independent federal agency that has targeted tribal lenders.
Business | Law | National | Politics
Tribes see opening under Trump to reshape agency that targets lending industry (November 17, 2017)
The leader of an independent federal agency that has targeted the tribal lending industry will be stepping down, opening the door for President Donald Trump to reshape its efforts.
Law | National | Politics | Trust
Second federal appeals court chimes in with decision favoring tribal homelands (October 12, 2017)
Where Congress has failed to take action on one of the most consequential Supreme Court cases, tribes are seeing successes elsewhere as they seek to restore their homelands.
Law
Supreme Court puts end to case challenging Colorado River Indian Tribes lease (October 10, 2017)
It looks like a long-running lease dispute between the Colorado River Indian Tribes and a non-Indian tenant is finally over.
Business | Environment | Law | National | Politics | Trust
Supreme Court opens term with new justice and with Indian law cases on horizon (October 2, 2017)
The U.S. Supreme Court is back at work this week with a new member and a slew of Indian law cases on the horizon.
Environment | Law | National
Treaty tribes upset with appeal in major case amid salmon disaster in Washington (August 29, 2017)
The release of countless farmed salmon into treaty fishing grounds isn't the only crisis facing tribes in Washington -- the state is pursuing an appeal in a critical case.
Law
Appeals court affirms conviction in Northern Cheyenne Tribe manslaughter case (August 22, 2017)
A citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe can be prosecuted by tribal and federal authorities for the same crime because they are separate sovereigns, a federal appeals court ruled.
Environment | Law | National | Politics
Young indigenous activist fights Trump administration in climate change lawsuit (August 11, 2017)
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, a young activist, is a plaintiffs in a lawsuit that seeks to force the federal government to take a more serious stand on climate change.
Law
Court upholds conviction in Northern Cheyenne domestic violence case (August 1, 2017)
A citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe who was convicted of assaulting his common-law wife has lost an attempt to silence his victim.
Law | National
Bishop Paiute Tribe can proceed with sovereignty complaint against county (July 19, 2017)
The Bishop Paiute Tribe is returning to federal court to face off against a longtime nemesis in California.
Education | Law | National
Cronkite News: Navajo Nation welcomes decision in school jurisdiction case (June 29, 2017)
A federal appeals court ruled that the Navajo Nation Labor Commission can decide a labor dispute between school districts and their employees on Navajo land.
Education | Law | National
Appeals court ruling opens door for tribal jurisdiction over public schools (June 28, 2017)
Two public school districts in Arizona have lost their challenge to the Navajo Nation's sovereignty.
Law | National
Family from Crow Tribe wins right to pursue lawsuit against federal agent (June 27, 2017)
A family from the Crow Tribe is closer to securing some justice for the loss of their loved one in Montana.
Environment | Law | National
Cronkite News: Tribes win decision in water rights dispute in Arizona (June 15, 2017)
A federal appeals court agreed with two tribes who challenged plans to divert water from the Gila River in Arizona.
Environment | Law | National
Agua Caliente Band moves forward with next phase of water case (June 8, 2017)
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians already won two landmark rulings in its water rights case and will be looking for another victory in federal court.
Law | Opinion
Carl Tobias: Nominate Diane Humetewa for seat on appeals court (June 5, 2017)
A law professor makes the case for President Donald Trump to nominate the first Native woman to serve on a federal appeals court.
Environment | Law | National
Treaty tribes celebrate after court refuses to rehear salmon dispute (May 22, 2017)
The state of Washington has been ordered to remove more then 800 culverts that prevent salmon from returning to treaty fishing sites.
Law | Federal Recognition
Mishewal Wappo Tribe loses appeal in federal recognition lawsuit (April 26, 2017)
The California tribe waited too long after being terminated to bring the case, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Law
Appeals court won't rehear Santa Ynez Band enrollment dispute (April 6, 2017)
Rosanna Miranda and her relatives haven't decided whether to take the case to the nation's highest court.
Environment | Law | National
Agua Caliente Band sees challenge to landmark water rights ruling (March 30, 2017)
Two water districts in southern California are going to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the tribe's victory.
Business | Environment | Law | National
Cronkite News: Navajo Nation hails decision on aging power plant (March 27, 2017)
A federal appeals court rejected two cases related to the Navajo Generating Station, one that aimed to tighten environmental restrictions and another questioned the process that calls for the plant’s closure.
Law | National | Politics
Internal tribal disputes continue to trip up federal court system (March 23, 2017)
Tribal citizens who have been punished by their governments are finding few allies in the federal court system but that isn't stopping them from seeking justice.
Law | Federal Recognition
Mishewal Wappo Tribe returns to court to seek federal recognition (March 21, 2017)
The California-based tribe was targeted for termination in the 1950s.
Environment | Law
Hopi Tribe and Native activists lose cases over aging power plant (March 20, 2017)
A federal appeals court sided with the Environmental Protection Agency in a complex dispute over the facility on the Navajo Nation.
Business | Law | National
Water agency dealt setback in challenge to Bureau of Indian Affairs rule (March 7, 2017)
It's been a bad day in court for a local government entity in southern California.
Environment | Law | National
Agua Caliente Band wins major decision on rights to groundwater (March 7, 2017)
A federal appeals court sided with the southern California tribe in the critical first stage of the case.
Law | National
Supreme Court turns down another tribal disenrollment dispute (February 27, 2017)
The #StopDisenrollment movement continues to gain steam across the nation but there's still one place where it hasn't caught on.
Law
Paskenta Band seeks to freeze assets in connection with $6M theft (January 10, 2017)
A former official and two former employees have been indicted in federal court for allegedly stealing from the California tribe.
Environment | National | Politics
Northwest tribes set to reclaim ancestor known as the Ancient One (December 12, 2016)
The Kennewick Man will finally be coming home once President Barack Obama signs a national water bill into law.
Environment | Law | National
Navajo Nation youth battle coal-fired power plant on reservation (November 18, 2016)
A federal appeals court is hearing arguments in two cases affecting the Navajo Generating Station.
Environment | Law | National
Agua Caliente Band back in federal court to defend water rights (October 20, 2016)
The tribe won a major decision confirming its right to groundwater on the southern California reservation but two local agencies are appealing.
Business | Law
Yakama Nation tobacco dispute goes before federal appeals court (September 1, 2016)
The Washington tribe is challenging a federal tax that was imposed on a business that operates on an allotment within reservation boundaries.
Environment | Law
Gila River Indian Community continues fight against new freeway (September 1, 2016)
The Arizona tribe says the South Mountain Freeway will destroy one of its most sacred sites.
Business | Opinion
Harold Monteau: Tribal lending industry facing major challenges (August 26, 2016)
The Tribal Lending Industry is now weathering a 'Perfect Storm' of Private Civil Litigation, CFPB enforcement actions and Criminal Indictments.
Health | Law | National
Shingle Springs Band wins ruling in dispute over sovereign immunity (August 9, 2016)
The dispute arose after a former employee sued the tribe in California state court.
Law | National
Appeals court reverses conviction due to tribal certificate dispute (August 3, 2016)
Even though Edgar Alvirez won a reversal, the case took so long to resolve that he completed the terms of his sentence for an assault on an Indian woman.
Law | Politics | Trust
President Obama endorses land-into-trust foe in Senate contest in California (July 19, 2016)
As attorney general of California, Kamala Harris has repeatedly fought tribes on land-into-trust issues.
Law | National
Disenrollees of Pala Band ask federal appeals court for rehearing (July 14, 2016)
More than 150 people who were disenrolled say the Bureau of Indian Affairs has a duty to protect their rights.
Law | National
Court sides with Bureau of Indian Affairs in disenrollment dispute (July 8, 2016)
Leaders of the Pala Band of Mission Indians in California have removed hundreds of people from the rolls and no one has the power to stop them.
Business | Law | National
Supreme Court puts an end to another tribal jurisdiction dispute (June 28, 2016)
A case that Indian Country all but forgot was disposed by the nation's highest court without comment after a lengthy delay.
Environment | Law | National
Washington tribes win major fishing rights decision at appeals court (June 27, 2016)
By a unanimous vote, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the state of Washington continues to violate tribal treaties.
Law
9th Circuit rules Indian defendant can't blame 'historical trauma' (June 17, 2016)
Calvert Woody, a member of the Navajo Nation, tried to suppress incriminating statements he gave in his criminal sexual abuse case.
Law | National
Supreme Court decision hailed as a victory for tribal sovereignty (June 14, 2016)
Native women and their advocates call the unanimous ruling an important step in their quest for justice in Indian Country.
Law | National
Supreme Court upholds use of tribal convictions in federal system (June 13, 2016)
A unanimous decision from the nation's highest court ensures that Native women in all states can be protected by a federal law that was written to address high rates of violence in tribal communities.
Law | Politics | Trust
Native voters in California face unique choices in Senate election (June 8, 2016)
One candidate fought tribes on land-into-trust issue while the other had to apologize for making offensive remarks.
Business | Law | National | Politics
Tribal lenders face pressure as new rule aims to end 'debt traps' (June 7, 2016)
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a 1,341-page proposal that imposes standards on all lenders, including those operated by tribes.
Environment | Law
Supreme Court won't take up dispute over solar plant on sacred land (June 6, 2016)
A group of plaintiffs that included an elder from the Fort Mojave Tribe challenged the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in southern California.
Law | Politics